Author: Beth Duncan

Exodus 34:9a “Lord…if I have found favor in Your eyes, then let the Lord go with us….”
Even before reading the commentary, I had identified Exodus 34:9 as one of the verses I wanted to use for today’s reflection. The commentary made it even more meaningful. KJV translates this verse as “…if now I have found grace in thy sight,…let my Lord…go among us…and pardon our iniquity and our sin….”
Exodus 34:9b “…Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.”
Moses knew the Israelites were a stiff-necked people. He was so angry at their disobedience while he was talking with God that he smashed the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. He could have asked God to exact justice, retribution, for their disobedience, but he asks for undeserved grace, for divine mercy instead. Thank You, Jesus.
Exodus 34:10a Then the LORD said, “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in the world….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your lavish grace and undeserved mercy instead of the judgement we deserve. Thank You for going with us, for pursuing us, even though we are a stiff-necked people. Help us to show ourselves and each other the same grace and mercy that You lavish so freely upon us. Draw us closer. Amen.
Exodus 34:10b “…The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you.”
Have a blessed day.

Exodus 32:5 When Aaron saw this, he built an alter in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD.”
Aaron fashioned the golden calf with his own hands, yet here he proclaims a festival to the LORD. Does he not fully realize what he’s done? Am I guilty of similar behavior when I worry and fret, eaten up with anxiety over “What ifs,” but proclaiming my complete devotion to my Savior? Jesus, Help me.
Exodus 32:9 “I have seen these people…and they are a stiff-necked people.”
I’ve always seen the Old Testament God as angry and wrathful, the New Testament God as much kinder and gentler. But in this walk through the Old Testament thus far, I have been surprised at the compassionate lengths God goes to for His people. I’ve also been surprised to see how similar I am to those stiff-necked people. Jesus, Help me.
Exodus 32:10 “Now leave Me alone so that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this deep look at Your nature and my own. Thank You for helping me see Your infinite love, grace, and mercy and the many obstacles I place in my own relationship with You. Draw me closer. Always. Amen.
Exodus 32:11-12 But Moses…said, “why should Your anger burn against Your people? … Turn from Your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on Your people.
Have a blessed day.

Exodus 32:1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods….”
Sadly, the behaviors in this chapter I can relate to all too easily. My default, when faced with uncertainty (whether from delay or any other cause) is anxiety, fear, worry. Do I make a golden image as the Israelites do? Of course not, but the outcome is the same—something takes my attention for my God. In my case, worry, anxiety, and fear eclipse my Savior. Jesus, Help me!
Exodus 32:2 Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings…and bring them to me.”
Moses was gone for 40 days. I’m sure they were pretty patient at first. “God’s got this. Moses will be back soon.” But day after day, that seed of doubt began to grow. “This is taking longer than I thought. What if…? Maybe….” I don’t consciously set up a golden calf, but just as surely, that fear, that anxiety, that worry as I wait is consuming much more of my time and attention than my Savior. Jesus, Help me!
Exodus 32:4a He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this honest look at what happens when You ask me to wait in joyful hope and to trust You. I definitely need to work on learning to wait in joyful hope instead of anxious fear. Thank You for helping me to see it. Now please help me to live it. Draw me closer. Amen.
Exodus 32:4b …Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you out of Egypt.”
Have a blessed day.

Exodus 31:13a …‘You must observe My Sabbaths’….
The week of Christmas I did absolutely nothing related to my job. Instead, I spent time with my family, I read books, and I did things that renewed my spirit. It was glorious. This past week, however, was the last week before exams. It feels like I spent the entire week grading (and grading and grading some more). It was exhausting—mentally, emotionally, spiritually, even physically. 
Exodus 31:13b …’This will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come’….
God understands the need for a good work-life balance. He also understands that for us to be spiritually healthy, we must renew and recharge in Him. I feel like that’s one of the chief reasons for the Sabbath, to refocus on Him, to renew in Him, to reconnect with Him at the end (or the beginning) of our week. And that time with Him is vital for our wellbeing.
Exodus 31:13c …’so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy’…
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that I need to renew myself in You—hourly, daily, weekly. This world is too much for me. It overwhelms me and makes me doubt and fear. But You are my center, my peace. Your grace and Your strength are sufficient for anything this world can throw at me. Draw me closer, LORD. Amen.
Exodus 31:17 …’for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’
Have a blessed day.

Exodus 30:6 Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law…where I will meet with you.
I have been writing some version of this morning reflection for well over five years. Anything good that has ever or will ever come from it is a gift from and to the glory of my Maker. One of the biggest things I’ve always felt Him calling me to do is to be honest about where I am, admitting my fears and struggles in the hopes that anyone else struggling similarly, feeling shame or guilt about not being able to get it all together, will see they are not alone, that their Maker loves them deeply and can use the struggles to bring glory to Himself, to give others hope, to draw the struggler closer to Him. He’s certainly done that for me. 
Exodus 30:7 Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the alter every morning when he tends the lamps.
Make no mistake—it’s not easy or fun to struggle. It can be frustrating, agonizing, but God can use it all. And no matter how intelligent, how powerful, how eloquent, how thoughtful you are on your best days, God loves you just as much, just as deeply, just as fiercely on your worst days, when all you have to offer Him is yourself, and that certainly doesn’t seem like much. While it’s a hard thing to live, it’s a beautiful assurance to have.
Exodus 30:36 Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this insight. Thank You that Your love is not conditional, not contingent on my thoughts, my abilities, or my contributions. You want my heart, Lord, and even when I feel that’s the only thing of value I have to give and it doesn’t feel like much, You still love me deeply. I’m not worthy, Lord, but I am eternally grateful. Draw me closer. Amen.
Exodus 30:37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the LORD.
Have a blessed day.

Exodus 29:20 “…take some of its blood and put it on the lines of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet….”
As I read Exodus 29 this morning, I was met with the same feeling of overwhelm and frustration that has marked my study of late. So many details, so many specifics. I’m not sure why, but I find it totally overwhelming.
Exodus 29:28 This will belong to Aaron and his sons as a regular portion from the Israelites….
The commentary helped with enlightenment, but as I was floundering for verses to pull and things to say, I got the very distinct sense that God wants me to see Him. Always. When I understand His word and can speak eloquently or when I’m overwhelmed and frustrated, He wants my solid foundation to be Him. He wants me to know that He is with me, He loves me, He wants a relationship with me. Always. He feels the same way about you, too.
Exodus 29:43 …There I will meet with you and speak with you….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for meeting me here to speak with me each morning. Thank You for loving and valuing me because I am Yours and not because of anything I can say or do. Thank You for loving me through the slogging, confusing “ugh” of this present mood and for not allowing me to wallow in self pity. Thank You for dwelling with me and being my God. Draw me closer. Amen.
Exodus 29:46 They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.
Have a blessed day.

Exodus 28:5 Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.
I’m not in a very good headspace right now. The cause could be any of a myriad different reasons, but regardless, I’m struggling. And for me, a negative headspace has the ability to color everything with its negativity. I think that’s why all the rules and specifics in this part of Exodus feel so oppressive to me.
Exodus 28:6 Make the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen….
But perspective is powerful. I have a dear friend who sent the following text after reading my devo reflection for Exodus 27: “It is so easy to get bogged down in these details. I did a Beth Moore study on the Tabernacle years ago and was blown away by the beauty of these details. My big take away is that God IS in the details of our lives. And He is faithful in every way….” Thank You, Jesus for this positivity.
Exodus 28:7 It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners so it can be fastened.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that I cannot trust my feelings and that You ARE in the details of my life. Thank You for using others to point me back to You and for allowing me to shine Your light. Draw us all closer. Amen.
Exodus 28:8 Its skillfully woven waistband is to be like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold….
Have a blessed day.