Pastor Billington's Blog

Exodus 32

Does God really change his mind (Exodus 32:14)? What about sovereignty? There have been a lot of discussions about this topic and these verses over the centuries, with multiple ways of looking at it. The literal Hebrew means that God “relented/repented” of his decision. However, the same word is used in 1 Samuel 15:29 to express a different understanding: “And he who is the Glory of Israel will not lie, nor will he change his mind, for he is not human that he should change his mind!” So, is this a contradiction?

Perhaps the best way to understand it is to look at the intent of the passage. God is expressing his frustration at the Israelite’s for their capriciousness and idolatry. He is willing to wipe them out. But He is also willing to be swayed, and Moses’ response sways Him. Trust me, if it was something He really wanted to do, nothing would stop Him! But this seems to be as much a test of Moses as anything else. God, in His sovereignty, is willing to “change His mind” based on Moses’ intercession. Similar situations are found throughout the Bible where God says He will do one thing or another based on His people’s response:

2 Chronicles 7:14 (WEB) “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

So, what about 1 Samuel 15? The intent there is to say that God is NOT capricious. He is not impulsive or unpredictable. He doesn’t go back and forth on a whim. He doesn’t just change his mind willy-nilly! He is not like man. And in the Bible, we see Him giving His people choices, which He responds to appropriately and properly, and in accordance to His sovereign will.

There are two other observations we can make from our passage. First, we see the continual pull of idolatry on people’s hearts, which reminds us that our dissatisfaction with our lot in life can drive us far from God. And second, this is the point where the Levites express their devotion to God. They are later blessed with the priesthood.

Thought for the day: Aaron refuses to take responsibility for his role in the idolatry: “So they gave it to me; and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.” Don’t be an Aaron!

Proverbs 28:13 (WEB) “He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Exodus 31

It’s very appropriate for musicians, artists, and craftsmen who are believers to use those talents for the building of the church and the furthering of the kingdom of God. In fact, can you think of anything more appropriate?

Even though the Sabbath was for Israel (31:16-17), rest and worship are for all people at all times.

Mark 6:31 (WEB) “He said to them, ‘Come away into a deserted place, and rest awhile.’ “

Hebrews 13:15 (WEB) “Through him, then, let’s offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name.”

Thought for the day: While a “Sabbath” isn’t required in the New Testament, we could say that it’s recommended. Worship and rest are vital, and if we can set apart a whole day that’s even better. We just have to be sure that our Sabbath doesn’t become a requirement for everyone else.

Romans 14:5 (WEB) “One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.”

Exodus 30

The ransom money provided by the census not only served as a way to provide money for the functioning of the tabernacle, it also served as an atonement. In that way, it prefigures Jesus Christ!

Mark 10:45 (WEB) “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The oil used for consecration is also used for anointing in the Old Testament. It is frequently thought to represent the Holy Spirit.

Luke 4:18 (WEB) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.”

The incense represents prayer.

Psalm 141:2 (WEB) “Let my prayer be set before you like incense; the lifting up of my hands like the evening sacrifice.”

Together, they show us how we are empowered (anointed) to live for God, and how we maintain our relationship with Him!

Galatians 5:16 (WEB) “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

Jeremiah 29:12-13 (WEB) “You shall call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You shall seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.”

Thought for the day: Prayer and the Spirit coincide when we are at our weakest, and we should be thankful to God for that!

Romans 8:26 (WEB) “In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.”

Exodus 29

The priests had to make sacrifices for themselves because they were sinful. Not so with Jesus!

Hebrews 7:26-28 (WEB) “For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.”

The sin offering purifies the altar, and the burnt offering atones for the sin of the priests. The ram of ordination provides the blood that consecrates the priests and their garments, and putting the blood on the right ears, thumbs, and toes served as both a reminder and an identification. The only reason that they were able to minister before the Lord was because of the sacrifice! The anointing with oil is a form of consecration that sets them apart, the grain offerings are a symbol of gratitude, and the drink offerings a form of dedication. Some offerings are consumed and are only God’s, while some offerings are shared with the priests as a way of providing for them. Once the priests were sanctified, they could take care of the daily offerings.

Thought for the day: We are priests too, which means we should live our lives in such a way that our service is pleasing to God.

1 Peter 2:5 (WEB) “You also as living stones are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

Exodus 28

Continuing our theme from yesterday, all the elements involved in the worship of God through the temple/tabernacle can refer specifically to Jesus Christ. He is our holy and perfect sacrifice. His sacrificial death cleanses us from our sin. He is the light of the world. He is the bread of life. He is our great and holy high priest. He represents us before God.

1 John 1:9 (WEB) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Hebrews 9:11-12 (WEB) “But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.”

Romans 8:34 (WEB) “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”

Thought for the day: Where would we be without Jesus?

Hebrews 7:25 (WEB) “Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.”

Exodus 27

There was a fence that surrounded the perimeter of the tabernacle. As you entered in through the gate you would come to the altar, and just beyond the altar was the bronze laver for washing. Beyond that was the tent of meeting, completely covered with animal skins. The tent was divided in two by a veil made of thread. Inside the holy place is the lampstand, the table for showbread, and the altar of incense. Inside the most holy place is the ark and the mercy seat. The most holy place is where God would speak to the high priest.

Leviticus 16:2 (WEB) “and the LORD said to Moses, ‘Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Most Holy Place within the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark; lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud on the mercy seat.’ “

The tabernacle in its entirety speaks to our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The altar represents Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and the laver our cleansing from sin. The lampstand depicts our enlightenment though the Holy Spirit. The showbread indicates how we are fed by the Word. The incense represents our prayer and communication with God. Finally, the priest going through the veil into the Most Holy Place symbolizes our ability to enter God’s presence boldly through Christ!

Hebrews 4:14-16 (WEB) “Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.”

Thought for the day: We were far from God, but God brought us near through Jesus!

Ephesians 2:13 (WEB) “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ.”

Exodus 26

We don’t have a temple/tabernacle now that we’re required to worship in, because we are the temple!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (WEB) “Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

So, if we are the temple/tabernacle of God, and the Holy Spirit dwells in us (both collectively and individually), what insights can we gain from this chapter? Since there is so much detail regarding the building of and items in the tabernacle, maybe the reminder is that we need to spend some time making sure that our hearts and minds are in order if we really want to worship God the way we should. And perhaps it’s a reminder that even our corporate worship should be organized and orderly.

1 Corinthians 14:40 (WEB) “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Thought for the day: Preparation for worship is something that begins a long time before the actual act.

Psalm 24:3-6 (WEB) “Who may ascend to the LORD’s hill? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face.”

Exodus 25

We’re going to have the opportunity to look at what these chapters say about worship in the next few days, but for today let’s note what this says about giving. God calls on His people to give towards His kingdom, and He calls on them to give willingly. These principles are repeated in the New Testament.

Matthew 6:20-21 (WEB) “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

2 Corinthians 9:7 (WEB) “Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Thought for the day: Scripture reminds us of the example of Jesus, who gave Himself for us. Are we willing to give up material goods for the good of His kingdom?

2 Corinthians 8:7 (WEB) “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.”

Exodus 24

Blood is a symbol of life and the cleansing of sin. When they accepted the covenant, the blood was not just for the acceptance of the “contract.” It was an act of cleansing.

Hebrews 9:16-22 (WEB) “For where a last will and testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him who made it. For a will is in force where there has been death, for it is never in force while he who made it lives. Therefore even the first covenant has not been dedicated without blood. For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” He sprinkled the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry in the same way with the blood. According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.”

And we have been cleansed from our sin by the blood of Jesus!

Ephesians 2:13 (WEB) “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ.”

Thought for the day: Sapphire stone. Consuming fire. Midst of the cloud. If nothing else, the passage should remind us of the glory and majesty of the Lord!

Psalm 8:1 (WEB) “LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens!”