Tag: Aaron

Craftsmanship at its best

February 10, 2020

The-Most-Exquisite-Italian-Craftsmanship-Wood-CarvingExodus 30 discusses the building of the altar of incense, atonement money, washing and incense.  Again, Yahweh is very specific about how to make these items and use them.  The formulas are to be held sacred forever.  Let’s stop and think about each of these for a minute.

Fragrances are some of the most effective triggers for memory.  The incense was to aid in guiding the Israelites to remember everything God did for them.  Why would God command His people to pay into the coffers of the sanctuary for their redemption?  Jesus paid the redemption price once and for all for everyone.  Cleanliness is next to godliness is a common saying.  The basin was for the priests to cleanse themselves before entering the tent.  Spiritual purity can only be gained by the salvation of Christ.  All these objects show the need for one ultimate sacrifice.  Have you accepted Him?

Craftsmen are given in Exodus 31 to do all the work that needs to be done.  This work requires skill and God given talent just as many Christians use in their service today.

The importance of the Sabbath is emphasized.  This is one of the commandments that carries the death penalty.  The prohibition on working more than six days a week joins Christians and Jews.  Today many don’t view this as a needed lifestyle.  We work all seven days and see no problems.  Doctors tell us that we are often working ourselves to death.  Isn’t that what Jehovah is saying here?

Exodus 32 concludes the instructions that Yahweh is giving to Moses.  He ends this by telling His servant that the Israelites have violated the first of the commandments and worshipped an idol.  The festival also violated the things that God told them to do.  They promised to follow Jehovah before Moses went up onto the mountain.  Forty days later they have already violated the law.

Everyone has an excuse.  Even Moses let his anger get the best of him.  He broke the tablets and had to remake the tablets himself.  A mass slaughter takes place as the Levites execute those involved in the idolatry.  Then God sends a plague that kills even more.  Will these drastic results stop further disobedience?  No.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

The Tent of Meeting

February 8, 2020

A mobile sanctuary is discussed in Exodus 25.  Not like the converted mobile homes that are used in some mission areas in this country.  This is a tent like their living conditions.  God gave specific directions on materials and how to build it.  He is very detailed in the design.

He also gives instructions for the construction of the Ark of the Covenant.  He tells Moses to put the tablets in it.  This is the Ark that the Mana must be placed in.  It is to be carried by poles and not touched by any but the chief priest who will succeed Aaron.

Exodus 26 continues the description of how the tabernacle is to be built.  Why is it important for the Israelites to build this to God’s specifications?  This is an attempt to show them how to be obedient.  If they had non-specific instructions, the design would have been a source of argument as it is in many churches today.

Human beings tend to want to do things their own way.  God left no chance for discussion of design.  Moses had been shown how to do it.  Jehovah was allowing no chance for disagreement.

We are still going through the instructions in Exodus 27 for the Tent of Meeting and all its utensils, garments and necessary items.  As we read this chapter, consider all the items of worship that God instructed Moses to create.  Why was this required?

One option is to have something to represent God and His presence.  Other gods had temples.  God knew that it would be years before they entered the promised land even though the spies had not yet gone in.  Once in the land, it would take many years for the people to get settled and decide they needed a place to worship Jehovah.  This Tabernacle was to serve until a permanent temple could be constructed. Unbeknown to the people this structure would be used in the wilderness for forty years.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

The Law of the Lord

February 6, 2020

God tells the Israelites in Exodus 19 that they must follow His instructions because He has shown them great miracles in Egypt and since they left there.  To emphasize that Moses is Jehovah’s spokesman an assembly is arranged.  God will descend from the mountain and speak to His Servant in view of all the Jews.  They washed themselves and their garments and abstained from sex in preparation.  Warnings about getting to close to the mountain were also made.

The mountain was covered in smoke and it shook.  Moses went to the top and spoke directly to Him.  Aaron went up with Moses to show that he also could be a voice for Yahweh.

“I am” is used again as God’s name in Exodus 20.  The Ten Commandments are given here for the first time.  Many other people have similar laws, but God starts with four rules about our relationship with Him.  The balance tells us how to treat each other.

A controversial statement is made about punishing children to the third and fourth generation for the sins of the parents.  The blessing from this is that he will show favor to a thousand generations for those who follow Him.  If you suffer for previous generations’ transgressions, you also reap the benefits of their obedience.  Do not forget this.

Exodus 21 begins with the law that the Hebrews are to follow.  Slavery, murder, divorce, kidnapping and other topics are covered here.  This is one of the chapters that states “an eye for an eye.”

Many have a problem with the provision for slave ownership that God makes in this and other scriptures.  Slavery was a part of the economy of the ancient world.  Some slavery talked about in the Bible, but not all, is like our employee/employer agreements today.  Work is exchanged for pay.  The masters were property owners and the servants or slaves were not.  If your family did not have work for you, they would hire you out to someone who did.

Today contracts for sports players and others are bought and sold much as servants were in previous centuries and in other countries.  These laws still make sense for ethical treatment of employees and servants.

The long road home

February 4, 2020

The dedication of the firstborn to God is directly related to the Passover because they were saved by the blood of the lamb. As we read Exodus 13, think about this. Handing down the tradition for this festival to future generations is given as a reason.

Moses takes the bones of Joseph with them as they return to the land of Canaan. The presence of Jehovah is always with them in a cloud or fire.

Moses and the people were led a long way around because they might want to return to Egypt if they had to fight too soon. Before they must fight, God will show what He can do.

In chapter fourteen of Exodus, it appears that Yahweh wants to prove to both the Egyptians and the Israelites that He is the one in control. The cloud and fire directed the Jews to camp by the sea. God put in Pharaoh’s mind to follow.

He also delayed the Egyptians while all these people walked across on dry ground. Verse twenty-five tells that the chariots were bogged down in the mud. Mud for the pursuers and solid ground for the pursued.

This is another miracle that takes both nations by surprise. History records a period where Egypt was a feared world power, but without explanation falls to a second-class country in military might.

Most Biblical scholars attribute this lapse of strength to the loss of troops in the sea. The Jewish confidence in Jehovah will be short-lived.

Exodus chapter 15 is a song about the great things God did for the Israelites. Song lyrics help us remember many thoughts. It is too bad this did not work for them.

Verse 3 says The Lord is His name. This is the word Jehovah or Yahweh. It literally means “I am that I am.” We could elaborate to say that it means “I exist, and I have always existed.”

One last story in this chapter talks about a water shortage and God providing a way to make bad water good. Will the Jews respect this proof of His power? When has God shown His power to us and we forget it almost immediately?

The plagues begin

February 2, 2020

Locusts come in the tenth chapter. The officials of Egypt try to convince Pharaoh to release the Israelites. He wants the men to go alone. That will not do because they have no intention of returning.

Three days of darkness is next and following it the Jews can go worship God if they leave the cattle and sheep behind. They refuse and Pharaoh promises to kill Moses and Aaron if they ever come to him again. The tenth and final plague will come next.

The tenth plague is discussed in Exodus 11. The firstborn of all humans and animals will die after midnight. The Jews will not be affected. The Egyptians are giving jewels and gold to them. This will be the plague that puts fear into the hearts of all nations. The rest of the plan tomorrow.

Exodus 12 tells us how this event of the Passover changes everything for the Israelites. The calendar is changed. Each family will sacrifice a perfect lamb. This is a prophecy about the life and death of Christ. The ceremony established now is followed by Jesus and His followers.

The blood and unleavened bread are used in the last supper. The meaning of these symbols is very important. Pharaoh sends for Moses and Aaron and throws all the Jews out of the country. The plot thickens.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Failure may be God called

February 2, 2020

God does something unusual in chapter seven of the story of the Israelites exit from Egypt. He compares Moses to himself and Aaron is his prophet.

Moses may have been the first of those who are called by Jehovah to experience failure for a time. He won’t be the last. Do you have experience with failure in a circumstance that God directed you in? Or was it your own idea and that is why it failed? Sometimes we are not certain of the real reason for failure.

What happened to the leprous hand? Moses skips it and goes straight to the water into blood trick. Next, comes my favorite plague. The frogs invade the land.

Exodus 8 is not the origin of the saying, “If you want a Prince, you have to kiss a few frogs.” Princes were few but frogs were in their beds, ovens and literally everywhere.  There were so many they couldn’t clean all the frog legs.  The magicians duplicated the miracle.

This second plague was the first time the King said he would release the Jews to worship if the frogs were destroyed.  After the crisis ended, he changed his mind.  That led to the gnats.  The magicians could not duplicate all the dust becoming gnats.  Maybe because there was no more dust.

Pharaoh still did not relent.  The next plague was flies.  They were in the houses, the palace and everywhere.  The King wanted them to sacrifice in Egypt.  Moses held out for traveling for three days.  To get rid of the flies the agreement was made and once again canceled after the plague ended.

Three more plagues in Exodus 9. Livestock died, festering boils appeared on people and animals and hail fell and destroyed crops, animals, and people. We find that the Israelites are not harmed by these plagues. Moses even gave a warning to those who would listen before the hailstorm.

Why does Pharaoh tell Moses he will release them and change his mind each time? It will take ten tragedies before he lets them go.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

You ain’t seen nothin’ yet

February 2, 2020

As is common when someone tries to help others, the strategy backfires. Chapter 5 of Exodus presents Pharaoh making the lives of the Israelites harder because of Moses and Aaron. The people reject them as leaders and question their calling. This is a problem that many of God’s servants experience.

Yahweh’s plan is even questioned by Moses. Again, this is not unusual for the called. We often do not understand why circumstances worsen when we are being obedient. This often causes Christians to quit. Has this ever happened to you?

Exodus 6 has Jehovah telling Moses to watch what He will do to Pharaoh. The plan is not developing the way any of the Jews expected. There is a method in this scheme. Power will be demonstrated, and the gods of Egypt will not be able to stand against Him.

The called once again tries to provide an excuse for expected failure. This is all part of what is predicted. Nothing surprises God. What unexpected twists has He given you in your efforts to follow Him?

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger