Once again the Israelites are grumbling and have no water they complained about the vegitation Moses and Aaron went to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. God gives instruction for them to assemble the people and to take their staffs to the rock and Moses hits the rock and water flows.
The Lord told Moses to take Aaron's son Eleazar and bring them up Mount Hor. Remove Aaron's garments and put them on his son Eleazar, Aaron will be gathered to his people and die there.
So Moses did as the Lord commanded, and the climbed Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community. After Moses removed Aaron's garments and put them on his son Eleazar, Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Aaron was 123 years old when he died on Mount Hor.
Imagine knowing when you walk up the mountain you going to die. Ummm
The Lord gives instruction to burn a red heifer and use it's ashes to make purification water for those who are unclean. His instructions for its use are quite specific.
The people once again revert to their habit of complaint and unbelief in Meribah. Aaron and Moses go before the Lord and He instructs them to speak to the rock before the assembly so that the Lords holiness would be known but Aaron and Moses disobey the Lord and strike the rock twice to bring forth water. Hence the name Meribah.
The consequence of Aaron and Moses disobedience is that the Lord says that neither of them shall enter the promised land.
I often wonder why Moses chose to disobey the Lord and strike the rock rather than speak to it. This man of God who walked before the Lord, who saw His form who often interceded for the people of Israel. One of my frustrations too with this story is the consequence the Lord gave him of denying him entry to the Promised Land after all that he had done. One day while meditating on this I realised that Moses did set foot in the Promised land. He saw the fulfilment of the Lords promises. He stood their with the very son of the Most High God.
And so the workman were put to work building the Tabernacle, Ark of the covenant Priestly robes. Bezalel must have been a very busy man. I can just see him watching and taking measurements to see it's the correct size according to God's plan. What a honour!
If you watch the video's that Chareen has placed here on this blog
Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended
and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast
our confession [of faith in Him]. Hebrews 4:14
Exodus 28:42Make them linen undergarments to cover their naked bodies; they must extend from the waist to the thighs. Once again the Lord wants our nakedness covered.
Exodus 29 is all about the sacrifices and consecration of the priests.
Consecration means: The act or ceremony of separating form a common to a sacred use, or of
devoting and dedicating a person or thing to the service and worship of
God, by certain rites or solemnities. Consecration does not make a
person or thing really holy, but declares it to be sacred, that is,
devoted to God or to divine service; as the consecration of the priests
among the Israelites; the consecration of the vessels used in the
temple;
1 Chronicles 23:13 The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart to sanctify him
as most holy and to consecrate the most holy things, that he and his
sons forever might burn incense before the Lord, minister to Him, and
bless in His name [and the character which that name denotes] forever
What does the Word say about being set apart ?
Psalm 4:3But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself [and given distinction
to] him who is godly [the man of loving-kindness]. The Lord listens and
heeds when I call to Him.
1 Thessalonians 4:3For this is the will of God, that you should be consecrated (separated and set apart for pure and holy living): that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice,
2 Timothy 2:21So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who
separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting
influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work
Hebrews 13:12Therefore Jesus also suffered and died outside the [city's] gate in
order that He might purify and consecrate the people through [the
shedding of] His own blood and set them apart as holy [for God]
1 Peter 3:15But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and
acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to
anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it
courteously and respectfully.
Revelation 22:21The grace (blessing and favor) of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with all the saints (God's holy people, those set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His). Amen (so let it be)!
What a interesting read today. As you can see Chareen has placed wonderful video clips on the tabernacle and its sure worth the watch. It explains most of our readings.
One of the interesting reads was from chapter 31: 1-6 We often think how did these people know how to make all these beautiful things for the Lord. The craftsmanship was outstanding especially working with all the different metals let alone spinning yarns to make the beautiful linens and embroidery. These verses clears that up.
The Lord also spoke to Moses; Look, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with God's spirit,with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft...to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze...to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every craft. I have also selected Oholiab son of Ahisamach,of the tribe of Dan, to be with him. I have placed wisdom within every skilled craftsman in order to make all that I have commanded you.
The spices and oils that had to be made for anointing in Exodus 30: 22- 37 with the specific instructions of weight and measurements.
The Holy anointing oil - Tell the Israelities; This will be My holy anointing oil throughout your generations...IT MUST NOT BE USED FOR ORDINARY ANOINTING ON A PERSON'S BODY, AND YOU MUST NOT MAKE ANYTHING LIKE IT USING ITS FORMULA. IT IS HOLY, AND IT MUST BE HOLY TO YOU. This apply's to the incense that burns in front of the testimony.
Breast plate Exodus 28: 21 The 12 stones are to corresponds to the names of Israel's sons. Each stone must be engraved like a seal, with one of the names of the 12 tribes.
Melchizedek, the King of Salem (king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, which means king of peace.)(Hebrews 7:3 Without (record of) father or mother or ancestral line, neither with beginning of days nor ending of life, but resembling the Son of God, he continues to be a priest without interruption and without successor) Salem is later known as Jerusalem, he brought bread and wine. He was a priest to God Most High. Hebrews 7:4 Now observe and consider how great (a personage) this was to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth (the topmost of the pick of the heap) of the spoils. Jesus is known as Prince of Peace and he too used the bread and wine.
Genesis 17 is where God makes a covenant with Abram and changed his name to Abraham and his wife Sarai to Sarah. God told Abraham that He will make him the father of many nations.
Haggai the servant of Sarai who gave her to her husband Abram so they could have children as she was barren, gave birth to Ishmael, and God blessed him and said he will be fruitful and will multiply him greatly and he will be father to the 12 tribal leaders. And I will make him into a great nation But God will confirm His covenant with Isaac, who Sarah will bear to you at this time next year… When He finished talking with Abraham God withdrew from him. It was after this that Abraham and his household carried out God’s orders of circumcision
Today I read about Melchizedek (means Righteous King). Genesis 14:18Then Melchizedek, king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High. This priest is quite a significant man.
Interestingly enough his name is translated by Paul in Hebrews. Hebrews 7:2and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek
means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of
peace.” Jesus is known as the Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6
Hebrews 6: 20 says: Where Jesus has entered in for us [in advance], a Forerunner having become a High Priest forever after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek. I wish the bible had more about this man.
Upon research on Bible Gateway I discovered that his name appears eleven times through out the scriptures. Once in Genesis, once in Psalms, nine times in Hebrews.
There are three priestly orders. The line of Aaron (Levitical Priesthood Order [Numbers 3:10]) and the line of Melchizedek (Melchizedek Priesthood Order) and a third priesthood. The Royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) which we are grafted into through Christ.
Genesis 15:6Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness. Abram's faith must have been monumental. There have been seasons in my life where I know but do not believe God because the physical evidence is not there. My LORD has been ever patient with me in these seasons of my walk. Our belief is credited to us. Think about it. Abram believed when the physical evidence was so contrary to what he had been told.
Genesis 16: 11 - 12 As I read here about the prophecy God spoke over Hagars son Ishmael I thought to myself that this has continued through the ages to all his decedents. His hand will be against everyone, and everyone's hand will be against him. Interestingly Ishmael means: God hears.
Genesis 17:1... "I am God Almighty. Live in My presence and be devout. Being devout is defined as: Yielding a solemn and reverential attention to God in religious exercises, particularly in prayer. To live in His presence and be devout. What does this mean for you and me ?
Genesis 17:5Your name will no longer be Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I will make you the father of many nations.Genesis 17:15God said to Abraham, "As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai, for Sarah will be her name. A new beginning for both. God Himself renamed them. A few years ago I watch a video series where I learned that God put His own name into their names. The 'AH' is the breath/life of God. He inserted this into each of their names. Sarah became known as Princess. She was 90 and he was 99 and God breathed of Himself over them so that they could be renewed before His covenant with them could begin it's fulfillment. So they became known as: Abraham the exalted father of many and Sarah the princess the daughter of the King.
Six (Ishmael, Isaac, Josiah, Solomon, John and Jesus) were named before their conception and Solomon was given a second name at birth (Jedidiah) by God and Isaac is the second. Genesis 17:19But God said, "No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac. ... For some reason I always thought that Isaacs name came about because Sarah laughed but now I realise that God named him before he was even conceived and not only Sarah but Abraham laughed too. Genesis 17:17Abraham fell to the ground, laughed, and thought in his heart, .... Genesis 18:12So she laughed to herself: ...
Genesis 17: 9-14 God required circumcision as a sign of the covenant between Himself and His people.
The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.
As I read through Job I am reminded how we limit God and how much we forget that He is in control. Job knew and understood this intimately: Since man's days are determined and the number of his months depends on You, an since You have set limits he cannot pass,Job 14:5
I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation from my lips would bring relief. Job 16:5 As I read this scripture I was challenged by a man in total grief and despair about the way in which I support or encourage those in my sphere of influence. Am I there for my friends? Do I encourage ? Do I bring relief with my words ? Do I hear their hearts or do I judge a situation before I fully understand ? Am I a balm and a comfort or am I in Job's words: ...You are all miserable comforters. Is there no end to your empty words ? Job 16:3 Are my words empty ? Filled with despair ? or are they words that comfort and bring life. Yes I have much to meditate on today.
This scripture jumped at me: I wish that someone might arbitrate between a man and GodJob 16:21 I have been thinking about Jobs cry to the Lord and I realise that God answered Job's question/cry to Him. In Hebrews 4:14 it says we have Jesus: Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. The role of the High Priest is to mediate for us with God. In fact it says a similar thing in Hebrews 6:20 andHebrews 3:1.
