Questions for Reflection for Study of Exodus 25-28

Over the last few weeks through Exodus 21-24, brought out were ideas on applying God’s Word in our life at work, at home, and within our neighborhoods. The Ten Commandments were given to help create order in society. They set standards for people in order to have proper family and community relationships.

Knowing and trusting God makes a difference in how we treat others. We should have a good attitude toward other people and their possessions. If we are careless or misuse the belongings of others, we should make things right with them.

In order to manage society’s problems, we should each show concern for our neighbor’s possessions and alert authorities if a theft or crime is taking place in our neighborhood. If we all love and serve God, we will also love and serve His people so that we are focused on what is best for them.

Within the passages studied, it is obvious that God is seeking to develop in His people a quality of life that is fair and just for all. We should always strife to create friends rather than enemies. We should discover our individual strengths to fulfill God’s purpose using His power.

In making a way to the Promised Land, God promises to bless the Israelites with an angel. The same promises made to the Israelites are available to us today if we worship the only ONE who can win our battles and prepare the Way. He will give us advantages and set up things for our benefit. All that is required is that we pay attention, listen, and remain committed to His plan for us.

Just as Moses received instruction from God on how we should live, we can also write down what the Lord is saying to us as we read the Bible. We can read with purpose as we write down the lessons learned and share with future generations.

The reading plan below will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing!

Exodus 25:1-22
What command does God give Moses? What is the purpose of the sanctuary? Do you seek opportunities to meet God and to listen to His instructions?

Exodus 25:23-40
What is the source of your nourishment? What means does God ordain to illuminate the interior? To what extent does God govern the specific details of your life?

Exodus 26
What is the balance between beauty and function of the tabernacle? How much time do you give to cultivating internal beauty in proportion to external attractiveness? In observing the physical world and universe, what is the balance between beauty and function?

Exodus 27
What is the function of the altar? What about the character of God is reflected in the construction and furnishing of the tabernacle? What in God’s plan now makes going to Him much easier today?

Exodus 28
Who are to serve God as priests? Who is to make the clothing for the priests? What is the source of their ability? How can we best use our talents and abilities for God’s glory?

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God. 

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts

Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.
“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2017.  <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.
“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.
Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.
“Google Images.” Google Images. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&authuser=0&ei=8IipWNPmOoPBmwHIpZ2ACQ&ved=0EKouCBcoAQ>.
“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.
Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Questions for Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Called According To His Purpose

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

The post “Respond with Commitment” discusses how Moses was called according to His purpose to receive instructions called the Ten Commandments from God. During that time, only Moses could have a close relationship to God but because of the death and resurrection of Christ, we have the opportunity to also get instructions from God through reading His Word. We can read the Bible for the purpose of writing down lessons learned and sharing these lessons with future generations.

The song Every Good Thing by The Afters points out that our relationships are so important. Of most importance is our relationship with God. Then our time with family members and our friends should also be top priority. Let us remember that life is designed for eternity so let us put our time into good causes and into relationships that return eternal dividends.
 

 

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Purpose | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Respond With Commitment

As Moses relayed God’s message to the people in Exodus 24, the people respond with commitment by saying in verse 7, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.”  The Mosaic Covenant is ratified at the foot of Mt. Sinai as they built an altar and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel (v. 4).

Only certain people at the time of this passage could get close to God. They included Moses, Aaron, Nadir, Abihu and the 70 elders. These leaders were people of great faith and integrity but only Moses was able to go all the way to God. The Lord then spent 40 days and 40 nights with Moses and gave him the stone tablets upon which is written the Ten Commandments.

Just as Moses received instruction from God on how we should live, we can also write down what the Lord is saying to us as we read the Bible. We can read with purpose as we write down the lessons learned and share with future generations.

Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, we all can get closer to God and have a personal relationship. Just as the people responded with purpose, we should do the same today as we read God’s Word and go to Him in prayer.

Image Source – Campus Crusade for Christ

This day with You Lord, we read how the people described Your glory as a consuming fire. We ask that this glory is pointed out to others. Help us to understand areas of our life that need to be brought into obedience to You today. Our purpose is to have deepened knowledge of You and help others accept Christ as Savior. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Purpose | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Together

Each day can be amazing when we fix problems together. Make it your purpose to love what God loves and share with others.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

God gives unique
Parts of ministry
Through diverse people
Which forms a chemistry;
Blending each talent
To help rise above
Current challenges
And hardships thereof
With one sharpened mind.
Making the right choice
To fill His purpose
With one fervent voice.
Helping those in need
And pulling together
With various ideas
To be the bellwether
That is always ready
To love what God loves
And to tell what He
Has done already.

By Mark Shields – © 06-29-2017
Image Source

View original post

Posted in Poems | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Be The Miracle

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. – James 1:22-24

The post “Prepared Way” is about the promises made by God to the Israelites as He prepares the way to the Promised Land. These same promises are available to us today in His Word as a guide to our relationships, our career, and everything we do. We can use it to plan and build our life to withstand the shakeups we may face.

The Word of God is our firm foundation and by knowing God’s plan for us , we can share with others so that we can be the miracle they may need. Just like in the song Be One by Natalie Grant.


Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment