Corporate Devotions: Exodus (Part 8)
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Monday
Reading: Exodus 34:10-35
Questions for Reflection:
Given the rampant idolatry in Exodus 32, it’s nothing short of incredible that the Lord still wanted to live in covenant relationship with his people. Verse 10, “I am making a covenant,” reminds us the revelation of God’s character in Exodus 34:6-7 is not an abstract ideal to which God aspires. It is who he always is. Praise the Lord for being a covenant-making, covenant-keeping God. Ask him to help you stand in awe of his redemptive power in your life (verse 10).
The Lord warns us in verses 12-16 that our life goes down in the middle of a spiritual battle for the allegiance of our hearts. We will either keep covenant with the Lord or make a covenant of our own with the gods of this world. Close relationship with ungodly friends invariably pulls us into the latter. Ask the Lord to protect you and our church by making us close companions of those who are close to God.
The summary repetition of the law in verses 17-27 reminds us that God’s Word is at the heart of his covenant relationship with his people. Ask the Lord to help you keep covenant with him by remaining faithful to his Word in every area of life.
The mere reflection of the majesty of God on Moses’ face was enough to frighten Israel. It also pointed forward to an even greater glory. Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 to learn what it is. Ask the Lord to open your mind and heart by his Spirit that you might behold the glory of Christ day after day in the pages of his Word and be transformed into his image.
Song: He is Worthy
Tuesday
Reading: Exodus 35:1-29
Questions for Reflection:
Isn’t it interesting that when Moses summarizes “the things that the LORD has commanded you to do,” he doesn’t repeat chapter 34? He just repeats the command to keep Sabbath. Rest in the Lord, distinctive dependence on the Lord, trusting the power of his work, not our own, was the headwaters of the law. Whether or not we will rest in Jesus and his cross-work is equally a matter of life and death (Hebrews 3:7-14). Pray for help to obediently rest in God’s saving power instead of arrogantly striving in your own power.
The Lord required Israel to serve him with their treasure (verse 5) and their talents (verse 10). Thank the Lord for the privilege we have today of doing the same! Ask him to stir your heart and move your spirit (verse 21), showing you how you can give generously of both.
There is a beautiful picture in verses 25-29 of skillful women, leaders, and all the men and women availing themselves for the work of the Lord. Ask the Lord to help you not count yourself out of being used by him simply because you have a seemingly “ordinary” talent. Spinning yarn wasn’t glamorous. Yet it was that very skill the Lord used to enable the entire nation to obey his Word.
Did you notice the proportionality in Israel’s giving? All who had gold brought it. All who had specific kinds of yarn, linen, or skins brought them. Everyone who “could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it” (verse 24). The leaders, who were presumably more wealthy individuals, “brought onyx stones and stones to be set,” as well as spices and incense. The Lord doesn’t require us to be generous with what we don’t have. He wants us to be generous with what we do have. Ask him to help you not postpone generosity simply because you can’t give what someone else is giving.
Song: Take My Life
Wednesday
Reading: Exodus 35:30-37:29
Questions for Reflection:
Did you catch the amazing report in Exodus 36:5? “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do.” Praise the Lord for being a God who supplies all we need to do the work he has called us to do. Ask him to help you trust him that he will never leave you short of the resources you need to obey him, whether spiritual or material (Read 2 Corinthians 9:8 if you’re doubtful).
By the time you get into chapter 37, you might start to wonder, “Do we really need to repeat for the second time in Exodus all the details of the tabernacle? How is this remotely important?” The best answer is often the simplest. It’s an example of careful, meticulous obedience to “all that the LORD has commanded” (Exodus 36:1). Pray for the Spirit’s help to be no less careful in every situation today to please the Lord.
Verbs of human construction and craftsmanship abound in these chapters. The tabernacle was very much a temple made by hands. Read 1 Kings 8:27 and Acts 17:24-25. Then take a few minutes to praise the Lord for condescending in Jesus to dwell in the realm of men, and in a lowly stable at that.
Song: Who Would Have Dreamed
Thursday
Reading: Exodus 38-39
Questions for Reflection:
The amount of gold and silver Israel gave for the furnishings of the tabernacle was worth roughly $62 million in today’s market. Worshiping the Lord in the way he required was a costly enterprise. Do you expect life as a “living sacrifice” to be any less costly (see Romans 12:1-2)? Confess to the Lord areas where you are tempted to demand that serving him be easy. Ask for his help to lay down perceived rights and privileges for his sake (see Exodus 38:8).
Repetition is a helpful clue in discovering the main message of a passage. Count the number of times the phrase, “…as the LORD had commanded Moses,” appears in chapter 39. Everything in the tabernacle, and the priests in particular, was done exactly the way the Lord said it should be done (see verse 32). It was a glimpse of perfection that ultimately points to Jesus, our great priest (see Hebrews 7:26-28). Thank him for being a spotless representative and intercessor on our behalf, fully acceptable to the Father.
Exodus 39:43 reminds us that receiving the blessing of God’s appointed mediator (Moses) depends on obeying the Lord commands. Praise Jesus for perfectly obeying the Father on our behalf (see John 8:29) and thereby securing “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” for us (Ephesians 1:3).
Song: Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Friday
Reading: Exodus 40
Questions for Reflection:
Erecting the tabernacle “on the first day of the first month” made a loud statement to Israel that their corporate life was to revolve around the worship of God. Ask the Lord to help you not treat your relationship with him as secondary to other priorities. Does your calendar and checkbook reflect as much? Where do you need to grow?
The repetition of “as the LORD has commanded Moses” points yet again to both the glory of the tabernacle and the importance of full obedience. Pray for God to give you a fervent spirit in obeying his Word. Confess to the Lord areas of your life where you are tempted to settle for half-hearted obedience. Ask him for power to be fully obedient as a living temple of God (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Verses 34-38 are an incredible expression of the Lord’s kindness to Israel. He gave them the very gift Moses prayed for back in chapter 33: the gift of his glorious presence. He dwelt in their midst of his people every day and every night throughout “all their journeys.” Thank the Lord for being a God who is even more present with you through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The very thing Moses was unable to do, physically enter the presence of God, you are able to do through Jesus! Ask him to give you a spirit of humble obedience that follows him accordingly.
Song: He is Our God