Today the Lord gives further instructions for the offerings. He says not to eat the fat or the blood of an animal. We first saw this when Noah got off the ark and God said he could eat animals but not the blood. “But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” (Gen 9:4) He explains this further in Lev 17: 11-12 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.” The Lord explains why they are not to eat the fat in Lev 3:16. “And the priest shall burn them on the altar as a food offering with a pleasing aroma. All fat is the Lord’s.” So no blood bc for atonement of souls and no fat bc it belongs to the Lord. Got it. Next Moses ordains the priests. We already read the instructions that the Lord gave Moses regarding the priests’ clothing and consecration in Exodus 28-29. Today we see these instructions being executed. Keep reading bc tomorrow the priests start their new job.

(Leviticus 7:1-8:36)

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In today’s reading we see further how serious the Lord takes our sin. Whether it is intentional or unintentional. The Lord looks at 4 categories: priests, whole congregation, rulers, and common people. We are all sinners but God ensures a way for everyone to atone for their sins including the poor. “If he is not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring…two turtledoves or two young pigeons…” “If he is not able to bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, then he who sinned shall bring…one tenth of an ephah of fine flour…” The day is coming when the people will no longer have to bring a sacrifice and John the Baptist will announce “…Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Jesus will willingly lay down His life “and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Rev 1:5-6) Keep reading bc tomorrow the priests get dressed for their new job.

(Leviticus 4:1-6:30)

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Today the Lord gives further instructions regarding approaching Him through the sacrificial system. He starts with the priests bc they are sinners just like the rest of us. The Lord chose the Levites to do the work of the tabernacle. “Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine.” Remember on Feb 5th when we read “…Therefore I will sacrifice to the Lord all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I shall redeem.” (Exodus 13:15) Today we see the Lord say “I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the children of Israel.” This is the same principle of substitution that we saw with the Passover in Egypt when a spotless lamb died in place of the firstborn of each household. It is also a foreshadowing of Jesus who will die as a substitute for us. God then gave instructions regarding offerings. The book of Leviticus describes 5 major offerings: burnt, grain, peace, sin and guilt. We also read about a wave offering. A wave offering is when the offering is literally being held in the hand and waved in the air to God to show the offering was for the Lord. The priests are being presented to the Lord in this manner. Lastly, we read that the children of Israel celebrated the Second Passover as the Lord instructed the Israelites to do annually in remembrance of what He did for them when He brought them out of Egypt. 39 years will pass before the children of Israel celebrate another Passover like this one. Keep reading to find out what happened. 

(Numbers 8:1-9:14, Leviticus 1:1-3:17)

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I pulled the below info off a chart in my ESV Study Bible:
Burnt Offering – underscores prayers of petition and praise 
Grain Offering – pleasing aroma; often mirrors emphasis of the offering it accompanies
Peace Offering – fellowship with the Lord by having a communion meal
Sin Offering – atonement of a committed sin, metaphor of purification 
Guilt Offering – atonement of a committed sin; metaphor of compensation for wrongdoing

Today Moses anointed and consecrated the tabernacle and everything in it. “Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, who were the leaders of the tribes and over those who were numbered, made an offering.” Ok, so we haven’t read this yet but we will on Feb 26. Something to look forward to. 😁 One month after the tabernacle was built, the Lord instructs Moses to take a census from each tribe, except the Levites, “From twenty years old and above – all who are able to go to war in Israel…” (Num 1:3) “But the Levites were not numbered among them by their father’s tribe; for the Lord has spoken to Moses, saying: “Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor take a census of them among the children of Israel; but you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of Testimony, over all it’s furnishing, and over all things that belong to it; they shall carry the tabernacle and all of its furnishings; they shall attend to it and camp around the tabernacle.” (Num 1:47-50) Remember that Moses and his brother Aaron are from the tribe of Levi. So in today’s reading, Moses collects offerings from each tribe except the tribe of Levi. The offerings were given to the Levites so they could use it for the work of the tabernacle. Note also that no carts nor oxen were given to the sons of Kohath, from the tribe of Levi. This was because they have the job of carrying, by hand, the holy things. We will read more about that later. It is definitely a high pressure job! Alright, so all of these names can get real confusing. Let’s break down the 12 tribes of Israel bc if Jacob had 12 sons and the Levites aren’t supposed to be counted among the 12 tribes, how do we still have 12 tribes?! 🧐 Here is a list in the order mentioned in today’s reading:
Levi – Leah’s son (not counted)
1) Judah – Leah’s son
2) Issachar – Leah’s son
3) Zebulun – Leah’s son
4) Reuben – Leah’s son
5) Simeon – Leah’s son
6) Gad – Leah’s servant’s son
7) Ephraim – Joseph’s son, Rachel’s grandson
8) Manasseh – Joseph’s son, Rachel’s grandson
9) Benjamin – Rachel’s son
10) Dan – Rachel’s servant’s son
11) Asher – Leah’s servant’s son
12) Naphtali – Rachel’s servant’s son
On Jan 18th we read that Jacob took Jospeh’s 2 sons to be as if they were his sons. (Gen 48:5) We see that played out here. Keep reading bc tomorrow the children of Israel celebrate their second Passover.

(Numbers 7:1-89)

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“Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished.” “Then Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, just so they had done it. And Moses blessed them.” Doesn’t that remind you of God? How He is always assessing His creation. Remember in the beginning, after God created, He would look at it and say it was good. After He created man; “Then God saw everything that He has made, and indeed it was very good.” (Gen 1:31) But 10 generations later from Adam, the first man, God looked upon His creation again and had a totally different assessment. “So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.” (Gen 6:12) Then the Lord sent a flood to wipe everything out except Noah and his family and anything else with him on the ark. The Lord provided a way to be saved from His wrath, the ark. He let a preacher of righteousness in on His plan. For 120 years Noah warned the people of the judgment to come bc “the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance”. (2 Peter 3:9) Anyone that heeded Noah’s warning could have been saved if they had just gotten on the boat. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) Now the flood wiped out sinners but it didn’t take care of the sin problem. 8 sinners who trusted the Lord stepped off that boat. God still desires to be with His people but bc of His holiness and our sinfulness He has to provide a way for us. At this point in the Story, priests are shedding the blood of innocent animals and His glory fills the portable tabernacle. He guides His people through the rising and lowering of a cloud over the tabernacle. Whenever the cloud was taken up the children of Israel would journey. “Whether it was 2 days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up they would journey.” The Lord is still working the plan to provide the Ultimate Way through Jesus Christ and He will send the Holy Spirit to guide His people. ”But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26) Tomorrow God gives further instructions to the people on how to approach Him. Remember, we have to come to God His way but aren’t you so grateful He provides a Way?! 🙌 Keep reading.

(Exodus 39:32-40:38, Numbers 9:15-23)

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Yesterday we read that Moses specifically called Bezalel and Aholiab to come and do the work of the Lord. How did Moses know to call them? The Lord told Moses! Remember on 2/10 reading “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “See, I have called by name Bezalel…And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship…And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab…and I have put wisdom in the hearts of the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you: the tabernacle of meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furniture of the tabernacle- the table and its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all of its utensils, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base- the garments of ministry, the holy garments for Aaron the priests and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests, and the anointing oil and sweet incense for the holy place. According to all that I have commanded you they shall do.” (Exodus 31:1-11) WOW! 🤯 That is a BIG job! But remember that the Lord gifted them with all they needed to carry out the work of the Lord so they can trust that the Lord will get them through it. Today we see that is exactly what happened. The work of the Lord was completed down to each specific cubit width and height! 👏👏 Tomorrow Moses inspects the work so keep reading!

(Exodus 37:1-39:31)

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Moses tells the people what the Lord has commanded and asks the people who have a willing heart to bring the offering to the Lord. See, God’s desire is always for his people to have a willing heart to be with Him and obey Him. This has been His desire since the beginning in the garden but Adam and Eve chose not to obey His Word which caused all of us to inherit this sin problem. Now the Lord is making a place where a holy God can meet with a bunch of sinful people. The Israelites are instructed to build a temporary tabernacle for Him. God has gifted the people for the completion of building the tabernacle and carrying out all that He has commanded. Moses proves to be an extremely effective leader by listening to the Lord and assigning the people for the task at hand based on their giftedness. When the work of the Lord is handled properly by leaders people joyfully complete the work together. “Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting…” 🎉Did you notice that the Lord also gifts women for the work of the Lord’s tabernacle? So everyone is happily using their gifts and working together as “the church”. Keep reading bc there is more work to be done.

(Exodus 35:1-36:38)

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Moses has been at the top of Mount Sinai 40 days and 40 nights receiving the 10 commandants and other instructions regarding the tabernacle and the priests. Then the Lord tells Moses to go down from the mountain bc the people have corrupted themselves. So Moses comes down with the stone tablets and finds the people in a full blown party worshipping a golden calf. In anger, Moses casts down the stone tablets and breaks them. Then he turns the calf into powder and makes the children of Israel drink it. When Moses questions Aaron, Aaron basically says the people made him do it and he just threw their gold in the fire and out popped this golden calf. 🤨 Sure Aaron. We all know you made that gold calf. Anyway, the Levites team up with Moses and the Lord and they killed 3,000 of the calf idol worshippers. Moses went back to the Lord to intercede for the people. God sends a plague on the people and tells Moses He will send an Angel to go before them into the promise land but God can not be in the presence of these stiff-neck people! Moses refuses to go without the Lord. Smart man! So Moses goes back up Mount Sinai another 40 days and 40 nights with 2 new stone tablets. The Lord says He will go with them but He also says DO NOT make covenants with the people around them or worship their gods! Have the children of Israel learned their lesson with the golden calf incident? Keep reading to find out.

(Exodus 32:1-34-35)

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Today the Lord gives very specific instructions for the consecration of priests. As part of this process the priests were to have the blood of a slaughtered animal placed on the right ear, right thumb and right toe. I read several articles that all said something like this about the blood on the priest: The blood on the ear covers the priest for the hearing of His Word, the blood on the thumb covers the priest for the labor for the Lord, and the blood on the toe covers the priest for walking in His ways. God also gives instructions for building the incense altar where incense will be perpetually burned before the Lord and once a year the high priest will make atonement for the people. This will be called the Day of Atonement and we will read more about it later but basically atoning for the sins of the people is a bloody mess! That is how serious our sin problem is…that all these innocent animals have to be killed. Remember though, the Lord is working His plan to send the final sacrifice but in the meantime, things get bloody. Ok, so after the Lord gives the instructions for building the tabernacle, we read that the Lord has also gifted certain people “with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship…” to complete the job. So the Lord not only gives us instructions but He also gives us all that we need to complete those instructions. Pretty cool. Lastly, He tells the children of Israel to rest on the Sabbath or they will be put to death. You wouldn’t have to ask me twice! 😳 Alrighty, so today’s reading ended with this: “And when He has made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.” I wonder what all the people were doing while Moses was on the mountain? 🤔 We find out tomorrow so keep reading.

(Exodus 29:1-31:18)

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Today the Lord gives instructions for the tabernacle, the portable temple. The tabernacle is broken down into 3 sections: the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place. The outer court is where the sacrifices are offered. The Holy Place has 3 items inside of it: 1) a table for the showbread, 2) a lampstand with seven lamps, and 3) the altar of incense (in tomorrow’s reading). The Most Holy Place contains the ark, which holds the stone tablets where Moses wrote the Lord’s commandments, and the mercy seat. God said about the mercy seat, “there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel”. Next the Lord selects Aaron and his sons to “minister to Me as priest” and He gave specific instructions for their clothing. Part of the instructions included having the names of the 12 tribes of Israel engraved on the ephod, “on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel”, and on the breastplate, “So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy places as memorial before the Lord continually”. See, the Lord is carrying out His redemption plan through the sons of Jacob. One day the people will not have to carry around a portable temple. One day the people will be the temple! “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, whom is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) But for now the Lord has chosen the tabernacle as His meeting place. Keep reading bc the tabernacle will become a temple and then Christ will come and buy His people with His blood making our bodies the temple of the Holy Spirit.

(Exodus 25:1-28:43)

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