Blog Archives - Bible Calendar

Exodus 40 and Psalm 46

1/31/2012

         The redemption of Israel from slavery and the judgment of Pharaoh and Egypt through the plagues and the Red Sea were incomparable and unforgettable works of Yahweh. But if they were the central theme of the book of Exodus, it would have ended in chapter 15, verse 21.
         The declaration of the Ten Commandments by Yahweh Himself, the ceremony of the covenant and the descent of Moses from Mt. Sinai with the two stone tablets of the testimony were decisive moments in Israel’s history. But if they were the central theme of the book of Exodus, it would have finished at the end of chapter 20, chapter 24 or after 34.
         But since the central and most urgent theme of the book of Exodus is the Presence of Yahweh and His dwelling in the midst of the Israelites, the book ends with chapter 40.
         When everything is set up, sanctified and consecrated in agreement with Yahweh’s instructions, He comes to dwell with them: “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” (Exodus 40:34). Yahweh Himself is going to shepherd them to the land promised to Abraham: “Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up (Exodus 40:36-37). And at any moment, in the midst of their anxieties, in their celebrations, in broad daylight or after midnight, any Israelite could walk out of his tent, look toward the center of the camp and see the protecting, providing and forgiving Presence of his God: “For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys (Exodus 40:38).

Exodus 38 - 39 y Psalm 61

1/30/2012

         The construction (and our review) of the tabernacle continues with the three main parts outside of the tent itself:
         The bronze altar where the priests will burn the animal sacrifices and the grain and drink offerings,
         The bronze basin, between bronze altar and the tabernacle, where the priests will wash their hands and feet each time they pass. Here it tells us that it was made from the mirrors of the women who ministered at the entrance of the tent of meeting (Exodus 38:8), and
         The court, where the priests will work, separated from the camp by its curtains and columns.
         The inventory which follows testifies of the Israelites’ diligence in using the gold, silver and bronze which had been donated.
         We also review the high priest’s clothing:
         The ephod with its onyx stones on the shoulder pieces with the names of the tribes of Israel,
         The breastplate with its 12 precious stones with the name of a tribe engraved on each one,
         The robe with its bells and pomegranates all around the hem, and
         The turban with its plate of pure gold saying: Holy to the Lord.
         The Israelites present everything to Moses who inspects it and gives his approval: “Behold, they had done it; as the LORD had commanded, so had they done it” (Exodus 39:43). How different their actions are this time! There is no disobedience or sin like in the incident of the golden calf. Neither is there any curse or condemnation: “Then Moses blessed them” (Exodus 39:43). There is no need for Moses to go and intercede for their forgiveness that day; this time he can be an instrument of blessing, communicating something of God’s pleasure in their work. Maybe he even whispered in prayer, “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17)

Exodus 35 - 37 and Psalm 119:1-8

1/28/2012

         After the disobedience with the golden calf, it is impressive to see the obedience of all the people in Exodus 35 – 37. It is a mark of true repentance when they are directed by the words of Yahweh’s instruction rather than depending on their own creativity and idolatry as in Exodus 32.
         Therefore, don’t blame the Israelites if the following chapters seem long and repetitive. I assure you that the Israelites would not have considered them so. First of all, this is the first and only time that this generation will build Yahweh’s holy residence, and that makes every detail and every offering special. Second, when someone repents of sin and returns to the Lord’s ways, there is a profound joy in obeying His commands, even in the smallest, most repetitive and routine ways. To the modern reader these details may seem unnecessary, just a repetition of earlier readings, but remember that for the ones who participated in this work, it was an unforgettable experience of God’s mercy, worthy of being retold many times.
         Besides, it is a good review for us, too. The instructions in Exodus 25 began with the directions for a voluntary offering and moved immediately to the most central object, the Ark of the Covenant. Here as construction itself begins in Exodus 35, we start with the tent that will form the tabernacle. Afterwards in Exodus 37 we read of the 4 most holy furnishings that the tabernacle will protect:
         The ark (where the Presence of Yahweh will reign above the wings of the cherubim; it will stand in the Most Holy Place, in the western part of the tabernacle, separated from the rest by the veil),
         The table (where the showbread is placed, standing in the Holy Place, on the north side),
         The lampstand (with its seven lamps, also in the Holy Place, on the south side) and
         The altar of incense (in the Holy Place, in front of the ark but separated from it by the veil).
         And that is our summary of the golden furnishings, the ones most closely related to Yahweh’s Presence and covered by the tabernacle. Remember that two of them (the lampstand and the altar of incense) had a daily function in the priestly tasks; a priest will tend the lamps of the lampstand and burn incense each morning and at dawn. The table will receive 12 new loaves every Sabbath day, and the previous loaves will be eaten by the priests.
         And together with our review, we will give thanks to the God who receives the offerings and obedience of His forgiven people.

Exodus 30 - 32

1/26/2012

         Yesterday we mentioned two daily responsibilities of the Israelite priests: they had to tend to the lamps of the lampstand every night, and they offered two one-year-old lambs as burnt offerings to Yahweh with an offering of fine flour, olive oil and wine, one lamb in the morning and one at twilight, every day, continually. Today’s reading begins with the construction of a place where they will fulfill their third daily responsibility: the altar of incense.
         The altar of incense is much smaller than the bronze altar and never receives an animal sacrifice, grain or drink offering (Exodus 30:9). It is placed in front of the ark of the testimony, also in front of the curtain that separates the Most Holy Place (with the ark of the testimony) from the Holy Place (where the table and the lampstand are located; Exodus 26:33-35; 30:6). Therefore, as regards physical placement, the altar of incense is the object closest to the ark and the Presence of Yahweh.
         Aaron is going to burn aromatic incense on the altar of incense (or altar of gold) each morning as he prepares the lamps and at twilight (Exodus 30:8). Sometime during the history of the tabernacle or the temple that will replace it centuries later, the Israelites began to associate their petitions in prayer with the rising of the smoke of the incense before Yahweh’s Presence. Therefore in the New Testament when Zechariah the priest enters the temple of the Lord to burn incense, it says, “And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense” (Luke 1:10). Also John’s vision in the book of Revelation tells us, “Another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel” (Revelation 8:3-4).
         The atonement money will be a half-shekel tax per person (Exodus 30:13). The offerings for the construction of the tabernacle will be voluntary (Exodus 25:1-8), but the payment of this money is obligatory (Exodus 30:13-14). Everyone must pay the same whether he is rich or poor (Exodus 30:15).
         The money (or better yet, the small unit or weight of silver) will be used for casting the bases of the sanctuary and the veil in front of the ark, also for capitals and hooks for the pillars (Exodus 38:25-28). But, why do they call it “atonement money”? We are going to read about Israelite religious practices and note, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin” (Hebrews 9:22). Did they pay for the forgiveness of their sins?
         No. Apparently the taking of a census among the Israelites left them guilty after being counted. It may be that as they were counted, as they proudly declared where they were from or their family of origin, as they showed off their large families, as others eagerly calculated the number of possible soldiers to form a large army and proudly shared the final results, everyone was tempted to the sin of pride… leaving little or no glory for Yahweh, the One who gave them life, their families and military victory. Pharaoh was defeated because of pride; it’s better that the Israelites do not fall into the same sin: “When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the LORD when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them (Exodus 30:12). Nobody can boast; everyone has to pay the same amount in recognition that Yahweh gave them the life that allows them to be counted. That way their lives are rescued from the just punishment that pride deserves.
         The bronze basin is placed between the bronze altar and the tabernacle. Each time a priest walks between the altar and the tabernacle, he must stop and wash his hands and feet (Exodus 30:19-21). Throughout the day and every day he will be reminded that in order to serve Yahweh and intercede for His people, he must be clean, not defiled; he must stop and think about personal holiness, not just minister in a hurry.
         Exodus 30 ends with the recipes and emphasis on holiness for the anointing oil and the incense.
         In Exodus 31, Yahweh explains that He has filled Bezalel and Oholiab with His Spirit for the construction of the tabernacle. And to protect everyone from their own enthusiasm and eagerness to complete this sacred work as quickly as possible, He reminds them that they must rest on the Sabbath day or they will most certainly be put to death (Exodus 31:15). The lesson to Moses and the others is clear: even the work of building the tabernacle, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is no excuse for disobeying His command regarding the Sabbath.
         When Moses receives the two tablets of the testimony written by the finger of God, it seems like we’ve closed the section on the tabernacle (Exodus 31:18). What a blessing! Now it is just a matter of obeying what Yahweh has commanded… but we didn’t take into consideration the evil sin nature of God’s people.
         The change from Exodus 24 – 31 to chapter 32 is shocking. (Chapter 32 is included in today’s reading precisely so we can feel that shock!) After the theophany and Yahweh’s declaration of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, after the celebration of the covenant in Exodus 24, after all the detailed instructions about the tabernacle, how is it possible for the Israelites to disobey the commandment about idolatry so quickly?
         The time that Moses spent on the mountain is an unacceptable excuse. To the Israelites: “Moses delayed to come down from the mountain… As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him” (Exodus 32:1). But notice that to Yahweh: “They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them” (Exodus 32:8). In a short time they have violated the covenant with Yahweh and deserve to be destroyed in just judgment: “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you” (Exodus 32:9-10).
         Wait a minute. Before we keep reading… does Yahweh really need to ask Moses for some space and some time alone before he executes His just judgment against Israel? Notice that Yahweh, in the midst of His righteous wrath, is inviting Moses to intercede for the people… and he does so immediately. “But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, ‘O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?’” (Exodus 32:11) And as we reach the end of this conversation in verse 14, we should be amazed:
         1) for the intercession of Moses, one who preferred to protect and represent a sinful people rather than begin his own chosen nation, and
         2) for the change of course by Yahweh, the One who held back His just wrath because He is also profoundly merciful. He is the God who listens attentively to the intercessory prayers of His chosen ones.
         Finishing chapter 32, we still don’t know the outcome of this story. What will happen to the tabernacle? Will Yahweh dwell with them? Now that the Israelites have broken the covenant, will Yahweh abandon them? We’ll see the answers to these questions and many others in the following readings.

Psalm 84 and Exodus 27 - 29

1/26/2012

         Today’s reading gives the instructions for three more parts of the tabernacle: the bronze altar, the courtyard and the oil for the lampstand.
         The bronze altar is basically a huge grill, but it means much more than that. It is where the Israelite priests will burn almost all of their sacrifices. Outside the tabernacle, before Yahweh’s Presence, the bronze altar is the place where the sins of the Israelites are expiated (along with the mercy seat of the ark, which we will see again in Leviticus 16), a place for their sanctification and consecration, a place where they offer thanks to God and celebrate their communion with Him. The relationship of the entire nation with Yahweh, individually and as a group, has its focus on this altar. Without the sacrifices presented and burned here, there is no forgiveness of sins, holiness, consecration, thanksgiving, approach or communion with Yahweh.
         The court of the tabernacle is the priests’ workplace to prepare the sacrifices. Its fence of columns and curtains separates it from the rest of the camp and preserves the sanctity of the entire tabernacle: the people can’t walk in out of curiosity, they can’t interrupt the priests at their work, nor can they see what goes on every day, protecting their worship from the familiarity which tends toward routine instead of holy awe. The court allows Yahweh’s Presence to identify Himself with the people (He lives in a tent like they do) but at the same time separates Him from the people (not just anyone can enter the tabernacle nor even look inside).
         The oil of the lampstand has to be pure; there is no use for lamps that spark, give an unsteady light or give off a foul odor because of impurities. From Exodus 27:20-21 we understand that the lamps of the lampstand burned continually without being extinguished, and that Aaron and his household, probably one at a time by shifts, took the responsibility of tending them throughout the night. That way, there always was someone in the tabernacle at any hour to intercede for the nation of Israel and worship Yahweh.
         This reading also tells us that it is not enough to have a sacred space for Yahweh’s Presence: the people who minister in that space must also be holy. On one hand, the high priest’s clothing in particular must coincide with his work in the tabernacle. The colors of the ephod are the same as the tabernacle itself. The names of the 12 tribes on the two onyx stones on the shoulders of the ephod and on the jewels of the breastplate serve as a memorial and will remind the high priest of his obligation to intercede for them. The engraving on the gold plate of the turban, “Holy to the LORD”, will remind the faithful that their offerings are received by God’s grace. The clothes of all the priests will remind the faithful that their service is acceptable to Yahweh who said that they would “serve me as priests” (Exodus 28:41).
         But clothing does not make the man; Aaron and his sons have to be consecrated people, too. Here we have one of the most extensive descriptions of the animal sacrifices up to this point, and there are several important details that we will want to consider.
         First, notice that Aaron is anointed with the oil of anointing (Exodus 29:7). Being anointed with oil consecrates him; it sets him apart and dedicates him in Yahweh’s service. In future readings we will see a similar consecration of the kings (in 1 Samuel 16, for example), and we will read prophecies about a future King who will be called the Anointed One in English, or the Messiah in Hebrew, or the Christ in Greek.
         Second, notice that the first sacrifice for Aaron and his sons is a bull for a sin offering (Exodus 29:14). There is no communion with God and no thanksgiving until the need for forgiveness of sins is resolved. Sin prohibits a holy relationship with God; it must be forgiven and eliminated first before one can enter into the other aspects of a relationship with Him. Notice also that Aaron and his sons put their hands on the bull’s head before Moses kills it (Exodus 29:10); that identifies the bull as their substitute.
         Third, notice the sacrifice of the first ram as a whole burnt offering for Yahweh (Exodus 29:15-18). That represents the complete surrender of the people who present this sacrifice to Yahweh. It means that Aaron and his sons are not going to be part-time priests, nor priests only on the Sabbath, but all their lives will be given over to the priestly work of intercession for Yahweh’s people.
         Fourth, notice the sacrifice of the other ram in which Aaron is dabbed and sprinkled with blood similar to the way the bronze altar is dabbed and sprinkled (Exodus 29:19-21). He is sanctified along with the altar. Then he eats a part of the sacrifice offered at the altar; it is a ceremony of harmony and communion with Yahweh. It also recognizes that as high priest, he and his household will receive their portion and provision from the peace offerings presented on the altar to Yahweh (Exodus 29:28).
         Fifth, notice the importance of holiness in this whole consecration ceremony: they wear holy vestments, they are sanctified with oil, for seven days they offer bulls for the atonement of sin, they cook the meat of the peace offering in a holy place, no one else can eat it, and if something is left over, they have to burn it (Éxodo 29:29-37). Everything indicates separation from sin and from the commonplace in order to be dedicated exclusively to Yahweh’s service for the benefit of His people.
         Sixth, notice the daily offering of one-year-old lambs every day, continually, one in the morning and one in the evening, for all generations (Exodus 29:38-42). The newly consecrated priests here receive their second daily responsibility: present the daily whole burnt offering of the lamb with an offering of fine flour, olive oil and a drink offering of wine before Yahweh. (The first daily responsibility is trimming and maintaining the lamps of the lampstand.) So when they present these offerings from the most basic products of the Promised Land (lamb, flour, olive oil, wine), every day and twice a day, they will remember gratefully who gives His faithful provision to all the Israelites. Besides, as Yahweh says, “It shall be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance of the tent of meeting before the LORD, where I will meet with you, and speak to you there” (Exodus 29:42). That is, they also should remember that an intimate relationship with Yahweh, even though it occurs daily, is a tremendous, holy and unique privilege.
         With three more parts of the tabernacle, the priestly clothing and the consecration of the priests, we’ve taken a big step forward in our understanding of the Law. Lord willing, we appreciate His holiness more and the privilege it is to walk daily in a living, holy relationship with Him.

Exodus 25 - 26 and Psalm 115

1/25/2012

         Yahweh said to the Israelites, “Now, therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6). Obedience to the Law is one part of this unique relationship with Yahweh, but it is not all of it. This intimate relationship with God implies that His Presence will be with them and that His Presence will be accessible and permanent. Therefore, He gives them instructions for setting up a tabernacle, a physical place where His Presence will be known among them.
         The description of the tabernacle begins with three of the furnishings closest to Yahweh’s Presence: the Ark of the Covenant, the table for the bread of the Presence (or showbread) and the golden lampstand.
         The ark is a sacred box. It contains the tablets of stone with the Ten Commandments as a testimony to the covenant (Exodus 25:16, 21; 40:20), the bowl of manna as a testimony to Yahweh’s provision during the years in the desert (Exodus 16:33-34), and Aaron’s staff that testifies of Yahweh’s election of his house for the priesthood (Numbers 17:8-10).
         The cover of the ark is the mercy seat with two cherubim on each end, facing each other but looking down, their wings spread above and covering them. The Presence of Yahweh is unseen above the wings of the cherubim; His Presence makes the ark the most important object in the tabernacle. No figure represents Yahweh’s Presence. Moses, when he makes reference to the gathering of the people before Yahweh at Sinai in Exodus 19 and 20, will say, “Watch yourselves very carefully. Since you saw no form on the day that the LORD spoke to you at Horeb [or Sinai] out of the midst of the fire, beware lest you act corruptly by making a carved image for yourselves, in the form of any figure” (Deuteronomy 4:15-16). The cherubim do not represent Yahweh but bowing down, they indicate where His Presence is (above their wings) and the attitude of worship that they always maintain before His holiness. They testify of His righteousness and universal reign: “The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! (Psalm 99:1)
         The table has a very interesting function if you consider how people in the Middle East worshiped pagan gods at that time. It was common for them to prepare a daily meal for the sculpted image of a god and even cover it with a veil so it could “eat” in private. The bread of the Presence on the table of the tabernacle did not exist for that kind of foolishness. Yahweh would not “eat” the bread; He doesn’t need to nourish Himself like false gods; instead, He provides food abundantly for the twelve tribes of Israel. In recognition of His faithful provision, twelve loaves were presented as an offering to Yahweh and given for the provision of the priests who would eat them every Sabbath day (Leviticus 24:5-9).
         The lampstand had a very practical function. There are no windows in the tabernacle to allow the entry of light. The lampstand would light the room. It burned continually (Exodus 27:20), and in this way represents the provision of light by the One who said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).
         After describing these three sacred furnishings, Exodus 26 describes the tabernacle, the tent where Yahweh will dwell in the midst of His tent-dwelling people. It is supported by planks and columns of acacia wood covered in gold and with bases of silver or bronze. (Notice that the places closest or most closely associated with Yahweh’s Presence are made of gold. As you move away from His Presence or are more closely associated with the earth, they are made of silver and bronze.) The whole structure of the tent must be strong and solid to support the weight of the curtains but at the same time easy to set up or take down for frequent travel in the desert.
         There is a lot more we could say about the ark, the table, the lampstand and the tabernacle, but this is enough for today and our purpose of seeing how the Israelites will be a holy nation, not only by their obedience to the law but by having among them the Presence of Yahweh who sanctifies them.

Exodus 22 - 24 and Psalm 112

1/24/2012

         After the Ten Commandments, Yahweh specifies many more in agreement with them and the two main ones: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:35-40).
         [I recommend that you open your Bible and review the passages indicated so you can see their connection with the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17.]
         Exodus 20:22-26 builds on the first and second commandments (you shall have no other gods / you shall make no image). They preserve the purity of worship to Yahweh without distracting attention to material decoration or the human body.
         Exodus 21:1-11 builds on the eighth and tenth commandments (you shall not steal / you shall not covet). It specifies laws of protection by love to a vulnerable group: servants and slaves, especially female ones; it also respects the property rights of owners.
         Exodus 21:12-36 affirms the sixth commandment (you shall not murder). They are laws for the protection of the vulnerable, especially those who are attacked unjustly. It includes protection of those who are incorrectly accused of murder.
         Exodus 22:1-6 is rooted in the eighth commandment (you shall not steal) and declares the restitution due for robbery or damage to another’s property.
         Exodus 22:7-15 warns against covetousness and ensures the integrity of the eighth and tenth commandments.
         Exodus 22:16-17 is an application of the seventh commandment (you shall not commit adultery).
         Exodus 22:18, 20 refers to the first commandment (you shall have no other gods). We can consider Exodus 22:19 in association with the second commandment (you shall make no image) in that it prohibits the perversion of elevating a created being to an unworthy position.
         Exodus 22:21-27 demonstrates love to a vulnerable and poor neighbor in agreement with the eighth and tenth commandments (you shall not steal / you shall not covet).
         We can consider Exodus 22:28 as an application of the fifth commandment (honor your father and your mother), giving honor to others in authority.
         Exodus 22:29-30 is an interesting application of the tenth commandment, to not covet that which belongs to God.
         Exodus 22:31 touches on a topic that we will see in much greater detail in the book of Leviticus: the holiness laws.
         Applications from the eighth, ninth and tenth commandments (you shall not steal / you shall not bear false witness / you shall not covet) are found throughout Exodus 23:1-9.
         Exodus 23:10-12 explains another application of the fourth commandment (remember the Sabbath day).
         Exodus 23:13 is an application of the third commandment (you shall not take the name in vain).
         We will see Exodus 23:14-19, the three times of the year when the Israelites celebrate a feast to Yahweh, in much greater detail when we read Leviticus 23 and Numbers 28 – 29.
         Therefore, we can consider almost all of these laws as applications of the Ten Commandments that we saw in Exodus 20:1-17. We can organize them this way:
         Laws about the first and second commandments (you shall have no other gods / you shall make no image): Exodus 20:22-26; 22:18-20
         Laws on the third (you shall not take the name in vain): Exodus 23:13
         On the fourth (remember the Sabbath day): Exodus 23:10-12
         On the fifth (honor your father and your mother): Exodus 22:28
         On the sixth (you shall not murder): Exodus 21:12-36
         On the seventh (you shall not commit adultery): Exodus 22:16-17
        On the eighth (you shall not steal): Exodus 21:1-11; 22:1-15, 21-27; 23:1-9
        On the ninth (you shall not bear false witness): Exodus 23:1-9
        On the tenth (you shall not covet): Exodus 21:1-11; 22:7-15, 21-27, 29-30; 23:1-9

And in agreement with what we read in Matthew 22:37-40, all of these serve to teach and remind us how to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Exodus 19 - 21

1/23/2012

         In the New Testament, about 1400 years after Moses, this conversation took place: “And one of them, a lawyer, asked him [Jesus] a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets’” (Matthew 22:35-40).
         Jesus' response (in which He quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18) will serve as the foundation for our reading of the Law.
         Today we will see the most famous summary of the Law, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). Notice how they correspond with the two key commands of the Law that Jesus identified. How will we love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind? Yahweh commands us first of all, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2-3).
         Second, in worshiping Yahweh, we will not humiliate or insult Him by trying to express His all-excelling glory by a work of our own making. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:4-6).
         Third, we will sanctify (keep separate, reserve as unique and holy) His name. We will not misuse it by joining Him or His name with vanities, unrighteousness or sin like witchcraft or unholy spiritual practices, worship of other gods, false prophecies, lies, vows that are never kept or curses. “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7).
         Fourth, we will honor Him as the Creator that governs all time, the seasons and all history in righteousness by following the calendar He gave: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy” (Exodus 20:8-11).
         Besides demonstrating our love to Yahweh, how do we keep the second commandment that Jesus quoted, that we love our neighbor as we love ourselves? The fifth commandment follows, one that focuses on the most basic human unit, the family: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12).
         The sixth commandment preserves the sanctity of life created in the image of God: “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).
         The seventh preserves the sanctity of the most basic relationship that establishes the family, marriage: “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14).
         The eighth maintains the integrity of interpersonal relationship by respecting property rights: “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15).
         The ninth takes the respect toward our human bodies (from the sixth and seventh commandments) and our property (the eighth) and extends it to our forms of communication: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16).
         And the tenth deepens that commitment to our most personal longings, desires and thoughts: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s” (Exodus 20:17).
         The apostle Paul also recognizes the connection between these commands concerning our neighbor and love: “The one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:8-10).
         With love toward God and toward our neighbor specified by the Ten Commandments, we have our first lesson on the algebra of the Law.

Exodus 19 - Numbers 10 [the fourth unit of the Bible]

1/22/2012

         Several days ago we read, “Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?’ He said, ‘But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain’” (Exodus 3:11-12). And today we read, “Moses went up to God. The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself’” (Exodus 19:3-4). His word is fulfilled!
         And that completes the third unit of the Bible – the redemption of Israel – and begins the fourth, on the Mosaic Law. This unit extends from Exodus 19 to Numbers 10, approximately three weeks according to the calendar of Bible readings, from January 23 to February 14.
         This section is very different from what we’ve read in the Bible to this point. There is much less narrative and many descriptions of laws, construction and detailed sacrifices. This change makes the readings difficult at first. But with good guidance, I find this unit to be fascinating. I also find that it is absolutely necessary in order to understand the rest of the Bible.
         Two observations can help you understand this part of the Bible. First, think of it like mathematics, especially the study of a discipline like algebra. Everything you learn in an algebra class depends on what you learned the day before. Each lesson is built on the foundation of the previous lesson. If you get to the point where you say, “I don’t understand this lesson and, you know what? It’s probably not that important, anyways. I’ll just skip it and move on”… you’ve not only hurt your chances of understanding that lesson, you’ve probably hurt your chances of understanding any of the coming ones. Reading about the Mosaic Law is the same way. Every part depends on what you read before. If you get frustrated because you don’t understand one part and decide to skip it, you will grow more confused in the following days, because they all depend on your knowledge of the previous readings. So keep reading, be persistent and ask questions until you understand, and you will be very blessed at the end.
         Second, if you are reading and start to feel like you are lost in a maze, return to this summary of the main parts of Exodus 19 through Numbers 10:
         - Exodus 19 and 20 tell about the preparation for the Mosaic covenant and its ten most basic commandments.
         - Exodus 21 – 23 explains the most basic laws about the Israelites’ relationship with Yahweh and with one another.
         - In Exodus 24 Yahweh and the Israelites seal the Mosaic covenant.
         - Exodus 25 – 40 explains the construction of the tabernacle, the sacred space where Yahweh will dwell with the Israelites and where they will put the commands of the Mosaic covenant into practice.
         - Leviticus 1 – 7 describes the main sacrifices that they will perform in the tabernacle.
         - Leviticus 8 – 10 puts all the previous readings into motion as it describes the consecration of the priests.
         - Leviticus 11 – 27 presents the holiness laws that the Israelites will keep toward the temple services and in their relationships one to another.
         - Numbers 1 – 10 organizes the Israelites for their participation in the tabernacle rites and for their departure from Mount Sinai.
         Now, a few more observations about this unit:
         1) The main events of the unit: The presentation of the Mosaic covenant
         2)  Yahweh’s attributes that stand out: His holiness, His mercy
         3)  Yahweh’s main work: The organization of a holy nation
         4)  The main participants: Moses, Aaron and their generation
         5)  The main reference to Jesus Christ and the gospel: The main sacrifice of the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16. In the New Testament, Hebrews 9 and 10 make many comparisons between this sacrifice and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins. Also notice that the apostle Paul in the New Testament tells us that the purpose of all the Mosaic Law is to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24).
         6) Key observation: Remember the process of learning algebra! And keep reading with joy.

Exodus 15:22 - 18:27

1/22/2012

         In the narrative of Joseph and his brothers at the end of the book of Genesis, we saw how Joseph tested his brothers to reveal what was hidden in their hearts. In today’s reading, we’ll see that Yahweh does the same… for an entire nation!
         It begins in the desert, shortly after the decisive victory over Pharaoh’s troops. The Israelites didn’t find water for three days, and when they finally found it, they couldn’t drink it because it was bitter. The people began to complain. The same God who judged Egypt… can He preserve life, too? The God who opened the sea… can He change water and make it pure?
         “And he [Moses] cried to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet” (Exodus 15:25). But more than the preservation of lives takes place at this desert stop: “There the LORD made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them (Exodus 15:25). Instead of asking questions about Yahweh’s mercy and faithfulness, it would be better if the Israelites examined their own faithfulness. What will they do when they suffer? Will they trust in Yahweh only when things go their way? “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer” (Exodus 15:26).
         And the tests continue – as well as the lessons they should learn – so that they know Yahweh better and learn to listen attentively to His voice to obey Him. Hunger, thirst, rules associated with manna, the attack of the Amalekites – they are all tests and opportunities for the nation to know Yahweh and to obey Him. That’s what Yahweh will remind them of years later: “And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:2-3).
         And here in Exodus 18, at the same time that Yahweh is testing and training His people, He is possibly testing His prophet Moses, too. His father-in-law visits him, the priest of Midian. How is Moses going to describe the events of Israel’s redemption? Who is going to receive the glory in his narrative? If this is a test, Moses passes it perfectly: “Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the LORD had delivered them” (Exodus 18:8).
         Jethro understands the lesson, too. Listen to his testimony: “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods” (Exodus 18:10-11).
         If this conversation was possibly a test, then the one that follows may be a test, too. Jethro criticizes the way that Moses is governing the people. Will Moses get angry? Will he respond in pride? (Another might say haughtily to his father-in-law, “Since when did you guide a whole nation out of slavery? Where were you when it was time to talk to Pharaoh? And now you’re gonna tell me how to judge these people?”)
         No. Instead, he listens to his father-in-law’s ideas… and immediately puts them into practice! Now wonder the Bible is going to tell us, “Now the man Moses was very meek [humble, self-controlled and respectful, aware of his place], more than all the people who were on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3).
         Just like the Israelites, we will not see the hand of God in decisive victory over our foes every day; we are going to experience many days of testing. When we are under pressure and tests, what will our hearts display? Resentment over unfulfilled expectations or obedience? Murmuring or meekness? As we keep reading, may we see our trials as opportunities to know Yahweh better, and may we realize that even our conversations with family members may be tests that reveal the attitudes that govern our hearts.