July 7 – Leviticus 10-12

Focus before you read…

At Mt. Sinai God had emphasized to the people of Israel that they were to be a holy nation set

apart for Him.  This special relationship with God could only be maintained if 1) there was

togetherness, continued fellowship with Him on a regular basis; and 2) constant maintenance of

that relationship through obedience.  This is the purpose of Leviticus; it is the believers’ manual

for living as God’s holy people.  As we read through Leviticus, we need to look at each passage

in three ways: 1) What did it mean for Israel at that time? 2) What does it show us about God the

Father or the Lord Jesus Christ?: and 3) How can it apply to us today?

Questions to ask as you read…

1. How were Nadab and Abihu acting in disobedience to God’s commands?  Why was their

punishment so severe?  How did Aaron show his reverence for and obedience to God?

1. What do you think was the reason for these dietary prohibitions in chapter 11 and the ones regarding childbirth in chapter 12?  What does it show us about God?

Applications to make after you read…

Have you ever had a day that promised to be glorious and turned out to be a disaster?  That’s

what chapter 10 must have been for Aaron.  Everything about what his sons did was wrong and presumptuous!  But why was God’s discipline so harsh?  Serving God is both a great privilege

and an awesome responsibility. It is not to be taken lightly.  Chapters 11 and 12 are a picture of

God’s graciousness and protectiveness toward His people.  Whether in the protection from dangerous food or the protection of a mother and her child from undue responsibilities and

contacts, God was showing that He cared about every aspect of His people’s lives.

Prayer…

Lord, help us realize what it means to be set apart as your children.  Give us the desire to lead

that set-apart life.  Thank you for your gracious care of us in every aspect of our lives

June 30 – Leviticus 7-9

Focus before you read. . .

The book of Leviticus presents a challenge to the modern reader.  With all of its guidelines for sacrifices and offerings, this third book of the law may seem like a dry book of rules and regulations for a culture wholly different from our own.  Why study such a book if Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb, has already paid the price for our sins?  What can we learn from the book—beyond an analysis of ancient Hebrew culture?  Today’s reading provides us with an opportunity to provide some answers to these questions.  Chapter 7 continues with instructions for types of offerings.  What do these offerings reveal about the heart of God?  The rest of the reading focuses on the role priests are to play.  Again, what aspect of God’s character do these instructions emphasize?

Questions to ask as you read. . .

1. Read the regulations for the fellowship offering carefully.  What are the different purposes of fellowship offerings?  How do you fulfill these same purposes in your relationship with God?
2. Why does God forbid the eating of fat and blood?
3. What roles did the priests serve?  How are these roles fulfilled today?

Application to make after you read. . .

The word holiness is used over 150 times in the book of Leviticus, more than in any other book of the Bible.  This concept of holiness means “separated” or “worthy of worship.”  How seriously do we take this aspect of God’s character?  Is God’s holiness less important in the New Testament?  How often do we minimize God or try to confine Him to our own image as we try to understand Him better?  How often do we sing of God’s holiness without truly understanding what this means?

Prayer

Lord, help us to grasp your holiness more clearly so that we can give You the adoration You deserve.  Forgive us for our attempts to confine You to our own image.  May our bodies be “living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to You.”

May 26 – Exodus 29-32

Before you read:

Through the rest of Exodus we will find a strong element of holiness (and 152 times in Leviticus).  We hear that word, but may not understand the ramifications of it.  Exodus never explains it, but gives many examples.  The dictionary defines holy as “belonging to or devoted to God; morally and spiritually excellent or perfect; consecrated, sacred.”  That seems like a high order to live up to, but look at the principles of holy living, and you will notice that in both the Old and New Testaments we are all called to be holy.  You may not feel perfect or sacred, but you can give God your very best.  You can keep certain things and times just for Him.  We must approach God with no pretense and with a determination for complete obedience.  

 

As you read:

Chapter 29: Note at the end of this chapter, the promise of God if they will take these instructions and their devotion to God seriously.

C. 30: God continues his instructions and gives two recipes.  These are to be used only in the temple and never for personal use, noting that these are sacred.

C. 31: Bezalel may have been the grandson of Hur that with Aaron held up Moses’ hands during the battle in c. 17, or possibility a different Hur.  God gave all the craftsmen unusual abilities, but God gave Bezalel unusual abilities.  This affirms the saying, “God doesn’t always call the gifted, but He always gifts the called.”  In v. 12-17 we find a list for keeping the Sabbath (Sunday for us) holy, set apart for God.  God doesn’t get joy out of making up a bunch of rules, v. 13 tells us why.  In the last verse of this chapter God presents Moses with the tablets listing the Ten Commandments.

C. 32: The people gave Aaron the initial idea of making an idol, but he didn’t have to run with it. He had been left in charge and used his power to win the affections of the people.  Instead the people got out of control.  What did Moses say to seek God’s favor? 

 

Application:

What in my life is sacred enough for only God’s use?  Do I take the things of God and use them indiscreetly?  How am I using my time, money, personal belongings, and God-given gifts?  Our jobs, our family time, and even mundane chores can be devoted to Him.  How does God want you and your family to observe the Sabbath?  As we look at c. 32 we realize that righteous anger is productive.  It finally made the people realize that unlike the idols, God cannot be manipulated. 

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I fall so far short of holiness, yet Your Word tells me to be holy.  I desire more than anything to draw closer to you and let Your Word and Your presence flow through me, yet the world and its’ cares seem to demand too much of my attention.  Help me to keep You and Your priorities at the center of my time and focus.

May 19 – Exodus 25-28

Before you read:

Remember all the silver, gold, gems, beautiful clothing and other expensive items God instructed them to take from the Egyptians?  (Note in Ex. 11:3 that the Egyptians willingly gave the Israelites anything they wanted to take.)  He had a plan and now we will see that the purpose wasn’t to plunder the Egyptians, but to bring glory to God.  The next eight chapters are amazing.  God shows Moses a tabernacle in heaven (Heb. 8:5) and tells Moses that the people are to make one exactly the same for their worship.  Every item, every substance and color used has divine significance as each points directly to Jesus Christ.  Gold represents God’s deity, rarity and purity; silver holds the concept of redemption; bronze-strength and judgment; precious stones-represent God’s children and are the foundation of heaven; blue is of heavenly origin, purple stands for royalty and kingship, scarlet for blood shed, pain and sacrifice. And for fine linen, see Rev. 19:14; it represents the righteous acts of the saints. Acacia wood is a hardwood tree, about 20 feet high, with a brownish-orange wood that is excellent for furniture making.  It grows easily in barren regions, so evidently it was quite plentiful where they were camping.  It is still found in Israel today.  

 

As you read:

Note in the first paragraph that God only wants cheerful givers.  The next section is a pattern for the ark of the covenant, which is the reason for the whole tabernacle.  The ark is where the presence of God will dwell, where the priest will commune with God.  It wasn’t very big, 45”x27”x27”, but would be the only thing in a room 15’x15’x15’.  The mercy seat is a definite picture of Christ’s death and resurrection, from the blood to the angels and their positions.  The atonement cover or mercy seat is where we all must come for forgiveness and redemption.  Though the ark was gold plated wood, the mercy seat and angels were all of solid gold.  Make a list of all the things they were to make and note how that article, or what was placed on it, reminds you of Christ.  

 

Application:

Exodus 25:1-9 gives one lots of food for thought.  If I had been a Hebrew slave and my boss had given me all these beautiful expensive going away presents, would I have interpreted God’s instructions to mean that I deserved all these fine things as payment for all my years of slave labor?  Would I have had a willing heart to give it all to God?  Would I have given the best or only what I really didn’t care about anyway?  Where are my priorities?

 

We live with more wealth and “things” than any other time in the history of mankind and certainly more than 99% of the rest of the world.  The media continually encourages more spending, even perpetuating the idea that we “deserve” more and more.  The only attitude that will free us of the bondage to materialism is the concept that everything I own belongs to God and is His to use anyway He wants.  

 

Prayer:  God, everything I am and have is Yours.  Use me and all I have to Your glory.

May 12 – Exodus 21-24

Before you read:

These are the last instructions God gives on Moses’ second trip on the mountain.  We have to remember that these people have been under Egyptian law for 430 years.  They had to obey every whim of their slave masters, and any decisions they made were often compulsive ones.  God is trying to work the slave mentality out of their hearts and bring them to the point of putting God and His will first and loving their fellow man.  He has many more laws to give them, but rather than overwhelm them, these four chapters are to give them laws they need right now to keep a stable, peaceful camp.  This camp probably was about 12 square miles with over 2,000,000 people.  Living that close in trying circumstances was a recipe for disaster if they didn’t have laws to regulate their conduct.  

 

As you read:

God is a God of promises and He keeps all of them.  He asks so little of us in return.  Note how many of the laws in C. 21-23:19 are good laws for just getting along with one another.  We can apply many of them today.  (For example, 23:5 today could read, “If you see your feisty neighbor having car trouble on a country road, stop and see if you can help him.”)  As you read these, make a list of characteristics of God that He is wanting to implant in the hearts of the people.  Can you see any of the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23?

In 23:20-33 carefully look at God’s huge promise.  There are at least eleven things He says He will do.  Those same verses list seven things the Hebrews must do.  Do any of these apply to you?

Chapter 24 – This is the end of Moses’ second trip on the mountain.  When Moses told them what the Lord had said, they were very willing to obey (24:7).  Moses wrote down all of God’s words, then took the blood from the sacrifices and sprinkled it over the people to consecrate them.  Moses then returned to the mountain, leaving Aaron and Hur in charge.  Note in v. 15-18 the number of times the cloud is mentioned.  

 

Application:

Anyone who has suffered (and there are many ways to suffer) has felt they were living in a cloud.  It seems as if you are alone; others may know you have a problem but are unaware of all you are going through and you can’t find your way out.  It is as if life is passing you by and you can’t do anything about it.  Don’t just look at the cloud; be willing to enter it.  God is not only in the cloud, but 16:10 says that the “glory of God” is in the cloud.  Praise Him for the cloud.  Be aware that He is with you in the cloud.  He is waiting to speak to you, even within the cloud.  He has precious ways of letting you know that He is walking with you as you take His hand to lead you through the unknown.  At that point your only response will be to give Him all the glory.

 

Prayer: Thank you God, for making Yourself so real when things are hard.  You never promised that we would never suffer, but You never slumber or sleep and have promised to walk with me every step of the way.  You know how much it hurts.  You also know that if I walk with You, You will bring me forth as gold.  Help me to someday see Your purposes and make me stronger for it.  I love You and want to become all that You want me to be. 

May 5 – Exodus 17-20

Before you read:

God had many things to teach the people about Himself.  They saw His power with the plagues, His protection in keeping Himself between them and Pharaoh’s army, and His provisions of food and water.  Now in Chapter 17 they face their first real battle.  God only gave the victory when they displayed their dependence on Him.  Each of these four chapters is a significant step in taking Egypt out of their hearts and helping them become the people He designed them to be.

 

As you read:

Be aware of the following and note anything applicable to our lives today.

Chapter 17 – Note their dependence on God during their first battle and the way this created unity within the nation.  They also saw that they were dependent on one another.  Another interesting note is that some scholars think that Hur was Miriam’s (Moses and Aaron’s sister) husband.

Chapter 18 – Thanks to a wise father-in-law and Moses’ teachable spirit, there was a reorganization of the people and the leadership.

Chapter 19 – This was Moses first trip up the mountain where God shows him how to prepare the people to receive the law.  What three labels does God give the people in v. 5-6?  What was the one thing the people were to do?  We are asked to do so little and He gives so much.  

Chapter 20 – This was Moses’ second trip on the mountain, this time to receive the law.  These are not God’s “ten suggestions”; they are commandments that are just as much in effect today as they were thousands of years ago.  They don’t change because the culture changes.  God gave them for the good of all people; they help us to keep our focus on God.  Verse 20 was significant then as well as now.  Note v. 21, “the thick darkness where God was.”  We are going to see time and time again that God dwells in the cloud—a good thing to remember when things go wrong and we wonder where God is.  

 

Application:

Most of the time today God deals with us individually, as a family or as a church.  However, it is challenging to think of what God could do with this nation, if as a nation we become the people He always intended us to be.  In the meantime, we can each search our hearts, allow Him to cleanse us of any “Egypt” we are harboring, and seek to be a man or woman of God.  Only then can we begin to do the same with our families, church, and eventually the nation—each requiring increased amounts of prayer, surrender and obedience to God.  Let us claim 2 Chronicles 7:14, realizing that this applies to our nation as well.  

 

Prayer: Lord, searchme, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

Ps. 139:23-24

April 28 – Exodus 13-18

Before you read:
In the ancient cultures, each people group was easily identifiable from those around it by their religious practices and ceremonies.  As the Israelites were taken out of Israel in Joseph’s time and transported to Egypt, they brought with them many of the practices of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but only 70 of them came and now there are over 2,000,000. In these 430 years they had a lot of Egypt imbedded in their hearts.  This was no surprise to God, and He knew precisely what was needed.  He had a step-by-step plan to wipe Egypt out of their hearts and set them apart as a people dedicated solely to Himself.  He also had the wisdom to do things in the right order and knew how much change they could take at any one time.

As you read:
C. 13  Consecration of the firstborn – To redeem is to buy back.  God uses this as:
1.  A reminder of how God spared their lives
2.A direct contrast of human sacrifices to pagan gods in other cultures
3.A symbol of when Jesus would redeem us all by paying the ultimate sacrifice for sin

C. 14  Crossing of the Red Sea – New archeological findings show that it is highly likely that the actual crossing of the Red Sea was at what is now known as the Gulf of Aqaba.  The exact spot has a high roadway through the water 1/2 mile deep, about 2 miles wide and 11 miles long from shore to shore on the Sinai side to the Arabian side.  The depth of the water on either side of this watery roadway is over a mile deep.  There is a mountain on the Arabian side that more accurately matches the Biblical account than the traditional site in Sinai.  It also matches Paul’s description in Galatians 4:25.

C. 15  Look for all the references to Gods power and His glory

C. 16  Even in our wealth and abundance we still grumble.  Who are we really grumbling against?  Look for signs of Gods plan and how He unfolds it.

Application:
In what ways has God set your family apart?  Do you look like every other family around you or is God’s standard of right to you and His care for you apparent to your neighbors and friends?  Are your children aware of God’s care and blessings upon your family?  How can you apply Deuteronomy 6:4-9 to your family life if you are not already doing so?

Prayer: Lord, I praise and thank you for the way You have cared for us in the past and have every confidence that You will continue to do so in the future.  However, I also realize that this is a two-way street and I need to do my part in imparting godly wisdom into our family.

April 21 – Exodus 9-12

Before you read:
Remember the Moses we met in chapters 3 and 4? As God works on Pharaoh and the Israelites, do you also see Him developing leadership skills in Moses? It seems that the Moses who was afraid to open his mouth back in chapter 3 is getting bolder and bolder. He still goes with Aaron to see the Pharaoh, but Moses is doing more and more of the talking. God knew Moses had it in him when he first called him, but he had to prove it to Moses.

Moses needed every leadership skill God could possibly give him. Dealing with Pharaoh’s hard heart for a few months was nothing compared with dealing with over 2,000,000 griping, complaining Israelites for 40 years. God always knows what He is doing to prepare us and give us the strength to carry out the task.

As you read:
Even before the first plague, God gives Pharaoh plenty of time to repent. In 10:27 we see him admit his sin. However, admitting we are a sinner and actually repenting are not the same, as we see almost immediately. Every plague from the blood in the Nile through the hail, plagues 1 through 7, Pharaoh was responsible for hardening his own heart. It isn’t until the locust, plague 8, that the Lord says that this time, He has hardened Pharaoh’s heart. God gave Pharaoh plenty of time. Was Pharaoh playing games with God? In Gen. 6:3 God says that He will not always strive with man. If we think we have a loved one that has hardened his/her heart toward God we need to keep them continually as a prayer focus. Only His Holy Spirit will soften their heart and bring into their lives those circumstances that will eventually bring them to the foot of the cross.

In C. 12 note all the steps each Israelite family is to take to in preparation for the exodus. They didn’t have a definite time of departure, but each had to be ready at a moment’s notice. Take note as to how many of these things are a direct portrayal of Jesus Christ.

Application:
Am I continually preparing for Jesus’ second return? We don’t have a definite time of departure, but we can always be ready at a moment’s notice. Possibly the most remarkable verses we have in this section is 12:50-51, “And all the Israelites did just what the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron and on that very day the Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions.” For the moment they had learned their lessons. Perhaps that is easier when we have definite plans outlined for us to do or not to do. But life isn’t always that precise. Sometimes our obedience is also apparent in just waiting for God to act.

Prayer:

Lord, sometimes the waiting is so hard. I want to step in and hurry things along and in doing so, get out of step with You. However, when it is time to get up and move, give me the boldness and courage to do all that you ask.

April 14 – Exodus 5-8

Before you read:

Chapters 1-4 showed the importance of obedience. In chapters 5-8 we see that often there is a price to pay for complete obedience. There were times when the Israelites didn’t think it was worth the price. But then as now, to make our obedience less than complete is to keep us in bondage. Pharaoh continually offered negotiation and compromise. Only full obedience will be rewarded and fulfill God’s plan

As you read:

Today and tomorrow we will go through all ten plagues. Before these ever start, look at the promise God gives the Israelites in 6:2-8. Look for the attributes of God as He not only deals with the Egyptian leaders, but more importantly with His people. Notice the many things He promises to do for His people

With all ten plagues you will see a pattern: oppression, prediction, plague, promise, a hardened heart, and a broken promise. The first two, blood and frogs, the Egyptian magicians were able to duplicate (remember that Satan has a few tricks, too), but they could only make more of what was already plaguing the people. They could not reverse the plagues. By the third plague, the plague of gnats, they not only could not duplicate it but recognized that this was the “finger of God” (8:19), even though Pharaoh refused to see this

While Egypt suffered, what was God doing in the hearts of the Israelites? Contrast 6:9 to 8:22. With the plague of flies (8:20-32) we see another pattern emerge. God is now preventing any of these plaques from affecting the Israelites. Most of them had to work in the homes, cities, and farms of the Egyptians so they were very aware of what God was doing, but they now knew they had a place to get away from the evil that was affecting their employers. Can you feel the momentum building within the land of Goshen where the Israelites had lived for 430 years

Application:

Suffering comes in many forms and reactions vary. Some become hardened toward God; others depend on God for strength and grace for each day. They allow their circumstances to refine their relationship to God and let Him mold them into the man or woman God desires them to be. A godly reaction doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the problems, but it does guarantee a smoother ride as we learn to depend on God and trust Him for the outcome. Best of all, He has promised to walk beside us every step of the way

Prayer: Lord, I never know when problems will arise, but prepare my heart to accept anything you bring as from Your hand of love and give me the grace to follow You completely. Keep my heart soft and pliable so that You can use me anyway You desire.

April 7 – Exodus 1-4

 

Focus before you read:

The American society today is bereft with excuses for not making much of oneself. The most common is to blame all kinds of circumstances—a non-functional family, lack of education, the poor economy…and on and on the list can go. Those who lean on excuses have left God out of the picture. If anyone had circumstances to blame, it was Moses. He was born into a good family, but the Egyptian culture certainly was far from God. He was born into slavery, and when he thought he was helping his own people they turned on him—and to top it off he had a poor self-image.

God never wastes any resource or experience in our lives. He chose the right family for Moses to be born into, a family that was sensitive to God and His leading, as well as creative in how to get around an unjust law. In these four chapters Moses goes from infancy to age 80 with nothing but a shepherd’s staff to show for it—or is there more?

 

As you read:

Look for the hand of God as you consider Moses’ first 40 years. He spent those early formative years in the midst of his own birth family. He was then separated from them at an early age and sent to the palace of the king of Egypt where he received the best education in the known world. What event sent him to Midian? Consider the next 40 years. He was mentored by Reuel (Jethro in Ex. 3:1, this is the same person). Probably Reuel was his given name and Jethro either his family name or his position. Reuel means “friend of God.” He was a descendent of Midian who was the fourth son of Keturah, Abraham’s second wife. Evidently, some of the other descendants of Abraham still had a proper view and reverence for Jehovah. Jethro was a priest in Midian.

Moses’ parents had formed his spiritual sensitivity; Egypt had educated him, but Jethro taught and mentored him wisely, putting those skills to good use. God used all of these circumstances to prepare Moses for one of the most challenging jobs anyone in history has ever undertaken.

 

Notice five objections Moses had to not obey God and notice God’s response to each:

1. Who am I? (Ex. 3:11)

2. Who are You? (Ex. 3:13)

3. What if it doesn’t work? (Ex. 4:1)

4. I’m not qualified. (Ex. 4:10)

5. Send someone else. (Ex. 4:13)

 

Application:

Do you see yourself using any of these excuses when God asks you to do something? You are not alone. Mankind did it all through the Bible and still is today. God is looking for obedience more than any other quality. To disobey is to miss out on countless blessings as well as disappointing the One who has done so much for His children.

 

Prayer:

Lord, when you speak to me, give me a willing heart to instantly obey. I do want to please you and do Your will, but I also realize that I can’t obey completely within my own strength. Help me to depend on You for the words to say and the deeds to do. I love you and do want to obey.