Bible

We continue reading our “Getting Started Bible” with the third and final installment in the Book of Exodus.

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Exodus—Part 3

Chapter 30. Worship

Worship at the Tabernacle:

Chapter 31. Work

Workmen are called by God for building the Tabernacle:

Chapter 32. Idolatry

Moses disappears for forty days on the mountain creating a leadership void and grumbling among his people:

Aaron allows them to make an idol of gold, much revelry;
Moses comes off the mountain, gets angry, breaks the tablets;
Aaron explains to Moses that he threw some gold jewelry into the fire and out came this gold calf;
Moses has the idol ground into powder, spread over their drinking water, forces them to drink it;
The Levites abstain from the idolatry, rally around Moses who instructs them to kill three thousand sinful rebels;
Moses pleads with God for forgiveness for the other idolaters;
God punishes the idolaters with a plague.

Chapter 33. Glory

Displeased with the idolaters, the Lord tells Moses they will go to Canaan on their own:

Moses always meets with God in his private tent; usually accompanied by Joshua in the Lord’s presence;
The Lord knows Moses; His presence will go with him to Canaan;
The Lord hides Moses in a cleft of rock; His Glory, Holy Presence, passes in front of Moses who can see his back, but not his face.

Chapter 34. Forgiveness

Ultimately, God forgives his people for their sinful behavior; calls Moses to come back to the Holy Mountain:

The Lord appears in a cloud, gives Moses the commandments again;
Moses carves a new set of tablets, the Ten Commandments;
God again promises Israel they will own the land of Canaan;
Every first offspring of people and animals belongs to God;
Forty days on the mountain in God’s presence, Moses’s face is radiant when he comes down, covers his face with a veil.

Chapter 35. Construction

Construction of the Tabernacle: skilled labor, materials, rest:

Work six days, rest on the seventh;
Everyone is to donate materials: gold, silver, bronze, tapestry, linen, wood, oil, incense, bread, goat hair, spices, onyx stones, cow hides, ram skins, yarn, precious gems;
Bezaleel and Aholiab are filled with God-given abilities to design and fabricate parts, and teach others the skills.

Chapter 36. Abundance

Donations to build the Tabernacle exceed the amount needed:

Moses tells the people to stop their donations;
Divinely skilled artisans and craftsmen; an abundance of resources yield the ultimate in finery for the tabernacle and furnishings.

Chapter 37. Extravagance

The Tabernacle and furnishings are meticulously detailed:

The Ark (Ark of the Covenant): Acacia wood overlaid with pure gold, gold moldings, gold rings for the handles;
The Mercy Seat over the Ark: Pure gold;
The table (for the showbread): Acacia wood overlaid with pure gold, trimmed with pure gold, gold carrying rings;
Utensils, cups, bowls, pitchers: Pure gold;
Lampstand: Pure, hammered gold;
Altar of Incense: Acacia wood overlaid with gold; gold moldings, gold rings, gold covered carrying poles;
Oil and incense: Specially mixed spices and perfume.

Chapter 38. Furnishings/Final Accounting

Furnishings are serviceable, functional:

The Altar for burnt offerings is acacia wood overlaid with bronze;
Utensils, tools: Bronze; the laver (wash basin): Bronze;
The Courtyard (enclosure fence): Bronze covered posts, silver bands and hooks, curtains of fine, embroidered linen.

Men and material accounting:

Chapter 39. Vestments

Robes are made for the priests; Colorful, elaborate:

Blue, purple and scarlet linens with gold inlays, onyx gems;
Breastplate: Twelve gem stones in gold filigree settings, represents the twelve sons of Israel;
Gold chains and rings to hold the breast piece;
The priestly robe of blue cloth, gold bells around the hem;
Tunics and turbans of fine linens;
Blue, purple and scarlet sash;
Gold plate, diadem, engraved: HOLY TO THE LORD;
Moses inspects, approves everything.

Chapter 40. Consecrated

First day of first month of second year, the Lord tells Moses to erect the complete Tabernacle and all furnishings:

Anoint and consecrate everything;
Wash, anoint, and dress Aaron and sons as priests;
Set up the Courtyard around the Tabernacle, all is complete;
The glory of the Lord fills the Tabernacle;
The Lord’s presence hovers over the Tabernacle in a cloud by day, and a fire by night for all to see.

END OF THE BOOK OF EXODUS—PART 3

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