Month: September 2024

But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat. Leviticus 16:10 (Chapters 11-18)

The Orthodox Laws of everyday Jewish life, hygienic and dietary, are somewhat confusing, but from the time man was cast from the perfect presence of God, God gave specific directions for man to remain healthy, both physically and spiritually. The ancient people lived in very primitive circumstances. There was no formal medical protocol or means of food preservation. Food poisoning and parasites were serious risks. Also, the Canaanite culture, soon to be neighbor to this new nation, practiced many abominable behaviors. I do not care to list their perversions but their temple practices involved sensual and sexual rites. This was strictly forbidden in the worship of The One True God. Kashrut, the laws concerning kosher diets, is a weapon against assimilation with idolatrous cultures. God stressed that mingling and sharing life with such people would be Israel’s down fall.

The Day of Atonement was the one day of the year Aaron entered the Holy of Holies. On this day, a scapegoat became the sacrifice for all man’s sin. Sin cuts us off from God’s presence, but forgiveness and atonement restores this relationship. The goat was led away from the people into the wilderness, bearing away the sins of the people. This ceremony is God’s historical picture of the coming Christ.

I often superimpose God onto my attitude toward the children I encounter daily. I wish I could correct their behavior once and be done with it, but the reality is, I must restate reminders everyday of the school year, even after I have said, “I’m NOT telling you this again!” Well, aren’t we fortunate that I’m not God and God never says, “I’m through telling/helping you.”  There is always an atonement opportunity because Jesus was our scapegoat.  He took our sins as His own and we can be forgiven.

Love,

Gretchen

You must distinguish between the Holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean. Leviticus 10:10 (Chapters 8-10)

God has placed Himself at the very center, the heart of the Jewish nation. There is now a place of worship, forgiveness and atonement. Moses has acted as Israel’s priest, the mediator between God and man, but now God ordains a Hereditary order from the tribe of Levi. Priests will begin with Aaron and his sons. They will be supported by tithes and sacrifices.

At the center of life for this migrant nation is an unceasing fire of sacrifice. The perpetual glow is to remind people of their propensity to return to sinfulness but also, God’s gift of opportunity to seek reconciliation with Him. These blood sacrifices point to an age long picture and plan for the final, perfect, first born, The Christ. The New Testament book of Hebrews ties the priesthood and the sacrifice together clearly as, Jesus, Lamb of God.

In Chapter 10 there is an accounting of two of Aaron’s sons who were highhanded with God’s ordinances and decided to do things their way. They were swiftly put to death by the same fire that led the Hebrew children, the fire of God’s presence. God’s holiness demands respect from those who believe. His commands and gospels are meant to be obeyed, not tailored or distorted to fit man’s fancy or convenience. We are called to be uncommon, Holy. It is possible, because what God demands, He provides.

Love,

Gretchen

He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. Leviticus 1:4 (Chapter 1-7)

The opposite of ‘Holy’ is ‘common’.  The characteristics of Holiness are revealed in Leviticus. God promised to dwell in the midst of the Israelites, but there are conditions to existing in close proximity to God. In Exodus, God set boundaries for His ‘set apart people.’ This close relationship means a life of obedience and faith and sin must be dealt with. God gives detailed instructions on these procedures.

The burnt offering symbolized the total dedication of the offerer.  By laying a hand on the sacrifice, the animals blood becomes ‘substitutionary’ for the worshipper. A grain offering is made for renewal and rededication to the Lord. Peace offerings were made when reconciliation occurred with the Lord and communion resumed. In Love, God provided protections from our negligence with sin/purification offerings and finally, the guilt offering allowed compensation for damages to be made between men, neighbor to neighbor. 

Some things change. The ‘new covenant’ through the blood of Jesus supersedes this Old Testament Law. Yet, God is Holy and requires Holiness from those who follow Him. This is constant throughout time. Jesus quoted from this book, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (19:18) Holiness is found in justice and love. We have all sinned, but God doesn’t leave us there.  He didn’t then, He doesn’t now.

Love,

Gretchen

So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the could by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels. Exodus 40:38 (Chapters 35-40)

A nation has been born. Now it is time to build God’s home in their midst. These final chapters of the Exodus narrative tell the detailed labor of building God’s tabernacle, or God’s dwelling place at the center of everyday life. 

This primitive, yet elaborate, home for Israel’s Lord, had purpose and still has relevant meaning to Christians today. The Tent faced the east. The Holy of Holies was the sacred place of the Ark. The Ark held the Tablets of Testimony, a jar of manna and Aaron’s staff. The Israelites knew this Ark was the place where Law and Mercy came together. The Holy place contained a table of gratitude for God’s provision, a candlestick representing the community, and the Altar of incense signifying perpetual prayer. A veil separated the Holy of Holies, God’s Throne, and the Holy place, man’s waiting room.  At the crucifixion this veil was torn and the door to God’s presence was finally, freely open to man. There was a basin for washing, the foreshadowing of Baptism and an altar for burnt offerings. Man’s access to God is through the shed BLOOD of atonement.

God is not haphazard, wasteful of our time and energy, or trite and small of heart.  He intends for His people to worship Him alone and He will be their government, Provider, Protector, Judge, Justice, source of Hope and eternal existence.

The determination of God to dwell with us is His love manifested in action. We can not ask for more than this.  He is worthy of Praise.

Love,

Gretchen

“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  Exodus 33:13-14 (Chapter 33)

This chapter gets personal. Moses reaches out to God, not just on behalf of the people he leads, but for the wellbeing of his own strength and soul. Exhausted from the drama of discontent, fear and restless sinfulness, Moses wants more than the skills needed to guide these people in covenant keeping. He longs to be a man, in the likeness of God, who can lead a Holy nation. 

There is a profound difference in knowing who God is and acknowledging His mind boggling character, that loves without reservation, defines justice and forgives and forgets because He wants to, and choosing to be molded in His images once again. It was freewill that brought man down, and freewill that brings us back to the creation God made and said was good.

Seek God’s favor and you will find rest.

Love,

Gretchen

And he took the calf they had made and burned it in the fire; then he ground it to powder, scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it.  Exodus 32:20 (Chapter 32)

The Hebrew children were very quick to return to the past when they felt they had been abandoned.  It was only six weeks since they made a pledge to be God’s people when they begged to replicate an idol, the bull, a principal god of Egypt. They broke the very first commandment.

Moses, gravely aware of the catastrophe before him, threw down the tablets written by the hand of God. Knowing the end was near if he did not intervene, he stood before God, brave and heroic, and volunteered to give his life if forgiveness wasn’t an option. He is becoming like the God He trusts and worships with His whole being.

There were swift and severe consequences for the sin of these people. Death and eternal separation from God came immediately to those who refused to repent. However, God is long suffering and He never turns down an opportunity to forgive. Some things, such as man’s stiff necked evil, never change. Thank God! He never changes either!

Never Give Up,

Gretchen

They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God. Exodus 29:46 (Chapters 25-31)

The Hebrew children had a grand inheritance. They were God’s chosen people, purposed to bless the entirety of mankind!  Except, they were a pretty ragtag group that left Egypt in the dark of night. Barely even a culture, God began to form a set apart people that would change the face of the earth.

Immediately following emancipation God began Israel’s lessons in faith. He protected and provided, teaching them what absolute trust and obedience looked like and the rewards it would precipitate.  Soon, God defined His Holy standards and set His covenant people on a course to their new cultural identity. Now, it is time to worship the One True God and seal the hope and promise that is in Him alone.

God gives Moses very specific instructions, the blue print of the Tabernacle that would become the center of Jewish national life and was the foreshadowing of the Christian faith. God is to have a home in the center of our lives. He will never leave or forsake those who trust in Him. The materials for this Tabernacle were those things given to Israel, by the Egyptians, on their flight to freedom. A long labor in slavery reaped a great reward.

The character of God is our standard bearer when faith is shaken and our bodies grow weary. In this establishing of worship patterns and habits, all that is required is already there, God doesn’t take, He gives. It is not a process of man cowering before an Almighty Deity, but an inauguration of our daily relationship with the One from Whom all blessings flow. God want’s intimate connections with those He breathed life into and He does most of the work Himself.

Happy Monday,

Gretchen

“If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it.”  Exodus 23:4-5 (Chapters 21-24)

As for how we are to treat each others and honor God, ten straightforward foundations were given, but then God continued with judgements, statutes and civil law. These rest on God’s authority, not an earthly king. Human life and dignity is prioritized, because God cares! And He expects us to also!

The division of church and state is a basic principle of life today, but for this covenant nation, God was the Only State and He orchestrated life to balance in harmony regarding all things morally, religiously and legally. One Law, One God, for the protection and provision for everyone. Sadly, this is a distant, fictional utopia, except………………Those who are alive in Christ honor what God honors and love who God loves. Then, peace permeates life.

Love,

Gretchen

Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Exodus 20:20 (Chapter 20)

Moses led the people to Mt. Sinai. A year earlier he was keeping his flocks when he saw a burning bush, stepped on Holy ground and heard God’s call. On this day, Moses climbs the familiar mountain to meet face to face with his faithful God and receive the laws that will create a Holy nation, who’s design is to bless the entire world.

In the beginning God spoke life into being. Now, He speaks the words for living. The elemental foundation of ethical norms for all people, of all ages, begins in the first Ten Commandments. God’s concern for the whole of life is evident in His standards for family and community relationships. Human life, sex, property, speech and thought are all addressed.

As our Maker, God knows us best and knows what’s best. Reverence for His Holiness is the basic principle of how we approach Him. Jesus said, “Hallowed be Your name.” (Matthew 6:9) And later He summarizes all of God’s law into two things; love God and love one another. When we are busy loving like Jesus loves, we won’t have time to sin. God made it that easy!

Have a Great Weekend Eve,

Gretchen

Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. Exodus 18:20 (Chapter 18)

God Bless Moses’ father-in-law. If there is a story in the Bible that seems real today it is this. Mrs. Moses saw her husband drowning in a workload he couldn’t gain an upper hand on. She went home to dad and just happened to mention it. Wise ole’ papa came to the rescue with some very sound advice. 

When Jethro arrived at the seen of the Great Exodus, it was evident that God’s power and glory were at work and he appropriately led praise to the One True God. He also recognized this leadership role put an incredible strain on Moses. As a person of government himself, he did not bring criticism, only years of experience and a suggestion for efficiency.

Serving as everything to everyone, corporate leader to a massive population moving between homes, was daunting.  IN ADDITION, this enormous group squabbled constantly. They couldn’t live in community with each other either. So Moses found himself serving as judge and intermediary on top of everything else. This is not a reflection of Moses’ inability, it was more than any one man could do! So Jethro advises; teach them the laws and hold them accountable, then chose men of integrity to administrate and judge. Delegate and teach.

The simple truth is, God DOES NOT ask any one to do more than they are capable of. He qualifies the called and provides time, wisdom, energy and manpower to succeed. He also doesn’t ask you to do for someone, what they are perfectly capable of doing themselves. (Yes I said that, read it again!) Beyond these limits it is important to distinguish between man’s demands and God’s. One is time well spent, the other………..

Love,

Gretchen