PPic:
Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006 |
|||||||
|
PGA Chaplain Bible StudiesAn Overview of the bible – Study 5 Exodus Ch 15 to 40.Our last study concluded with the nation of Israel free from Egyptian control and beginning the journey across the desert to the land God promised Abraham and his descendants. This journey will bring many new blessings and problems. The first problem is Israel begins to grumble and murmur against Moses and God because of the shortage of water and food in the desert. (See Ch 15:22-27, Ch 16:1-4, Ch 17:1-7). God provided for them in miraculous ways (Manna and quail in Ch 16 and with water in different ways) and tested their obedience (Ch 16:4-5). Israel’s journey brings them to Mt Sinai where God speaks to Moses. It is significant that Moses is God’s representative and that God did not have the habit of speaking to anyone. (See also Chapter 24:1-2). The first message God gives is worth reading in Chapter 19:3-9. Both God and Israel make certain promises in this reading and a renewed covenant with the nation is made. God is about to speak to the nation through Moses and are were to prepare themselves for this meeting at the foot of the mountain. In Chapter 20: verses1-17 God gives the (unfamiliar 10 commandments?) that will be the basis for their living. It begins with God’s mighty deliverance out of Egypt and describes:
The rest of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy (the books of the law) will provide more detail in how these Laws are to be lived out for the nation in the Land God has promised to give them. More about them later. A - The Passover, The rest of Exodus concerns the building of a Tabernacle and establishing Priests who will serve at the Tabernacle –(See Ch 25 to 31, and Ch 35 to 40). This is the place where God will live among his people and the place for worship and sacrifices to be made that are yet to be explained. In Chapter 31:12-18 we note the importance of the Sabbath(the 4th commandment) and how it is linked to the tabernacle and to the hopes of creation in Genesis Chapter 1 and 2. Moses relationship with God remains unique and he alone was blessed with the immediate presence of God (See Ch 24:12-18). While he is up on the mountain meeting within God (40 days) the patience of the nation grew thin and they desired a new god and leader (a breaking of the 1st and 2nd commandment). This led to the making of the golden calf and excessive drinking and unrestrained play. (See Chapter 32:5-6)). When Moses did return God gave his people a choice as to whose side they wanted to be on, God’s or their golden calf! About 3 thousand Israelites died at the hands of the Levites and this sad mistake demonstrates strongly to the nation that obedience and faithfulness to God is part and parcel of his blessing. (See also the place God’s promises to Abraham as the bases of Moses’ appeal to God to save the nation – Ch 32:11-14, 33:1-2). The difficulties of the desert and of meeting God push the people and God further apart there is a greater reliance on Moses as the mediator between God and his people. (See Ex Ch 20:18-20, 33:3-11 and 34:29-35). In Chapter 39 and 40 there is a phrase that is repeated 17 times - ”Just as the Lord Commanded” . This is very important for the nation of Israel. The last 5 verses of Exodus reach a high point with the building of this Tabernacle; the glory of the Lord filled it and a cloud above settled upon it. When the cloud lifted they moved with the Lord towards their new homeland. This is the place where God is to live among them and to be worshipped. With the completion of the building of the Tabernacle we move in the next book to discover how the Tabernacle is to be used. You may find it helpful thinking about how the Lord’s presence among his people has been developed so far and in the rest of the bible. Summary – With the God’s nation established and free, we have begun to explore the way of life God has for them. Israel in turn is called to trust and obey what God has spoken.
|
Upcoming Events |
||||
Site by Limelight Creative |
|||
