Dana Hagstrom – Page 365

Exodus 27:1-21 – Meet With and Listen for God

We read more today about God’s plans for his tabernacle and the items contained therein. I am amazed at the detail and how important this is to have been included in God’s will. If you haven’t watched the video from yesterday’s reflection (Exodus 26) you should do that now.

All of God’s word is inspired by him. I often wonder why certain things are included. I have to remember that I am just one person in a HUGE history of Bible readers, and there will be generations to come. Not every passage will have a meaning for me. But today’s reading was relevant to the people who were first meeting God in the tabernacle. God didn’t want to be honored in just any old place. He was making it reverent. It was to be an intentional space to meet God.

Exodus 26:1-37 – Why a Tabernacle?

Read Exodus 26:1-37

I thought the furnishings were elaborate. The tabernacle was also a work of art. Why did God prescribe a tabernacle? My guess, and I could be all wrong, was to meet the people where they were. God wanted a relationship with his people, so he needed to be there. He needed to present the people with a tangible place and items that they would recognize as God’s. He didn’t want them to worship those things but worship Him alone.

Exodus 25:1-40 – Get Ready for God’s Presence

Read Exodus 25:1-40

The Lord had a message for Moses. He was designing the first church building, or tabernacle. It was to be a place to recognize and worship God. A sanctuary for God so he could dwell among the people. We’ve called our churches today the “house of God.” Yet we realize that God is everywhere. He doesn’t need to be contained to do his work. It’s for us. We want to be able to imagine him in our midst. Having a place for God helps us.

God was very clear in his instructions to Moses. There were very particular things he felt important to be part of his “house” or tabernacle. Of utmost importance was “The Ark.” Not to be confused with the big boat that Noah made to save his family and the animals from destruction. This was a chest to hold the Testimony or law God would give. This would be a holy box. Its design was to be magnificent.

Exodus 24:1-18 – Covenant Made

Read Exodus 24:1-18

We don’t use the word covenant all that frequently in conversation these days. It is more of a legal word describing an agreement between parties to a contract. But we do use a similar word, promise. As I understand it, the covenant God made with his people is a very strong promise meant to bring about a committed relationship. God was promising to care and provide, and the people were to obey his commands.

As you imagine what was happening when this first covenant was made, what do you see? I see hordes of people milling about doing their daily tasks, and I see leadership trying to keep the peace. God gave Moses the vision, and he was providing daily sustenance to the people. In return, God wanted them to desire a relationship with him.

Exodus 23:20-33 – Follow the Angel

Read Exodus 23:20-33

Today’s reading seems to be speaking to Moses and the Israelites while they are still roaming. God is again providing for them by giving them an angel. We all have our notion of what an angel is, and even what an angel should look like. Somewhere along the line angels got wings and flowing white gowns. I don’t think this is what the angel in today’s reading will look like.

The idea here is to follow the angel. God is going to take care of casting fear into the folks living in the land they are passing through. God is warning them to take care and not bow down to other gods. He knows how weak and fickle his people are. They will be drawn in to the temptation, and their sin will separate them from God. He knew it and prescribed a way to help them. Would they listen?