DAILY BIBLE READING

 Feb 8: Ex 28-29
Feb 9: Ex 30-32
Feb 10: Ex 33-35
Feb 11: Ex 36-38
Feb 12: Ex 39-40
Feb 13: Lev 1-4
Feb 14: Lev 5-7
Feb 15: Lev 8-10

NOTES ON EXODUS 28-40

·         If you’re like me, you’ll have a mix of reactions to these closing chapters of Exodus.  Some of it is really interesting story (golden calf episode, offerings for the Tabernacle) and some of it gets you asking, “Now why is this in the Bible again?”

·         Remember, when you’re reading the Bible through in a year, the purpose is not to understand every part or answer every question.  It’s certainly OK to ask your questions (the Facebook discussion group is a good place for that).

·         Speaking of the Facebook discussion group – there have been a few interesting posts and questions on there.  This is YOUR group, so join in!  I will sometimes respond, but I like you all to get the “first shot.” 

·         Back to Exodus.  This part of Exodus is simply setting up the people for their most important task – worship.  Setting up the tabernacle certainly has a practical purpose for them – it gives them “something to do” and a sense of mission and purpose.  More importantly, it gives them their identity and keeps their focus.  It reminds them who’s in charge and what’s most important.  Hmmmm…that’s what worship does for us.  So as you read about the details – interesting to you or not – think about how gracious God is in giving his people these instructions and in so doing, giving them himself.

NOTES ON LEVITICUS 1-7

·         Brace yourself.  Leviticus will probably not be one of your favorite parts of your journey through the Bible.  Its detailed descriptions of sacrifices, for example, seem irrelevant and maybe even nauseating at times.

·         The Christian perspective is that all this is a setup for Jesus.  Just give thanks that the whole sacrificial system was fulfilled and abolished by his death for you.

·         In the meantime, read the early chapters of Leviticus alongside study Bible notes or footnotes.  Use www.blueletterbible.org.  Here’s another source for online commentary help:  http://www.livingweb.com/library/220_71.htm.  (Please note that I don’t necessarily endorse any specific commentary on these sites.)  But those various sacrifices really do have meaning and are distinguished from one another.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

As I read through the Bible this year, I’m keeping notes on “great quotes” – with one file for each book.  I am staying a week ahead of the reading schedule, so I can prepare you for what’s coming.

In addition to the one above, here are a few of my “great quotes” in the Exodus readings for the upcoming week –

·         32:24, (Aaron to Moses) “They gave me their gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!”

·         32:32, (Moses to God) “But now, please forgive their sin – but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”

·         33:14, (God to Moses) “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

·         33:13, (Moses to God) “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.”

·         35:6-7, “And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.”

What I like about this section is that those people were so much like us.  They would sometimes take one step forward spiritually and two steps back.  Or two steps forward and one step back.  They get some things right and turn around to mess everything up.  And that includes their leaders.

We somehow live under the delusion that just around the corner we’re going to get it right – individually if not collectively.  I’m now old enough to know better.  I’m not going to perfected this side of heaven, and even less so am I going to perfect the world in faith and obedience.

But that’s no excuse for not trying.  We never give up on this road of seeking to know God, please him, and spread the knowledge of God with the resources and opportunities he gives us.

The Christian life is as much journey as it is destination.  Or maybe I should say the destination part is God’s part (solely), while on the journey we partner with him.  In other words, the journey is the only part that we can do anything about.  Read about these Israelites to learn from their successes and failures – and see yourself as part of both.