365 Reflections

Not enough people hear this but it is true. Serving God's purpose is the most privileged life we can experience. Remember the Levites? They were the tribe that sided with Moses in the golden calf incident. They took up swords against the immorality of the people and zealously defended the honor of God. For this they got? No land inheritance in Israel. Yes. The tribe that served the Lord righteously and did not bow to the calf was rewarded with something far better than material wealth. And what was it? Life in the presence of the Lord. Deuteronomy 18:1–5 (ESV) “The Levitical priests, all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the LORD’s food offerings as their inheritance. 2 They shall have no inheritance among their brothers; the LORD is their inheritance, as he promised them. 3 And this shall be the priests’ due from the people, from those offering a sacrifice, whether an ox or a sheep: they shall give to the priest the shoulder...

The book of Exodus is the story of God's redeeming work to choose a people for Himself, to reveal Himself to the nations as He does so, and ultimately to dwell among them so that all may know the Lord is over all His creation and every nation. The book ends with Israel enslaved by a man who thought he was god. It ends with the people free with THE GOD in their midst. The temple is completed by Moses in Exodus 40 and there are notable things we should consider: Exodus 40:1–5 (ESV)   The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “On the first day of the first month you shall erect the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. 3 And you shall put in it the ark of the testimony, and you shall screen the ark with the veil. 4 And you shall bring in the table and arrange it, and you shall bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps. 5 And you shall put the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and set up the screen for the door of the tabernacle. Exodus 40:16 (ESV)  T...