Exodus 35 ~ ministering in the Holy Place

Exodus 35

¹ Moses assembled all the congregation of the people of Israel and said to them, “These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do. ² Six days work shall be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. ³ You shall kindle no fire in all your dwelling places on the Sabbath day.” ⁴ Moses said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “This is the thing that the LORD has commanded. ⁵ Take from among you a contribution to the LORD. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD's contribution: gold, silver, and bronze; ⁶ blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; goats' hair, ⁷ tanned rams' skins, and goatskins; acacia wood, ⁸ oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, ⁹ and onyx stones and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. 

¹⁰ “Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the LORD has commanded: ¹¹ the tabernacle, its tent and its covering, its hooks and its frames, its bars, its pillars, and its bases; ¹² the ark with its poles, the mercy seat, and the veil of the screen; ¹³ the table with its poles and all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence; ¹⁴ the lampstand also for the light, with its utensils and its lamps, and the oil for the light; ¹⁵ and the altar of incense, with its poles, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle; ¹⁶ the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its utensils, the basin and its stand; ¹⁷ the hangings of the court, its pillars and its bases, and the screen for the gate of the court; ¹⁸ the pegs of the tabernacle and the pegs of the court, and their cords; ¹⁹ the finely worked garments for ministering in the Holy Place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests.” 

²⁰ Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. ²¹ And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. ²² So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD. ²³ And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats' hair or tanned rams' skins or goatskins brought them. ²

⁴ Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the LORD's contribution. And every one who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work brought it. ²⁵ And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. ²⁶ All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats' hair. ²⁷ And the leaders brought onyx stones and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breastpiece, ²⁸ and spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. ²⁹ All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD. 

³⁰ Then Moses said to the people of Israel, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; ³¹ and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, ³² to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, ³³ in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft. ³⁴ And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. ³⁵ He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer.

So if you wanted to see proof that Moses - lived - where would you go. Today to the five books in the Living Word - the Bible.

Hebrews 4
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.


And you could go to Rome to see the Temple Tools. The Temple Tools had seen many places. They were the gold in Egypt. They were with Moses and the Living Presence of God while resting in a tent. They were crafted in the 40 years of wandering in the desert. They have seen and held manna. They traveled to Nebuchadnezzar II's Babylon. And were used egregiously in the feast of Belshazzar where the writing was on the wall from the Lord declaring his feasting would be scant in the future. "Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin" and explained God had "numbered" the kingdom of Belshazzar and brought it to an end.

Today we can see the Temple Tools in Archaeology. The city of the Catholic Church, really.

Wadi Moses - River Moses

What of Moses - the chosen of God? His wife traveled with him and threw an almighty fit because Moses wanted to take on the God Calling. And after these events still have the world in awe and wonder from God Almighty - Moses lived in a tent. His wife left and returned. He had two sons - Gershom (the oldest: Ex 2:22) and Eliezer, who were trusted.


Moses was not having a respected marriage. That fight with God seems to say something about circumcision, but is very, very delicately phrased. A private fight. Later,  Moses sons were taken far away and returned to Israel by Moses' Father-in-law. Like Samuel and Eli - God did not necessarily believe in dynasty of succession.

Numbers 27:18

So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.

Joshua became the successor of Moses and was diligent for 40 years.

 House of David - David's Palace and the view today

i Chronicles 23 has King David listing the descendants of Moses as the Tribe of Levi and they were chiefs among the Levi. David removed them from the Tribe of Dan. For the sons of Moses - David was promoting and redeeming them. (Judges 18).

14 But the sons of Moses the man of God were named among the tribe of Levi. 15 The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer. 16 The sons of Gershom: Shebuel the chief. 17 The sons of Eliezer: Rehabiah the chief. Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.





1 Chronicles 26:24
24and Shebuel the son of Gershom, son of Moses, was chief officer in charge of the treasuries. 25His brothers: from Eliezer were his son Rehabiah, and his son Jeshaiah, and his son Joram, and his son Zichri, and his son Shelomoth. 26This Shelomoth and his brothers were in charge of all the treasuries of the dedicated gifts that David the king and the heads of the fathers’ houses and the officers of the thousands and the hundreds and the commanders of the army had dedicated.


And what does this tell us? David's throne fell within two generations and we rarely read the third generation Abijah reunited the kingdoms briefly. God deals with ups and downs in the generations of life.

He has the experience and the Heart of Hearts. God of Love.

All of this points to two aspects of worshiping God, Loving God and living for God.


Philippians 2:1-11

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The second example would be Timothy and oddly continues in the same chapter and is the Timothy who lived to be old, old in a time Christians died so often.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.


19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son  with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.










Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Moses - man of God living in a tent. Having disputes with the people around him. Fussing with his brother and sister. Having marital disagreements. Sons not promoted issues. Sometimes being annoyed with God Father of all.

The Scriptures are real. The people of Scripture - real.

God has given us the knowledge of real Moses to understand - we are not apart from God in the millenniums. Jesus was asked if the eighteen people flattened when a Temple tower fell were huge sinners - God said that He only works with sinners. We should all tell God our flaws and be real and very sincere with God. He loves, encourages, supports the sincere and real people.


“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
—Psalm 34:4



All of us will have our difficulties, our issues, our concerns. Moses did.

We can Trust the Lord
Be the Children of God
Work His Calling in our Lives.
Be Honest.
Be Sincere.
Tell the Truth.
Because in all our concerns - be it hail and fire, death and plague, marital discord, sibling upset, political upheaval, gigantic mutiny - we can Trust God.


Our Abba,

In Jesus we are Your Beloved. Jesus has saved us - He is our firm foundation. We bear the seal of Jesus, who dwells within, You tell us we are Your Beloved. In our gratitude, for being covered by the Name of Jesus, we depart from iniquity.

Help us each day to see Your way to be of honorable and meaningful life. We want to be Jesus' ready for the good works you have prepared for us to walk in.

Jesus wants us in righteousness, faith, love, and peace, calling on the Lord from a pure heart. Help us to build a framework where Love, Joy and Encouragement dwell. For the good of those we love and pray for. For our jobs, communities, neighborhoods, Churches and Nation. Joining the 1/3 population of the world asking for an increase of the Holy Spirit bringing more Heaven to earth. We pray diligently and with hope for the concerns of our heart. Thank God You have said to cast our cares upon You, Loving Father. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 61 ~ from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint

Psalm 61

1 Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.

Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
3 for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.

4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!

Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah

5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6 Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day.

Israel has deserts, lakes, beaches, mountains, rivers, arid places, lush forests and farms. David knew most of the places in Israel from travel, work as a shepherd, worked for King Saul as a warrior or musician & fleeing as if he were a criminal. He came to know Israel as a King and Father.

David knew what it felt like to be backed into a corner and to stay there. He knew a lot of trouble in life, God called David to know something Greater. Wherever David was, whatever the situation, David knew the comfort of God's plan being in place. The House of God, was merely a tent, but the promises of God are a mighty fortress. David would honor the ways God had for him to walk in, David would uphold the Word of the Lord.

My Grandmother Anita said when we feel oppressed. Rise above this.

Max Lucado was on the radio, today, saying that if you invent the tool to send pizza, real pizza by email you might become a billionaire. But even so we have something - all of us - in common. Troubles. Difficulties, Problems. No one is granted a trouble free life.  What we do with faith and trust with our difficulties - makes us bitter or better. Worrier or trust in God. When we have crushing difficulties - where we loose heart and hope - this will define us - how we solve, overcome, endure, pray and go forth in the Eternal God.

My father told me when I was in my late thirties - I'd begin to worry about aging and decide I was old. Now, when my forties arrived - by the end - I would know some age. Not to worry. My mother told me on her 72nd birthday where she felt young and vital - that at age 52 she had worried life was ending in old age. Her advice was stop worrying about being old. Good advice -  enjoy life and be grateful and blessed. Nehemiah 8 with the Joy Jesus tells us He does have. The feast Jesus spoke of about His expectations in God.

Recently, we have known a 44 year old friend of Edward's to feel numb and go to the hospital and die in just 3 months. We know of a two year old very adored daughter who died peacefully in her bed. We know a man in his 50s who just quit breathing as he slept and is in the hospital now. Recently I've heard of 3 strokes. And a mother who died unexpectedly at age 42. There is rarely a guarantee of life like David. We have prayed for a family who lost someone in their 20s.  Almost all since September. I've never had such a season of all ages can pass on.

Psalm 103
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

³ who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

This Psalm is a good one to remember as we see His tender mercies renew each day.  We need the Grace of God every day and to live with gratitude.

Psalm 112:9
He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.

1 Samuel 2:30
Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,' but now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

1 Chronicles 29:28
Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor. And Solomon his son reigned in his place.



Philippians 2

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.




Father God, when we do not see all of our path, help us to remember the comfort of David. We trust in You and we have Your comfort. In the name of Jesus Christ.

We will do what You call us to do. Do the right thing. Tell the Truth. Trust in Jesus as Lord. 

The Most Constant Promise we have. From You Father God - we have access to God every time we pray. This is not seen. Is not always felt. We can boldly come to Father God because of Jesus. We can be exactly like Aaron - ourselves - in the Holy of Holy. Because You are Abba - Father.

And bring the ones we love to You exactly like the man who came through the roof. And we can expect to finish our prayer heard. We give you the ones we Love, our communities, our culture, our neighborhoods where others Yell out Good News, our Churches and Nation. Knowing placing our cares in Your Hands is worthy, enduring, an honor, pleasing to You, Joy, Encouragement, Faith, Hope and Love. Thank Jesus.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Luke 9 ~ The Majesty of God

Luke 9

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 

3 And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 

5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. 9 Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.





 

10 On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. 

12 Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.”

 13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” 

They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” 

14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them.

Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

 

18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 

19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”

 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”


23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 

25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 

26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

 

 28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.

 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 

32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 

33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 

34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 

35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 

John 9:5

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. 40 And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 

 41 Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 

43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

   

46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 

47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”


49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 

50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”


51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.


57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 
 

58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 

59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 

61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 


62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Our Abba,

We give You thanks for Jesus. Wonderful. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of Your nature, and Jesus upholds the universe by the Word of His power. After making purification for sins, Jesus sat down at the right hand of Your Majesty on high.

When we suffer from concerns, we will not stay in discouragement. According to the eternal purpose Jesus our Lord accomplished. That in the dwelling of You - Abba, Holy Spirit and Jesus -through faith in Jesus - we may enter Your presence with boldness and confidence.

Praying each day prayers that for my grandmother Anita took forty years - believing with Hope and surety - You and Jesus are still working each day.

With Joy lifting up those we love to Jesus. Our cares, communities, Churches, this Nation and the world of Christians praying for the Holy Spirit to bring more Heaven to earth.

We praise the Name of Jesus covering us. Remembering His wings gathering His beloved to Him as chicks to their mother. We understand Jesus' Love for us. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †