# 13 2025 Dev. Ex.27:1. “A living Sacrifice!” Read all of chapter  twenty seven 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.

Vs.1 “Build an Alter…” How does this passage connect to today?

Ex.27 Moses is up the mountain with God, the next three chapters are the detailed instructions concerning the Tabernacle. This chapter is about the altar and the courtyard around the tabernacle.

Vs.1-8 “Build an altar of acacia wood, three cubits high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide. Make a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar are of one piece, and overlay the altar with bronze.” It is a big alter, designed to take on full size animals. The sacrifices, designated by God, pointed to one person, the only Holy person, Jesus Christ, He is the final and only one time sacrifice for all the people of the world. For our context today we turn to the New Testament Rm.12 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Amen!

Vs.9-15 “Make a courtyard for the tabernacle…” It was to be made of  large curtains, make up the size of 100 cubits by 50 cubits = 11,250 square feet.  it was orientated  to the East. 

It was for privacy, for separation from the world around it, not isolation there is access. It was designed to be packed up and carried if God instructed them to move. The concept is that God would be with them wherever and whenever they moved from place to place.

Vs.16-19“For the entrance to the courtyard, provide a curtain twenty cubits long, of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer.”  The curtain around the court yard was made of finely twisted linen, no color is given, I assume it to be white, the color of righteousness. But the entrance is multicolored. There were to be three curtains, the main entrance, the entrance to the tabernacle, and the entrance to the Holy of Holies.

That was then, what does this mean for today? When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain, of 4in. thick, ripped in half, opening up the way to God. Jesus is the way after that event. Jn.14: Jesus answered, “I  am the way and truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” That makes sense, Jesus is the entrance: His righteousness and His glory, the color of the entrances of the tabernacle reflect that, as well as His love and His grace. Most people believe that Jesus was in the cloud that guided Israel in the desert. The church today is not a building, we need a building because of weather, even for safety, given our culture today, but the church is the Body of Christ, Christ’s presence in the world by the power of the Holy Spirit. Living out Jesus’ will in our lives, is the responsibility of being a true Christian.

Vs.20-21  “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning…Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the Lord from evening till morning”  So donating oil was the responsibility of the people, of the denomination. Today we work in our churches and donate what is needed to support the church, support our families, responsibly work our professions not because we are trying to be saved, no, we do all of it  out of our thankfulness  to Christ for saving us and ordaining us to serve Him which is the church. Praise be to God. 

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# 12 2025 Dev. Isa.13:3. Held to Account! Read all of chapter thirteen 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.13:3 “I have commanded those I prepared for battle; I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath—those who rejoice in my triumph. “

Isa.13 After the wonderful prophecy of the Kingdom of God in chapter 11 and 12, Isaiah prophesied the fall of Babylon in ch. 13 and 14.

Vs.1-5 An introduction to; “A prophecy against Babylon…I (God) have commanded those I prepared for battle…to carry out my wrath… a great multitude… The Lord Almighty is mustering an army for war.”

Vs.6-16 What follows is a description of what will result from their persecution and captivity of God’s people. “Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty…to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.” Creation will be upended, the great lights  “will be darkened…I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins.” This prophecy is equated with the final Day of the Lord, the end of time. This army will be ruthless, there will be no mercy, not to children or to women. 

Vs.17-22 “See, I will stir up against them the Medes… the Babylonians will be overthrown, like Sodom and Gomorrah.” Whole nations are being held to account for their wickedness, for their ruthless violence and disregard for life. 

Does this prophecy have something to say to us today about what is happening in our world? The injustice, the destruction of property, the land grabbing, ruthless killing of innocent people including babies and the violation of women, the horrible atrocities perpetrated on the innocent.? God, hold them to account! Come quickly Lord Jesus, rescue your people and all those who suffer under wicked regimes! Amen and Amen   

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# 11 2025 Dev. Ex.26: What is Your Plan for Fellowship? Read all of chapter  twenty six 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.

Vs.30: “Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain.”

Ex.26 Moses is up the mountain with God, the next five chapters are the detailed instructions concerning the Tabernacle, all the furniture and tools, also the attire of the priests. This chapter is about building the Tabernacle.

Vs.1-6 The Tabernacle is 45 ft. by 15 ft by 15ft  high, the Holy of Holies is a cube of 15 ft. This is how to put it together, “Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker. Then make fifty gold clasps and use them to fasten the curtains together so that the tabernacle is a unit.” All this beauty and this handiwork is covered up. What does this remind you of? What do you think is important?

Vs.7-14 “Make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—Eleven all together. Make for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.” The covering is important in terms of weatherizing the Tabernacle, The other cover is black. What was of outmost importance was the beauty of the inside of the Tabernacle. That is what is important  for us what we have in our hearts; 1 Pt. 3:4 “Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,…”

Vs.15-25 “Make upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide, with two projections set parallel to each other… and make forty silver bases to go under them.” The tabernacle was to be free standing and movable when necessary.  Whenever the Israelite were told to move the tabernacle would go with them, giving them the assurance of God’s Presence among them. We have that as well, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and guides us, if we listen.

Vs.26-30  “Also make crossbars of acacia wood:.. Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold.  Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain.” They are given all the instructions, now set it up as you have been shown. That goes for us as well, we have been given the plan for salvation. Are we listening? It is easy to listen, but not do it, or believe it, as Jesus and the Spirit have laid out.

Vs.31-36 “Make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim.” This separates the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. “For the entrance to the tent make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer.”  This was to only allow the designated priest into those spaces.  Since the incarnation of Christ we have direct access to the Triune God, as long as we stay in fellowship with Christ Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Praise God!

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The Tabernacle. God now lives in our hearts and the Church,”where two or three are gathered together I will be.”

The Ark of the Covenant. By the power of the the Holy Spirit God is with us 24/7. Amen

The Table of Show Bread. God meets our needs daily.

The Lampstand, Manora. Jesus is the Light of the World, amen.

# 10 2025 Dev. Isa.12:1. A Song of Praise! Read all of chapter twelve 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.12:1 “In that day you will say: ‘I will praise  you, Lord.’”

Isa.12 The last chapter was a prophecy of the Kingdom of God, the promise of salvation for the faithful and a time of peace. “They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lordas the waters cover the sea.” This chapter is a song of praise about that prophecy. 

Vs.1-3 “In that day” the Kingdom of God comes into full view, the New Heaven and the New Earth. The song is about the grace and the forgiveness of God in Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The song is completed in this one sentence; “The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” As Christians today this one sentence is our reality. Praise the Lord!

Vs.4-6 “In that day you will say:” That day is today with the incarnation of Christ, we are in the last days. What Isaiah says here is   nothing short of a great commission. “Proclaim his name…what he has done…his name is exalted… he has done glories things…let this be known to all the World. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”  That is the bottom line for us today; the Holy One is among us and now lives in us by the power of the Holy Spirit, thanks be to God. 

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# 09 2025 Dev. Ex.25:1-2 An Offering! Read all of chapter  twenty five 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.

Vs.25:1-2. “The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.”

Ex.25 Moses is up the mountain with God, the next six chapters is the detailed instruction concerning the Tabernacle, all the furniture and tools, also the attire of the priests. In this chapter; how  to build the Ark, The Table of Show bread and the Lampstand. 

Vs.1-7 is basically an inventory of what will be needed for the tabernacle, the furniture  and the clothing for the priest. There are two important things; God wants to dwell with His people, foreshadowing Emanuel, God with us, in Christ Jesus. Secondly, The offering is a freewill overing, “from everyone whose heart prompts.” People give as the Holy Spirit moves and as God provides.

Vs.10-16 The Ark. Here is the detailed blue print for the ark, it will stand in the holy of holies. It will hold the tablets, the Ten Commandments. 

Vs.17-22 The ark will have a cover, a cover of atonement, the mercy seat.  There will be two cherubins one on each end of the cover. They “are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover.”  With the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the mercy seat is in our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God!

Vs,23-30 The Table. This is the show bread table, “Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times.” The table is covered with gold, dishes of gold as well. The bread are twelve loves arranged in two rows, or two piles, each loaf represents a tribe in Israel. The loaves mean that God is with the Israelites, taking care of their daily needs. It also pointed to God’s presence in the daily lives of the Israelite. This table is in the Holy Place, a place reserved for the designated priests. The bread was replaced every week and only the priests could eat that bread. Bread has meaning today as well; Jesus said : “I’m the bread of life”, we pray for our daily bread and  breaking bread—Communion for every believer.

Vs.31-40 The Lampstand. It was to be made out of solid gold, it had seven branches. Seven, a holy and complete number. It is the only light in the Holy Place. It was to be very ornamental, almond branches, flowers and buds. The beauty of it and the function of the light-stand, for-shadows Jesus Christ, the one and only Light of the world.   The chapter ends with a warning; “See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 

God’s Word is still like that today, how must we worship? In Spirit and in truth! How should we pray?  In a quiet place, and not with many words, and in the name of Christ! How then must we live? Space does not allow but read the sermon on the mount. Mt. 5-6-7. Enjoy!

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# 08 2025 Dev. Isa.11:1The Fruit of Peace! Read all of chapter eleven 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.11:1 “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

Isa.11 is a prophecy of the Kingdom of God. It starts as a tender shoot, weak like a baby, dependent, but it grows into a powerful Branch, a King, “the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him… wisdom… council… might …and knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”

Vs.1-3 Isaiah is prophesying the coming of the Kingdom of God, that Kingdom has been there since eternity but God is going to bring  the Kingdom down to earth in a way we experience it. Starting with the call of Abraham, the nation of Israel and Jesus’ statement; “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news! (Mark 1:15). 

Vs.4-5 He will judge with righteousness and with justice. He will slay the wicked. He is righteousness and faithfulness, Jesus Christ, our savior.

Vs.6-9 Here Isaiah gives us a picture of the future of God’s Kingdom, one of peace and harmony. “They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

Vs.10-11 In that day Jesus will draw “the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and His resting place will be glorious.” The Kingdom of God has always been but at this time the Kingdom of God will be universally acknowledged. 

12-16 God will gather the exiles of Israel and those exiled from the church, Christians from every land, from all over the earth. Israel and the church are  synonymous. Thanks be to God!

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# 07 2025 Dev. Ex.24:1. God’s Confirmation! Read all of chapter  twenty four 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.

Vs.1. “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel.

Ex.24 This chapter is the culmination of the previous three chapters, confirming for us God’s  covenant with His people. This covenant is for eternity and is a covenant for all Christians today, the new covenant of Jesus’ blood, also known as the Covenant of Grace.

Vs.1-8. “When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, ‘Everything the Lord has said we will do,’” confirming God’s covenant.  “Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said.” Moses built an alter and offered bulls as fellowship offerings to the Lord. Moses poured half the blood of the offering on the alter and sprinkled the other half on the people. It reminds me of baptisms where the paster sprinkles the congregation and tells them to remember their baptisms. God’s covenant is not a contract, contracts can be broken and then cancelled. A covenant cannot be broken, it is always in effect, particularly on God’s side, but we sometimes ignore God’s grace to our detriment. That is what we see in the Isaiah passage devotional. 

Vs.9-11 “Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli,(a precious stone) as bright blue as the sky.11 But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.” This reminds me of Rev.3:30 “ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Vs.12-18 God calls Mosses up to the mountain in order to give him the  tablets of stone containing the Ten Commandments. The mountain is covered  a cloud, the glory of the Lord  looked like a consuming fire. “And Moses stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” reflecting Jesus’ time of temptation in the desert at the beginning of His ministry. We thank God!

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# 06 2025 Dev. Isa.10:3. The Survivors! Read all of chapter ten 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.10:3 “To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches?”

Isa.10 Chapter 9 shines an encouraging light on Israel but the chapter ends with a condemnation of Ephraim and Samaria. Ch.10 continues with: “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, deprive the poor of their rights.” Given the soft stance on crime is this a condemnation of our society  as well? What do you think?

Vs.1-4 “Woe to those who make unjust laws,” Isaiah is warning the people around him, God’s people, who have gone wrong and are not listening to God’s warnings covered in the last three chapters. As a result, “Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.”

Vs.5-11 “God’s Judgment on Assyria” God allows the Assyrians to become strong and God uses them to punish his people. But they will also be punished; “I dispatch him, (the King of Assyria) against a people who anger me…” The Israelites are asking the question , how can this be, that God sends an idol worshiping people, to punish his own? It raises serious questions for Christians as well. When illness or setbacks hit us we ask, is God allowing this? Yes, He is, God is in complete control. We look to God’s Word; Isa.55:8-9. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God has purposes that we are not able to understand. 

As far as Assyria is concerned they are not aware of God intentions. As it turned out the king is arrogant, boastful and self serving, as a result,  he will also be punished. 

Vs.12-19 “I will punish the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes. For he says:” see vs. 13-14.

Vs. 15 asks a rhetorical question, is the instrument God uses higher than God?  No! Therefore, God will decimate him and his land. “The light of Israel will become a flame”, a destroying fire.

Vs.20-34 “The Remnant of Israel”. God will revive a remnant of Israel, “they will return to the mighty God… Therefore this is what the Lord, the Lord almighty, says: do not be afraid of the Assyrians…” As God saved them from Egypt and from all their enemies along the way to Canaan, He will save them again. The Lord God Almighty, He will do it. This translates to today, Christians, churches, are being persecuted. Yet what is more dangerous is the pressure of secular culture, the pressure is on to compromise on DEI, to normalize homosexual lifestyles and to agree to recognize  many kinds of genders. No! In the power of the Holy Spirit we stand. Amen and Amen!

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# 05 2025 Dev. Ex.23:4. Do Good! Read all of chapter  twenty three 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.

Vs.4. ‘If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it.

”Ex.23.  Chapter 21 expands on the fifth and sixth commandments. This is based on the culture of the time; parents are to be respected, people were bought and sold as slaves, murder and accidents are covered. Ch.22 expands on the eighth commandment as well as aspects of the seventh and the tenth commandments. Ch.23 expands on the ninth commandment and how to treat a neighbor. Also, there are rules pertaining specifically to Jewish life.

Vs.1-9. “Laws of Justice and Mercy- Do not spread false reports…Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.” Do good to your neighbor and your enemy. “Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits. Do not accept a bribe…Do not oppress a foreigner”. These are common sense laws, they promote goodness, righteousness and peace. 

Vs.10-19. Sabbath Laws and Annual Festivals. “Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.” This is  practiced by many countries, many people work five days a week, not for religious reasons but for health reasons. There is good reason to rest based theological reasons; God rested the seventh day of creation but more importantly, the sabbath reflects “God’s rest” extended to followers of Jesus in the New Heaven and the New Earth.

“The Three Annual Festivals”- Passover, The Festival of the Harvest, first fruits also called Pentecost because it is celebrated 50 days after  passover and the Festival of Booths. These Festivals required a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. Today they are celebrated where ever a Jewish family lives. Christians also celebrate Pentecost, the giving of the Holy Spirit, fifty days after Easter.

Vs. 20-33. “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.’ Here God reestablishes the Covenant made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This angel  is the Spirit of Christ, preparing the way ahead of you. “Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.”This is God’s promise to his people and that promise is to us as well, the Spirit of Christ is with us and by Him Christ walks with us. Praise be to God!

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# 04 2025 Dev. Isa 9:2.The Light of God! Read all of chapter nine 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.9:2 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

Isa.9. Ch. 8 ends in darkness. But in this chapter – “Nevertheless, there will be  no more gloom…a light has downed.” That is a prophecy. But the chapter ends with a condemnation of Ephraim and Samaria. “Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west…”  Why? ‘They have not “sought the Lord Almighty.” Is this a warning for Christians today?

Vs.1-7. The light of God. Today, this light, Jesus Christ, is fully revealed. Where are our excuses? Why do so many still dwell in darkness? So it was in Israel, God was with them, His word was with them but they fell away time and time again. This prophecy is for the whole world, including the gentiles, “the people walking in darkness”. It starts with the call to Abraham, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”’

‘I will bless you… and you will be a blessing… and all people of the earth will be blessed through you”’.(Gn.12:1-3) The light has been developing for  approximately  4,050 years and continues today going on into the New Heaven and the New Earth. The prophecy of light does not end. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,and the government(R) will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” Praise the Lord! 

Vs.8-12 “The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel.”  Because of their “pride  and arrogance of heart…”  there will be destruction, but there will be a rebuilding and a replanting. “Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west have devoured Israel with open mouth. Yet for all this, his anger(the Lord) is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.”

Vs.13-17 “But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the Lord Almighty.” The next five verses describe our world today. There are the elders, the leaders who guide people astray. The prophets, pastors, Christian leaders are teaching lies. We thank God that we do have some responsible leaders and we do have spiritual leaders and teachers. Yet many people are led astray. “Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.” 

Vs.18-21 “Surely wickedness burns like a fire…” Wickedness is destructive, undermines society, destroys people like a fire, like the “wrath of the Lord Almighty… Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away,his hand is still upraised.” In time the tribes will destroy each other. This prophecy came to pass, only Judah and Benjamin survive. 

This chapter is negative but it is positive as well. The punishment is overshadowed by a powerful hope: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Let us concentrate on the hope of Christmas and the promise of salvation extended to all who put their trust is Jesus! 

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