The inside of the meeting tent was divided into two areas separated by a veil- the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place.
The Most Holy Place housed the ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the 10 Commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s staff. The Most Holy Place was only entered once a year on the Day of Atonement, and then only by the high priest. The Holy Place was an area of preparation and prayer. There was a table set with 12 loaves of bread for the priests to eat once a week and commune with God.
0 Comments
~~~~~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. The plague of darkness, which we read about earlier, is assumed by many to have been a direct challenge to the main god of Egypt. The main god of Egypt at this time was Ra, the sun god.
~~~~~Lesson: Exodus: Chapter 34 (reading after lesson)
Again and again in Exodus, we see the love and fidelity that the Lord has for us. When the Israelites fear the Egyptians will overtake them, God delivers them. When the Israelites want food, he delivers manna. When they want meat, he delivers quail. When they want water & wish they were back in Egypt, he provides water from a rock. When they lose faith, make a golden calf, and worship it, He forgives them & renews the commandments and covenant with them. We can use this lesson in our own lives as well. Jesus has forgiven our sins. They are as far as the east is from the west. Being human, we will lapse into sin again if we are not vigilant at all times. There are times we will be tired, or hungry, or angry (a sin in itself)...and snap at someone or harbor mean thoughts. And not love them completely and wholeheartedly. We may suffer from depression or grief and try to pray and feel like we a talking into an empty phone. And lose faith for a little while. The most important thing to remember that God is always faithful, even when we are not. All we must do is ask for forgiveness and join in his wonderful grace again. Yes, we might feel a slight stain for awhile on our souls...being forgiven doesn't mean that the sorrow of sin will disappear instantly. But we can feel God's grace and healing in our hearts. Questions: When are you most likely to fall into sin (aka- when you're tired, or depressed, or angry....or at family reunions (ha-ha)? Is there a way you've found to combat those feelings? Do you ever feel like God isn't listening? How do you get through those times? Another point is the physical and spiritual radiance that Moses exhibited. I'm sure you've met those people who are so in love with the Lord that you can practically see the joy in their footsteps. I'm sure you've also met those people who are smug about their "relationship" with God...and you kind of want to shake them and tell them they kind of have the idea of loving others messed up. Are there times you feel "radiant" with God's love? Are those moments preceded by something special (aka- a good sermon...a good prayer session...reading something)? ~Reading: Exodus 34: 4-6, 27-35 (4-6) Moses then cut two stone tablets like the former, and early the next morning he went up to Mount Sinai as the Lord had commanded him, taking along the two stone tablets. Having come down in a cloud, the Lord stood with him there and proclaimed his name, "Lord." Thus the Lord passed before him and cried out, "The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity." (27-35) Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write down these words, for in accordance with them I have made a covenant with you and with Israel." So Moses stayed there with the Lord for forty days and forty nights, without eating any food or drinking any water, and he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. As Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the Lord. When Aaron, then, and the other Israelites saw Moses and noticed how radiant the skin of his face had become, they were afraid to come near him. Only after Moses called to them did Aaron and all the rulers of the community come back to him. Moses then spoke to them. Later on, all the Israelites came up to him, and he enjoined on them all that the Lord had told him on Mount Sinai. When he finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses entered the presence of the Lord to converse with him, he removed the veil until he came out again. On come out, he would tell the Israelites all that had been commanded. Then the Israelites would see that the skin of Moses' face was radiant; so he would again put the veil over his face until he went in to converse with the Lord. Many people, when first reading this story, may think “Why in the world would they want to worship a calf? Or any animal for that matter?”
There is a very logical explanation for this. During this time in human history, many gods were represented by animals. Ra, an Egyptian god, was one of many that were depicted as part cat. Ammut and the solar god Horus (also of Egypt) were portrayed as crocodiles, either in part or whole. So, the Israelites had spent generations in a land that was one of many with “animal” gods, or more accurately, animal statues that represented the gods. So, why a calf? Several of the most prominent Egyptian cults had a calf or bull as their statue. El, a common god in the Canaanite region, was referred to as the “heavenly bull” and depicted as such. Baal the storm god was another very popular god in the Canaanite region and beyond and was also depicted as a bull. This, of course, doesn’t mean that the making of the golden calf as right, of course. However, it does explain why, when full of doubt and craving a “god” to “take care of them,” they turned to the familiar shape of a calf. ~~~~~Lesson: Exodus: Chapter 32 (reading after lesson)
The golden calf is just one of many false idols that the people will worship over the years to come in the bible. Often, the false idols are actual gold or wooden or engraved stone idols that they bow down to and offer sacrifices to. Sometimes, though, the false idols are things that take the place of the Lord in their heart. God should always be first. What are some false idols that are worshipped today? Why do you think people worship these things rather than God (or put them ahead of God in their hearts)? Moses pleads with God for his mercy on behalf of the people. After we are done with our daily prayers today, can we pause for a moment and plead for mercy on the behalf of someone we know has done wrong (or for people in general)? If you don’t already do this, will you add this to your daily routine? If you were Moses, would you have been too angry with the people to plead for their mercy or do you believe you could have put aside your anger for compassion? ~Reading: Exodus: Chapter 32 (entire) When the Lord had finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the commandments, the stone tablets inscribed by God's own finger. When the people became aware of Moses' delay in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said to him, "Come, make us a god who will be our leader, as for the man Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him." Aaron replied, "Have your wives and sons and daughters take off the golden earrings they are wearing, and bring them to me." So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron, who accepted their offering, and fashioning this gold with a graving tool, make a molten calf. Then they cried out, "This is your God, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." On seeing this, Aaron built an altar before the calf and proclaimed, "Tomorrow is a feast of the Lord." Early the next day the people offered holocausts and brought peace offerings. Then they sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to revel. With that, the Lord said to Moses, "Go down at once to your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved. They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them, making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it, sacrificing to it and crying out, 'This is your God, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!' I see how stiff-necked this people is," continued the Lord to Moses. "Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation." But Moses implored the Lord, his God, saying, "Why, O Lord, should your wrath blaze up against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with such great power and with so strong a hand? Why should the Egyptians say, 'With evil intent he brought them out, that he might kill them in the mountains and exterminate them from the face of the earth'? Let your blazing wrath die down; relent in punishing your people. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and how you swore to them by your own self, saying, 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; and all this land that I promised, I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.'" So the Lord relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people. Moses then turned and came down the mountain with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands, tablets that were written on both sides, front and back; tablets that were made by God, having inscriptions on them that were engraved by God himself. Now, when Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting, he said to Moses, "That sounds like a battle in the camp." But Moses answered, "It does not sound like cries of victory, nor does it sound like cries of defeat; the sounds that I hear are cries of revelry." As he drew near the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing. With that, Moses' wrath flared up, so that he threw the tablets down and broke them on the base of the mountain. Taking the calf they had made, he fused it in the fire and then ground it down to powder, which he scattered on the water and made the Israelites drink. Moses asked Aaron, "What did this people ever do to you that you should lead them into so grave a sin?" Aaron replied, "Let not my lord be angry. You know well enough how prone the people are to evil. They said to me, 'Make us a god to be our leader; as for the man Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.' So I told them, 'Let anyone who had gold jewelry take it off.' They gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and this calf came out." When Moses realized that, to the scornful joy of their foes, Aaron had let the people run wild, he stood at the gate of the camp and cried, "Whoever is for the Lord, let him come to me!" All the Levites then rallied to him, and he told them, "Thus says the Lord, to God of Israel: Put your sword on your hip, every one of you! Now go up and down the camp, from gate to gate, and slay your own kinsmen, your friends and neighbors!" The Levites carried out the command of Moses, and that day there fell about three thousand of the people. Then Moses said, "Today you have been dedicated to the Lord, for you were against your own sons and kinsmen, to bring a blessing upon yourselves this day." On the next day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a grave sin. I will go up to the Lord, then; perhaps I may be able to make atonement for your sin." So Moses went back to the Lord and said, "Ah, this people has indeed committed a grave sin in making a god of gold for themselves! If you would only forgive their sin! If you will not, then strike me out of the book that you have written." The Lord answered, "Him only who has sinned against me will I strike out of my book. Now, go and lead the people whither I have told you. My angel will go before you. When it is time for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin." Thus the Lord smote the people for having had Aaron make the calf for them. “Scientific” Explanation of the 10 Plagues: Exodus Decoded and other sources
The basic cause for most of the plagues is hypothesized to be the eruption of the Santorini Volcano at approximately 1500 b.c. (A serious problem with the theory is that experts say the volcano actually erupted around 1625 b.c., a 100+ year difference!) Santorini ash HAS been found in the Nile Delta, which proves that at least the ash cloud from an eruption did reach all of the way to Egypt. It is also hypothesized that seismic activity around the African plate caused a series of small eruptions and then a large eruption of the Santorini Volacano. (This is the “Exodus Decoded” hypothesis). Plague 1: Nile turned to blood. The earthquake caused high concentrations of iron to be released and bubble up to the surface, where it combined with oxygen. This caused rust to form, giving the water a reddish-brown appearance. Of course, with this explanation, we only account for the Nile, not all of the water in Egypt as stated in the Bible. Also, in the Bible, it was an immediate act that the Pharaoh’s magicians replicated. (Other sources claim it was red clay that caused the discoloration). Plague 2: Frogs. All of the fish died from the lack of oxygen. Only the frogs, who were able to leave the water, survived. As the frogs fled the water, it was assumed to be a plague of frogs. Again, ignores some of the details of what occurred in the Bible. Plague 3: Insects (lice, gnats, or mosquitoes…depending on translation). The “Exodus Decoded” rushes through plagues 3-5 by saying: “The lack of clean water then leads to lice, flies, and bacterial epidemics among humans and domestic animals.” Other sources hypothesize that after Moses killed/got rid of all the frogs, the insects and flies were allowed to breed rampantly with their natural predator (the frog) gone. Plague 4: Flies Plague 5: Epidemic Plague 6: Boils & Blisters. By either an earthquake or other disturbance of the water, carbon dioxide was released (from where it was built up at the bottom of the water) and caused a type of semi-coma, in which the victims didn’t move very much. This lowered the circulation rate, resulting in boils and blisters. Plague 7: Hail with fire. The “Exodus Decoded” refers to the Ipuwer Papyrus claiming an outside source that describes the condition, again ignoring the fact it is dated from the wrong range. “Exodus Decoded” claims that lava from the eruption fell along with volcanic ash that had combined with water moisture to make a type of “hail.” Plague 8: Locusts. Sudden change in cold weather from the hail caused the locusts to land. As the weather warmed again, they left. Plague 9: Darkness. Final large eruption caused the land to be covered in ash, making it seem to be dark. Ignores the fact that the distance between the volcano and Egypt is much too far for this amount of ash to travel. Plague 10: Death of the firstborn. Firstborns slept on the place of honor on a low bed. Others slept on wagons and roofs? Carbon built up under the water released and turned to visible fog. Those close to the ground were suffocated. This entire idea is ridiculous beyond measure. I could write a page only on why the explanation for this plague is ridiculous. For a very detailed analysis of why “The Exodus Decoded” is very probably not accurate, visit: http://www.heardworld.com/higgaion/?page_id=119 Now, as always, I have a question for my readers: Do you think there IS a scientific explanation (not necessarily the one above) for the plagues? Do you think we’ll ever figure out what it is? Does a lack of scientific explanation affect your belief of the reality of the plagues? Why or why not? ~~~~~Lesson: Exodus: Chapters 19-20 (reading below lesson)
The most fundamental of laws and the some of the first ones we learn as children: the Ten Commandments. I love how Jesus later put it, "to love your God and to love others" as the distillation of the law; the most pure form of the law. Because all of the Ten Commandments can be traced back to those two principles. On the flip side, there are two very human traits that describe the breaking of these laws: pride and selfishness. Pride is refusing to put God first, worshipping false idols (such as money, in today's terms), assuming you have the right to take the Lord's name in vain, pride in refusing the day of rest God gives us. Selfishness in not loving your mother and father or taking another's life, spouse, or possessions. Selfishness in swearing against your neighbor, assuming that what you want is more important than the truth. Selfishness is desiring their possessions and pride in believing you know what is better for you than God does. I'm sure many of you have heard of the capital (or deadly) sins: Pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth. Which of these- you can either tell us, if you're brave enough or just answer to yourself!- gives you the most trouble? Which of the 10 commandments is hardest for you? Did you know that there are seven virtues opposed to the capital sins, though: Humility, Liberality (aka: generosity), Chastity, meekness, temperance, brotherly love, and diligence. Okay, we were honest enough to admit to ourselves which sin gave us the worst trouble avoiding: Be honest, which of the seven virtues are you blessed to have? (Or which ones) What can we do every single day to follow the ten commandments, avoid the seven sins, or cultivate the seven virtues? God later removes the rule of the law by giving Jesus to us...why did he give us the Ten Commandments in the first place? ~Reading: Exodus: Chapters 19-20 (19:1-2) In the third month after their departure from the land of Egypt, on the first day, the Israelites came to the desert of Sinai. After the journey from Rephidim to the desert of Sanai, they pitched camp. (20:1-17) Then God delivered all these commandments: "I, the Lord, am your god, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. You shall not have other gods besides me. You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth; you shall not bow down before them. For I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their fathers' wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation; but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation, on the children of those who love me and keep my commandments. You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain. For the Lord will not leave unpunished him who takes his name in vain. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days your may labor and do all your work, but on the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, your God. No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter, or your male or female slave, or your beast, or by the alien who lives with you. In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord has blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you. You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass, nor anything else that belongs to him." [God also gives laws regarding slaves, personal injury, property damage, trusts & loans, social laws, religious laws; he also explains (in detail) the dwelling & furnishing of the tabernacle and the appropriate clothing & behavior for the priests. Feel free to read 20:18-Chapter 31, for further details.] Phylacteries are boxes made of animal skin (commonly leather) that is worn on the head and on the arm/hand area. They include four verses written on parchment, all of which remind them of the solemn covenant to God and their duties towards him.
The four verses are: Exodus 13:1-10, Exodus 13:11-14, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, and Deuteronomy 11:13-21. (If you desire to look up the exact text for these verses, there is a search bar in the side column). The head phylactery has four compartments, one for each verse. The hand/arm phylactery has only one compartment, with all four verses written on one piece of paper. The basis of this practice is found in all four verses, but can be summed up as such: “And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand.” (Exodus 13:16). ~~~~~Lesson: Exodus: Chapters 16-17 (reading after lesson)
This short section contains a vital point of importance. God cares about us. Even about insignificant things like our physical comfort. The Israelites were first given bread to eat. When they complained of the bread, they were given meat. Despite the bread and meat appearing to them, they then complained about water. (One can assume that they were not actually dying of thirst....they would have let the livestock die already!). God works miracles for us every day, taking care of both our physical and spiritual needs. There's a saying that has been wandering around for a few centuries now: "The age of miracles has passed." Cynics and even, sorrowfully, occasionally religious people claim that there are no more "obvious" miracles from God anymore...that we are meant to only know God through the Bible (properly translated by a certain church and/or people, of course) or through His "indirect" interventions. What do you think about the current attitude of "healthy cynicism"? Have you encountered a spiritual director (please do NOT name a specific church) who has tried to "explain away" the miracles of the bible and/or demeaned God's awe? Why do you think that the wide-spread, almost universal faith, of past centuries has faded away? ~Reading: Chapters 16-17 (16: 1-3) Having set out from Elim, the whole Israelite community came into the desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt. Here is the desert the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, "Would that we had died at the Lord's hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread! But you had to lead us into this desert to make the whole community die of famine!" (16: 11-15) The Lord spoke to Moses and said, "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread, so that you may know that I, the Lord, am your God." In the evening quail came up and covered the camp. In the morning a dew lay all about the camp, and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desert were fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground. On seeing it, the Israelites ask one another, "What is this?" for they did not know what it was. But Moses told them, "This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat." Chapter 17: 1-7 (1-7) From the desert of Sin the whole Israelite community journeyed by stages, as the Lord directed, and encamped at Pehidim. Here there was no water for the people to drink. They quarreled, therefore, with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses replied, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to a test?" H Here, then, in their thirst for water, the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "Why did you ever make us leave Egypt? Was it just to have us die here of thirst with our children and our livestock?" So Moses cried out to the Lord, "What shall I do with this people? A little more and they will stone me!" The Lord answered Moses, "Go over there in front of the people, along with some of the elders of Israel, holding in your hand, as you go, the staff with which you struck the river. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb. Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it for the people to drink." This Moses did, in the presence of the elders of Israel. The place was called Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled there and tested the Lord, saying "Is the Lord in our midst or not?" |
Jennifer Becker Landsberger
Who am I? Freelance writer (magazines, websites, & copywriting), Catholic, military wife, and Mensan. Double Bachelor's in History & Psychology. Witnessing by charity and love are above all. Studying the Bible and beyond helps me on this quest. Feel free to join my walk into the Bible.
If you wish to donate in order to help support the cost of running this website, it would be greatly appreciated!
If you found the information helpful, even a small donation would be wonderful! Thank you & God bless you. ~~~Prayer before Writing-
Oh creator of the universe, who has set the stars in the heavens and causes the sun to rise and set, shed the light of your wisdom into the darkness of my mind. Fill my thoughts with a loving knowledge of you, that I may bring you like to others. Just as you can make even babies speak your truth, instruct my tongue and guide my pen to convey the wonderful glory of the Gospel. Make my intellect sharp, my memory clear, and my words eloquent, so that I may faithfully interpret the mysteries what you have revealed. Categories
All
To my readers & fellow writers,
I promise: 1. I will pray that God's grace helps illuminate all of our interactions- both those of simple reading and more active conversations. 2. I will communicate with you respectfully and civilly. These are (rightly) issues which we feel passionate about. But even in disagreements, I will respect you fellow "seekers of truth." 3. I will not fall into negative behavior or words, such as insinuations, exaggerations, blames, or personal attacks. I respectfully ask you to do the same. 4. I will pray we will all find the truth and strive to fulfill the two greatest commandments: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31) This site will occasionally feature paid posts! I always 100% verify everything I endorse. You will not see posts for products or sites I would not use myself.
All images on site were labeled for general re-use. If you find an image that is NOT supposed to be used, please contact me & I will remove it. Sites I Recommend |