Bible Chapter: Leviticus 1 & 2
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Bring an offering to the Lord. That is the theme we see as this book begins. Bringing an offering to the Lord brings God pleasure. When they would come in obedience and submission to God, it brought them closer to Him. These offerings were a means of forgiveness as well as an act of worship. These offerings cost the giver something. They earned the grains through their work. They had to tend and raise the animals that were sacrificed. They brought their offerings and drew near to God in dedication to Him. It is not an offering if it costs us nothing.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
The sacrifices they brought were the best. If they came with an old and lame animal, it would be an insult to God. They had to bring the best. God is worthy of our best. He must not get what no one else wants. I have heard of modern-day stories of people bringing food to a collection for hungry people who bring old food they don’t want to eat. When we have special times of food collection today I tell people to bring the things that they and their family like to eat. Don’t bring the old, out of date things that you forgot about in the back of the cabinet.
The burnt offering sacrifices brought atonement, brought forgiveness to the one bringing the sacrifice. The concept of bringing the best and receiving forgiveness is important to remember. I must give my best to God. I remember the title of an old song: Give Of Your Best To The Master. That’s good advice.
3. How can I help someone?
People need to know that God forgives. The sacrifices we see in Leviticus point forward to the time when Jesus would come and complete the sacrifices and provide atonement through His blood. We all need to come close to God. We can do that through the sacrifice of Jesus.
Bible Chapter: Exodus 39 & 40
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Here is an encouraging verse, one that should be repeated in the lives of all who call themselves followers of Jesus. After completing the work on the Tabernacle, Exodus 39:32 concludes “The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses”. To say that a person did all that the Lord commanded is one of the highest statements that can be made. Then in verse 42 we see that the work was inspected. It passed.
Doing what God says to do. We must learn this lesson and pass this test daily. One Bible principle that we should live by is the statement “to obey is better”. It is always better to obey God than any other option. The writings of Moses record many times when the people failed to obey God. Here is one time when they did exactly as God commanded. They were blessed by their obedience.
This book ends with some awesome verses. A few of them are:
Exodus 40:34-35 NKJV
34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
To experience the glory of the presence of God is greater than anything this world can offer. May we seek and live in God’s glory.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
When the construction project was completed, they anointed, they dedicated it all to the Lord. Setting apart for God and His work is a high calling. Aaron and his sons were consecrated as priests. They were set apart for serving God. To be in God’s service is a special calling. I must always seek God’s plan for my life and follow through with it. New doors of opportunity will open up. Whatever God has for me is what I want to seek and follow. I live in a culture that says one should work for a while and then retire and play. This book tells me that Moses was 80 years old when he took on the task of leading the nation out of slavery. I never know what God has for me next, but I know it will never be to simply do nothing.
3. How can I help someone?
I want to help people find God’s best for their lives. What is the plan and how will God use them? Moses had three major sections of his life, each one vastly different. In each part of his life, Moses learned valuable lessons that would take him forward.
Bible Chapter: Exodus 37 & 38
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
I am trying to picture the items made for them to use as they worshiped God. I see many of them described as covered with God. Some were made with pure gold. Then there was much silver and bronze. God gave the craftsmen skills to make everything just exactly according to His plans. Some might wonder about the extravagant value of all the materials. When that question comes up we must remember it was to honor God. God extravagantly created the universe. He made our world with countless forms of plant and animal life. He made so many beautiful things for us to enjoy. As the people of Israel were making a place of worship, it was only right to make it beautiful for the Creator. According to one translation I read, they used almost 2,200 pounds of gold and over 7500 pounds of silver. God was worth it.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
I think about all the materials the people willingly gave to build the Tabernacle. In a previous chapter it says they had to tell the people to quit giving as they had enough to complete the task. God loves a cheerful giver. This is a vital lesson to learn. I love to be around generous people. This is not because I am looking for something from them. It is because generosity makes for a friendly and desirable personality. Generally, it is a stingy person who is a grouch. Learning to be generous is a life-long process, but a great one to experience.
3. How can I help someone?
God has a great plan for life. He will reveal it. I want to help people find God’s plan for their lives and learn to be outward in their thinking, not inward and selfish.
Bible Chapter: Exodus 35 & 36
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
The time came for Israel to make the tent of meeting, the Tabernacle where they would worship God. Their weekly time of worship was so important that God said whoever worked on the Sabbath would be put to death. They needed to learn the priorities of worship. Many modern people who claim to be followers of God need to think on this truth.
As they started on the Tabernacle they began to receive offerings of building materials. The people gave and gave. They gave with a willing heart. They gave joyfully. In fact they gave so much that the leaders finally told them to quit giving, they had more than they needed. This is a beautiful picture of the joy of giving and the blessings of a generous heart. The human concept is get all you can and can all you get. How much can I accumulate? I want it all for me. But, God shows us the blessings of giving.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
This chapter shows again the truth that God is the creator of everything and that He gives skills and abilities to people to understand what is needed to make things. He gave skills to people to work with wood, metals and cloths. He helped them understand how and why things work so they could create the Tabernacle out in the middle of the wilderness. Nothing is too difficult for God. He made all the laws of science and nature. Things work because that is the way God made them to work. So, whatever God has for me to do He is well-able to enable and equip me to do it. He will help me understand what I need to understand. He will help me to learn what I need to learn so I can do what He has called me to do. I have always been amazed at the things I see people do. I see so many people with skills make things. I see people create and invent new things. I am amazed that things work and we are constantly having new and more advanced technology. These are all possible because God enables people to understand His creative truths. If God can show people thousands of years ago how to make the Tabernacle, He can show me what I need today to do His plan for my life.
3. How can I help someone?
Nothing is too hard for God. He won’t always do what we want Him to do, but He is not perplexed by the challenges we face. We must learn to trust God and let Him work on the details. We must do what He calls us to do and rely on Him. We will be amazed at what will be accomplished.
Bible Chapter: Exodus 33 & 34
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
What can we do without God? Well, actually there are many things we can do in our own strength. The question is, why would we want to? Moses understood the importance of God’s presence and His going with them. Because of Israel’s sin and idolatry God said He would not go with them to the promised land. Moses interceded with God to change His mind. If God wasn’t going with them, he didn’t want to go. This truth is just as important today. We can have much material success. We can gather a following that seems spiritual. But, without God’s powerful presence, we are lost. We need God’s presence. Moses showed how potent God is. Even being in His presence changed Moses’ countenance so that he had to cover his face.
God emphasized to Moses that they must not make treaties or compromise with the heathen they were going to conquer. That would result in spiritual apostasy, causing the younger generation to worship idols. This is an important principle: stay close to God and teach the younger generation God’s truths. It is best to live as far from any participation in evil as we can. Those who live for God set a strong foundation for their future generations. Those who live for sin set their future generations up for failure. They literally teach their children to sin.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Moses learned the importance of having God’s power and presence in his life. Even though he had the position of national leader, he didn’t want to do anything or go anywhere without God. I can learn skills and develop the ability to do things. I am more and more aware that I must have God’s direction and power, or I will only muddle through life. I won’t accomplish anything of lasting value if I try to do it all myself.
3. How can I help someone?
Especially those who call on the name of Jesus must recognize that all good things only come from God. We can and must develop our skills and talents. We must use what we have for good and for eternity. But we will never reach the heights God plans for us when we try to do things on our own. I want to help people see the awesomeness of God’s presence.
Bible Chapter: Exodus 31 & 32
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
I have always been amazed that Israel could make the beautiful and intricate tabernacle and articles out in the desert. They had no modern technology. But, this was no problem for God. God gave the skill to Bezalel to make it all. I am also amazed these days to see the things that people can create. The high tech toys we have are the things that people used to dream about. Now we have them. God still gives ideas and abilities to enable people to create awesome things. God reveals the secrets of science and people have abilities to make and produce all the things we need and enjoy in life. The answer to the question of “why” in so many scientific truths is simply, “that’s the way God made it”.
God also emphasized a necessary truth for life: we need to take a Sabbath rest. He created our bodies to need a break, a time to worship God and be physically refreshed. Sadly, this truth has been abandoned by modern society with the thought that we can go 24/7 and not have any consequences.
Then we get in to a very sad chapter. Shortly before this we read that Israel promised to obey and worship God. Then, when Moses was up on the mountain with God longer than they thought he should be, they made idols and started worshiping them, participating in lewd behaviors. God severely judged them for their actions.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Two major thoughts jump out to me from this reading:
1. God has all knowledge and will reveal what we need to know in order to do His work. Whatever God has for us to do for Him will be empowered by Him. We have gifts and abilities and we must develop them and then use them. I can’t make excuses and not work to develop what God has called me to do. I have to do what God asks.
2. The deception that pulls people away from serving God is amazing. I read how they made a golden calf and then said, this is the god that brought us out of Egypt. Hello!!! You just made something and then, this thing you just made, is what helped you previously? If people would look at some of the things they say, they would see how silly they are. I must listen to what God says in His Word and then respond in obedience to what it says.
3. How can I help someone?
I want to help people see they can do amazing things with God’s help. We often put ourselves down and limit what we can accomplish because we don’t trust God or use the gifts He has given to us. I also want to help people see the clear message of the Gospel and receive the benefits of obedience.
Bible Chapter: Exodus 29 & 30
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
God continued to reveal His plans for Israel to worship Him. He had a reason for all the instructions He gave. There are some very detailed and specific instructions for consecrating the priests to God’s service. God was looking for men who were Godly and lived a pure life, who would be a good example. There were very high expectations of their lives and character. If they were going to lead and teach the people about God, they had to live the life themselves. As a pastor, I see that. I have had the privilege of being involved in the ministerial credentialing process. I have participated in many interviews of those who have been called by God to minister in His church. The high standards of life and service have always come up. God has high expectations and requirements. We see that, from the beginning, God has expected those who serve in ministry take it very seriously. It is a commitment to God and a representative of God to people.
All the parts of the construction of the place of worship, all the items used, were planned by God. They were beautifully made. Their times of sacrifice were to be carefully done in obedience to God. God is pure and we see His rejection of anything sinful throughout all these guidelines He gave.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
God is worthy to be worshiped. God is worthy to receive all the glory and honor that we can give Him. The very specific and intricate details of how they were to serve and worship God show how awesome and worthy God is. For very important events (weddings, birthdays, etc.) the planning is detailed and done to the best way possible. Serving and worshiping God is more important than any thing on this earth and is worthy of all our best efforts.
3. How can I help someone?
I want to help people see the Lord. As they see HIM they will be drawn to HIM and want to worship HIM. Life and service to God is not about me, but all about HIM.
