October 26 | Exodus 30:11-21

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DAILY READING

Exodus 30:11-21

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REFLECTION

Ransomed and Redeemed

by Judy Webb

Then the LORD said to Moses, “When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the LORD a ransom for his life at the time he is counted." (Exodus 30:11-12a)

• We are all equal in the sight of God

God has made one point perfectly clear in this text. I am not special. I am no more important, loved, forgiven, and cared for than my neighbor.

• No advantages for the rich

If I am fortunate enough to have lots of money or a stable job and a comfortable life, there is no advantage here. God doesn’t love me more or require more from me than my neighbor. We are all created equal in the sight of God.

• Everyone needs atonement

We are all sinful and prone to go our own way. God still loves us and offers forgiveness to each of us every time we fall. And we will fall short of His expectations repeatedly.

• Everyone must pay their own ransom money

Everyone owes God for their life; we are each obligated to confess our evil ways and turn from sinful living to follow God’s Word. We must pay our own debt. I can’t confess my neighbor’s sins and expect God will forgive him. No, I am only responsible for my deeds, only my admission of guilt will clear my slate.

• Perfect Equality

All souls are equally precious. The value of all lives are the same before God; If my friend or enemy. We all have sinned and need redemption.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, help us to remember that we are sinful and unworthy, but because of your grace and mercy you have made us righteous. Thank you, Lord, for loving us unconditionally.

October 25 | Exodus 28:15-30

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DAILY READING

Exodus 28:15-30

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REFLECTION

Precious Stones

by Beth Voltmann

Did you know that God’s heavenly temple was the prototype for the tabernacle built by the early Hebrews? God gave Moses direct instructions for modeling every small detail, including the attire and service of the high priest.

“They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: ‘See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.’” (Heb. 8:5)

The glorious majesty of the earthly sanctuary, resplendent with gold, jewels, and fine fabrics, was merely a shadowy reflection of the glorious temple to come. Similarly, the high priest, Aaron, was just a forerunner for Jesus. Aaron was to wear a breast-piece mounted with “precious stones” bearing the names of the sons of Israel over his heart whenever he entered the Holy Place. (Ex. 28:17, 29)

The book of Hebrews is replete with images comparing the earthly tabernacle and priests to God’s heavenly temple and Christ Jesus as our great and ultimate high priest. (Heb. 4:14)

“Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (Heb. 7:24)

Now, consider the beautiful way that God weaves the Old Testament passage into the language used to describe followers of Christ in the New Testament.

“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (Pet. 2:4-5)

We, too, are stones that have entered the Most Holy Place with Jesus. He bore our names when he went to the cross for our sins, and He now serves as our High Priest and King. Even more amazing - we are chosen to be a part of His temple and His holy priesthood as precious living stones. (1 Cor. 3:16)

PRAYER

May these words, inspired by God, wash over us as we pray today:

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Heb. 10:19-23)

October 24 | Exodus 25:10-22

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DAILY READING

Exodus 25:10-22

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REFLECTION

Emanuel in Egypt

by Dan Kidd

In the opening pages of Mark's Gospel a pronouncement of Jesus' birth is taken from Isaiah 7, "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means 'God with us')." God's people need God's presence. From creation until the end of all things, God's presence is crucial.

But how might God's people know with certainty that an invisible God is with and among them? In today's passage we encounter one of the countless instances of the Lord-of-all-understanding meeting his people in their limitations and providing for them. In later days in Israelite history, when they were in Exile after the holy temple was demolished, they would remember back to these days in Egypt where the Lord promised his presence to them, wherever they found themselves. As we hear God's instructions towards the building of the Tabernacle (a mobile sacred space) we hear of God's intention and promise to sojourn and provisionally abide with his people.

Notice, as we read about the construction of the ark, the remarkable blend of ornate beauty and strategic practicality. Inside and out was overlayed with "pure gold" (perhaps that which was handed over to them by the Egyptians in their Exodus) with an atonement cover hammer-crafted in the shape of a mercy seat, overshadowed by a pair of winged cherubim. Through golden rings were thread two poles of light-but-durable acacia wood, perfect for this divine palanquin. In order to affirm his presence with them, the Lord instructed his people to use the best materials they had to cooperatively and skillfully create an ornate ark wherein was laid the tablets of God's covenant torah. Then, specifically from between the two cherubim overshadowing the mercy seat of the atonement cover, the Lord would meet with and instruct his people.

Thousands of years later this has not changed: God's people need God's presence. And, if you're like me, you may still struggle to embrace the presence of our invisible God. Even still, we have the assurance that the Spirit of God lives with and within us. When we pray, we do not cast prayers into the infinite void, but to the Lord who is present with and within us. We can see the evidence of him in all creativity: in the delightful beauty of ornate artistry and in the pure efficiency of skilled constructions. He remains seated on mercy, amidst the angels, our God meets with us and guides our steps in his perfect Way. Let us, today, remember and embrace this promised Emanuel.

PRAYER

God who is with us, remind us of yourself and your nearness. However, we have felt ourselves wander, shepherd us home again now. Whether this is a day of celebratory feasting, casual toiling, or walking through the shadowlands, lead us and relieve us knowing you are with us. You are Emanuel, today, tomorrow, and forever. We thank you and we praise you for that and for everything else. Amen.