The Book of Exodus records that the phrase “God spoke to Moshe…” occurs 150-plus times each in the TaNak (Torah, Prophets and Writings). God spoke to Moshe (Moses) more than any other person recorded in the entire Tanak. This gives us a small glimpse of how highly God esteemed Moshe and how Yeshua’s followers should hold Moshe in more high esteem than they do. When Moshe came back down the second time, he was changed forever.
Tag: Exodus
This is a very heavy section of scripture, which is why we are spending two weeks reviewing it. When Moses comes down from the Moses, he takes very drastic measures to clean up a massive rebellion against God in the camp of Israel involving the golden calf idol.
This is a very heavy section of scripture. God tells Moses about the people’s rebellion and calls on Moses to check on the people. God tells Moses that he is willing to take very drastic measures to punish the people and promote Moses to an even higher level.
In Exodus 31, we meet the two men (beside Moses) whose work and talent were used to make the Tabernacle which began as the “pattern shown on the Mountain” a living, functional reality. However, he gives them a reminder that they are still supposed to keep the Sabbath, no exceptions. They can’t break the sabbath, even for the sake of building the Tabernacle or they will be “cut off from their people.”
Moses was shown many wonderful things on the Mountain, including the ritual to anoint his older brother Aaron and Aaron’s four sons as priests before Him. The overall theme of these two chapters is atonement: atonement for the people and for Aaron and his sons. Even inanimate objects, such as Aaron’s wardrobe, the altar and the Tabernacle itself have to be atoned before they can perform a sacred use.
There is a lot of information in these next two chapters. We are continuing learn more about the template of the Tabernacle that God gave to Moses on Sinai. “… as it was shown to you in the mountain, so they shall make it” (Ex. 27:8).
We will learn about the altar, the utensils of the altar and the architecture of the outer courts. God also calls upon Aaron and his sons to serve Him as High Priests in the Tabernacle. They were called to be the intermediaries between God and the people. The people are commended to their own service for the Tabernacle as well.
The LORD gave Moshe very specific instructions for the design of the tabernacle, God’s house in the midst of Israel. These are not just meaningless details. Rather, they are symbols that give us understanding into God’s plan to restore the face-to-face interaction between mankind and Himself.