Reading for September 10th

 Instructions for the ordination of priests. In 29.1-46: These instructions for ordination are carried out when Aaron and his sons are formally set apart as priests in Lev 8-9. Blood is considered a sacred substance with power to purify and make holy (Lev 17.11) Thus, blood plays an important role in purifying the priests and altar throughout this section.

Read Exodus 29.1-46. In verses 33-37: To consecrate the priests means to set them apart in a formal ceremony for special service. In verse 40: A measure is an ephah, which is equivalent to about 20 liters. A hin is one-sixth of an ephah about 3 liters. Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 9th

 Read Exodus 28.1-43. In 28.1-43: The Lord gives guidelines for making the priestly garments. In verse 6: The ephod is a long priestly robe; it was sometimes used to obtain an oracle or message from the deity (1 Sam 23.9-12). In verses 15-30: The breast piece of judgment as a means to obtain divine messages and guidance . It was a pouch containing the Urim and Thummim, light and dark stones used to determine the deity's will in a given situation (v. 30). Comments or Questions...

Reading for September 8th

 Constructing the altar, the court, and the lamps. In 27.1-21: The instructions pertain to items and areas outside and surrounding the tabernacle itself. Comments or Questions..

Read Exodus 27.1-21. No Comments..

Reading for September 7th

 Instructions concerning the tabernacle's frame and curtains. In 26.1-37: The decryption of the tabernacle includes some parallels tot he description of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6) and the vision of the Temple in Ezek 40-43. 

Read Exodus 26.1-37. No Comments.

Reading for September 6th

 Read Exodus 25.31-40. No comments..

Reading for September 5th

Furnishings for the Tabernacle. In 25.1-40: This unit begins an extended section of instructions for building and furbishing the portable sanctuary or shrine called the tabernacle (25.1-31.18). The tabernacle is to be the vehicle of God's presence as they leave God's dwelling place of Mount Sinai and set off on the journey through the wilderness to the promised land. The tabernacle will not be built until after the golden calf rebellion (ch.32) and the renewal of the covenant (chs. 33-34). 

 Read Exodus 25.1- 30. In verse 3: The gold and silver and other finery derive presumably from the Egyptians gave to the Israelites as they fled Egypt (12.35-36). In verse 7: On the ephod, see comment on 28.6. In verse 10: The wooden ark is as a container that functions "throne or footstool for the divine presence." In verse 16: The two tablets of stone that contained the Ten Commandments are the covenant that will be carried in the ark. In verses 17-22: Cherubim are half-human  and half-animal creatures with wings. The head is human and the body usually a lion a or bull. They guard holy areas as well as kings. The mercy seat is the throne for the deity's presence. In verse 21: On the covenant, see comment on v. 16. In verse 30: The bread of the Presence is set out on table as a sign of hospitality to the deity, but the priests actually eat the bread (Lev 24.5-9). Comments or Questions...

Reading for September 4th

 Read Exodus 24.1-18. In 24.1-18: The Lord, Moses and the people formally enter into a covenant relationship. In verse 1: Nadah and Abihu and two sons of Aaron who serve as priests (see 6.23). In verses 6-8: The altar represents God's presence (v. 6). Sprinkling blood on the altar and then the people signifies their binding together in relationship. The book of the covenant is presumably some form of the laws and commandments in chs. 20-23. In verse 9: On Nadah and Abihu, see comment on v. 1. In verse 14: Hur is a leader from the Israelite tribe of Judah (17.10; 31.2), Comments or Questions..