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Sometimes, like Moses…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 32:9 “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people. 

As I read today’s verses, Moses’s response to God’s anger at the Israelites and their idol, my first thought is, “Moses is not an eloquent speaker? You could have fooled me.” Moses, in his reply to God’s anger, seems incredibly eloquent.

Exodus 32:10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”

Commentary confirms Moses’s eloquence, delineating how Moses reminds God that the Israelites are His people, and appeals to Him through His grace, His glory, and His goodness. The eloquence in Moses’s words is startling in its simplicity.

Exodus 32:11 But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God. “Lord,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 

Precious Savior, Sometimes, like Moses, I feel You have set me on a path that is just not right for me. Forgive me. Help me to see, to know, to understand that where You guide me, You will provide for me. Help me to trust You. Always. Amen.

Exodus 32:12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people.

Have a blessed day. 

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Wonderings…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 32:5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.” 

Remember way back to Exodus 6 when Moses convinces God to let Aaron help him because Moses is not an eloquent speaker and is afraid Pharaoh won’t listen to him? I wonder how Moses is feeling about that decision now that Aaron has leaned so quickly and so willingly into the golden calf.

Exodus 32:6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

I wonder if anything would have been different in today’s verses had Aaron not been allowed to assist Moses. Would someone else have sanctioned the idol? Would someone else have stopped the wandering of the waiting Israelites? Did this scene need to happen to help the Israelites truly understand that God is the One True God and there is no other?

Exodus 32:7 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt.

Precious Savior, Thank You for the ability to read Your word and wonder about what is happening, what could have happened, why it needed to happen. Help my reading, studying, and wondering to lead me closer to You. Always. Amen.

Exodus 32:8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

Have a blessed day. 

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Waiting in joyful hope…. (devo reflection)

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 who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”

The question “What is taking so long?” swirls all around Aaron and the Israelites in today’s verses. I get it. Moses has been gone for 40 days. There’s smoke enveloping the top of the mountain. For all they know, Moses has been consumed by a raging fire.

Exodus 32:2 Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” 

But their response, “make us gods who will go before us” (v1), is a little baffling, at least at first blush. But when I think about it, I have a hard time waiting, too. And often, when I have been waiting a long time, my mind turns to “What can *I* do to hurry things along?” Sadly, I guess I understand the Israelites better than I’d like to admit.

Exodus 32:3 So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. 

Precious Savior, Waiting is hard, but sometimes that is what You call us to do. Forgive me when I go astray while waiting. Help me to focus on You–Your love, Your sovereignty–and to trust as I wait in joyful hope (Rom 12:12) for You to act. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 32:4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”

Have a blessed day. 

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A day set aside for Him…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 31:16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 

The Israelites are going from 400 years of constant work every day of the week, to observing the Sabbath, implementing a day of rest. This day of rest is so important to God for the Israelites to observe that He says “… Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people.” (v14). 

Exodus 31:17a It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, 

Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is alive and active….”, comes to mind as I read today’s verses about observing the Sabbath. Rest, these days, is much easier to come by for most. I think what God wants is a day set aside for Him, to touch base with Him, to sit with Him, to listen to Him. Does He want that daily? Yes! But setting aside one day a week dedicated to Him is a great start.

Exodus 31:17b and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’ ”

Precious Savior, Thank You that You want relationship with us, that it is so important to You that You urge us to observe a Sabbath rest. Thank You that we are no longer under the threat of death or banishment if we don’t observe the Sabbath. You don’t want automatons. You know time with You is good for us, and You want that for us. Help us to seek it for ourselves. Amen.

Exodus 31:18 When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.

Have a blessed day. 

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On resting and stillness…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 31:12 Then the Lord said to Moses, 

The Israelites are coming off of 400 years of slavery to the Egyptians, where there was no One True God and no Sabbath rest. There was only work, work, and more work. God is trying to show the Israelites a better way, His way, which involves working FOR Him, sacrificing TO Him, and resting IN Him. 

Exodus 31:13 “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.

That rest–in His love, in His mercy, in His power–was not something they were familiar with while toiling under Egyptian rule. God is trying to reestablish the now-free Israelites in His sovereignty, which involves specifics for building, sacrificing, AND resting. 

Exodus 31:14 “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder that while there is much work to do FOR You, we are also called to rest IN You. In this world of noise and motion, resting is hard. Help us all to find a way to be still in the chaos of this world and know that You are God (Psalm 46:10). Help us, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 31:15 For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death.

Have a blessed day. 

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Anxious for nothing…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 31:6b Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: 

I am noticing a really troubling tendency within myself–I want to have a hand in all the things…every detail, every conversation, everything. Maybe I’m just really detail oriented (sort of), maybe I’m just nosy (probably); regardless, I have noticed that feeling like I need to know all the things leaves me feeling incredibly anxious, and I’m pretty sure it annoys others as well.

Exodus 31:7-8 the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, 

While reading today’s scripture, the phrase “I’m not God” popped into my head. I don’t need to know all the things, hear all the things, be a part of all the things. I know with certainty that He doesn’t want me to live in a state of anxiety. Phil 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Exodus 31:9-10 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand— and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder that You didn’t create me to live in anxiety and fear (of getting it wrong, of missing out, of messing up). Help me to do what You have for me to do, to be compassionate and concerned for others, but not to take on what isn’t mine. Help me to be anxious for nothing, to give all things to You. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 31:11 and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.”

Have a blessed day. 

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Engage in all kinds of crafts…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 31:1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 

I am coming off a week of watercolor creativity at the beach, so the phrases “make artistic designs” and “engage in all kinds of crafts” (v 4-5) really resonate with my creative side. I love that God values creativity. After all, Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning, God created….”

Exodus 31:2-3 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 

I’m not sure creative expression gets enough credit in daily life. Artists can create. Craftsmen can create. But ordinary people can create as well, and every creation can be an ode to the Creator, a little spark of thanks for the vision and ability to create for Him.

Exodus 31:4-5 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 

Precious Savior, I am no artist, no craftsman, yet You put that creative spark in my heart. Help me to create for You, to praise You in everything that I create, to thank You for the gift of creativity in everything my hands produce. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 31:6a Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him.

Have a blessed day. 

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Quiet time with God…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 30:34-35 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. 

Commentary pointed out this morning that sacrifice and atonement were bloody, smelly businesses, so the fragrant spices discussed in this chapter had a very practical application at that time. I’m thankful that talking to God isn’t as arduous (and smelly) with Jesus in the mix.

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. It shall be most holy to you. 

I have a friend who says “The best cup of coffee is the one you enjoy.” I feel like that saying applies to prayer time as well. Incense, candles, quiet? Great! Coffee, recliner, computer? Have at it. The best quiet time with God is the one you enjoy (and the one that leads you to spend time in His presence).

Exodus 30:37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the Lord. 

Precious Savior, Thank You for removing the priests and the many, many types of sacrifices that existed between humans and God. Thank You that we can talk with You at any time, in any place, that we can come to You always–with our successes, our failures, our hurts. Thank You that You are with us always. Amen.

Exodus 30:38 Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from their people.”

Have a blessed day. 

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Thank You, Jesus…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 30:30 “Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. 

Holy Father, Thank You for sitting with me each morning as I read and study your word. Thank You for the desire to continue this habit, even when I struggle, even when I don’t understand. Thank You that You always meet me here.

Exodus 30:31 Say to the Israelites, ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. 

Gracious Lord, Thank You that I can see evidence of You everywhere I look. Thank You for the “Godwinks” to remind me You are near. Thank You for loving me, even though I am so prone to forgetting to give my troubles to You.

Exodus 30:32 Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred. 

Precious Savior, Thank You that with all the negative in this world, I can see evidence of You so easily, so clearly when I take the time to look. Help me, daily, to seek You, to look for You, to sit with You. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 30:33 Whoever makes perfume like it and puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from their people.’ ”

Have a blessed day. 

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An aroma pleasing to God…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 30:22-24 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. 

As I was reading today’s verses, the phrase “an aroma pleasing to God” came to mind, and I am reminded of how important the sense of smell is just in the normal everyday sense. A setting can be as beautiful as anything you’ve ever seen, but if it stinks (think rotting fish, for instance), the beauty of the scene is completely lost. 

Exodus 30:25 Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. 

Similarly, I can make my life look as pleasing and as perfect as I want, but if the substance is rotten underneath, the aroma will not be pleasing to God. Don’t confuse this with a stinky attitude–those aren’t fun and aren’t great, but they also aren’t systemic. A stinky attitude is a temporary problem. A rotten core is a much bigger issue.

Exodus 30:26-28 Then use it to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. 

Precious Savior, Thank You that You care not only about what’s on the surface but also what’s underneath. You want my life to offer a pleasing aroma to You that can only come from a heart that reaches for You daily. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 30:29 You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy.

Have a blessed day.