Daily Devotions
Exodus
"And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the LORD who sanctifies you." Leviticus 20:8
Text: Exodus 29 : 43-46
IN DREAD OF GOD
When God first revealed Himself to Israel, the nation trembled in fear before Him (Cf. Exodus 20). The children of Israel pleaded with Moses to represent them. They would listen to him declaring God’s Word. But they did not dare to hear God’s voice directly, for fear of being struck dead!
A GREAT ALTERNATIVE
While the thought was good and appreciated by the Lord, still the nation would miss so much if they were to know God from a distance. The Lord graciously came up with another idea for the children of God to grapple with. What if He were to meet with them at the Tabernacle of meeting? What if the priests would do their part in making appropriate sacrifices to God? Would they not be better off if they knew that God was in their midst instead of in a smoking mountain?
THE PRESENCE OF GOD WITH HIS PEOPLE
What gracious words the Lord spoke to Moses as He gave instructions concerning the idea behind worship at the Tabernacle!
“And there I will meet with the children of Israel,
and the Tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory.
So I will consecrate the Tabernacle of meeting and the altar,
I will also consecrate both Aaron and his sons to minister to Me
as priests. I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be
their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God,
who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell
among them: I am the LORD their God.”
EXODUS 29:43-46
1. “I will meet with the children of Israel”
How precious are these words! Imagine the great God who humbled Egypt would meet with His people.
2. “I will dwell among the children of Israel”
More than just meeting with the children of Israel, the Lord would actually dwell among them! What a profound promise this was!
3. “I will consecrate both Aaron and his sons to minister to Me as priests”
Israel need not fear that they might not know how to offer appropriate worship to God. The consecrated priests would be there to assist them. They would be consecrated for this very task!
4. “They shall know that I am the LORD their God”
God desires Israel to know Him far better! Should Israel not respond gladly?