Tanakh (Old Testament) Reading
Exodus 16 – 18
Exodus 19 – 21; Psalm 33
Exodus 22 – 24; Psalm 109
Exodus 25 – 27; Psalm 90
Exodus 28 – 31
B’rit Hadashah (New Covenant, or New Testament) Reading
Ephesians 4
Ephesians 5
Ephesians 6
Philippians 1
Philippians 2
Thoughts about Exodus 16 through 31
Chapter 16: Grumbling and complaining; what leaders love most about leadership! God sends manna.
What do you think about whining? About manna, and the God who provided it?
Chapter 17: More whining, but this time about water.
Have you ever been really thirsty? I’m sympathetic to their misery, but “For what did you bring us up from Egypt? to kill us, our children and our livestock with thirst?” Was not the right way to ask for help.
The first warfare after leaving Egypt: the Amalekites attack. God intervenes.
Chapter 18. The wise father-in-law, Jethro, advises Moses to delegate some authority before his kills himself.
What do you think of the advice given, and the response Moses made to it?
Chapter 19. Preparation for chapter 20…
Chapter 20. The Ten Words! Also known as The Ten Commandments. The foundation of the Torah, the Law of God with his people, the Children of Israel.
What do you think about this chapter? We could have a long discussion on this subject.
Chapters 21 through 23. Various laws. I’m comfortable with all of them–either as laws that pertain to the nation of Israel or principles for Christians–except the slavery issues in 21:2-11. But I trust God knew what he was doing then, as I trust he knows what he is doing now, and in the future.
Chapter 24. Wow. Moses and Aaron, and Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders went up Mount Sinai, “…and they saw the God of Israel.”
Have you figured out how that fits with:
No one has ever seen God; but the only and unique Son, who is identical with God and is at the Father’s side — he has made him known. ???
Yochanan (John) 1:18, Complete Jewish Bible
Chapters 25 through 30. Lots of interesting stuff about the sanctuary, the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat, the table for the bread of the presence, the menorah with its seven lamps, the tabernacle, the altar for burning sacrifices, the courtyard around the tabernacle, the garments for the priests, and all the things that go along with them. The process for consecrating the priests to the LORD. The incense altar. How to take a proper census. The basin of bronze for washing. The holy anointing oil.
Or is it interesting? Is this where the read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year plan starts to wear you down?
Two things help me:
1) Everything in the Tanakh points to Jesus. Even if I don’t fully understand it, every detail in this passage full of details is hinting at the coming Messiah. Look for those hints.
2) Get help visualizing the things in these chapters. It’s easy to find images of all the things described online. Or buy a book that shows the layout of the Tabernacle and courtyard; all the furnishings therein; the priests garments.
3) Oops. Make that three things. Listen to these chapters in an audio Bible instead of reading the paper-and-ink version.
What do you recommend to help people stay engaged with this portion of Scripture?
Chapter 31. God gives Bezalel and Oholiab gifts for his service.
I love this passage. It’s basically an Old-Testament version of 1 Corinthians chapter 12. What do you see?
Thoughts about Psalms 33, 109, and 90
I don’t see how Psalms 33 or 109 fit with the Exodus narrative. Psalm 90 was written by Moses!
What did you think about these psalms?
Thoughts about Ephesians 4 through 6 and Philippians 1 and 2
Ephesians! Still more delicious, very-densely-packed theology from Paul. The full armor of God!
What do you see in these three chapters?
Philippians! When I was in the Air Force (forty years ago!) my friend memorized the whole book of Philippians, so I read it as he recited it, making sure he got it word-for-word. Good memories.
What did you learn?
