Dana Hagstrom – Page 366

Exodus 32:7-14 – Got Your Back

Do you have an advocate that looks out for you and keeps harm from coming your way? We all do. The Holy Spirit has that role for us. For today’s reading, it was Moses looking out for the Israelites. He had their back.

Picture this – Moses learns about the evil his own people have reverted to in his absence. God, who knows and sees all has told Moses what the people have done. How do you think Moses felt? He had just had this mountain top experience with God (literally) and is feeling on top of the world. He has just been given instructions from the Creator himself and is about to descend the mountain to share it with everyone who has been waiting. And then he hears God’s plans for their destruction.

Exodus 32:1-6 – When the Cat’s Away…

Read Exodus 32:1-6

Do you remember the book “Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss? I have always had a loose association between that story and the story of these people left behind when Moses went up to the mountain. Yet, I’ve always been surprised that Aaron fell victim so quickly to the people’s demands. I suppose his faith wasn’t secure enough to hold on and trust his brother’s safe return.

We don’t see any sort of cautioning by Aaron, do we? He just started doing what the people wanted. He must have been a people pleaser. He made them a god fashioned out of their treasures. The people needed something tangible to follow. In my mind, our God is our treasure, he’s not made from them.

Exodus 31:12-18 – Saving the Best for Last

Read Exodus 31:12-18

Moses has had quite a time spent with God on the mountain. Today’s reading will conclude God’s message to Moses for the people. It’s not a new message. God’s desire for us is to rest. Sabbath rest. The death part was a little shocking I must admit. It does help to understand why the Pharisees were so appalled when Jesus did “work.” They were so literal. However, when God says you will die if you do work, one should definitely listen!

So what constitutes work? While we get more details here, God is more focused on “why” Sabbath rather than what is work.

Exodus 31:1-11 – What a Relief!

Read Exodus 31:1-11

If you’ve been following along with all of the messages God has been giving Moses, you know Moses had quite a list of things to remember. Have you ever been given responsibility for something, maybe a committee at church or a planning group for a big event? There are a lot of details to remember. There are a lot of things you can’t do all by yourself.

On a much bigger scale, can you imagine the overwhelm Moses was feeling each time God added something to the list of things to be accomplished? I’m sure his mind was spinning. Mine would have been. Where in the world was Moses going to find all of the things he needed to complete God’s list? He was probably thinking, “I’m a shepherd not a craftsman of jewels, wood, or gold.” But that wasn’t the point.

Exodus 30:1-38 – How is God Speaking?

Read Exodus 30:1-38

Have you ever burned incense? I remember it was a big deal to do so in college. We all wanted our dorm rooms to have a cozy smell or something. I hadn’t thought about incense until recently I saw some at a store I frequently shop at in Mexico. Then, when we were unpacking, I found an incense burner and some incense. I’m not sure where it came from. And then, today’s reading is about incense.

Is it a coincidence? I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do with the incense. I know we have folks in our congregation who have a sensitivity to smells. Burning incense might cause some issues. But there again, these verses weren’t for me, were they?