I feel like Jesus calls us to be healers like he was in a way. Like he was constantly healing people, and I think we should do the same thing but with the Gospel, spreading it whenever we can and never growing tired of it.
there were more details in exodus but i do see how some of exodus tied in with matthew with the washing of the hands. i thought that was interesting. i also liked how in matthew how Jesus fed 4,000 and this wasn’t long ago after he just fed the 5,000 but this showed how Jesus loved these people and he cared for these people. he had compassion for these people. love this
It’s so interesting that Jesus fed the 5000 and then the 4000. The disciples were so quick to forget Jesus’ miracles. Let us strive to not forget, and rely on God to help us remember!
I have gained so much insight reading through Bible so far. Some passages are familiar but God is revealing new things to me. And the comments bring a new perspective as well and help me notice things I may have missed. Have a blessed Sunday.
Thank you for this reading today. I was able to see further the building of the temple in the Old Testament to fulfill part of what was to come. Lord, give us the faith of the Canaanite woman and open our eyes so we can see the wonder and miracles being performed today.
Ch 30:17-21 really spoke to me about being clean before God. I’m not a legalistic person (per say) but we need to come to worship giving him our best. Not our rolled out of bed, it’s a thing to check off our list.
What struck me during this reading was the 2 oils and spices that were used to anoint and make holy-the frankincense and myrrh. Both of which were given to Jesus’ mother after His birth. Oils and spices that were considered holy and concreted and it just reminds me God has everything under control.
I’ve always felt guilty saying this, but I sometimes have trouble grasping how the Old Testament and New Testament preach the sane message. I know that the message isn’t exactly the same, because the Old Testament was waiting for Jesus to arrive. However, I see Jesus and God in a very different light sometimes from the scriptures. Anyone else struggle with this?
I was taught/told to think of the Old Testament as the New Testament concealed and that the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. So the themes of the NT are subtly woven throughout the OT (for a clearer example of this, Isaiah is a great place to start in my opinion) and foretells the coming of Christ and the completion and restoration of creation. Likewise, in the NT we get a clearer understanding and an explanation of the picture the Lord was painting in the OT (Hebrews I find particularly helpful for this). Hope that helps some! I agree that it can be really confusing sometimes. Angie Smith has a great study that helps connect the Bible into one cohesive story. I can’t remember what it’s called right now, but I highly recommend it if the weaving of the OT and NT is something you want to dive deeper into!
There’s a book I just heard about — Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament. Jean E. Jones is one of the authors, but on Amazon, someone by the name of Pam is the author listed. It’s a book/journal that goes through the OT and shows references to Jesus and the prophecies he fulfilled. Also, look up Alisa Childer’s podcast. She has an episode on this very question — why does God seem different in the OT and NT?
I’m thankful that because of Jesus it’s so much more simpler to be saved! We don’t need to do all those sacrifices anymore! All we need to do is come to God with an honest heart and faith to be saved. Thank you Jesus!
Matthew 15:11 “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” Really stood out to me today, it was pretty much a reality check for me.
28Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
remember to always have faith -ellie
Jesus is the only provider of real healing. Do I go to him first? I love his example of giving thanks before distributing the bread. Gratefulness precedes provision.
Mathew 15:6 stood out to me “and so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition.” Are there any areas of our lives that we have done this and need to repent?
I love Jesus’ affirmation of the Canaanite woman’s faith—“great is your faith!” Only two people received this praise from Jesus—the Canaanite woman and the centurion, both Gentiles and one a woman. Love that Jesus shows here how much he values every single person, regardless of our social status, ethnicity, or gender.
The commentary I was reading pointed out no other works of Jesus are recorded during this trip to Tyre and Sidon—it seems the most important part of his trip here was his interaction with this Canaanite woman because that’s the only piece that’s recorded. Again, I just love that what seems to be a cold or confusing interaction at first turns into Jesus honoring her with the greatest compliment because of her faith and persistence, honoring her request, and now her story lives on in the gospel as an example we can follow.
At first read I was really bothered by Jesus’ seeming insensitivity to the Canaanite woman’s needs. It seems so inconsistent with his character so I know there must be something I’m missing. I did some additional research and really learned a lot that helped. This in particular is super helpful in breaking it down: http://www.christianthinktank.com/qcrude.html (no idea why the link is called that but the info there is good!)
As I was reading this passage from Exodus, I was struck by the offerings requested by God: an altar overlaid with gold, on which lambs were to be sacrificed; and perfumes and oils containing frankincense and myrrh. Truly, everything points to Jesus – the Old Testament is not arbitrary, nor is it a mistake.
These last few chapters in Exodus have been exceptionally difficult for me and my impatient mind. Honestly, I found them boring. But when I asked myself “why did/does God want us, want me, to read and know all this? Since Jesus came to renew us of all these rules, why should I have to learn about them?” God gave me these answers: First, the amount of detail that God went into with Moses reminds me that He cares so greatly for His creation and what they do, and that He never misses anything. If God was so concerned and particular about how these sacrifices and offerings were made, how much MORE particular and concerned is He about us! My future, my plans, my wants and needs. He doesn’t sit back and wish me good luck. He has a very specific set of plans for my life, for al of our lives. Plans to give hope and a future.
Second, I was reminded that I am not God.
I am not going to understand everything.
Sometimes, it’s JUST about living in obedience to God, and not me getting something out of it. Sometimes we aren’t meant to understand everything, we’re just asked to do it.
Yes I’ve heard messages that are similar regarding the details in Noah’s ark. The exact measurements and what was needed to make it. It goes back to the details. It goes with the saying those who put everything in God’s hands will eventually see God’s hand in everything. He is in the details we need only seek him first.
When God gave Moses this enormous set of rules, how could expect anything but the future generations turning to legalism? It’s an exhausting tradition and set of rules He laid out in Exodus. I think I would become obsessive about it, too.
God gave Israel the law because He could not yet be with them personally, through the Holy Spirit. Nor could He atone their sins without their constant sacrifice, since Jesus had not yet come. But His plan was always to abolish the law when Jesus entered the picture, so that we no longer find our righteousness through such legalism, but through God.
As Cari said, the whole point of the law was so that they understood they couldn’t keep the law. To show them that they needed a Saviour. These sacrifices did the same thing. They had to sacrifice animals frequently because only a perfect person, Jesus, could take the sins of the whole world forever.
Also, the traditions the Pharisees were keeping were man-made and had nothing to do with God’s law. That is why Jesus had such harsh words with the spiritual leaders. Instead of the Pharisees and spiritual leaders realizing that their hearts were desperately wicked and they were in need of the Savior, Jesus Christ, they concocted more arbitrary man-made laws and rules that they couldn’t even keep. The question becomes whether there are man made traditions that we keep which are contrary what God has done for us and His word calls us to do? “…so for the sake of your tradition you have made void the Word of God.” Matthew 15:6b
while reading about how Jesus feeds a crowd AGAIN out of essentially nothing, I can’t help but notice that AGAIN the disciples are doubtful of his abilities. This is much like us – they’ve so quickly forgotten His last miracle & they simply move onto what they need next & focus again on what they don’t have. We are so quick to forget what He’s done for us & merely wonder what he will give us next!
The anxiety I have been feeling this morning just subsided – to remember how He has been there for us in the past and been so faithful helps to face today and the future.
All of Jesus’s answers are filtered through The Father, and it’s so encouraging to me. He didn’t care WHOSE feathers he ruffled in speaking the truth. In a world where many of my friends & peers seek to be more like Kanye West, who is “brazen & unfiltered”, I can still aspire to BMLJC – Be More Like Jesus Christ, the ultimate bad boy who said and did the unexpected in order that many would follow him & find salvation. What a surprising & inspiring savior!!!!
Yup! And crazy how the disciples were still wondering how they were supposed to feed all these people. They so quickly forgot all the miracles Jesus had done already!
I love that this happened. Jesus is so patient with his disciples- instead of saying ‘seriously? I literally just did this the other day’ he just asks them the same question again. This really reminds me that our patient God will take us through the same lesson over and over again until we get it!!
Matt 15:8. It’s a verse that first brought me to believe in Christ even though my world was falling apart. This life is all about honoring Him from our hearts not just lip service.
I’m seeing this part of Exodus differently this time around too. It helps me to picture what it might have been like and how much work was involved. It easy to skim over and think ok, they had to follow these steps- it’s different to really think of all of the blood and mess, being careful to keep certain parts of different animals separate for different purposes. Even the burnt offerings… they didn’t have a lighter to set the animal on fire, they didn’t have so many of the luxuries we take for granted and had so many rules to follow, while wearing ornate clothes they were to pass on for generations! Even picturing them eating their portion outside of the tent- did they just sit on the ground or did they have a place to sit? Were they exhausted from sacrificing animals all day and just wanted to be done with it all? Sometimes it’s easier for me to focus when I think of what isn’t written.
The herbs and oils used also stood out to me, as I’m an essential oil lover. The oils used in the anointing oil blend have antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, anti-infectious, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties! The incense oils increase spiritual awareness and are uplifting. God really does care about every little detail, even the ones that we so easily overlook, even in our own lives!
29:46 “They shall know that I am the Lord their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them; I am the Lord their God”. He wanted them to know who He was. What He had done. His deliverance. He wanted them to know Him.
It is because the Israelites were God’s chosen people and Jesus was not yet given the Authorization from God to serve gentiles that which was meant for the Israelites… Yet that is.
Hi Savanna, it’s because Jesus’ first coming was for the Jews. Jews back then referred to Gentiles as ‘dogs’ as they did not practise the laws Jew did and were considered unclean. But in the Greek, Jesus used the diminutive form of the term “dogs” (i.e., the little dogs). Jesus softened the force of the expression with His use of the diminutive, ‘little dogs’. His reference is to the little household pets, which while they are not children in the house, they have a place in the household. :)
I’m struggling with this part of exodus as well. The beginning with the stories of Egypt and the plagues… we’re all very interesting, but the tedious nature of the tabernacle is harder. However, as someone said a few days back when the tabernacle stuff started, it shows how interested God is in details and that means he must be as much or more interested in our details! We are his Holy temples now and he cares for us with the same detail! I try to focus on that when I get lost in the cubits and such.
I am so proud of myself for keeping up with reading the Bible through this year! I made it farther than I thought I would. I really enjoy the book of Matthew but I’m dragging myself through exodus. I feel guilty for finding it so incredibly boring. I feel like I should enjoy it more and I don’t know why I don’t.
Don’t feel bad! It’s tough to get through. But I can tell you after reading it a few times, I am seeing it differently this go around. I’m actually enjoying more of it than usual. But it’s still tedious.
The work involved in all these sacrifices! Oh, I can’t imagine! I fully understand them as leading to our one final sacrifice with Jesus’ blood, but I also can not stop thinking of daily blood and oil sprinkled everywhere! The smell, the flies, the filth. Even on the ornate robes! We can hardly get these stains out with all our fancy chemicals. How could they stand it?! I doubt they were allowed to clean the altars? And the blood poured into the ground? And what good was money anymore wondering in the desert?! You would have thought it all melted to make the ornate items of the tabernacle. Ok, enough of my silly questions! Talk about distracted readings! (Giggling here this morning!)
“Then I will dwell among the Israelites and I will be their God.” 29:45
Again, God states what his original intent with man was when he created man. Fellowship. He is a God who values and delights in relationship. He didn’t want to be a god who stood far off, receiving sacrifices and not knowing the people who were offering. He wanted closeness. But that right relationship with him was destroyed by the fall and sin created an eternal tavern to which only Jesus could bridge. He wants to be so near that he gave his children the intimate gift of the personal indwelling of His Holy Spirit. How awesome is that!?
I love how in the New Testament reading that the disciples didn’t know how they were going to feed the 4 thousand that were following them with only 7 loaves of bread and a few fish…hello!? Did he not JUST feed more than that with even less?? How quickly we forget our God provides. He is all powerful. Lord, help me to see the ways that you have ALREADY provided for me and help me to remember that when I worry for my future. Trust and obey!
what jumped out for me today? It was the annointing of Aaron and his sons with blood – on the right ear, the right thumb, and the right big toe. I remember reading this years ago; we must have been doing a study on it. But these parts of the body were symbolic.
I hit post by accident before I was finished! The blood on the ear to protect the mind, on the thumb to protect our works, and the toe to protect our walk.
I really loved how the OT and the NT passages contrasted today. In the OT I am reminded how God teaches his people to wash themselves to be clean before the Lord. This analogy can be used for sin in our life. Back then they had no idea of bacteria and virus’ and that reminds me often we don’t see the sin in our life. But we need to keep ourselves clean and come before the Lord and repent because he is the most Holy God
that’s such a good observation, I hadn’t noticed the contrast! in the OT only priests were to come before the Lord, whereas in the NT Jesus called fishers & tax collectors and ate in the company of prostitutes! Because of Jesus’ blood we no longer need bulls or goats to be seen as holy by the Lord. we have been covered once and for all by Jesus!
The fact that God is holy is what stood out to me today. I kept reading, “and it shall be holy to the Lord.” Does anybody know the song by Andrew Peterson “holy is the Lord, and the Lord I will obey “? I don’t know the name of it. It’s about Abraham and Isaac. Such a response from someone who knew how holy the Lord is! Whether we want to believe it and act like it or not, our God is holy. He must be obeyed. But how precious to think too of his mercy that he rains down on my every day even when I choose my own way.
All the pedantic procedures and frugal details in the OT are just a reflection of God’s majesty and complexity. It is also a picture of God’s great love for us! In those days we had to go through all these laborious methods to try and get close to God and rightly so because he is the most high on the throne, not the other way around. Our awesome, oh so powerful GOD humbled him by sending his only son (also himself) so that we might seek relationship. Thank you God that it is so easy to have a chat and that I don’t have to carve up a bull to do that. We should not feel condemned by our sinful hearts but rejoice in the power of Jesus’ precious blood that cleanses us in the presents of the lord!
I feel like Jesus calls us to be healers like he was in a way. Like he was constantly healing people, and I think we should do the same thing but with the Gospel, spreading it whenever we can and never growing tired of it.
there were more details in exodus but i do see how some of exodus tied in with matthew with the washing of the hands. i thought that was interesting. i also liked how in matthew how Jesus fed 4,000 and this wasn’t long ago after he just fed the 5,000 but this showed how Jesus loved these people and he cared for these people. he had compassion for these people. love this
It’s so interesting that Jesus fed the 5000 and then the 4000. The disciples were so quick to forget Jesus’ miracles. Let us strive to not forget, and rely on God to help us remember!
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Jesus had compassion on them
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I was again intrigued by the detail in regard to the consecration of Aaron and his sons in today’s reading and found this blog especially insightful in regard to the drop of blood that was applied on the right ear, thumb and toe – we are all called to to serve as priests to God. https://members.cogwa.org/living-christianity-blog/what-can-we-learn-from-the-consecration-of-the-priests/
I have gained so much insight reading through Bible so far. Some passages are familiar but God is revealing new things to me. And the comments bring a new perspective as well and help me notice things I may have missed. Have a blessed Sunday.
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Love how Ex 30:17-21 ties together with Matt 15:1-11 regarding the washing of hands.
Aaron’s garments remind me of the armor of God.
Thank you for this reading today. I was able to see further the building of the temple in the Old Testament to fulfill part of what was to come. Lord, give us the faith of the Canaanite woman and open our eyes so we can see the wonder and miracles being performed today.
Ch 30:17-21 really spoke to me about being clean before God. I’m not a legalistic person (per say) but we need to come to worship giving him our best. Not our rolled out of bed, it’s a thing to check off our list.
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What struck me during this reading was the 2 oils and spices that were used to anoint and make holy-the frankincense and myrrh. Both of which were given to Jesus’ mother after His birth. Oils and spices that were considered holy and concreted and it just reminds me God has everything under control.
I’ve always felt guilty saying this, but I sometimes have trouble grasping how the Old Testament and New Testament preach the sane message. I know that the message isn’t exactly the same, because the Old Testament was waiting for Jesus to arrive. However, I see Jesus and God in a very different light sometimes from the scriptures. Anyone else struggle with this?
I completely understand what you mean! I get confused too and don’t understand how they can be so different!
I was taught/told to think of the Old Testament as the New Testament concealed and that the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. So the themes of the NT are subtly woven throughout the OT (for a clearer example of this, Isaiah is a great place to start in my opinion) and foretells the coming of Christ and the completion and restoration of creation. Likewise, in the NT we get a clearer understanding and an explanation of the picture the Lord was painting in the OT (Hebrews I find particularly helpful for this). Hope that helps some! I agree that it can be really confusing sometimes. Angie Smith has a great study that helps connect the Bible into one cohesive story. I can’t remember what it’s called right now, but I highly recommend it if the weaving of the OT and NT is something you want to dive deeper into!
There’s a book I just heard about — Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament. Jean E. Jones is one of the authors, but on Amazon, someone by the name of Pam is the author listed. It’s a book/journal that goes through the OT and shows references to Jesus and the prophecies he fulfilled. Also, look up Alisa Childer’s podcast. She has an episode on this very question — why does God seem different in the OT and NT?
Here’s a helpful commentary on Exodus 29 if anyone is wanting explanations of the sacrifices and consecration of the priests: https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Exd/Exd-29.cfm
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I’m thankful that because of Jesus it’s so much more simpler to be saved! We don’t need to do all those sacrifices anymore! All we need to do is come to God with an honest heart and faith to be saved. Thank you Jesus!
15:11! How are we speaking God’s truth and loving others through what comes out of us today?
Great insight
Matthew 15:11 “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” Really stood out to me today, it was pretty much a reality check for me.
Matthew 15:11 really stood out to me today
God always rewards those who serve him dutifully with great faith. He never lets man go with out, he provides for every need and heals those in need.
28Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
remember to always have faith -ellie
May we also cry out in such a humble posture to our only hope, “Son of David have mercy on me!”
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Jesus is the only provider of real healing. Do I go to him first? I love his example of giving thanks before distributing the bread. Gratefulness precedes provision.
Mathew 15:6 stood out to me “and so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition.” Are there any areas of our lives that we have done this and need to repent?
Love this insight ❤️
Done❤️
I love Jesus’ affirmation of the Canaanite woman’s faith—“great is your faith!” Only two people received this praise from Jesus—the Canaanite woman and the centurion, both Gentiles and one a woman. Love that Jesus shows here how much he values every single person, regardless of our social status, ethnicity, or gender.
The commentary I was reading pointed out no other works of Jesus are recorded during this trip to Tyre and Sidon—it seems the most important part of his trip here was his interaction with this Canaanite woman because that’s the only piece that’s recorded. Again, I just love that what seems to be a cold or confusing interaction at first turns into Jesus honoring her with the greatest compliment because of her faith and persistence, honoring her request, and now her story lives on in the gospel as an example we can follow.
Agreed! Thanks for sharing ❤️
Yes!
At first read I was really bothered by Jesus’ seeming insensitivity to the Canaanite woman’s needs. It seems so inconsistent with his character so I know there must be something I’m missing. I did some additional research and really learned a lot that helped. This in particular is super helpful in breaking it down: http://www.christianthinktank.com/qcrude.html (no idea why the link is called that but the info there is good!)
As I was reading this passage from Exodus, I was struck by the offerings requested by God: an altar overlaid with gold, on which lambs were to be sacrificed; and perfumes and oils containing frankincense and myrrh. Truly, everything points to Jesus – the Old Testament is not arbitrary, nor is it a mistake.
These last few chapters in Exodus have been exceptionally difficult for me and my impatient mind. Honestly, I found them boring. But when I asked myself “why did/does God want us, want me, to read and know all this? Since Jesus came to renew us of all these rules, why should I have to learn about them?” God gave me these answers: First, the amount of detail that God went into with Moses reminds me that He cares so greatly for His creation and what they do, and that He never misses anything. If God was so concerned and particular about how these sacrifices and offerings were made, how much MORE particular and concerned is He about us! My future, my plans, my wants and needs. He doesn’t sit back and wish me good luck. He has a very specific set of plans for my life, for al of our lives. Plans to give hope and a future.
Second, I was reminded that I am not God.
I am not going to understand everything.
Sometimes, it’s JUST about living in obedience to God, and not me getting something out of it. Sometimes we aren’t meant to understand everything, we’re just asked to do it.
This comment was very helpful!
Beautifully put! I had some mixed feelings as well, but after reading your take on it, I understand
Yes I’ve heard messages that are similar regarding the details in Noah’s ark. The exact measurements and what was needed to make it. It goes back to the details. It goes with the saying those who put everything in God’s hands will eventually see God’s hand in everything. He is in the details we need only seek him first.
When God gave Moses this enormous set of rules, how could expect anything but the future generations turning to legalism? It’s an exhausting tradition and set of rules He laid out in Exodus. I think I would become obsessive about it, too.
God gave Israel the law because He could not yet be with them personally, through the Holy Spirit. Nor could He atone their sins without their constant sacrifice, since Jesus had not yet come. But His plan was always to abolish the law when Jesus entered the picture, so that we no longer find our righteousness through such legalism, but through God.
As Cari said, the whole point of the law was so that they understood they couldn’t keep the law. To show them that they needed a Saviour. These sacrifices did the same thing. They had to sacrifice animals frequently because only a perfect person, Jesus, could take the sins of the whole world forever.
Also, the traditions the Pharisees were keeping were man-made and had nothing to do with God’s law. That is why Jesus had such harsh words with the spiritual leaders. Instead of the Pharisees and spiritual leaders realizing that their hearts were desperately wicked and they were in need of the Savior, Jesus Christ, they concocted more arbitrary man-made laws and rules that they couldn’t even keep. The question becomes whether there are man made traditions that we keep which are contrary what God has done for us and His word calls us to do? “…so for the sake of your tradition you have made void the Word of God.” Matthew 15:6b
while reading about how Jesus feeds a crowd AGAIN out of essentially nothing, I can’t help but notice that AGAIN the disciples are doubtful of his abilities. This is much like us – they’ve so quickly forgotten His last miracle & they simply move onto what they need next & focus again on what they don’t have. We are so quick to forget what He’s done for us & merely wonder what he will give us next!
So true ….
The anxiety I have been feeling this morning just subsided – to remember how He has been there for us in the past and been so faithful helps to face today and the future.
All of Jesus’s answers are filtered through The Father, and it’s so encouraging to me. He didn’t care WHOSE feathers he ruffled in speaking the truth. In a world where many of my friends & peers seek to be more like Kanye West, who is “brazen & unfiltered”, I can still aspire to BMLJC – Be More Like Jesus Christ, the ultimate bad boy who said and did the unexpected in order that many would follow him & find salvation. What a surprising & inspiring savior!!!!
Amen! Kanye west and Donald trump alike.
I was wondering why Jesus has to break the bread before it was shared out, any thought??
Twice he fed crowds! Amazing. Also, God is a perfect interior designer.
I didn’t realize that Jesus fed thousands twice.
Yup! And crazy how the disciples were still wondering how they were supposed to feed all these people. They so quickly forgot all the miracles Jesus had done already!
I love that this happened. Jesus is so patient with his disciples- instead of saying ‘seriously? I literally just did this the other day’ he just asks them the same question again. This really reminds me that our patient God will take us through the same lesson over and over again until we get it!!
Whoops that was in the other one a couple days ago. I’m just using today to catch up on some days. ;)
I never realized up until now that they actually killed John. That just seemed a little unsettling.
11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
I’m so guilty of my tongue being my downfall. This is a great reminder of the power we have when we open our mouth.
Me too, Cecylia!
Matt 15:8. It’s a verse that first brought me to believe in Christ even though my world was falling apart. This life is all about honoring Him from our hearts not just lip service.
I’m seeing this part of Exodus differently this time around too. It helps me to picture what it might have been like and how much work was involved. It easy to skim over and think ok, they had to follow these steps- it’s different to really think of all of the blood and mess, being careful to keep certain parts of different animals separate for different purposes. Even the burnt offerings… they didn’t have a lighter to set the animal on fire, they didn’t have so many of the luxuries we take for granted and had so many rules to follow, while wearing ornate clothes they were to pass on for generations! Even picturing them eating their portion outside of the tent- did they just sit on the ground or did they have a place to sit? Were they exhausted from sacrificing animals all day and just wanted to be done with it all? Sometimes it’s easier for me to focus when I think of what isn’t written.
The herbs and oils used also stood out to me, as I’m an essential oil lover. The oils used in the anointing oil blend have antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, anti-infectious, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties! The incense oils increase spiritual awareness and are uplifting. God really does care about every little detail, even the ones that we so easily overlook, even in our own lives!
29:46 “They shall know that I am the Lord their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them; I am the Lord their God”. He wanted them to know who He was. What He had done. His deliverance. He wanted them to know Him.
Verses 21-28 are interesting… any insight on why Jesus responded to the Canaanite woman in the manner that he did?
im wondering the same thing. im sitting here reading it over and over and i just cant seem to understand it.
It is because the Israelites were God’s chosen people and Jesus was not yet given the Authorization from God to serve gentiles that which was meant for the Israelites… Yet that is.
Hi Savanna, it’s because Jesus’ first coming was for the Jews. Jews back then referred to Gentiles as ‘dogs’ as they did not practise the laws Jew did and were considered unclean. But in the Greek, Jesus used the diminutive form of the term “dogs” (i.e., the little dogs). Jesus softened the force of the expression with His use of the diminutive, ‘little dogs’. His reference is to the little household pets, which while they are not children in the house, they have a place in the household. :)
I’m struggling with this part of exodus as well. The beginning with the stories of Egypt and the plagues… we’re all very interesting, but the tedious nature of the tabernacle is harder. However, as someone said a few days back when the tabernacle stuff started, it shows how interested God is in details and that means he must be as much or more interested in our details! We are his Holy temples now and he cares for us with the same detail! I try to focus on that when I get lost in the cubits and such.
What a wonderful insight!
After reading the Bible all these years, I never knew that TWICE Jesus fed the crowd with a few fish and loaves…at least in Matthew this is stated.
I didn’t either.
I am so proud of myself for keeping up with reading the Bible through this year! I made it farther than I thought I would. I really enjoy the book of Matthew but I’m dragging myself through exodus. I feel guilty for finding it so incredibly boring. I feel like I should enjoy it more and I don’t know why I don’t.
Don’t feel bad! It’s tough to get through. But I can tell you after reading it a few times, I am seeing it differently this go around. I’m actually enjoying more of it than usual. But it’s still tedious.
The work involved in all these sacrifices! Oh, I can’t imagine! I fully understand them as leading to our one final sacrifice with Jesus’ blood, but I also can not stop thinking of daily blood and oil sprinkled everywhere! The smell, the flies, the filth. Even on the ornate robes! We can hardly get these stains out with all our fancy chemicals. How could they stand it?! I doubt they were allowed to clean the altars? And the blood poured into the ground? And what good was money anymore wondering in the desert?! You would have thought it all melted to make the ornate items of the tabernacle. Ok, enough of my silly questions! Talk about distracted readings! (Giggling here this morning!)
So thankful for the Ultimate Sacrifice today after reading about all the animal sacrifices!
Amen!!
Me too! Praise God!
“Then I will dwell among the Israelites and I will be their God.” 29:45
Again, God states what his original intent with man was when he created man. Fellowship. He is a God who values and delights in relationship. He didn’t want to be a god who stood far off, receiving sacrifices and not knowing the people who were offering. He wanted closeness. But that right relationship with him was destroyed by the fall and sin created an eternal tavern to which only Jesus could bridge. He wants to be so near that he gave his children the intimate gift of the personal indwelling of His Holy Spirit. How awesome is that!?
Love your thoughts Amber! Such a great reminder of how our God seeks intimacy with us!
I love how in the New Testament reading that the disciples didn’t know how they were going to feed the 4 thousand that were following them with only 7 loaves of bread and a few fish…hello!? Did he not JUST feed more than that with even less?? How quickly we forget our God provides. He is all powerful. Lord, help me to see the ways that you have ALREADY provided for me and help me to remember that when I worry for my future. Trust and obey!
I thought the same thing! Did they forget so quickly??
what jumped out for me today? It was the annointing of Aaron and his sons with blood – on the right ear, the right thumb, and the right big toe. I remember reading this years ago; we must have been doing a study on it. But these parts of the body were symbolic.
I hit post by accident before I was finished! The blood on the ear to protect the mind, on the thumb to protect our works, and the toe to protect our walk.
Oh that makes sense! I love that!
This helped me a lot! I was just about to post a question regarding the specific instructions !!
Neat!
Thanks I didn’t know that
I really loved how the OT and the NT passages contrasted today. In the OT I am reminded how God teaches his people to wash themselves to be clean before the Lord. This analogy can be used for sin in our life. Back then they had no idea of bacteria and virus’ and that reminds me often we don’t see the sin in our life. But we need to keep ourselves clean and come before the Lord and repent because he is the most Holy God
that’s such a good observation, I hadn’t noticed the contrast! in the OT only priests were to come before the Lord, whereas in the NT Jesus called fishers & tax collectors and ate in the company of prostitutes! Because of Jesus’ blood we no longer need bulls or goats to be seen as holy by the Lord. we have been covered once and for all by Jesus!
It’s very hard for me to concentrate on the rituals. I need motivation!
I know, same here! Keep reading through! Don’t give up
Same for me!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wJKeQyEz7Hk. Here it is.
The fact that God is holy is what stood out to me today. I kept reading, “and it shall be holy to the Lord.” Does anybody know the song by Andrew Peterson “holy is the Lord, and the Lord I will obey “? I don’t know the name of it. It’s about Abraham and Isaac. Such a response from someone who knew how holy the Lord is! Whether we want to believe it and act like it or not, our God is holy. He must be obeyed. But how precious to think too of his mercy that he rains down on my every day even when I choose my own way.
All the pedantic procedures and frugal details in the OT are just a reflection of God’s majesty and complexity. It is also a picture of God’s great love for us! In those days we had to go through all these laborious methods to try and get close to God and rightly so because he is the most high on the throne, not the other way around. Our awesome, oh so powerful GOD humbled him by sending his only son (also himself) so that we might seek relationship. Thank you God that it is so easy to have a chat and that I don’t have to carve up a bull to do that. We should not feel condemned by our sinful hearts but rejoice in the power of Jesus’ precious blood that cleanses us in the presents of the lord!
Amen!
I like this. Thank you for sharing!
Wow… Well said!!