37 - The LORD a God Merciful and Gracious

The Adoration of the Golden Calf by Nicolas Poussin:

Chareen's Thoughts:

• Exodus 32:1-29 is all about the golden calf and how the people wanted something to worship because Moses had not reappeared from the mountain. 
• I have been reading a commentary on the golden calf by Rabbi Ken Spiro where I learned a lot about the story of the golden calf and it's implications to the Jewish nation. 
• In Exodus 32:26-29 we read how Moses asks Who is for the LORD ? and the levites stand with him and then go through the camp and kill those who were involved in the sinful act.  You see that Jew kills Jew. One of the moral lessons learned by the Jewish nation through the story of the golden calf is:  Judaism teaches you're either part of the problem or you're part of the solution, and that you have a legal obligation to be part of the solution. Being a by-stander is not an option. (Till today, the Bible is virtually the only moral/legal code in the world that demands that you actively do good as epitomized by the expression "...go in His ways." (Deut. 28:9) - Rabbi Ken Spiro
• Its at this point the Lord chooses to leave the people and let the angel lead because He is so angry.  He says to Moses: ... But I will not go with you because you are a stiff-necked people; otherwise, I might destroy you on the way. Exodus 33:3
• At this point the people remove their jewellery as a sign of repentance/mourning for their actions. Exodus 33:4 - 6
• Tent of Meeting was made and erected outside of the camp as a symbol of the Lord separating Himself from the people as a consequence of their sin. This is where Moses went to meet with the Lord. Exodus 33:7-11 Interestingly I note that Moses came and went but Joshua would not leave the inside of the tent (verse 11).  It also interested me that each time Moses went to the tent of meeting the people spent that time in worship (verse 10)
• Exodus 33:12-23 Moses interceded for the people and God says He will return and lead His people.
• Exodus 33:18 Moses asked the Lord to show him His glory.  What an amazing request of the God who made the heavens and the earth. Even more importantly the Lord grants His request. (verse 19 - 23)
• Exodus 34:1-28 Moses once again remains with the Lord for 40 days and the Lord sustains him.  The Lord renews his directions for worship and following Him.
• Exodus 25:1-7 The Sabbath rest for the land.  Interesting.  The Lord made the harvest of the sixth year 3 times the normal size so the people would have food for the sabbath year, the year they sowed up to the next harvest.
• The year of Jubilee !  Wow imagine living with this gracious law.  To be set free and celebrate! Exodus 25:8-24

And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord! the Lord! a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving-kindness and truth, Keeping mercy and loving-kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but Who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children, to the third and fourth generation. Exodus 34:6-7
“For the word of the Lord is right; and all His work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the loving-kindness of the Lord.” Psalm 33:4-5 AMP

Blessings
Chareen

For Further Reading

• Golden Calf over at Wikipedia
• Only a tiny portion of Jews participate in worshiping the golden calf. So why blame the whole nation? by Rabbi Ken Spiro over at A Crash Course in Jewish History #12. ♥♥♥♥ highly recommend this article.
• I found this 5 minute teaching on what happened when the people made a idol. I can't find the second half but was encouraged just the same. 

37 - Moses came down from Mount Sinai

The Adoration of the Golden Calf by Nicolas Poussin

Kathleen's thoughts

Exodus 32 - 34 Leviticus 25

After all what Moses and Aaron went through to this point Aaron falls short and listens to the Israelites to make a foreign god. One would think by this time Aaron would have known better for he walked with Moses and heard the Lord speak.

Moses comes down from the Mount after speaking with God to find the Israelites not behaving in a Godly manner and long with it his brother doing the same. Moses loses his temper by throwing the tablets to the ground! Moses asks Aaron, "What did this people do to you that you have led them into such a grave sin?"

Moses' pleas and God answers. Exodus 32:33 The Lord replied to Moses: "Who ever has sinned against Me I will erase from My book.

So we can see here that God records in the book of life, this I found interesting.

God speaks to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks with his friend. Exodus 33:11

Moses asks God to see His Glory... Exodus 33:18-23

The Moses said, "Please let me see Your glory.," He said, "I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name Yahweh before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion"

But He answered, "You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live." The Lord said, "There is a place near Me, You are to stand on the rock, and when My glory passes by, I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back but My face will not be seen"

Then in Exodus 34:5 The Lord came down in a cloud stood with him there, and proclaim His name Yahweh. "Then the Lord passed in front of him and proclaimed.

What He proclaimed is absolutely beautiful.

Yahweh - Yahweh is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving wrong doing, rebellion, and sin. But He will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers; wrongdoing on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.

Moses goes back up the mountain taking with him 2 tablets that was commanded by God to bring so as to rewrite the 10 commandments.

Blessings.

32 - And the trumpet sounded and the Lord came down on it in fire

by Rembrandt (1659)

Kathleen's thoughts

Exodus 19 - 21

It's hard to believe that the first month of the year has just passed and each day our journey into God's word has been a wonderful learning experience and to be able to share it with my daughter Chareen I know God has blessed me.

In Exodus 20: 6 But showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commands.

The instructions God gave to Moses about His appearance on the mountain that the Israeli's were not to put a foot onto Mt Sinai or touch it's base if they do they will die. When the meeting is over a ram's horn sounds a long blast, they may go up the mountain.

I found it very interesting that the people had to purify themselves by washing themselves and their clothes and on the third day in the morning there was thunder and lightning and a thick cloud appeared on the mountain and a loud trumpet sound, so that all the people in the camp knew that the Lord was about to appear on the mountain. Moses took the people out of the camp to meet God. I see a similarity here with the NT. when Christ was crucified and there was thunder and lightening and the clouds became dark and thick and then He arose on the third day.

Can you imagine standing there and witnessing the Mountain enveloped in smoke because the Lord came down on it in fire! and the sound of the heavenly trumpets blasting growing louder and louder and when God speaks to Moses it's in the thunder. One can almost feel that breath taking moment.

The Ten Commandments are given to Moses a wonderful guide line to walk in life today. There is so much sadness on earth. If only we would just use this teaching daily so we can all live a better life serving our Lord and Saviour. These are found in Exodus 10:1-17 Do take the time and read them and learn by them so you can teach it to your children from generation to generation.

My precious parents

One of the most precious commandments to me is (they all precious but this one sticks out )

Honour your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Family has been given to us by God and we all need to HONOUR this precious gift.

There are many other laws to abide by and we all fail terribly in keeping them this is why God says stay in my word for it is a lamp to your feet and a light to you path if you don't God says my people will die from lack of knowledge.

Blessings.

Kathleen.

32 - the Law will be upon hearts and minds

1/12 of the bible read and complete! So far I have learned so many things about the LORD our God. This month is a journey through God's laws, setting up the tabernacle, ministry of the priesthood and Israels journey through the wilderness.

 Ten Commandments, painting by Rembrandt (1659)

Chareen's Thoughts:

• Exodus 19:10-11 ...and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. This echo's to me of the third day Jesus arose from the grave. Imagine being privileged to be there when He came down to meet with all the people ?
• You can find the Ten Commandments in the following scriptures:  Exodus 20:1-17 and in Deuteronomy 5: 4-21
•  It amazes me how the Lord protects us and our nakedness.  How important this aspect of our humanity is to Him.  In Genesis 3:21 He clothed Adam and Eve as soon as they realised that they were naked. Here in Exodus 20:26 He tells them not to build an alter with steps up to it ... so that your nakedness is not exposed upon it. Covering our nakedness is important to Him.
• I enjoy reading about God's laws and justice. I love how specific He is.  He did not leave the people wondering what now ? Reading Exodus 21:1-36 is all about if this happens then do that.
• I am so glad that I live under the New Testament covenant. The old covenant states in Exodus 21:23-24 But if any damage follows, then you shall give life for life,  Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Jesus said in Matthew 5:38-39: You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist the evil man [who injures you]; but if anyone strikes you on the right jaw or cheek, turn to him the other one too.
• Reading about their social law and moral law has given me a fresh understanding of the depth of His grace and mercy towards us.
• As I read the laws about injuries to persons I am struck by how even today we have many of the same laws and applications in our society.

but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commands. Exodus 20:6 I am so blessed because my parents and grandparents love the Lord.  I live under the hand of his faithful love because of them.  My children and children's children will live under His faithful love because of Him.
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws on their hearts, and I will write them on their minds..." Hebrews 10:16 As a new covenant believer grafted into His family I am privileged to be blessed by these words and covenant.  He will put His law on my heart and He will write them on my mind and the minds of my children.  This is a great scripture to pray over the lives of our children and children's children.
I am grateful for His faithfulness to a THOUSAND generations.

When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was His response was: Matthew 22:36-40
³⁶Teacher, which kind of commandment is great and important (the principal kind) in the Law? [Some commandments are light--which are heavy?]

    ³⁷And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect).

    ³⁸This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment.

    ³⁹And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.

    ⁴⁰These two commandments sum up and upon them depend all the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 22:36-40

Blessings
Chareen

For Further reading:

• 10 Short devotionals based on each of the commandments.  Thought provoking over at Bible Love Notes.
• Ten Commandments.
• What are the Ten Commandments ? over at Ten Commandments.
• Matthew Henry's commentry on the Ten Commandments over at Ten Commandments.
• God's Ten Laws
• Law and Grace over at God's Ten Laws.

10 - Framework for Righteous Living

Chareen's Thoughts

Job 31 Here Job was speaking about himself and his choices.  He speaks about the secret depths of his heart. I notice that the things we are encouraged to commit to at church in our walk with the Lord are the very things that Job made personal commitments to. As I read I also noticed that he framed his life around the Ten Commandments.

Jobs Framework for Righteous living.

• Job 31 : 1 A commitment to not look at another woman Exodus 20:14 (Ten Commandments) Matthew 5:28 Jesus says: But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. As you read further on you Job elaborates upon this issue.
• Job 31:5 committed to honesty Exodus 20:16 Though shalt not bear false witness
• Job 31:15 He points out that God made everyone including the servants and that in itself is a reason to treat those working for you with respect. He listened to those in his service and did them justly.
• Job 31:16 - 21 Job is a man who cared not only in word but in action for the widow, orphan and poor. Jesus admonishes us in the New Testament to do these very things.  What is faith if there is no action - it's dead faith.
• Job31:24-28 He speaks about idolatry and the root of it been .... denying God above. Exodus 20:3-6 (1st Commandment)
• Job 31:30 I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse.  Wow imagine being able to say I have not allowed my mouth to sin.  I struggle so much with my mouth it gets in the way so often.... James 3:1-11. James word on the tongue is so encouraging.
• Job 31:32 No stranger had to spend the night on the street, for I opened my door to the traveler.  Hebrews 13:2 We are encouraged to look after strangers. This is not an easy thing to do.

About God ...

• Job 33:14 For God speaks time and again, but a person may not notice it. I have been guilty of this so often. I wonder where I would be in my journey of knowing Him if only I had taken notice and acted upon His voice.
• Job 34:10 ... It is impossible for God to do wrong, and for the Almighty to act unjustly.
• Job 34:11 Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
• Job 34:19 God is not partial to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor; for they are all the work of His hands. Sometimes when I look around me and see the wicked prosper or friends at church being blessed with what I desire then I have thrown childish tantrums and felt as though the Lord favours some more than others. I need to remember this verse that He has no favourites.
• Job 34:21 For His eyes watch over a man's ways and He observes all his steps.
• Job 36:5 Yes, God is mighty, but He despises no one; it is so good to know that He despises no one.  This is often hard to remember when I look at those who are openly walking in sin. I am blessed to know that God does not have a low opinion of anyone.
• Job 36:26 Look, God is exalted beyond our knowledge; the number of His years cannot be counted Over the years I have wondered how old God is and my children have all asked me how old He is.  Never noticed this verse before ! Think about it the number of His years cannot be counted ! How great is Our God.

Matthew 5:11

"Blessed are you when they insult you 

and persecute you and 

falsely say every kind of evil against you 

because of Me."

Reading Job today has given me a deeper understanding of this verse in Matthew.  I wonder how many times we have judged a fellow Christian who in truth was not in sin but being tested as Job was tested ?

Blessings

Chareen