The Infinite King

Passage: Exodus 38-39

Questions and Comments:

1. Keep in mind what I said for the previous chapter.
2. What is all the necessity of this opulence? What is the necessity in recoding this?

Tabernacling with the Invisible

Passage: Exodus 36:8-38 and Exodus 37

Background:

1. The tabernacle was literally where God met His people.

Questions and Comments:

1. What is the purpose of all these (tabernacle, ark, table, lampstand, etc.)?
2. Although we just read about God's instructions to Moses about how to build all the elements, it's repeated again here to show that the people did indeed follow God's commands. The repetition also stands to emphasize the grandeur.

Blessed by the Infinite

Passage: Exodus 35-36:1-7

Background:

1. If you remember, keeping the Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments (Ex 20)

Questions and Comments:

1. Why does God make the punishment for breaking the Sabbath so drastic? In other words, why does God want us to keep the Sabbath?
2. It's interesting to note that God only asks those who are willing to come forward and give to the building of the tabernacle. Interesting because He's the One who gave them these worldly possessions in the first place.
3. Bezalel and Oholiab were gifted as craftsmen and they answered God's calling to used their gifts to glorify Him. What kind of talents has God blessed you with and how can they be used of the Kingdom?
4. O_O at 36:5-7!

Infinite grace

Passage: Exodus 34

Background:

1. Asherah was a goddess of the lands around Canaan. Later when Israel strayed, she would be integrated into their culture and elevated to God's partner. Here's a picture of an Asherah pole:

Questions and Comments:

1. What do you think about v. 7? How about after reading Ezekiel 18:20?
2. What does it mean for God to be jealous? How is it different than what we usually think of when we hear the word jealous?
3. Moses spends forty days and forty nights on the mountain with God. To me, this echoes the story of Noah. For forty days and forty nights, God caused rain to fall on the earth, washing away His creation so He could start anew with Noah's family. In Exodus, Moses spends forty days and forty nights with God to wipe clean the sins of Israel and start anew with the new tablets.
4. After Moses spent time in the presence of God, it was obvious to everyone else the change that occurred.

The glory of the Infinite

Passage: Exodus 33

Background:

1. Always remember the context of the passage/the events that occurred beforehand. So in this case, Chapter 33 is following the golden cafe incident.

Questions and Comments:

1. Why does God divert his whole judgment? Read 2 Peter 3:9
2. Despite Israel's blatant disobedience, God chooses to extend grace by confirming His covenant promise given to Israel's forefathers. He also promises that His Presence will go out with them and lead them.
3. Notice Israel's behavior when God's Presence is with them in the tent of meeting. How does this differ from the way we choose to enter into God's Presence? Does it differ?
4. Meditate on Moses reply to God in v. 15-16. How can you answer God in the same spirit?
5. Why can't God show Moses the full extent of His glory as Moses was then (besides that Moses would die)?

In Nehemiah 9, Nehemiah confesses Israel's sin. Read v.9-18, 33-34.

Trusting the Invisible

Passage: Exodus 31-32

Background:

1. Keeping the Sabbath holy is the only of the 10 Commandments not repeated in the New Testament. It is explicitly not required in Colossians 2:16.
2. MacArthur writes "Untimely or premature death would constitute being blotted out of the book" of the living (v. 32).
   

Questions and Comments:

1. Before judging the Isrealites harshly for turning so quickly to idolatry after God performed many miracles and freed them from slavery in Egypt, try to relate to their actions and motives (making your own plans/solutions instead of waiting on God's timing, mixing up the Christian lifestyle with practices of those around you, lying/blaming others to make your mistakes seem not as bad, etc.).
   
2. Notice the Isrealites view Moses as the one who led them out of Egypt, instead of God.
3. Notice God calls the Isrealites Moses' people instead of His own and He comes very close to doing a Noah's ark repeat. Notice Moses calls the Isrealites God's people.
4. When we pray for nonbelievers or the unfaithful who may die soon (from cancer, etc.), should we pray like Moses, reminding God of His promises?
5. Did God change His mind and is therefore imperfect?
6. Compare Aaron's response to Moses to Adam and Eve's response to God (Genesis 3:9-13).
7. Notice that despite killing many, Moses loved the Isrealites so much he would sacrifice his own life.
   

Before the Infinite pt.3

Passage: Exodus 30

Background:

1. The curtain in v. 6 is the one that separates the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple. Once a year, the high priest entered into the Holy of Holies to meet with God and to make the atoning sacrifice for the rest of Israel (v.10).

Questions and Comments:

1. Each one of us has a debt, or ransom, to pay (v. 12). It's important to note that both the rich and the poor pay the same amount. The money isn't literally buying yourself into favor with God, but it serves as a symbol for the ransom that needs to be paid for sin.
2. The perfumer is the one who makes the sacred anointing oil and incense. What has God gifted you with that you can use to serve Him and the Kingdom?