Today's Reading:

Exodus 29
Exodus 30
Exodus 31
Exodus 32

 
Aaron had enabled idolatry by obliging the Israelites and making the Golden Calf, yet when Moses called, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me,” the tribe of Levi showed up (Aaron’s own tribe). The Levites took their swords and executed in divine judgment 3,000 Israelites to punish them and purify the camp of idolatry. God set apart the Levites for sacred service in place of the firstborn and established them as the new priestly leaders since they stepped up to restore holiness. Remember that the Levites were given to God in place of the firstborn of Israel, since God had spared the Israelite firstborn during the final plague in Egypt, when the firstborn of the Egyptians were killed. Centuries later, at Pentecost (New Testament, Acts 2), the Holy Spirit came , and 3,000 souls were saved through Peter’s preaching, which was like a reversal of the curse from the calf. Grace now added 3,000 lives to the church and fulfilled the Levites’ role through Christ.  

Chapter 29 of Exodus had a lot of rituals if you had not read them before. In essence, Moses was to consecrate Aaron and his sons, turning them from an ordinary family into holy priests. This was a seven-day (completeness) ritual of washing, dressing, anointing and sacrificing to set them apart. Each day, Moses was to bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tabernacle with the priest's clothes, anointing oil, animals for sacrifice, and bread. They were to wash from impurities, to be made clean for God, dress in the ephod and breastplate (from yesterday), including the turban that read “Holy to the Lord”, anointed with oil to represent the Holy Spirit’s power, and make a Sin Offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the bull to identify themselves with it and then burnt it outside of camp to show that sin needed to be removed, far away. The Burnt Offering was dedicated to God with a pleasing aroma to Him- (think of a good barbecue in the neighborhood and you can smell it from your house!) The Ordination Ram (second ram) was more unique- blood was swiped on Aaron’s ear lobe (to hear and obey God) , his thumb (to serve Him) , and his big toe (to walk in holiness). The rest of the animal was splashed and waved around and Moses, since he was the official in charge, and was allowed to have the breast section for himself (like payment). Now that the rituals have taken place, Aaron and his sons could boil the rest of the meat and eat it with the leftover bread at the Tent entrance, but it stated that only they could partake and they must burn any leftovers. This entire process was repeated for a week, and they were not allowed to leave the Tabernacle; otherwise, they would die (they were in the process of being set apart, and this was a sacred time and area). The bigger picture was that God took sin and holiness seriously. It all eventually points to Jesus, who offered Himself once and for all, cleansing us permanently, so we no longer have to sacrifice animals or be painted with blood, because without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. 

God could now dwell in the Tabernacle since it had been consecrated. So, He had Moses build an Altar of Incense- an acacia wood table, for Aaron to burn special fragrant incense every morning and evening in front of the Most Holy Place as a symbol of the prayers rising to God. Once a year, the altar would need to be purified (Day of Atonement). A Bronze Basin for washing as cleanliness for the priest was about purity- no dirty hands or feet in God’s house. The Holy Anointing Oil and Incense were to be made by God’s recipe only! It was His special scent that marked His territory. Do not put it on anyone else, any other items, take it home, or make any for yourself or it resulted in instant death. 

Chapter 31 wrapped up the Tabernacle instructions. God had hand-picked people to build all His holy furniture and sew the curtains and the Tabernacle. He hand-selected Bezalel and Oholiab and filled them “with the Spirit of God, wisdom, understanding, knowledge, skills, and artistic designs.” Just remember that in your job, God has provided you with the means to do your job at an exceptional level with artistic talent and technical skills for His glory! He gives us what we need to work, the special gifts, but also the time for rest on the holy day. Just as God filled His team with the Spirit to make beautiful articles, He has also gifted each believer today with unique talents and skills to serve others and magnify His name. Are you faithfully using your gifts so that “in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:10-11)? 

God wrapped up all the rules with Moses on Mount Sinai that He Himself wrote with His finger and , in His omniscience (all knowing), told Moses to get back down to the people, as they were already rebelling. The Israelites had become impatient waiting for Moses and forced Aaron to make a Golden Calf, resorting back to their Pagan worshipping. Aaron went along and melted their jewelry.  The people had made it barely 2 months from the time at the parting of the Red Sea, and they made an idol, built an altar before it, and held a festival in its honor , which angered God to the point that He did not want to claim them as “My people”. Moses begged God to see it through their eyes about being brought out of Egypt to die in a desert. (Reminiscent of Abraham wanting to spare the righteous in Sodom, Genesis 18). God relented and sent Moses down the mountain with the 2 tablets that were engraved on both sides (2 copies of the 10 Commandments, 5 written on each side , possibly). Moses heard the festival and boy was he extremely angry- Moses saw what God already knew, and in his anger, he threw the tablets down and broke them since the Israelites broke their covenant. He burnt the calf and made the people drink it to show it was a powerless idol and worthless, forcing them to admit their guilt, and internalize the sin to stick with them. When the Israelites grew impatient waiting for Moses and God’s timing, they created their own idol and ended up literally drinking the consequences. Today, we still refuse to wait on God’s promises and make “golden calves”, how might we be forcing ourselves to drink the bitter choices of sin instead of repenting? 

Today's Discussion question: 

It is time to self-reflect. Are you faithfully using your gifts so that “in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:10-11)? God equips each person with a unique gift to bring Him glory, Have you deciphered what your gift is and are you using it to the maximum potential to serve others?

 
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