# 23 2025 Dev. Ex 32: “Intercession!” Read all of chapter thirty-two first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Exodus 32:9 “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, ‘and they are a stiff-neckedpeople.’”

Ex.32 The people became impatient and said to Aaron, “Come, make us gods who will go beforeus. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” They said make us a god to go before us. Aaron listened to them and made a golden calf and built an alter and said, “tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.”

Vs.1-6 The people gave Aaron gold and Aaron made a calf, the people were familiar with that idol as a god worshiped in Egypt and also in Canaan I Kn. 12. People sacrificed on the alter Aaron had built, burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. “Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”

Vs.7-10 “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt… Now leave me aloneso that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”

Vs.11-14 “But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God…. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the starsin the sky and I will give your descendants all this landI promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever. Then the Lord relentedand did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.”

Vs.15-20 “Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant lawin his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.” When Moses saw the calf, he smashed the two stone tablets on the ground, he burned the calf, ground it up and spread the grindings on the water and made the people drink it.

Vs.21-29 “Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstockto their enemies… and said, whoever is for the Lord, come to me. And all the Levites rallied to him.” He ordered them to strap on their swords, go and kill your brother and friend and neighbor. On “that day about three thousand of the people died.” This was punishment all around, to the executioners, killing brothers and friends and to the executed, this was a corporate punishment. Yet in acting for God, though painful, they are blessed by God. Aaron as the leader had brought this on the people by not opposing this apostacy, as many church leaders today do not oppose the apostasy of our time.

Vs.30-35 “The next day Moses said to the people, (and to Aaron) ‘you have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the Lord, perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.’” Moses acknowledges to God what a great sin was committed. “But please forgive their sin­­—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” Here Moses becomes a type of Christ, willing to sacrifice himself for the people, If only we had leaders of that caliber today! God answers, “whoever has sinned against me I will blot out.” It is up to Christ to atone alone, yet, those like Moses, Aaron and a host of others, all those who believed in the promises of God, pointing to Jesus, are all written in the Book of Life. Praise be to God!

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# 21 2025 Dev. Ex.31:12. Sunday! Read all of chapter thirty one first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex.31:12 “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘say to the Israelites, You must observe my Sabbaths.’”

Ex.31 Moses is now ready to come down from the mountain of God. When He gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God, the Ten Commandments.

In this chapter God endows Bezalel from the tribe of Judah, with the Spirit of God. God also appointed  Oholiab from the tribe of Dan as a helper. “ Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you.”

Vs.1-11 “The Lord said to Moses, see I have Chosen Bezalel… ‘I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge  and with all kinds of skills — to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.” What follows is a long list of all the furniture and the garments that God had commanded Moses to make for the Tabernacle that was to be constructed. (see in the previous Chs.)

People are gifted naturally, but it comes from the Holly spirit, and there are a great verity of gifts, every healthy person has a gift, some have more than one but gifts come from God. Our responsibility is to develop our gifts, for the advancement of Spiritual wellbeing, for others and for ourselves. 

Vs. 12-18  The Sabbath. “Then the Lord said to Moses, Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.’” Observing Sabbath was a command under the pain of death. The Israelites were to be set aside and not be like other Nations. The sabbath was holy because God had made them holy, it was to reflect God’s rest after creation and God’s eternal rest promised to His people, all Christians, after this life. The New Testament Church moved the Sabbath to the first day of the week, the day Jesus rose from the dead. Sunday has since been considered to be the day of rest. That practice has been a great help to Mankind, by having one day a week to rest. Today, not religiously adhered to but most people want and get two days off a week. 

Paul tells us in Rom.14:4-6 “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.” This applies to all areas of life, but for our spiritual health Sunday is a blessing when taking the time to worship. The “weekend” has become an idol for many but taking time for God on Sunday or any other day of the week is the recipe for a healthy happy life. God knows what is good for us!

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# 20 2025 Dev. Isa.17:7. “Turn to God!” Read all of chapter seventeen first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isa.17:7 “In that day people will look to their Makerand turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.”

Isaiah 17 “A Prophecy Against Damascus”; that is the title of this chapter but Isaiah also speaks-out against Israel, the 10 tribes that separated from the original Israel. They were aligned with Assyria against Judah. 

Vs.1-5 “See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins…  The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim…”The devastation is likened to a harvest, leaving nothing standing.

Vs.6-9 “Yet some gleanings will remain… four our five  on the fruitful boughs”  Again Isaiah uses a harvest metaphor. “In that day” sometime in the future,  a statement used to announce the destruction and to announce returning to God; “In that day people will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.” They leave behind their idols and altars. These are Israelites, they may even influence the non Israeli population. But it is done under duress. We should be leaving behind our idols and our fetishes, like horoscopes, satan worship, and other aberrations. We as a people and a country need to turn back to God, if we don’t, we will do it under duress!

Vs.10-14 Here we have the reason for Israel’s demise, “You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress.” Isaiah continues with the harvest metaphor, You have planted “imported vines” you have tended them “yet the harvest will be as nothing… Woe to the many nations that rage they rage like the raging sea!” Here Isaiah moves to an ocean metaphor. The Assyrian empire was made up of many nations, God allowed them to take Israel, the 10 tribes, that was their punishment for rejecting the true God for the idol, Sherah, involving immoral practices. Those tribes were scattered and are lost to history, “this is the portion of those who loot us… ” the Assyrians. “in the evening, sudden terror!  Before the morning, they are gone!” That is what happened to them after the King consulted Isaiah who prophesied against the Assyrians, 2 Kings 19:35-36 “That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies!  So Sennacherib, king of Assyria, broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.” God is in control in our country as well. Praise Him!

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# 19 2025 Dev. Ex.30:7-8. All of Life is Worship! Read all of chapter thirty first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex.30:7-8 “Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning… again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come.”

Ex.30 Moses is up on the mountain with God, for one more chapter, he is given the detailed instructions concerning the tabernacle, and vestments. This chapter is going back to making implements for the tabernacle, collecting funds, mixing anointing oil and mixing incense.

Vs.1-6 “Make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense. It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high—its horns of one piece with it.” Overlay it with gold.  It must be placed in the Holy Place before the Lord.

Vs.7-10 “Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come.” Only incense and only the prescribed incense must be burned. Further, atonement must be made once  a  year for  the incense alter.

Vs.11-16 Atonement “When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the Lord a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Everyone, rich or poor must pay the same, half a shekel. This money was to be used for service of the temple.” Atonement is a theme that runs throughout services at the Temple, but this was an atonement for their lives. Most scholars think that this was a yearly atonement, foreshadowing the atonement of Jesus for us, once and for all. Thanks be to God!

Vs.17-21 “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a bronze basin with its bronze stand, for washing.” This was used to wash the hands and the feet of the priests. They must wash their hands and feet with water every time they ministered sacrifices, burning incense and lighting the minnora. Cleanliness is paramount when approaching God. Psalm 24:3-4 “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?  The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.”

Vs.22-33 “Take the following fine spices…liquid myrrh…fragrant cinnamon…fragrant calamus… cassia”, to be mixed with olive oil to be used as anointing oil.  It was used to consecrate Aaron and his sons, as well as all the furniture and all utensils and the tabernacle. It came with regulations, with the pain of expulsion from the community;  “Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred.”

Vs.34-38 “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred.” It is to be holy, and put some in front of the ark. This incense must not be copied or burned other than on the alter of incense, under the pain of expulsion from the congregation. 

Take note; the vestments, the tabernacle, all the color, gold and all the furniture, and spices are geared to all the senses. There are churches geared to that end, many of those churches are full. Reformed churches are geared to theology, the mind and the heart. In more progressive Reformed churches, they have a theology for the road of living, prayer, professional projection, lighting, and more contemporary music, which is growing those churches, a healthy dose of addressing the senses is included. All of life is worship, thanks be to God.

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# 18 2025 Dev. Isa.16:5. “The Throne!” Read all of chapter sixteen first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isa.16:5b “a man…one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.”

Isaiah 15 is a prophecy against Moab that continues in Ch. 16. There is no escaping God’s justice. That continues to this day, God, not man executes justice in this world.  Yes, but there is a reprieve, “In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it…” A man? Who is that man?

Vs.1-4a This chapter continues the prophecy against Moab. Send tribute  “to the mount of Daughter Zion.” They are weak, and confused. Moab is seeking refuge; “Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer.” 

Vs. 4b-5 “The oppressor will come to an end… In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.” David was intimately connected to Moab since Ruth was his grandmother. “in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David” foreshadowing Jesus Christ.

Vs. 6-14 “We have heard of Moab’s pride—how great is her arrogance!—of her conceit, her pride and her insolence…” The next verses are a lament of what is about to happen to the Moabite nation. The  Moabites have no standing: Dt.23:3-4 “No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord, not even in the tenth generation.4 For they did not come to meet you with bread and water on your way when you came out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram Naharaim to pronounce a curse on you.” In the end Balaam received the same fate.  The Lament reaches a tragic end, “ her survivors will be very few and feeble.” This is the result of not only sin but standing in opposition to God’s people, Christians today!!! We know that the God Man is on the Throne, thanks be to God.

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# 17 2025 Dev. Ex.29:46.The Lord is our God! Read all of chapter twenty eight first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex29:46 “I am the Lord their God.”

Ex.29 Moses is up on the mountain with God, for two more chapters, he is given the detailed instructions concerning the Tabernacle, and Vestments. This chapter is about the ordination of the priests.

Vs.1-9 “This is what you are to do to consecrate them, so they may serve me as priests:” (Aaron and his four sons) God gives Moses detailed instruction about what to sacrifice in order to ordain the priest that God had chosen. That is the point for us as well, God is the One who choses our ministers and priests. They also are ordained in the presence of the congregation.

Vs.10-37 God’s orders to ordain the high priest and his four sons as priests was a long and complicated ceremony. A bull would be sacrificed, some parts burned  on the altar, the fat, the kidneys a part of the liver but the skin, intestines and flesh was to be burned outside the camp  as a sin offering.  It also involved two rams, one ram was to be sacrificed, after laying on of hands by Aaron and his four sons. The second ram: “Consecrate those parts of the ordination ram that belong to Aaron and his sons: the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. This is always to be the perpetual share from the Israelites for Aaron and his sons. It is the contribution the Israelites are to make to the Lord from their fellowship offerings.” The ordination was to take seven days. “Sacrifice a bull each day as a sin offering to make atonement,” also, make atonement for the altar. The sacrifices ordered by God here, prefigure the one and final  sacrifice for sin that Jesus offered willingly on the cross as the sinless God man, turning the second death away from all those who put their trust in Him.

Vs.38-41 “This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year old. Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight.” The morning and the evening offerings include flour, olive oil and wine. This was to take place every day, it does not say who is to supply all the items needed for the daily offerings. We assume it was to be provided by the congregation, free will offerings. So it is today the congregations provide for the needs of the churches, temple and mosque, all by free will offerings.

Vs.42-43 It comes with a promise, to Israel and Christians today that is still true; “There I will meet you and speak to you; there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory.” By the power of the Holy Spirit God speaks to us by His Son, Jesus, by His Word and by His Creation.

 Vs.44-46 “Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.” God is our God and dwells among, us, He brought us out of the slavery of sin, consecrates us in Jesus, who intercedes for us, and who comes to take us home to the Father. Praise be to God! 

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# 16 2025 Dev. Isa.15:5. “Accountable to God!” Read all of chapter fifteen first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isa.15:5 “My heart cries out  over Moab;her fugitives flee as far as Zoar, as far as Eglath Shelishiyah.”

Isaiah 15 is a prophecy against Moab that continues in Ch. 16. There is no escaping God’s justice. That continues to this day, God, not man executes justice in this world. 

Vs.1-5 “Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night!” Two main cities in Moab are destroyed, unexpectedly it seems, by God’s design. These five verses are a lament pointing out what is about to happen. The Moabites were close relatives of the Israelites, Lot, the ancestor of the Moabites, is Abraham’s nephew. But the Moabite women led some of the men of Israel astray, at their sacrifices to their god Baal, that included sexual activity. 

Vs.6-9 “The waters of Nimrim are dried up and the grass is withered; the vegetation is gone and nothing green is left.” This is a simile of complete destruction of the land and the people; “The waters of Dimon”,  a word play on the city Dibon, “are full of blood”. Dibon is near the river Arnon.  God brought the Babylonians on this whole area including Judah. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin, the other ten tribes in Samaria were taken away by the Assyrians. Those tribes are lost in terms of identification. Judah was punished as well but by the grace of God, were allowed to come back to the land after 70 years. We know why we are celebrating that this week. Jesus was born, lived and died for the sins of the whole world. We turn to the New Test. 1 Jn.2:1-2 “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” Thanks be to God, have a blessed Easter!

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# 15 2025 Dev. Ex.28:1. “Prophets, Priests and Kings!” Read all of chapter twenty eight first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex28:1 “Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests.”

Ex.28 Moses is up on the mountain with God, for two more chapters, he is given the detailed instructions concerning the Tabernacle, and Vestments. This chapter is about the Priestly Garments.

Vs.1-5 Here we have a description of the priestly garments: “These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.” Even today many denominations, especially  the Catholics, have elaborate vestments. As in Moses’ time that means to be set aside, called by God, ordained by the proper authorities, and reflects the glory of Christ, in as far humans are able to do so. Vestments are external but God looks into the heart. Is your priest, your minister, your pastor, your leader reflecting Christ by his/her actions and words? Are You?

Vs.6-14 “The Ephod” an apron worn by priests particularly the High Priest.“Make the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen—the work of skilled hands. It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened…Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other.”  They are a memorial before God and a reminder that the High Priest represents all of Israel before God. Today Christ represents all Christians before God as our Savior and Intercessor, Christ, the last and eternal High Priest.

Vs15-30 “The Breastpiece” “Fashion a breastpiece for making decisions—the work of skilled hands. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen.  It is to be square—a span long and a span wide—and folded double.  Then mount four rows of precious stones on it…There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes…Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord.  Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord.” The Thummim and Urim are a mystery. Are they stones, are they something that God gave directly to Moses? They stand for “lights” and “perfections” they were used to determine God’s will. How it was used is unknown and it was used very little as we find in Scripture. They are mentioned six times in Scripture, one time used, 1 Samuel 14:41 “Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, and the men were cleared.” It appears that lots were used. Today some denominations  pick elders and deacons by lot and we see this as a function of the Holy Spirit to indicate God’s will. 

Vs.31-41 “Other Priestly Garments” Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth…The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die.” Some equate the pomegranates as the sweetness of the gospels and the bells as the sweet sound of the gospel to those who deserve to die. “Make a plate  of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD.” Affix it to the Arron’s turban, “ It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the Lord.” What makes our gifts / works acceptable to God today? They are given in the name of Jesus! Amen.

Vs.42-43 “Make linen undergarments… Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the tent of meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die.” Not following the rules of worship and of service to God reflects the state of the heart and can potentially cause our death. We mean the second death. Today, Jesus is our High Priest and has designated us as all as Prophets, Priests and Kings, by the power of His Spirit. Praise be to God!

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# 14 2025 Dev. Isa.14:3-4. “Our God Gives Relief!” Read all of chapter fourteen first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isa.14:3-4 “On the day the Lord gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil and from the harsh labor forced on you, you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon:”

Isaiah 14 The chapter starts with an assurance of God’s care for His people Israel. After that Isaiah continues his prophecy against Babylon. The chapter ends with a prophecy against the Philistines.

Vs.1-2 “The Lord will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israeland will settle them in their own land.” God does punish His people for their arrogance, for their oppression of the poor, and for their complicity with false gods. But “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Ps 103:8. Today Israel is back in their home land, the significance of that is not fully understood, because Christ, an Israeli, and the Son of God is the head of the church, the church is the body of Christ  and is  now the new Israel, Christians Jews and Christian Gentiles together. Praise the Lord!

Vs.3-23 “On the day the Lord gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil and from the harsh labor forced on you,  you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon:” What follows is a long description of what is in store for the King of Babylon and his kingdom. “The Lord has broken the rod…all the lands are at peace…” Nature rejoices, the trees, ‘Now that you have been laid low, no one comes to cut us down.’” All those kings who have come and gone before you; “they will all respond… ‘you also have become weak… All your pomp has been brought down to the grave…How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn!” The King fancied himself to be the light of day, the sun being  himself and his rule.  But he was unusually cruel and he was exceedingly arrogant, his strength is his downfall. “Let the offspring of the wicked never be mentioned again.”

Vs.24-27 “Surely, as I have planned… I will crush the Assyrians in my land…” God was in control then and He is in control now. “For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?”

Vs.28-32 This prophecy is dated. “This prophecy came in the year King Ahaz died, 716/715, before Christ. “Wail, you gate! Howl, you city! Melt away, all you Philistines!… The poorest of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety.”  The chapter ends positively; “The Lord has established Zion and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.” Today, in our time, “God  is our refuge and our strength.” Praise Him!

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