TODAY’S READING: EXODUS 33-36
OVERVIEW:
God commands the people to go to Canaan; Moses asks God to reestablish His presence with Israel; God rewrites the tables of stone that Moses had broken; God reaffirms His special relationship with Israel; Moses reveals the tabernacle plans and the people respond obediently.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
What is God to do with a “stiffnecked” people? (Ex. 32:9, 33:3, 5, 34:9) He delivers them, He protects them, He provides for them, but still they are dead set on living like the world. God is wroth, considering consuming them (Ex. 32:10, 33:3, 5) and building His people up again through Moses, but Moses begs God for His presence once more. This brush with extinction, Moses prays, will be a wake-up call to God’s people. God offers to send His Angel to lead them, but Moses pleads for the actual personal presence of God (Ex. 32:15). The “insight” here is as simple as a look in the mirror (II Chron. 30:8, Acts7:51).
With God’s presence restored, the admonitions from God are unchanged, “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Ex. 34:14). Paul was jealous in this same way in II Corinthians 11:2.
God’s plan for the tabernacle, delivered to the children ofIsraelin chapter 35, is basically a repeat of chapters 25 – 31 with one incredible difference. While God’s plan was so very specific (it almost sounds stifling!), the execution of the plan employs the willing and wise-hearted participation of God’s people. Here they apply their skill, their cunning and their curious works (Ex. 35:32, 33, 35). The work of God drew on all their talents and, filled with God’s wisdom, they were enthused to do it; so much so that they almost went overboard. (Ex. 36:7).
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
In the TABERNACLE – Ex. 35 (Heb. 9:1-14).
The SINGLE DOOR into the tabernacle – Ex. 35:15 (John 10: 1, 2, 7, 9).
The HOLY OF HOLIES into which only the High Priest could enter – Ex. 35:19 (Hebrews9:12).