BIBLE READING: Exodus 25-27

The following chapters outline YHWH’s design for the tabernacle. He is detailed and meticulous in his instructions, but we must observe that it begins with an opportunity to give.

“Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats’ hair, tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood, oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece.” (Exodus 25.2-7)

This is no simple list of everyday items one might expect from desert dwellers. Gold, silver and other metals must be mined with the help of implements. Various colored yarns were typically made using a complex process of extracting color from marine shells. The skins and wood required tools and effort to prepare them. These would have been the most expensive possessions the people owned, and, given their circumstances in the wilderness, it seems likely these items were plundered from the Egyptians themselves (Exodus 12.35-36). In other words, Israel had been given everything YHWH asked for. Now, as he institutes worship, he invites them to offer these things to him.   

It is evident they cannot worship properly without doing this, but YHWH does not demand every person give. Instead, those who would give willingly, from the heart, should contribute. This passage sets a pattern for worship that has always characterized biblical religion. Although God could provide anything ever needed for his purposes, he asks his people to serve him willingly. This provides an opportunity to remember what we had been given and from whom we have received it.

Paul would echo this sentiment in 2 Corinthians 9.7: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver.” In this passage, the collection is not for a physical house, but for the spiritual house – God’s people. Just like Israel, we should not be stingy with our possessions but recognize that “God is able to make all grace abound to you” (2 Corinthians 9.8). This doesn’t mean we will always have abundance, but it does mean we trust God gives us exactly what we need. What God asks of us is never wrong or domineering, but a testing and refining to make us more like him.

God asked for these things so the people could make a place for him to dwell among them (Exodus 25.8). In other words, their choice to give would bless them with a greater experience of YHWH’s presence and providence. In the same we, as we learn to give willingly, we begin to experience and understand the heart of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2.20).

BIBLE READING: Exodus 20-23

The marginalized hold a special place in the heart of YHWH. In the law He gives specific commands regarding treatment of slaves, widows, the fatherless, poor and sojourners. By nature of their circumstances, these people receive the least amount of help, justice and attention. But YHWH sees them, and in his new nation He expects His people to serve them. It is not simply because YHWH is a philanthropist who enjoys being a beneficiary, but because it is the right thing to do. Every person, made in His image, should experience the hope of justice and mercy because that is his prevailing nature.

This reality has been obscured by sinful pride and selfishness but must not be so among God’s people. In fact, it should have been a primary concern to Israel given their recent past. YHWH saw them in their oppression and did not ignore their needs (Exodus 2.23-25). As they moved forward in liberty and hope, they must allow their past to shape them in humility and love.

“You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt… You know the heart of a sojourner…” (Exodus 22.21; 23.9)

Much of the law reflected what YHWH had done for Israel, so it should have been taken personally. But beyond just the personal application, YHWH wanted them to understand it was simply the right thing to do. It is not right to take advantage of the less fortunate. It is not right to oppress others for personal gain. It is not right to have plenty and not share it with others. If we are fulfilling our role in the image of God, we must be in-tune with the needs of others and the ability we have to serve. With power and position comes expectation because that is the image in which we are created.

The world regards these things as noble, but God reveals them as right. The distinction must be firm in our minds because activities of justice and mercy are not subject to our choice. “What does the LORD require but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6.8; [Matthew 9.13]). In fact, this should be a primary concern as the redeemed people of God. We communicate the gospel in how we treat the socially marginalized. That is because we were slaves to our former passions that destroyed our lives. We were poor, needy and helpless. Paul’s words to the Corinthians echo YHWH’s message to Israel: “such were some of you!” (1 Corinthians 6.11). The gospel compels us to remember our degenerate condition and intentionally reflect towards others the mercy shown to us (Matthew 18.21-35; Ephesians 2.1-10). This is the right thing to do.

We are given much liberty to live as we choose. But if we are YHWH’s people, the marginalized will have a special place in our heart. By his grace we have been redeemed to be messengers of hope, justice and mercy because that is his prevailing nature.

BIBLE READING: Exodus 14

As the people camped by the sea, they saw the Egyptians on the horizon (14.10) … and they responded as you would expect—they were terrified (14.11-13)! But this event was setup (14.1-4) because God wanted Israel to see something: his salvation. He would make a way for Israel through the sea, allowing them to cross safely; and he would use the same sea to crush their enemies completely.

Salvation was performed in a way that only God could do; and so it is today. Salvation is a launch point where we must see God’s better way. Our natural instincts can lead us to fear and worry about circumstances outside our control. We can even devise in our minds that not going with God makes more sense. But that is a slight to God. It assumes he doesn’t know what he’s doing and can’t make a path for us. It means we believe that what we see is all there is, and God can’t work in these impossible circumstances to do his will.

Those assumptions are not informed by God’s word. This is where the rubber meets the road for many of us. Perhaps you accepted God’s power and path when you were baptized. But over time you don’t see it as clearly. Fear has a way of creeping back in. The enemy and his efforts loom large. We tell ourselves “there’s no way forward… This can’t get better”. We become angry, callous and distressed, and it can change what we think about God.

We need to remember and see the salvation of the LORD. His glory is not within our imagination. He can do far more abundantly than we could ever ask or think. If he can give you peace from your past, he can do it again. But we must remember his timing is not ours. Israel spent 430 years in Egypt. Generations went by in helplessness, and there was no end in sight. Many of them saw this as punishment, but it wasn’t. God never left them and at the right time, God saved them.

The point is this: God is never absent. His timing is never wrong. The circumstance you see as never-ending only feels desperate because YOU aren’t in control of it. But God is, and he’s working within this world for good and for his glory. We must see the salvation of God, not as something to keep in our pocket for when we need it, but to shape our very lives.

As Israel would move into the wilderness, God kept bringing them back to this moment with expectation: they must be changed by his salvation. But sadly a generation arose that forgot, falling back into fear and longing to go back to Egypt. We must not be those people: we must fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD that he will work in his time.

BIBLE READING: Exodus 5-6

“But Pharaoh said, “Who is YHWH, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know YHWH, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” (Exodus 5.2)

It was a good question. Here was the most powerful man in the world being confronted by two men representing his slaves. For all he knew, YHWH was a man among them leading a new rebellion. “The theme of Pharaoh’s not knowing YHWH follows a certain progression, especially from this point to the end of the plagues. Pharaoh started out not knowing who YHWH was in the sense of not recognizing the name YHWH, and then thereafter he obviously recognized the name but did not realize who YHWH really was, and then finally, before it was all over, he knew very well who YHWH was and was sorry that he had to find out the hard way. In other words, there are two meanings to “Who is the Lord?” (1) “Who are you talking about? I don’t recognize that name.” (2) “What makes you think I would care about obeying YHWH?””  (Excerpt from New American Commentary, Exodus, Stuart, Douglas K., Exodus 5.2).

Many people today ask the same question. Some of this is the proud nature of our society. “God” has become a fluid subject defined by everyone’s concept of a higher power and how they see the world. The thought that an objective, unchanging, all-powerful God exists with expectation is rejected by many. However, some ask this question because they have never truly met the God of the bible. Do we have an adequate answer? Can we show them that God is worthy of our attention, loyalty and total life devotion?

Exodus equips us with the tools to solidify our faith and teach it to others. Here, YHWH repeats and reiterates who he is so that we too might know him. He is…

1. God Almighty (6.2). In ancient literature, this term denotes someone who devastates and destroys. When God applied it to himself, it was usually in the context of calling someone to himself for their protection against those who he would destroy. In other words, no one can stand against him. His power is supreme and absolute. Which makes his calling and revelation to humanity so profound.
2. God who keeps promises (6.3-4). He has not forgotten Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Though history has moved on, he has no changed since that point and will continue to be affixed to the promises of these critical relationships.
3. God who hears and sees (6.5). He is not removed or unconcerned about those less than himself. “The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears are open to their cry… The righteous cry and the LORD hears them and delivers them out of their trouble” (Psalm 34.15, 17). He is profoundly moved by the needs of the helpless, weak poor and afflicted.
4. God who delivers and saves (6.6-8). Long before YHWH acts, he communicates what he will do and the outcome. Many assert their abilities but only God can control the outcome. This section presents the plan and Exodus 5-15 proves he can.
5. God of personal invitation. The deliverance was specific to these people and their situation. The goal was for God to take these people to be HIS people. He was not cold, removed, indifferent or angry. He was aware and involved, desiring the best for people made in his image. So much so that he would make their fight, his fight. He does the same for us, ultimately returning in our form to offer us hope.

Who is YHWH that I should obey his voice? Pharaoh would learn... but have we? These things are recorded for our learning and evaluation. It is upon these unchanging qualities that we rest our hope today.

BIBLE READING: Exodus 1

Both Pharaoh and the midwives found themselves in compromising circumstances. As Israel grew, Pharaoh looked at them with uncertainty. Would they turn against him at some point? How could he manage this threat and establish his power? In fear, he chose to subject them to slavery—a strategic move to satisfy his fearful imagination. However, his plan backfired, and the people only multiplied, causing even more fear among the Egyptians (Exodus 1.12).

As his fear increased, he commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill the baby boys. Would they obey the king and kill their own people? What would happen if they didn’t? In a display of courage, they chose to disobey and preserve the life of the innocent. We’re told they also acted out of fear (Exodus 1.17)— not of Pharaoh but of the LORD. Despite years of slavery, they had not forgotten the promise of YHWH and his power in the beginning. In fear, they let the male children live. “So God dealt well with the midwives” (Exodus 1.20).

Fear is a powerful motivator and can even be righteous if it is properly placed. The problem is we often fear the wrong things. We fear corrupt people with power. We fear situations we cannot control and consequences we don’t want to bear. We fear the future and its unknowns. We fear all the things except the One who made all things. It is interesting the one in ‘power’ (Pharaoh) is the most fearful while the midwives are not. That’s because he had the most to lose. Pharaoh had positioned himself in pride and decided in his heart that things must go his way or else. This is a sure way to fail; but worse it is a terrible way to live. You must always look over your shoulder in fear of someone stronger.

Fear has an impact on each of us; but is it creating the proper result? Think specifically about fear’s impact on this political season. We will see men and women flaunting power to position themselves in the eyes of the masses. But it is the wrong fear driving many of them. We must not get caught up in the narratives they pitch. The psalm will prove true: “The nations rage, the people’s plot in vain, the kings of earth set themselves together against the Lord and his anointed… and the Lord sits in the heavens and laughs” (Psalm 2). Regardless of who is in office, Jesus is still king and we must fear him. “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10.28). What this means practically is we must not allow the present to dictate our morality, our activity or our thinking. “The kingdoms of earth pass away one by one but the kingdom of heaven remains.” If we fear our Maker, we must not fear anyone else. Do not be moved by circumstances or people but learn to “confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13.6)