~~~~~Lesson: Exodus: Chapters 35-40 (reading after lesson)

Two points in this reading that I find particularly interesting:

1) The Sabbath day. Moses repeats the rule about the Sabbath day twice more after the original setting down of the 10 commandments. Now, obviously, we do not put people to death these days for not properly honoring the Sabbath (and I don't think we should!).

Question: Do you think the Sabbath was more important back then? (Remember, it required the death penalty if not followed) If yes, why? If no, why not?
Do you still "work" on the Sabbath- cooking, cleaning, etc.? Do you think the Lord minds?

2) The Israelite community donates all of the materials for the ark and the dwelling. This is the phrase I love the most of this section "Everyone, AS HIS HEART PROMPTS HIM, shall bring, as a contribution to the Lord...."

I've heard multiple people say that they don't go to church because the church always asks for money.

Question: Does this ever bother you? Have you ever attended a church that put a lot of pressure on money?
During the actual construction, many people volunteered time and work to the building.
Question: Do you think more people could contribute service instead of money? Do you think if church's put more emphasize on this rather than money, more people would attend?

~Reading: Exodus: Chapters 35-40

Chapter 35:1-9 40:34-38

(1-9) Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, "This is what the Lord has commanded to be done. On six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be sacred to you as the Sabbath of complete rest to the Lord. Anyone who does work on that day shall be put to death. You shall not even light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day."

Moses told the whole Israelite community, "This is what the Lord has commanded. Take up among you a collection for Lord. Everyone, as his heart prompts him, shall bring, as a contribution to the Lord, gold, silver and bronze; violet, purple and scarlet yarn, fine linen and goat hair; rams' skins dyed red, and tahash skins; acacia wood; oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; onyx stones and other gems for mounting on the ephod and on the breastplate."

All these materials were used for the ark and its dwelling place. For a description of the building of the ark, the tent, and the vestments worn by the priests, read 35:10 through 40:33.

Chapter 40: 34-38

(34-38) Then the cloud covered the meeting tent, and the glory of the Lord filled the Dwelling. Moses could not enter the meeting tent, because the cloud settled down upon it and the glory of the Lord filled the Dwelling. Whenever the cloud rose from the Dwelling, the Israelites would set out on their journey. But if the cloud did not lift, they would not go forward; only when it lifted did they go forward. In the daytime the cloud of the Lord was seen over the Dwelling; whereas at night, fire was seen in the cloud by the whole house of Israel in all the stages of their journey.