Exodus 35:4, 5b,10, 20-22, 26, 29; 36:2b, 5-7
4-Moses said to the whole Israelite community, "This is what the LORD has commanded:
5b-Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering...
10- "All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the LORD has commanded:
20-22 Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses' presence,
and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought
an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its
service, and for the sacred garments.
All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought...
26- And all the women who were willing
29- All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings...
36:2b- every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work
5-7- "The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done." Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp:
"No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the
sanctuary." And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.
Dear Lord,
As I read these chapters, I am reminded of stats that Pastor Carl told us. In the church 20% of the people do 80% of the work; 50% do the rest of the 20% and the rest do nothing.
When Moses told God's command to ALL of the Isrealites who had experienced the goodness of God and had not been eliminated by sword or plague. And yet, throughout these versed I read "who were willing". Obviously this means that some were still not willing. It never said that some were not able. Even so, there was more than was needed and they had to be asked to stop giving.
Lord, You never force Your will on anyone because You are looking for willing hearts. There have been so many times when our pastor has told of a need for help in some area: children's ministry, parking lot attendants, nursery workers, help with painting and construction etc. for the Living Cross...how many of us are really willing to sacrifice our time, talent, or treasures to Your work? Lord, I know I have failed myself and beg Your forgiveness. We all can come up with all kinds of excuses as to why we can't or won't. Lord, I see that it is a matter of the heart. Give me a willing heart, Lord!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Which Skins, Lord? Answer
Lord, after doing quite a bit of research, and asking a learned Old Testament professor at LU, it is evident that the word used for that particular animal is vague at best and can mean all of those things.
After the 8th plague, God told Moses to have the Israelites ask their neighbors for anything of value. The Egyptians, being VERY eager to rid their nation of these people who were bringing such devastation upon them, would have given them everything that had that they did not need to sustain their own lives. Therefore they had the gold, silver, bronze, and precious stones fine linen, and all of the skins for the Tabernacle.
When God turned the Nile into blood, everything within it died. Although the stench in the land had to be horrible, if there were sea cows in the Nile at that time and their skins were viewed as valuable, the Israelites might very well have had an abundance of sea cow hides.
After the 8th plague, God told Moses to have the Israelites ask their neighbors for anything of value. The Egyptians, being VERY eager to rid their nation of these people who were bringing such devastation upon them, would have given them everything that had that they did not need to sustain their own lives. Therefore they had the gold, silver, bronze, and precious stones fine linen, and all of the skins for the Tabernacle.
When God turned the Nile into blood, everything within it died. Although the stench in the land had to be horrible, if there were sea cows in the Nile at that time and their skins were viewed as valuable, the Israelites might very well have had an abundance of sea cow hides.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Which Skins, Lord?
Exodus 35: 23 "And every man, with whom was found blue, purple, and scarlet [thread],
fine linen, and goats' [hair], red skins of rams, and badger skins,
brought [them]." KJV, NKJV, YLT
"Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or hides of sea cows brought them." NIV
"Every man, who had in his possession blue and purple and scarlet material and fine linen and goats' hair and rams' skins dyed red and porpoise skins, brought them." NASB
"All those who owned the following items willingly brought them: blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; and tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather" NLT, ESV
Lord,
So many different animal skins: There is such a huge difference in badger skins, sea cow hides, porpoise skins, and goat skins. They are so very different. I don't know where the Israelites would have been able to get the hides of sea cows or porpoises. Badgers, as we know them, do not live in the dessert at least now. Goat skins seem to be the most realistic...but which one is it, Lord? It does not matter, really, I suppose...just wondering.
"Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or hides of sea cows brought them." NIV
"Every man, who had in his possession blue and purple and scarlet material and fine linen and goats' hair and rams' skins dyed red and porpoise skins, brought them." NASB
"All those who owned the following items willingly brought them: blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; and tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather" NLT, ESV
Lord,
So many different animal skins: There is such a huge difference in badger skins, sea cow hides, porpoise skins, and goat skins. They are so very different. I don't know where the Israelites would have been able to get the hides of sea cows or porpoises. Badgers, as we know them, do not live in the dessert at least now. Goat skins seem to be the most realistic...but which one is it, Lord? It does not matter, really, I suppose...just wondering.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
So, Angels are Whimps? NOT!
Exodus 33:2 " And I will send an angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites."
Lord! ONE angel went before them to do all that? Not a host...not a legion...but ONE! Amazing!
Lord! ONE angel went before them to do all that? Not a host...not a legion...but ONE! Amazing!
Moses' First Two Tablets
Exodus 32:15-16 "Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the
Testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and
back.
The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.
Dear Lord,
I know I am not the only one to ever see this...but this is the first time I did. When we think of the tablets Moses had on the Mt Sinai, we think of the Ten Commandments; five writteen on each tablet...and that is all. Here, by what this says...it looks like all that you told Moses about how to build the tabernacle may have been written on the first tablets.
The on the second tablets--the Covenant Tablets, You inscribed the Ten Commandments...but was that all?
Lord, I would love to have been able to see those first tablets inscribed by You in stone! Did you write very very tiny, or did You give Moses super strength to carry 2 huge stones up and down Mt Sinai?
Somehow, I don't believe since Moses and the people were Hebrew that the tablets had Roman Numerals inscribed on them like we see them in artist interpretations today..
Dear Lord,
I know I am not the only one to ever see this...but this is the first time I did. When we think of the tablets Moses had on the Mt Sinai, we think of the Ten Commandments; five writteen on each tablet...and that is all. Here, by what this says...it looks like all that you told Moses about how to build the tabernacle may have been written on the first tablets.
The on the second tablets--the Covenant Tablets, You inscribed the Ten Commandments...but was that all?
Lord, I would love to have been able to see those first tablets inscribed by You in stone! Did you write very very tiny, or did You give Moses super strength to carry 2 huge stones up and down Mt Sinai?
Somehow, I don't believe since Moses and the people were Hebrew that the tablets had Roman Numerals inscribed on them like we see them in artist interpretations today..
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Altar of Incense and Gifts of Skill
Exodus 31-31
Sweet Lord,
As Dick and I were reading this we were trying to figure out how wood could be overlayed with gold. You instructed Moses to have an altar built on which to burn incense. The wood that was used for some of the parts had to be overlayed with gold. Then as we read the next chapter, we saw that You had chosen 2 men. The first You say, "Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel ...I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft!"
"And I have personally appointed Oholiab..., to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make: the Tabernacle; the Ark of the Covenant; the Ark's cover—the place of atonement; all the furnishings of the Tabernacle; the table and its utensils; the pure gold lampstand with all its accessories; the incense altar; t he altar of burnt offering with all its utensils; the washbasin with its stand; the beautifully stitched garments—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests; the anointing oil; the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. The craftsmen must make everything as I have commanded you."
WHEW! You filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, and with all knowledge to create all you had required. The second, You filled also with certain gifts to be a helper to the first, and then gave all the other workers the skills they needed to complete the jobs You gave them.
Lord, I wonder...did you fill these men slowly and teach him from birth to do these things and to know how, or did You do it all at once. If all at once, what must that have been like for them! I can only imagine. For even one of these crafts: wood working, carving, metal work, stone cutting, and weaving; it would take years of learning.
Then, Lord, You give instruction s on how to blend the anointing oil and incense. When Dick and I were walking through a couple of the stores at Christmas time, there were bins of pine cones and brooms that had been infused with Cinnamon oil. It was overpowering and burned our eyes and noses. One store finally put theirs outside because the workers were having such a time trying to breathe.
For the anointing oil, you told them to, "Collect choice spices—12½ pounds of pure myrrh, 6¼ pounds of fragrant cinnamon, 6¼ pounds of fragrant calamus, and 12½ pounds of cassia —as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. Also get one gallon of olive oil."
I don't have any idea what that may have smelled like, but You asked Moses to anoint the test, all of the articles in it, the priests and their robes with it.
Then You told him to "Gather fragrant spices—resin droplets, mollusk shell, and galbanum—and mix these fragrant spices with pure frankincense, weighed out in equal amounts." to make incense to burn night and day on the altar.
Out there in the wilderness it must have smelled heavenly in the open air wafting through the camp.
Lord, it is a great reminder to me that You never give us a job to do that You do not equip us. And since we have Your Holy Spirit within us now, after salvation, we have no excuse not to complete the tasks You have given. Thank You, Lord!
Sweet Lord,
As Dick and I were reading this we were trying to figure out how wood could be overlayed with gold. You instructed Moses to have an altar built on which to burn incense. The wood that was used for some of the parts had to be overlayed with gold. Then as we read the next chapter, we saw that You had chosen 2 men. The first You say, "Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel ...I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft!"
"And I have personally appointed Oholiab..., to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make: the Tabernacle; the Ark of the Covenant; the Ark's cover—the place of atonement; all the furnishings of the Tabernacle; the table and its utensils; the pure gold lampstand with all its accessories; the incense altar; t he altar of burnt offering with all its utensils; the washbasin with its stand; the beautifully stitched garments—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests; the anointing oil; the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. The craftsmen must make everything as I have commanded you."
WHEW! You filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, and with all knowledge to create all you had required. The second, You filled also with certain gifts to be a helper to the first, and then gave all the other workers the skills they needed to complete the jobs You gave them.
Lord, I wonder...did you fill these men slowly and teach him from birth to do these things and to know how, or did You do it all at once. If all at once, what must that have been like for them! I can only imagine. For even one of these crafts: wood working, carving, metal work, stone cutting, and weaving; it would take years of learning.
Then, Lord, You give instruction s on how to blend the anointing oil and incense. When Dick and I were walking through a couple of the stores at Christmas time, there were bins of pine cones and brooms that had been infused with Cinnamon oil. It was overpowering and burned our eyes and noses. One store finally put theirs outside because the workers were having such a time trying to breathe.
For the anointing oil, you told them to, "Collect choice spices—12½ pounds of pure myrrh, 6¼ pounds of fragrant cinnamon, 6¼ pounds of fragrant calamus, and 12½ pounds of cassia —as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. Also get one gallon of olive oil."
I don't have any idea what that may have smelled like, but You asked Moses to anoint the test, all of the articles in it, the priests and their robes with it.
Then You told him to "Gather fragrant spices—resin droplets, mollusk shell, and galbanum—and mix these fragrant spices with pure frankincense, weighed out in equal amounts." to make incense to burn night and day on the altar.
Out there in the wilderness it must have smelled heavenly in the open air wafting through the camp.
Lord, it is a great reminder to me that You never give us a job to do that You do not equip us. And since we have Your Holy Spirit within us now, after salvation, we have no excuse not to complete the tasks You have given. Thank You, Lord!
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Do What is Good
Titus 3:1-7 NLT
"Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.
But—"When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of His grace He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life."
Sweet Lord,
I need to be reminded of this often. When I see the evil in this world and in our country, it is hard not to judge. When the authorities over us make laws or promote evil, I find it hard to submit to their authority. However; as long as they do not insist that I participate in what they consider legal: same sex marriage, abortion, homosexuality, divorce; I must honor and obey the other laws they put on the books. I must pray for them that You will open their eyes to the TRUTH of Your word, acknowledge You as Lord, and accept You as the ONLY savior of this world.
Also, when we read the paper, listen to the news, and just see what happens around us in the unbelieving world, I have to be reminded that I was like that too before You saved me. I was a slave to unrighteousness. Again, I love the "But God"s in Your word. You change everything! Thank You, Lord for loving sinners so much. Help me to love them as You do.
Help me, Lord to be obedient, always ready to do what is good. to not slander anyone and to must avoid quarreling. Instead, help me to be gentle and show true humility to everyone. Only then will I win others to Christ and honor You.
"Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.
But—"When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of His grace He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life."
Sweet Lord,
I need to be reminded of this often. When I see the evil in this world and in our country, it is hard not to judge. When the authorities over us make laws or promote evil, I find it hard to submit to their authority. However; as long as they do not insist that I participate in what they consider legal: same sex marriage, abortion, homosexuality, divorce; I must honor and obey the other laws they put on the books. I must pray for them that You will open their eyes to the TRUTH of Your word, acknowledge You as Lord, and accept You as the ONLY savior of this world.
Also, when we read the paper, listen to the news, and just see what happens around us in the unbelieving world, I have to be reminded that I was like that too before You saved me. I was a slave to unrighteousness. Again, I love the "But God"s in Your word. You change everything! Thank You, Lord for loving sinners so much. Help me to love them as You do.
Help me, Lord to be obedient, always ready to do what is good. to not slander anyone and to must avoid quarreling. Instead, help me to be gentle and show true humility to everyone. Only then will I win others to Christ and honor You.
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