I’ve been sick the past couple of days and have fallen behind in my blogging. Although I’ve continued to read each day, I haven’t felt well enough for the journey to a coffee shop with free access to the Internet. (My wife and I don’t pay to have such luxuries at our house.) I’ll slowly [...]
Archive for the ‘Exodus’ Category
Day 31: Exodus 39-40
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Exodus, tagged deliverance, Exodus, glory of God, oppression on October 3, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Day 30: Exodus 36-38
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Church, Exodus, Leadership, tagged art ministry, Bezalel, creation, God, Moses, Oholiab, tithing on September 30, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
God gives artistic skills to several people, two of whom are Bezalel and Oholiab (not to be confused with Oholibamah). Their names may seem strange to us, but their skills impress. They worship God by making beautiful art of gold, silver, stone, wood, yarn, linen, and other materials. In addition to their practical skills, Bezalel [...]
Day 29: Exodus 33-35
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Exodus, Joshua, Leadership, Spiritual Disciplines, tagged God, Joshua, leadership, Moses, Tent of Meeting on September 29, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
The best place to learn and grow is in the Divine Presence. When Moses speaks with God, his face is so shiny that people don’t want to look at him; so he puts a veil over his face until the radiance fades. Joshua often goes with Moses to the tent meeting with God and stays [...]
Day 27: Exodus 28-29
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Exodus, tagged expectations, false accusations, false rumors, leaders, priestly garments, priests on September 27, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Today’s reading prescribes priests’ clothing and consecration practices. Priests get a bad rap today. Although sometimes false, rumors and accusations abound. Like the ancient Israelites, we have expectations of how full-time ministers live and serve. When we think they don’t meet those expectations, we might spread stories, disrespect the accused, and even initiate revolts to [...]
Day 26: Exodus 25-27
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Church, Exodus, tagged Bible, commands, Exodus on September 26, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
These and similar chapters of the Bible give specific guidelines for particular tasks in the ancient Israelite community. A major task of the church in all times is to decide–prayerfully, carefully, thoughtfully–how to apply principles behind biblical commands to contemporary life and ministry. We don’t necessarily need to build golden lampstands, but we do need [...]
Day 25: Exodus 22-24
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Exodus, tagged Bible, ethics, God, law, Ten Commandments on September 25, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Some of the laws in these chapters can seem strange to today’s readers. At least in my culture, men no longer purchase wives like property. We don’t kill sorceresses or people of religions different from our own or confused individuals who practice beastiality. At least we shouldn’t! Some of the laws, however, still make sense [...]
Day 24: Exodus 19-21
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Exodus, tagged faith, God, legalism, life, religion, Ten Commandments on September 24, 2011 | 1 Comment »
I’ve heard the complaint that Christianity is a do-this-and-don’t-do-that religion, and Exodus 20 gives the ancient Israelites a list of actions to do and others to avoid. Notice, however, how the list begins: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (verse 2, NIV). The [...]
Day 23: Exodus 16-18
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Exodus, tagged blessings, Exdodus, God, manna, old hymn, thanks on September 23, 2011 | 1 Comment »
The ancient Israelites escape from slavery and soon are in the desert. What will they eat? Moses and Aaron tell the people that God will provide morning bread and evening meat from heaven. The next morning, the people wake up to a dew-covered camp. The dew leaves something like Frosted Flakes, which confuses the people. [...]
