Daily Devotional Podcasts

90_A table of fellowship Ex 25:23-30 “You shall make a table of acacia wood. Two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. 24 You shall overlay it with pure gold and make a molding of gold around it. 25 And you shall make a rim around it a handbreadth wide, and a molding of gold around the rim. 26 And you shall make for it four rings of gold, and fasten the rings to the four corners at its four legs. 27 Close to the frame the rings shall lie, as holders for the poles to carry the table. 28 You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, and the table shall be carried with these. 29 And you shall make its plates and dishes for incense, and its flagons and bowls with which to pour drink offerings; you shall make them of pure gold. 30 And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me regularly. Lev 24:5-9 “You shall take fine flour and bake twelve loaves from it; two tenths of an ephah shall be in each loaf. 6 And you shall set them in two piles, six in a pile, on the table of pure gold before the Lord. 7 And you shall put pure frankincense on each pile, that it may go with the bread as a memorial portion as a food offering to the Lord. 8 Every Sabbath day Aaron shall arrange it before the Lord regularly; it is from the people of Israel as a covenant forever. 9 And it shall be for Aaron and his sons, and they shall eat it in a holy place, since it is for him a most holy portion out of the Lord's food offerings, a perpetual due.” One winter evening, in a small town, a group of strangers was stranded at a train station due to an unexpected snowstorm. With no place to go, they gathered around a small table in the waiting area, sharing the food they had. At first, they ate in silence, but as the hours passed, conversations began to flow, and barriers of age, background, and nationality melted away. By the time the train arrived, they were no longer strangers but a close-knit group, bound by the fellowship of the table. This scene reminds us of what God intends for His people—a table of fellowship where unity, provision, and communion are found in His presence. Like the ark of the covenant, the table of shewbread was made of acacia wood covered with gold. Though smaller and narrower, it stood as high as the ark, signifying its importance. This table was not just a piece of furniture in the Tabernacle; it signified our relationship with God. Throughout Scripture, a table represents fellowship and communion. Man was created in the image of God, enjoying unbroken fellowship with Him in the Garden of Eden. However, when Adam and Eve refused to trust God, and disobeyed him as a result, their relationship with him was shattered. They were

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

107_The glory of the gospel Ex 34: 1-9 The Lord said to Moses, “Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2 Be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain. 4 So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first. And he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone. 5 The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.” 8 And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped. 9 And he said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.” There’s a story told of a young boy who stood in awe before a great cathedral’s stained-glass windows. Each pictured an artist’s idea of a saint of old. As the morning sun shone through, the pictures glowed with vibrant color, illuminating the inside of the church. When he went home, all he could say was, “I saw the light shining through the saints.” A few years later, when he was asked what he thought a saint was, he said, “A saint is someone through whom the light shines.” This simple statement captures the essence of living in the gospel. The gospel is not about doctrines, rules, or even the forgiveness of sins. The gospel reveals the glory of God shining through the lives of those who receive his grace and worship him in truth and spirit. Exodus 34:1-9 narrates the marvelous event when God revealed His glory to Moses, declaring His name and His nature. This passage illustrates how the glory of the gospel is revealed to us only so that Christ may shine through us. God commanded Moses to cut two new stone tablets to replace the ones he had broken. “Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets.” The first time God provided the stone tablets. But the second time, Moses had to prepare the stone. This is a picture of a repentant heart. The glory of the gospel begins in true humility before God. When a person truly turns to God, they come with a prepared heart, like a blank

108_From glory to glory Ex 34:29-35 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 30 Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. 32 Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. 33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 34 Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, 35 the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him. 2 Cor. 3:12-14 “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away. 14But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed.” A great sculptor was once asked how he managed to carve such lifelike statues out of blocks of stone. He said: "I just chip away everything that doesn’t look like the image I have seen in the marble." In some ways, this mirrors the way God continually works in us, removing what does not reflect His glory, shaping us into His image, from one degree of glory to another. Moses climbed Mount Sinai with two blank tablets of stone. There he was with God for forty days and forty nights. The Almighty God spoke with him, and inscribed His commandments on the stone tablets. When Moses descended from the mountain, his face was radiant, reflecting the glory of the Lord. Once earlier, Moses had come down the mountain at God’s bidding. He carried the stone tablets with the law inscribed on them. But when he saw Israel worshiping the golden calf, he threw down the tablets, shattering them. He saw the inward rejection of the law in the hearts of his people. Their idolatry and immoral partying, at the very foot of the mountain where God had appeared to them, and called them to be his own people, revealed their unfaithful hearts. Moses did not prize the visible representation of the law, even though it was made by God’s own hand. Externalities mean nothing without reality. If the heart is not holy, nothing is. Now, however,

109_Marks of a generous heart Ex 35:4-9 Moses said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “This is the thing that the Lord has commanded. 5 Take from among you a contribution to the Lord. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the Lord's contribution: gold, silver, and bronze; 6 blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; goats' hair, 7 tanned rams' skins, and goatskins; acacia wood, 8 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 9 and onyx stones and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. A very wealthy man was known for his generosity. Whenever a need arose, he gave without hesitation. A friend once asked him, “Why do you give so freely?” The man smiled and replied, “Everything I have was first given to me. I am only a steward, not the owner.” Truly, generosity flows from the recognition that all we have is a gift from God. The Tabernacle (Exodus 25-31) occupies thirteen chapters out of a total of forty in the Book of Exodus. This underscores its great importance. At the time when Moses gave them the Lord’s instructions to build him a sanctuary, the Israelites were in mourning. They had fallen into sin, making and worshiping a golden calf in the name of the Lord, and committing immorality with their neighbors. Rebuked and chastened, they removed their ornaments in a sign of repentance, humbling themselves before the Lord. Now when the Lord communicated his desire to dwell among them, despite their rebellion, they were glad indeed. Their response to these instructions was rooted in repentance. Having turned back to God, they were ready to obey His commandments. The first step in this obedience was the collection of freewill offerings for the Tabernacle. The Israelites had just emerged from the slavery of Egypt. They had not earned money or property there. Yet they carried a treasure of gold and silver. Exodus 12:35-36 tells us, “The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.” Now, God invited all who were willing to give towards the Tabernacle construction. It could be gold, silver, bronze, different types of yarn and cloth - anything that was useful for this purpose. They had the opportunity to give from what they had received. David declares in 1 Chronicles 29:14, “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.” The source of a generous spirit is the realization that all that we have comes from God. In Exodus 35, the heart is mentioned seven times. The people gave not out of obligation, but because their hearts were stirred. Godly giving is an outflow of the heart. Paul reinforces

110_Filled with the glory of the Lord Ex 40: 1-8 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “On the first day of the first month you shall erect the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. 3 And you shall put in it the ark of the testimony, and you shall screen the ark with the veil. 4 And you shall bring in the table and arrange it, and you shall bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps. 5 And you shall put the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and set up the screen for the door of the tabernacle. 6 You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, 7 and place the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. 8 And you shall set up the court all around, and hang up the screen for the gate of the court. 33 And he erected the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work. 34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 38 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. Many years ago, there was an old craftsman in a small village. He was known for building beautiful houses, each one uniquely and carefully designed and built. His last project was in his own village. It was to be the most wonderful house he had ever built. It was built for a lovely family with roots in the village that went back for generations. He meticulously selected the finest materials, carved flowing intricate designs, and made sure everything was perfect. When it was complete, the people of the village marveled at its beauty. Yet the master craftsman seemed to be waiting for something more. It was only when the family moved in, filling his masterpiece with love, laughter, and life, that he was deeply content. Now it was truly a home. In Exodus 40, the completion of the Tabernacle is described. Built exactly according to God’s detailed instructions, it was a beautiful, holy dwelling place. It was made from the finest materials the Israelites could offer. Every detail, from the golden lampstand to the embroidered curtains, had been carefully crafted as an act of worship. Yet it was only an empty structure, until the presence of God filled it. It was His glory that

111_The burnt offering Lev 1:1-9 The Lord called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock. 3 “If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the Lord. 4 He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. 5 Then he shall kill the bull before the Lord, and Aaron's sons the priests shall bring the blood and throw the blood against the sides of the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 6 Then he shall flay the burnt offering and cut it into pieces, 7 and the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. 8 And Aaron's sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, the head, and the fat, on the wood that is on the fire on the altar; 9 but its entrails and its legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall burn all of it on the altar, as a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord. On a cold winter evening in London, a young man named William Booth walked through the streets, witnessing the plight of the poor and destitute. His heart burned with a passion to serve God by helping those who were lost in the darkness of sin and suffering. He was the founder of the Salvation Army. He once said, "The greatness of a man's power is the measure of his surrender." He made no half-hearted devotion but offered his life completely to God. Booth’s life reminds us of the burnt offering in Leviticus 1, a sacrifice that was wholly consumed. It pictures absolute surrender and devotion. All of the book of Leviticus unfolds the nature of God’s relationship with his redeemed people. The old covenant God made with Israel was established at Mount Sinai. Beginning with their sinfulness and weakness, it moves to display the riches of God’s provision to restore man to fellowship with him. The laws of sacrifice and purification were not arbitrary but neither were they able to remove the guilt of sin. "For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near." (Hebrews 10:1). But they were a pointer to the final and perfect sacrifice that would be performed once for all when God sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world. Colossians 2:16-17 declares that these rituals were "a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." A

112_The meal offering Lev 2:1-3 “When anyone brings a grain offering as an offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it 2 and bring it to Aaron's sons the priests. And he shall take from it a handful of the fine flour and oil, with all of its frankincense, and the priest shall burn this as its memorial portion on the altar, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 3 But the rest of the grain offering shall be for Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the Lord's food offerings. 11-13 “No grain offering that you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey as a food offering to the Lord. 12 As an offering of first fruits you may bring them to the Lord, but they shall not be offered on the altar for a pleasing aroma. 13 You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt. Long ago, a missionary traveled deep into the heart of Africa to preach the gospel. Reaching a remote village, he found the people to be kind and attentive listeners. However, their deeply entrenched traditions coloured their ideas of religion. One day, the missionary spoke to them of Christ’s death on the cross, how he offered himself in love to God to redeem mankind from their sins. The chief listened intently and then asked, “How can an offering be costly?” In response, the missionary told him about the grain offering described in Leviticus 2. The chief pondered and finally said, “So, to give to God, I must give my best, something that takes time, effort, and care to produce.” This realization transformed the village’s perspective on worship. They no longer saw their offerings as mere rituals but as acts of heartfelt devotion springing from grateful hearts. The grain offering in Leviticus 2 was distinct from the burnt offering in that it involved no shedding of blood. Instead, it was composed of fine flour, olive oil, frankincense, and salt—ingredients that were not easily obtained in the wilderness. These instructions were primarily intended for the Israelites after they settled down in the Promised Land. The grain offering symbolized Christ in his role as the bread of life, the provision of God for fruitfulness, strength, life, and fellowship with him. The elements of this offering point to Christ in profound ways: Fine flour is the product of long grinding. Christ was ground through the many and varied trials that he underwent like us, but was demonstrated to be without sin. Its even fineness speaks of his uniformly noble excellence in every virtue. Olive oil, obtained by beating the olives until the oil emerges, reminds us of the anointing of Christ without measure by the Spirit of God and with power. He was led by the Spirit through suffering

113_The peace offering Lev 3:1-5 “If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offers an animal from the herd, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord. 2 And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and Aaron's sons the priests shall throw the blood against the sides of the altar. 3 And from the sacrifice of the peace offering, as a food offering to the Lord, he shall offer the fat covering the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, 4 and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys. 5 Then Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering, which is on the wood on the fire; it is a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Lev 7:11-16 “And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings that one may offer to the Lord. 12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the thanksgiving sacrifice unleavened loaves mixed with oil, unleavened wafers smeared with oil, and loaves of fine flour well mixed with oil. 13 With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving he shall bring his offering with loaves of leavened bread. 14 And from it he shall offer one loaf from each offering, as a gift to the Lord. It shall belong to the priest who throws the blood of the peace offerings. 15 And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his offering. He shall not leave any of it until the morning. 16 But if the sacrifice of his offering is a vow offering or a freewill offering, it shall be eaten on the day that he offers his sacrifice, and on the next day what remains of it shall be eaten. The village was buzzing with excitement as preparations for the annual feast began. Families gathered, setting up long tables, bringing out the best dishes they had prepared. These gatherings had a way of bringing people together, mending strained relationships, and fostering a spirit of gratitude. As the aroma of roasted lamb filled the air, an old man leaned toward his grandson and said, "Son, a shared meal is more than food; it is fellowship, a reminder that we belong to each other." Shared meals hold deep significance. They not only sustain the body but build and sustain relationships, bind the community together, and prompt reconciliation. The peace offering in Leviticus 3 is unique among the Old Testament sacrifices. Unlike the burnt offering, which was wholly consumed on the altar, or the grain offering, which was mostly given to the priests after burning a memorial portion on the altar, the peace offering was mostly eaten by those who offered it, with as many others as could be fed. It was a

114_The sin offering Lev 4: 1-12 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If anyone sins unintentionally in any of the Lord's commandments about things not to be done, and does any one of them, 3 if it is the anointed priest who sins, thus bringing guilt on the people, then he shall offer for the sin that he has committed a bull from the herd without blemish to the Lord for a sin offering. 4 He shall bring the bull to the entrance of the tent of meeting before the Lord and lay his hand on the head of the bull and kill the bull before the Lord. 5 And the anointed priest shall take some of the blood of the bull and bring it into the tent of meeting, 6 and the priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle part of the blood seven times before the Lord in front of the veil of the sanctuary. 7 And the priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense before the Lord that is in the tent of meeting, and all the rest of the blood of the bull he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 8 And all the fat of the bull of the sin offering he shall remove from it, the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails 9 and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys 10 (just as these are taken from the ox of the sacrifice of the peace offerings); and the priest shall burn them on the altar of burnt offering. 11 But the skin of the bull and all its flesh, with its head, its legs, its entrails, and its dung— 12 all the rest of the bull—he shall carry outside the camp to a clean place, to the ash heap, and shall burn it up on a fire of wood. On the ash heap it shall be burned up. Once a little boy broke a precious vase in his home. He had not meant to do it; he had been playing and carelessly bumped into it. Fearful of punishment, he tried to hide the broken pieces. But as the days passed, guilt gnawed at him. Finally, he confessed to his parents. To his surprise, they forgave him. Yet they allowed him to feel the consequences. They used the incident to teach him a lesson about responsibility and restitution. Like the little boy, we often sin unintentionally through a moment’s carelessness or a hasty decision. Yet we remain guilty until we come to God in repentance. The Book of Leviticus, particularly chapter 4, helps us understand sin and atonement. The first three chapters of Leviticus describe various types of sacrifice. In chapter 4, only one type of offering is described

115_The guilt offering Lev 5:14 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 15 “If anyone commits a breach of faith and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the Lord, he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation, a ram without blemish out of the flock, valued in silver shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt offering. 16 He shall also make restitution for what he has done amiss in the holy thing and shall add a fifth to it and give it to the priest. And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering, and he shall be forgiven. 17 “If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the Lord's commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity. 18 He shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish out of the flock, or its equivalent, for a guilt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him for the mistake that he made unintentionally, and he shall be forgiven. 19 It is a guilt offering; he has indeed incurred guilt before the Lord.” Lev 6: 1-7 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “If anyone sins and commits a breach of faith against the Lord by deceiving his neighbor in a matter of deposit or security, or through robbery, or if he has oppressed his neighbor 3 or has found something lost and lied about it, swearing falsely—in any of all the things that people do and sin thereby— 4 if he has sinned and has realized his guilt and will restore what he took by robbery or what he got by oppression or the deposit that was committed to him or the lost thing that he found 5 or anything about which he has sworn falsely, he shall restore it in full and shall add a fifth to it, and give it to him to whom it belongs on the day he realizes his guilt. 6 And he shall bring to the priest as his compensation to the Lord a ram without blemish out of the flock, or its equivalent, for a guilt offering. 7 And the priest shall make atonement for him before the Lord, and he shall be forgiven for any of the things that one may do and thereby become guilty.” Many years ago, a wealthy businessman in a small town came to faith in Christ. After his conversion, a deep unease settled upon him. He realized that he had built his fortune through shrewd, and at times, dishonest dealings. His conscience kept him awake at night. Finally he realized his guilt and resolved to restore what he had defrauded others of. He wrote letters of explanation and returned money to everyone he could trace. Some were surprised, others skeptical. However, he found that he had cleared his conscience. His works were the fruit of a heart given to God. This story echoes the essence of the guilt offering described in Leviticus 5:17 to 6:7—a call to

116_The holy and the common Lev 10: 1-11 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace. 4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, “Come near; carry your brothers away from the front of the sanctuary and out of the camp.” 5 So they came near and carried them in their coats out of the camp, as Moses had said. 6 And Moses said to Aaron and to Eleazar and Ithamar his sons, “Do not let the hair of your heads hang loose, and do not tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the congregation; but let your brothers, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning that the Lord has kindled. 7 And do not go outside the entrance of the tent of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you.” And they did according to the word of Moses. 8 And the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, 9 “Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. 10 You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, 11 and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the Lord has spoken to them by Moses.” One of the most striking illustrations of presumption is the story of the Titanic. In 1912, the ship was heralded as "unsinkable," a marvel of engineering that could defy nature itself. Despite multiple warnings about icebergs in the vicinity, the ship continued at full speed, deeming as if it were invincible. Many lives were lost because of human arrogance that thought human ingenuity could overcome the forces of nature. Something of the same spirit actuated Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron. On the day they were consecrated as priests, they became overconfident and irreverent. The consequences were devastating. Leviticus 8 details how Aaron and his sons were ordained, as first laid out in Exodus 29. Leviticus 9 describes the first offering made by Aaron and his sons, first for their own sins, then for the sins of the nation. This was the preparation for the revelation of the glory of God. As Moses said in Leviticus 9:6, “This is the thing which the LORD has commanded you to do, that the glory of the LORD may appear to you.” And so the fire of God came forth and consumed the sacrifices, signifying his presence