The Tabernacle

DAY 6
EXODUS 15:19 – 28:43

God continues to reveal His plan of redemption even in the details of His tabernacle. In today's reading in Chapters 25-31 and tomorrow's readings in Chapters 35-40.

Ex 25:8-9 “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.”

John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.”

The tabernacle is a type of Christ. It consists of the Outer Court, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies.

Salvation

Everything in the Outer Court is connected to salvation and the cleansing of sins. There is a single gate for its entrance, an altar for sacrifices, and a laver for washing.

The Outer Courtyard Entrance (not pictured) –The Way
John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the father except through me”
John 10:9 “I am the door (gate), whoever enters through me will be saved.”

The Bronze Altar of Burnt Offering – The Sacrifice
John 1:29 “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”

The Laver – The Forgiveness
John 13:8 “Unless, I wash you, you have no part with me.”

Sanctification

As we leave the courtyard and enter the Holy Place (we enter into a relationship with Jesus.) We can see a table, a lampstand, an altar, and a veil.

Table of Showbread –
John 6:35 “I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

The Lampstand -
John 8:12 “I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Altar of Incense – The High Priest
John 17:9 “I pray for them.”
John 17:20 “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message

The Veil – The Blood and the Body
Hebrews 10:19-20 “ Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain (veil), that is, His body.”

Glorification

As we pass throught the veil and enter the Holy of Holies (we have access with God, the Father) and we behold the ark of the covenant with the mercy seat.

Ark of the Covenant

Golden Jar of Manna
John 6:51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.”

Aaron’s budded Rod
John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Tablets of the Covenant
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

All I can say is AMEN!

External Link: Possible Routes of the Exodus
http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/029.htm

External Link #2: An amazing site that lets you build the tabernacle in 3D. Explore and have fun. http://www3.telus.net/public/kstam/en/tabernacle/details/setup_tabernacle.htm

When I see the blood, I will pass over you!

DAY 5
Ex 1:1 - 15:18

In the first half of Exodus, God continues to reveal Himself and His plan of redemption.

Specifically, the name God wants to be remembered by from generation to generation. In Hebrew it is " אהיה " which is pronounced "Ehyeh." and means "to exist." Our translation in the Bible is "I am" or "I will be." To avoid its pronunciation, the Hebrew text used the form "YHWH" which evolved in our bible as "YaHWeH" or "JeHoWaH."

More importantly, the name of God represents who He is, the answer to our greatest need. This is symbolized in the Passover deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt. This picture represents God's deliverance of mankind from its bondage to sin, death, and Satan. It also shows God's continued guidance after our rescue until His chosen people arrive into the promised land.

However, there is a condition to the story. In Ex 8:23 God announces to Pharoah through Moses that, "I will make a distinction between my people and your people" and later in 12:13 "The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you." If the blood of a lamb covers the doorposts of the home, then the destroyer was not permitted to enter the house.

While we may not totally understand God's plan of redemption, we do know its requirements. He still makes distinctions between His people and those of the prince of this world. That distinction is found in the blood of Jesus Christ.

John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John 14:6 "Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me."

How amazing is the "I AM" who never changes, who provides the Lamb, and accepts those that have applied it to their lives as His people.

External Link: Pictures and article on Goshen, Succoth, and the possible location of the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds) http://www.totheends.com/crossing.html

Am I in the Place of God?

DAY 4
Gen 40:12 - 50:26
The Life of Joseph







The phrase at the end of Gen 50:19 caught me off guard.

"Am I in the place of God?"

I know Joseph meant it as a rhetorical question to his brothers. But it makes you wonder how many times he may have asked the question to God. Did he ask it when he was sitting in the pit, or on the way down to Egypt with the Midian traders. Did he ask that question when Potiphar's wife lied about him, or when he was in jail. Or maybe he asked that question when he had all the wealth and power anyone could imagine, but without his family.

Due to our own choices, the choices of others, and/or the providence of God we find ourselves in circumstances and places where we ask ourselves the same question, but in different ways.

Lord, what is your will for my life?
Lord, where do you want me to serve?
God, do you really want me working at this job with these people?
God, why did this have to happen to me?
Lord, how long do I have to wait for the answer to my prayer?

Notice, that all the questions we ask typically have to do with "me." We start with ourselves and our circumstance and then look to God for the answer. But the answer we get from scripture takes the opposite perspective; one that's from God's view of His creation.

20 "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

Don't pass over the last five words too quickly.

God's plan is to redeem and reconcile His creation, then restore it to its original purpose. Maybe Joseph had the right perspective. Despite what his brothers intended and all the trials he went through; God used it to save many lives.

We first must answer that question for ourselves. Am I in the place of God? You are if your found in Christ.

Then let's not miss the opportunity of being a part of God's plan by viewing our circumstances from the wrong perspective. Let's take the view from eternity and allow God to work through where we are to accomplish the saving of many lives.

External Link: Joseph's Travel http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/023.htm

As the World Turns with All My Children

DAY 3

Gen 28:20 through 40:11

I have a confession. I have actually watched an episode of As the World Turns. Growing up in Texas, I also watched several episodes of Dallas. One aspect that characterizes all these shows and grabs our attention are all the plots, schemes, twists, and turns that take place in every episode. I have got some news for you; those scheming plot lines didn't begin with TV or radio you can find them in Genesis.

It all starts with Rebekah and Jacob scheming against Isaac and Esau. Then Esau plots to kill Jacob. Jacob flees to Haran and the twists and turns continue. Laban plots against Jacob; then Jacob against Laban. Leah vs. Rachel; Shechem with Simeon & Levi; Joseph and His brothers; Judah and Tamar; and Potiphar's wife against Joseph. It's hard to keep track of all the schemes.

But, in the midst of all this turmoil there is another plan at work that cannot be altered: it's God's plan of redemption. God continues to influence and guide the lives of His creation. Even though Laban schemed against Jacob to marry Leah; God used it to produce Judah. In the midst of Judah and Tamar plotting against each other; God used it to produce Perez. Now if we go look at Matt 1:2-3 and Luke 3:33 we can see a portion God's Plan:

Abraham the father of Isaac
Isaac the father of Jacob
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers
Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar
Which eventually brings us to Jesus: the author of our salvation

In our world today, there is scheming and plotting between nations, between businesses, between coworkers, and even amongst some of God's own people. There are twists and turns in our lives and we don't know what the eventual outcome will be. But take hope from God's story: His grace is sufficient; His provision is perfect; His guidance is timely; and His plan is done.

External Link: Map of Jacob's Travels http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/022.htm

All Nations and People Will Be Blessed

DAY 2

Genesis 17:1 through 28:19: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

From a small region in the Middle East and from one man (Abraham) who was obedient; the entire world and its inhabitants are blessed. It's the power of the One True God working through the faithfulness of one believer.

In Gen 22:18, 26:4-5, and 28:14-15; God promises and affirms a covenant between Himself and Abraham (and his descendants). "through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

It's the same promise He makes to each father and each mother; your faithfulness will bless your family.

It's the same promise He makes to each believer; your faithfulness will bless the body of Christ.

It's the same promise He makes each church; your faithfulness will bless the community, the nation, and the world.

There is power in one person's faith because of the promise of God. "I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Gen 28:15b)

External Link: A map of the travels of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob http://www.biblestudy.org/maps/abrajrfl.html

In the Beginning God

DAY 1

Gen 1:1 through Gen 16:16

Creation, Adam & Eve, the Fall, Cain & Abel, Enoch, Methuselah, Noah, the Flood, the Tower of Babel, Abraham, Lot, and Ishmael.

What a beginning! The purpose of this blog is just to share what the Holy Spirit illuminates in our hearts as we go through this journey.

The pastor had a great comment this past Sunday about Gen 3:9: "But the Lord God called to the man, 'Where are you?"

Since the very beginning, the Lord God calls after man. He searches for Adam and Eve in the garden; He questions Cain about his brother; He takes Enoch home; He covenants with Noah and rescues him from the Flood; and He calls Abraham out and blesses all humanity through him.

I am glad God never changes! He searches for us, calls us, rescues us, convenants with us, questions us, blesses us, and eventually God takes us home.

Aren't you glad it's just the beginning!

P.S. A possible Bible Map for After the Flood. http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/016.htm