Tent, Tablets, and Turmoil

Exodus Chapters 24 - 34

- Reviewing the part where the Seventy Elders shared a covenant meal at the LORD’s table tells us a few things, not everyone that partakes of the LORD’s table even when GOD is present will chose to obey and follow the LORD. We see this with rebel sons of GOD, with the Judas Iscariot, and we also see it with the Israelite’s after Moses has been gone from the camp for a long time. The Apostle John also makes mention of some these in 1 John 2 :19, they went out from us, but they were not of us, these people advocate a counterfeit Jesus and a different gospel than what has been taught. They belong to the Anti-Christ and his follower’s. 

- Meanwhile on the Mountain, GOD is showing Moses the plans for the portable Sanctuary of his presence. This was modeled after what already exists in Heaven. Keep this in mind, from the alter and fixtures to High Priestly wardrobe, to the High Priest himself.

- I think it should beg the question, who was in that position? You know the position Jesus took as the perfect High priest.

- GOD asks the people to freely contribute to the building of the tabernacle, by offering the very things they had received from the Egyptians that GOD gave his people favor in their eyes to give, they were slaves in Egypt they had nothing.

- Everything belongs to the LORD, and when we give back to him out of obedience and love, not that he needs anything from us, we are acknowledging that apart from GOD we have and are nothing.

- Exodus 31 GOD gives gifts to the craftsmen, the abilities to work with metals, gems, and wood carvings. Has GOD gifted you with abilities? We know from their forty-year wanderings they were part of the ones that died in the wilderness because of disobedience. People can have amazing gifts and chose to use or not use them for GOD’s kingdom and his glory. In the end no matter how amazing the gift, if you neglect the giver of all good things, you will be lost in the desert, defined by your own choice to die there. 

-   When the LORD finished speaking with Moses, he gave him the two stone tablets written by GOD’s own finger.

- Notice the last thing GOD mentions yet again, before giving Moses the tablets, a reminder to his people (the Israelites) to remember the Sabbath. Stop working and be refreshed, spend time with family, friends, and GOD. (Hint - GOD should already be part of your family and your friend.)

Exodus 32

- Moses comes down from the mountain, the Israelites are doing exactly what GOD warned them not to do, Moses intercedes for the people and GOD lets Moses deal with them. 

- He smashes the two stone tablets, given by GOD written on both sides by GOD’s finger, at the foot of the mountain. Why? He's mad.

- 3,ooo people died that day, for the very thing that GOD forewarned them not to do.

- Verse 31 Moses intercedes for the remainder of the people asking that his own name be blotted out of the book/scroll for their sins, that would not happen, but this is the type of love and sacrifice that GOD is looking to cultivate in me and you. Do we love his creation enough to make that kind of sacrifice? To do in Eden what Adam did not do for the woman, to take care of his own.

- In Exodus 34 GOD tells Moses he will renew the Covenant with the people. I find this part both ironic and humorous. GOD could just create two new stone tablets like the first ones, but he tells Moses that he has to chisel out the replacement stone tablets just like the first ones he smashed and carry them all the way back up the mountain. This was a lesson for Moses to treat every word of GOD with love and respect. ( it doesn't hurt if we can learn that lesson too, without the stonemasonry course or the long arduous trip up a mountain with heavy weights) 

Next – Exodus conclusion