91_Lampstand- the source of light Ex 25:31-40 “Make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. Make the entire lampstand and its decorations of one piece—the base, center stem, lamp cups, buds, and petals. 32 Make it with six branches going out from the center stem, three on each side. 33 Each of the six branches will have three lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals. 34 Craft the center stem of the lampstand with four lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals. 35 There will also be an almond bud beneath each pair of branches where the six branches extend from the center stem. 36 The almond buds and branches must all be of one piece with the center stem, and they must be hammered from pure gold. 37 Then make the seven lamps for the lampstand, and set them so they reflect their light forward. 38 The lamp snuffers and trays must also be made of pure gold. 39 You will need 75 pounds of pure gold for the lampstand and its accessories. 40 “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain. One of the most breathtaking experiences in nature is watching the sunrise over a vast horizon. In that quiet moment, as the first golden rays pierce through the darkness, everything changes. What was once hidden in shadow is now illuminated. Light transforms, reveals, and gives life. It is no surprise, then, that the Bible begins with God’s declaration: “Let there be light.” Before the sun, before the stars, before any natural source of light existed, there was light—because God Himself is the true light. In Exodus 25:31-40, God commands the construction of the lampstand for the Tabernacle. This lampstand was to be made of pure gold, with seven branches, crafted as a single beaten work. It stood in the Holy Place, alongside the table of showbread and the altar of incense. In the heavily covered tabernacle, the lampstand provided the only light by which the priests could minister at night. Without it, they would be in complete darkness. Throughout Scripture, the lampstand is a powerful symbol. It appears in Solomon’s temple, in Zechariah’s visions, and in John’s revelation, where he sees seven lampstands representing the churches. The lampstand signifies God’s witness—His light of love. Jesus embodies this truth perfectly. John 1:4 says, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” It was not merely His teaching, His miracles, or His deeds that revealed the nature of God, but His very life of love. Hebrews affirms this, saying that Christ is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of His nature. The lampstand also describes our relationship with Christ. Just as the seven branches were one piece of gold, Christ and His Church are one. He is the vine, we are the branches; He is the head, we are His body. When the risen Lord appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, He did not say, “Why are you persecuting my followers?” He said,

 92_Christ in the Tabernacle coverings Ex 26:1-14 “Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them. 2 The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall be the same size. 3 Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another. 4 And you shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set. Likewise you shall make loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set. 5 Fifty loops you shall make on the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain that is in the second set; the loops shall be opposite one another. 6 And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains one to the other with the clasps, so that the tabernacle may be a single whole. 7 “You shall also make curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle; eleven curtains shall you make. 8 The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. The eleven curtains shall be the same size. 9 You shall couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and the sixth curtain you shall double over at the front of the tent. 10 You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set. 11 “You shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together that it may be a single whole. 12 And the part that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. 13 And the extra that remains in the length of the curtains, the cubit on the one side, and the cubit on the other side, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, on this side and that side, to cover it. 14 And you shall make for the tent a covering of tanned rams' skins and a covering of goatskins on top. The Tabernacle is a parable, a statement of certain truths in symbolic form. It foreshadows the great facts of our Lord Jesus Christ and of his body the church. The walls and ceiling of the tabernacle were made of wooden frames holding up four sets of heavy curtains. The description always begins from the inside to the outside. The innermost layer is made of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns. Cherubim were skillfully worked into them. The beautiful embroidery work was visible only on the inside, to those in the holy place. The fine linen speaks of righteousness in Christ, worked out in us by the Spirit. In Rev 19:8 And

93_The boards and the curtains Ex 26:15 “You shall make upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. 16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each frame. 17 There shall be two tenons in each frame, for fitting together. So shall you do for all the frames of the tabernacle. 18 You shall make the frames for the tabernacle: twenty frames for the south side; 19 and forty bases of silver you shall make under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons; 20 and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side twenty frames, 21 and their forty bases of silver, two bases under one frame, and two bases under the next frame. 22 And for the rear of the tabernacle westward you shall make six frames. 23 And you shall make two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear; 24 they shall be separate beneath, but joined at the top, at the first ring. Thus shall it be with both of them; they shall form the two corners. 25 And there shall be eight frames, with their bases of silver, sixteen bases; two bases under one frame, and two bases under another frame. 31 “And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it. 32 And you shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, with hooks of gold, on four bases of silver. 33 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy. 34 You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place. 35 And you shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand on the south side of the tabernacle opposite the table, and you shall put the table on the north side. 36 “You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. 37 And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five bases of bronze for them. Great doors turn on small hinges. These doors are much like our lives as believers. Unless our works are grounded securely on the foundation of Christ’s redemption, we are merely showpieces, unable to fulfill our true purpose. The Tabernacle, the dwelling place of God among the Israelites, was built exactly according to God’s instructions. The boards that formed its structure were made of acacia wood, standing upright and resting on silver sockets. Silver, in Scripture, is a picture of redemption. These were made from the half-shekel redemption tax paid by the Israelites in the wilderness, as

94_The brazen altar of sacrifice Exodus 27:1-8 “You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits. 2 And you shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze. 3 You shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and fire pans. You shall make all its utensils of bronze. 4 You shall also make for it a grating, a network of bronze, and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners. 5 And you shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net extends halfway down the altar. 6 And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. 7 And the poles shall be put through the rings, so that the poles are on the two sides of the altar when it is carried. 8 You shall make it hollow, with boards. As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made. When anyone entered the court of the tabernacle in ancient Israel, the first thing he saw was the brazen altar. This altar, made of acacia wood overlaid with brass, stood near the entrance, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high. It was the largest of all the tabernacle’s furnishings. For the layman, this was the only tabernacle furnishing that he could see, all the rest being within the structure itself, prohibited to him. No one could approach God without first encountering this altar, where sacrifices were offered to atone for sin. The altar was made of acacia wood covered with a brass, or bronze, layer. Bronze is often a symbol of divine judgment in Scripture. In Numbers 21, the Israelites sinned against God by grumbling about their food, the manna he miraculously provided day by day. Fiery serpents appeared among them in judgment. Many people were bitten and died. This caused immediate repentance, and the people cried out to Moses to pray for them. God heard their prayer, but he did not simply remove the serpents. Instead, He commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it up on a pole. Anyone who was bitten could look upon it, and he would live. Centuries later, the Lord referred to this event, saying, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so shall the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15). The bronze serpent represented the punishment itself, but now it brought life, not death. Christ was lifted up on the cross as he bore our sin in his body. Those who look to him find eternal life instead of death, for atonement has been made, and their sins forgiven. The altar had four horns, one at each corner, forming a single piece with it. These horns were the points to

95_The court of the tabernacle Ex 27:9-19 “You shall make the court of the tabernacle. On the south side the court shall have hangings of fine twined linen a hundred cubits long for one side. 10 Its twenty pillars and their twenty bases shall be of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. 11 And likewise for its length on the north side there shall be hangings a hundred cubits long, its pillars twenty and their bases twenty, of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. 12 And for the breadth of the court on the west side there shall be hangings for fifty cubits, with ten pillars and ten bases. 13 The breadth of the court on the front to the east shall be fifty cubits. 14 The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. 15 On the other side the hangings shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. 16 For the gate of the court there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. It shall have four pillars and with them four bases. 17 All the pillars around the court shall be filleted with silver. Their hooks shall be of silver, and their bases of bronze. 18 The length of the court shall be a hundred cubits, the breadth fifty, and the height five cubits, with hangings of fine twined linen and bases of bronze. 19 All the utensils of the tabernacle for every use, and all its pegs and all the pegs of the court, shall be of bronze. Picture a man standing outside the Tabernacle in the wilderness, his eyes straining against the brightness of the midday sun. As he gazes at the structure before him, all he sees is an unbroken wall of dazzling white linen, stretching 100 cubits in length and 50 cubits in width. The fence, standing 7.5 feet tall, is impenetrable to sight, revealing nothing of what lies within. He walks along its perimeter, searching for an opening, but none appears. The sheer whiteness of the fine twined linen blinds him, symbolizing an unattainable standard of holiness. "Holiness becomes your house forevermore, O Lord," declares Psalm 93:5. This is the essence of what the Tabernacle’s court represented—the absolute purity of God’s dwelling place. The Israelites alone were permitted to enter this sacred space, while all others had to remain outside. The linen curtain, woven tightly and securely fastened to bronze pillars with silver hooks, stood as a barrier between the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. The bronze sockets, upon which the pillars stood, reminded the people of the righteous judgment of God, while the silver pointed to redemption—the price paid for their entry into His presence. The structure of the Tabernacle reveals much about the person of Jesus Christ, the complete and final revelation of God. John declares, "The Word became flesh and tabernacled among

96_The priestly garment Exodus 28:1-5 “Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 2 And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. 3 You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron's garments to consecrate him for my priesthood. 4 These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons to serve me as priests. 5 They shall receive gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. A young man once attended a royal banquet by invitation. He had also received fine festal garments to wear to the feast. However, he chose to wear his own clothes instead. As the king greeted his guests, he noticed the man’s attire. “Friend,” he asked, “how did you get in here without a wedding garment?” The man had no answer. The king ordered his servants to expel the guest. This parable, in Matthew 22, indicates the significance of the right garment in the presence of the King. When our first parents sinned against God in the Garden of Eden, they immediately realized that they were naked, and they felt ashamed of their nakedness. In fact, they had been naked from the day of their creation, but, wrapped in innocence, it had never been a problem. But now, conscious of guilt and fearing God’s disapproval, they were afraid to appear in their nakedness before him or before each other. Man’s sin had corrupted his heart, and he was no longer one with God in seeking God’s will. When they knew that they were naked, their immediate response was to make a covering of fig leaves. This was far from being a good solution, as the leaves withered as soon as the sun became hot. But when God sent them out of the garden, he did not send them naked. himself clothed them with a garment of animal skins. Thus, their clothing, prefiguring the restoration of a good conscience, came at the price of an animal’s death. Without death, sin cannot be atoned for. The high priestly garments were not designed merely to cover nakedness. This is plain from the multiple layers and the elaborate design. The ephod is a colorful apron extending above the waist. It represents the God-appointed authority of the high priest to represent the people before God, to bear their iniquity, to turn away wrath from them, and to minister to him. The Lord said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” On the two shoulder pieces of the ephod were two stones engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. Carried on the strong shoulders of the Good Shepherd, the people of God find security. About Benjamin, the last of the tribes,

97_Consecration for service Ex 29:1-9“Now this is what you shall do to them to consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. 4 You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and wash them with water. 5 Then you shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the coat and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastpiece, and gird him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 6 And you shall set the turban on his head and put the holy crown on the turban. 7 You shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him. 8 Then you shall bring his sons and put coats on them, 9 and you shall gird Aaron and his sons with sashes and bind caps on them. And the priesthood shall be theirs by a statute forever. Thus you shall ordain Aaron and his sons. A job applicant arrived for an interview at one of the top companies. He had impressive qualifications and an outstanding resume. However, he ignored the dress code stipulated by the company for the interview. He assumed that the company wouldn’t mind his informal apparel because of his credentials. However, he was turned away. The directors rightly assumed that someone who was careless about their wishes in such a minor matter would cause much more trouble down the road. In the same way, we may greatly desire to serve God, but we must be prepared for his service. This principle is vividly illustrated in Exodus 29:1-9, where Moses was given detailed instructions about the consecration of Aaron and his sons so that they could serve as priests in the Tabernacle. God’s servants must be holy. Consecration is the prerequisite for service. Every sinner who comes to God in repentance and faith in the name of Jesus Christ is washed and clothed in righteousness. But when Aaron and his sons were chosen to minister before the Lord, he instructed Moses about their garments and their consecration. This demonstrates the importance, not just of their function but their consecration for their holy calling. The first step was washing them with water. Every one of us needs to be purified through repentance and obedience to the word of God. Repentance is nothing but realizing the wrongness of our ways and correcting them. Isaiah 52:11 exhorts, “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.” True service to God demands cleansing from the defilement of the flesh, and from the desire to conform to the world in its disobedient and self-serving ways. After washing, the priestly garments were put on them, denoting their God-given authority, holiness, and single-minded devotion to God’s service. They were then girded with sashes, so that they would be unhindered by distractions as they moved about their work. Heb 12:1 instructs us, “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let

98_The altar of incense Ex 30:1-9 “You shall make an altar on which to burn incense; you shall make it of acacia wood. 2 A cubit shall be its length, and a cubit its breadth. It shall be square, and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. 3 You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and around its sides and its horns. And you shall make a molding of gold around it. 4 And you shall make two golden rings for it. Under its molding on two opposite sides of it you shall make them, and they shall be holders for poles with which to carry it. 5 You shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 6 And you shall put it in front of the veil that is above the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is above the testimony, where I will meet with you. 7 And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, 8 and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations. 9 You shall not offer unauthorized incense on it, or a burnt offering, or a grain offering, and you shall not pour a drink offering on it. 10 Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering of atonement he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the Lord.” The holy place of the Tabernacle appealed to the senses. The eyes of the priests were treated to the beautiful embroidery of the door covering and the veil, illuminated by the golden lampstand. The golden bells around the hem of the robe of the ephod tinkled gently as the High Priest moved around. The incense gave off its fragrant aroma, heated gently on the altar of incense. When we come to Christ, all our spiritual senses are stirred by the nobility, wisdom, living words, warm generosity, utter faithfulness, and unchangeable love, that make up the character of our Lord. In Exodus 30:1-10, we read about the altar of incense, placed just before the veil that concealed the Most Holy Place, where God's presence dwelt. Leviticus 16:12-13 describes how the high priest was commanded to take coals from the altar and place incense upon them, so that its fragrant smoke would cover the mercy seat. The smoke from the incense would rise and pass through the veil, entering the Most Holy Place. Our prayers must always rise before God. Psalm 141:2 says, "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!" In Luke 1:10, we see how, as the priest Zachariah entered the temple to burn incense, the people outside were engaged in prayer. The burning of incense symbolized the prayers of God's people. In Revelation 5:8, we see the elders holding

99_The bronze basin Ex 30:11-16 The Lord said to Moses, 12 “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. 13 Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as an offering to the Lord. 14 Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the Lord's offering. 15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the Lord's offering to make atonement for your lives. 16 You shall take the atonement money from the people of Israel and shall give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the Lord, so as to make atonement for your lives.” “And the LORD said to Moses, 18“You are to make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it, 19with which Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet. 20Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister by presenting an offering made by fire to the LORD, they must wash with water so that they will not die. 21Thus they are to wash their hands and feet so that they will not die; this shall be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.” In a small village, there was an old bridge that connected two sides of a deep ravine. The villagers used it for many years. Over time, the wood rotted, and the bridge became unsafe. The villagers feared they would be cut off from the other side without a bridge. A wealthy man saw the danger, and paid a trustworthy contractor to build a strong new bridge that would last for decades. It was now possible for anyone to cross over, whatever their wealth or status. This story illustrates the nature of redemption—a costly provision given freely to all. In Exodus 30:11-16, we see a striking command from God regarding the census of the Israelites. Each man was to pay a ransom for his life, a half-shekel, to prevent a plague. Rich or poor, no one was exempt, and no one could pay more or less. This payment symbolizes the price to be paid for a person to be part of God’s people. Eternal life is a gift from God, and redemption comes at a price. Yet Psalm 49:7-9 shows clearly that the half-shekel tax was only a symbolic payment: “No man can possibly redeem his brother, or pay his ransom to God. For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice, that he should live on forever and not see decay.” The souls of men are

100_Marks of a Spirit-filled man Ex 31: 1-6 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, 4 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, 5 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. 6 And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.” When asked how he produced his masterpieces in stone, a master sculptor answered, "I see the finished sculpture inside the stone. I just chip away the unwanted to reveal it." This statement mirrors how God calls and equips individuals for His work. Throughout history, God has chosen ordinary people, filled them with His Spirit, and empowered them to accomplish his will. One such example is found in Exodus 31:1-6, in the appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab. The vision of the tabernacle, and the detailed plan for its building, was given to Moses. The Lord who created the heavens and the earth by His word wanted his people to build him a dwelling place and sanctuary. He handpicked two men to lead the work, and others to help them. These men, with their frailties and sins, could not do the work of God unless they were filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the first instance in the scriptures where God fills a man with His Spirit. As with the rest of the Tabernacle, this is also a pattern that well repays a closer look. God invites Moses’ attention to the person whom He has chosen. “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri.” God picked out one man by name. Like everyone else, he was a slave in Egypt, making bricks for a cruel master. But now God calls him to do His work. It was not Moses, the leader, or the people, who recognized or appointed him by consensus or through any kind of test. It was God’s sovereign election. For all God’s people, Isaiah 43:1 says, “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.’” The name Bezalel means “in the shadow of God.” A man filled with the Spirit of God stands in the shadow or protection of God. Psalm 91 says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” Boaz speaks of Ruth in Ruth 2:12, “The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by

101_Waiting on God Exodus 32:1 When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, ‘Up, make us gods who shall go before us. 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. Ex 24: 12-14“The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” 13 So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14 And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.” A young musician dreamed of being part of a world-renowned orchestra. She trained diligently for years, enduring long hours of practice, and sacrificed much to master her instrument. Finally, she was called to audition for the orchestra of her dreams. After a good performance, weeks passed, then months, without a response. Doubts begin to creep in. Did they forget about her? Was she not good enough? After two months, she considers quitting, thinking that perhaps she was never meant to be a musician. But behind the scenes, the orchestra conductor was deeply impressed with her audition. In four months, the right position would open up, one that would truly match her talent. He was waiting for that moment to offer her the position. If she had given up, she would have missed the opportunity of a lifetime. In our spiritual lives, waiting can be agonizing. It can feel like silence, like being forgotten. The Israelites at Mount Sinai endured this pain, as did Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, David, and many others throughout Scripture. But God’s delays are not His denials. They are His period of proving and preparation. Waiting refines us, tests our faith, and positions us to receive His best when the opportune time comes. Exodus 24:12-14 narrates how God called Moses up the mountain to receive the law. He had prepared deputies to oversee the people and provide leadership. God is always a God of order, arranging for every situation. However, neither Moses nor the people were given a timeline for how long this would take. Their trust was tested as all they could do was wait. As Exodus 32:1 describes, “When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, ‘Up, make us gods who shall go before us. 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.’” This is the greatest danger of impatience - it leads to idolatry. Israel, standing at the foot of Mount Sinai, had every reason to trust. They had seen God’s miracles in Egypt, His provision in the wilderness,

102_Good and bad leadership Exodus 32:1-6 When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. 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.” 2 So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” 5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.” 6 And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. Leadership is not about power or position but about influence and responsibility. History has seen both good and bad leaders—those who inspire others toward righteousness and those who crumble under pressure, leading people astray. A powerful example of this contrast can be seen in the story of Ernest Shackleton, the famed Antarctic explorer. When his ship, the Endurance, was trapped in ice, his leadership ensured that every single one of his men survived nearly two years of brutal conditions. His selflessness, wisdom, and courage saved lives. In contrast, Captain Bligh of the HMS Bounty is remembered for his harsh rule, which led to the infamous mutiny. These two leaders faced crises, but their responses defined their legacy. Exodus 32:1-6 tells us about two leaders—Aaron and Moses—faced with a crisis, and their actions reveal the stark difference between good and bad leadership. God had instructed the Israelites to wait in the camp until Moses returned from the mountain. Aaron and Hur were entrusted to resolve disputes and maintain order. Yet, when confronted with the impatience and demands of the people, Aaron failed to stand firm. Instead, he gave in to their desires and led them in making the golden calf. Aaron must have known that he was doing wrong. Instead of resisting the people’s impatience to be off with some god or the other, he made an idol. The calf was fashioned from part of the very gold that God had enabled them to carry away from Egypt. That gold was meant for the construction of the Tabernacle, soon to be revealed to them as God’s gracious plan to dwell among them. The very resources God had given them for His glory were now being misused for idolatry. God entrusts us with time, talents, and resources, so that we may have the privilege of dedicating them for His kingdom.

103_Be angry and sin not Ex 32:25-29 And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies), 26 then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the Lord's side? Come to me.” And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. 27 And he said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Put your sword on your side each of you, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill his brother and his companion and his neighbor.’” 28 And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell. 29 And Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for the service of the Lord, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, so that he might bestow a blessing upon you this day.” As a young man, William Wilberforce lived a life of privilege and ease. But his life changed dramatically when he encountered first-hand the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade. It did not affect him in any way, yet his heart burned with righteous anger as he saw people oppressed and dehumanized, just because they were powerless and poor. Rather than leading him to bitterness or vengeance, it propelled him into a lifelong mission to abolish slavery in the British Empire. His righteous indignation was not self-serving but a reflection of God's justice and holiness. The passage in Exodus 32:25-29 reveals another instance of righteous anger on the part of Moses. As he descended from Mount Sinai, carrying the sacred tablets of God’s law, he was confronted with an appalling scene. The Israelites, having grown impatient in his absence, had abandoned their allegiance to the Lord and turned to idol worship. They were dancing in frenzied revelry around a golden calf. Moses’ anger burned as he saw the people defiling themselves and rejecting God’s holiness. Moses did not act out of uncontrolled rage or personal offense. He was not angry because the people had disrespected his authority. It was because they had violated their overwhelmingly valuable covenant with the Almighty. In his fury, he threw down the stone tablets on which the law was written, a visual symbol of what the Israelites had just done. Then he called for those who remained faithful to God to take a stand. The Levites responded and gathered to him. At Moses' command, they executed divine judgment against the ringleaders who persisted in rebellion. This was not indiscriminate slaughter but a measured act against those who continued defiant, despite every opportunity to repent. Proverbs 29:1 warns, “He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.” This is exactly what happened to these rebels. Moses' anger was an echo of God's own response to sin. Righteous anger is very different from our personal irritation or offence. Our human anger is selfish, arising from wounded pride, frustration, or personal grievance. It seeks

104_The way back to God Ex 33:1-6 The Lord said to Moses, “Depart; go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give it.’ 2 I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.” 4 When the people heard this disastrous word, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments. 5 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do with you.’” 6 Therefore the people of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments, from Mount Horeb onward. A little boy was exploring a crowded exhibition ground with his parents. His parents were attentively keeping watch over him, mindful of the crowds. Despite their efforts, he wandered away, lured by an attractive stall down an alley. When he looked around at last, he realized he was lost. Fear gripped him, as he frantically searched for the familiar faces of his parents. Finally, he ran into a kind police officer who attempted to console him with ice cream, chips, and cookies. But all the little boy would do was cry out, "I just want to get back to my parents." This simple desire —to return home—is the cry of every human heart. In Exodus 33, the Israelites found themselves lost, separated from their Savior who had rescued them from hopeless and harsh slavery in Egypt, and had fulfilled his promise to bring them to the mountain where they would worship. Of course, they had not merely drifted away unawares. It was their deliberate choice to replace their God with an idol they had made. Tired of waiting for Moses, who was up on the mountain receiving the law from God, and perhaps skeptical that he would ever return, they became impatient. They demanded, “Make us gods who shall go before us.” They wanted something tangible, and a god that they could manipulate. something they could control. Paul, in Romans 1:21-23, describes their terrible exchange: “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” The heart of sin, theirs and ours, is the desire to redefine God on our terms, to fashion Him into something that fits our preferences and conveniences. Moses recognized the depth of their sin and interceded, going

105_Learning God’s ways Exodus 33:9-16 When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. 10 And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. 11 Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent. 12 Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” 14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” There was a young man who admired a great artist and longed to learn from him. One day, he gathered the courage to approach the master and asked, "Sir, how did you become so skilled?" The artist smiled and replied, "I spent countless hours watching my master work. I listened to him, observed his ways, and imitated his strokes. The more I spent time in his presence, the more I learned his ways." In the same way, walking with God is not just knowing about Him, but knowing Him. It is being reverent before him, obedient to his word, trustful in his promises, and hopeful in his love. Exodus 33:9-16 describes a conversation between Moses and God. It unveils the depth of a relationship with God that is built on trust, dependence, and love. God always wants to dwell with his people and walk among them. This was the very reason behind Israel’s redemption. Yet, as Moses descended from Mount Sinai, he found that his people had rebelled against God, turning to idols. God threatened to leave them, with an angel to go before them and ensure their access into the land of promise. The angel would cast out their enemies and give them possession. Moses and the people were dismayed at this word. The people mourned heartbrokenly, removing their ornaments. Moses set up the Tent of Meeting outside the camp, far away from the people. While their unfaithfulness as a people had driven God away, his presence was

106_Please show me your glory Ex 33:17-20 And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” There’s a story about a young artist who longed to capture the beauty of the world on his canvas. He traveled far and wide, painting landscapes, portraits, and scenes of great wonder. Yet, no matter how much he painted, something was missing. One day, he met an old master who looked at his work and said, "You paint with great skill, but you have not yet seen true beauty." The young artist was puzzled. "What do you mean?" he asked. The master replied, "True beauty is not in the world around you—it is in the source of all things. Seek to see the light that gives life to everything, and your art will change." Moses' request in Exodus 33:17-20 echoes the longing to see, not just the works of God, but to see God Himself. Moses had already witnessed extraordinary manifestations of divine power. He saw the burning bush, stood before Pharaoh as God's messenger, and watched as the Red Sea parted before his eyes. He experienced God’s provision through manna in the wilderness, and water from a rock. He had ascended Mount Sinai and received the law directly from the Lord. But despite all this, he wanted more. "Please show me your glory," he pleaded. It wasn’t miracles or wonders that he longed for—it was God Himself. The Lord responded to Moses' request: "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy." (Exodus 33:19). These words arrest our attention for they do not promise what Moses had asked for. Instead, God revealed the root and source of his glory. He uncovered before Moses’ eyes His character, His goodness, and His mercy. God’s glory truly lies, not in displays of power, but in the very nature of God Himself. God threatened to destroy the Israelites in the matter of the golden calf, but Moses had interceded for them. God spared his unfaithful people, but told them he would no longer be with them. Yet now, at Moses’ humble but agonized plea, God gives him a promise, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." He bound himself to see the Israelites through until he had fulfilled all that he had promised their fathers. Such is the power of heartfelt intercession in the will of God. Moses witnessed firsthand that the glory