BIBLE READING: Numbers 10-14

For more than two years Israel was exposed to the power, direction and holiness of YHWH. After their significant blunder with the calf, YHWH’s presence seemed to impact their behavior for a while. They set out “at the command of the LORD by Moses” according to the pattern he had laid out for them (Numbers 10.13-28). They followed the ark and the cloud wherever it led them (10.33-34). But rote obedience was lacking. The people continued to complain about God’s plan for them. They didn’t like the food (11.1-6). They didn’t like the leadership (12.1-2). They didn’t like the prospect of fighting a difficult enemy (13.28-29, 32-33; 14.1-4). Here they were, at the cusp of the Promised Land that YHWH had repeatedly promised to them, filled with an enemy that YHWH had already helped them defeat and promised he would again (Numbers 12.29; see Exodus 17.8-16)… but they decided it would be better to go back to Egypt (14.4).

It wasn’t that they didn’t have opportunity to learn about God. It wasn’t some unknown factor that caused their fear and rejection. He had gone out of his way to prepare them for this moment. Their existence as a nation was defined by HIS choices, not theirs. But they did not believe him (Numbers 14.11). “How long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?” (14.11). They had seen and yet turned away from the realities of God’s power. “You have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice” (14.22). They had understood and yet chose their own way.

This moment was the final, catastrophic straw: “your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness… all your number listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me…” (Numbers 14.29).

This episode plainly reveals that God’s grace had limits… and it still does today. These people an object lesson for us to avoid (1 Corinthians 10) with the same warning they were given: “Don’t harden your heart as in the day of rebellion” (Hebrews 3-4). Like these people, God’s grace is immense towards us, but God doesn’t force us to do anything. In fact, he will give us up to our desires if that’s what we choose (see Romans 1.18-ff). 

We must mature through obedience, but it must go beyond rote activity. Our heart’s desire must change for us to receive the promises of God. We must understand how foolish, deceptive and destructive our natural desires are and where they take us (Jeremiah 17.9; Proverbs 14.12). Just because we have been called, chosen and promised things from God doesn’t mean we’re a shoo-in to receive. God’s grace is only limited by our choice regarding it. In fact, like Israel we can choose our fate. If we set our mind on the here-and-now, this life will be our only reward. If we want to return to our old life, it will be like a dog returning to it's vomit (2 Peter 2.20-22). It would be better for us to have never known God's ways, than to reject it (Hebrews 10.26-31). There is nothing else to be offered beyond the atoning and all-sufficient grace given to us through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. 

God has always made good on his promises and so we must listen and believe. Jesus has promised to prepare a place for us, where we can be at peace with him, if we believe in him (John 14.1-3). This means we trust him with more than just lip service. It means we listen and obey, confident that his ways are leading us home. And so, let us not presume upon his grace, but grow in it with less complaining and more trusting (Romans 2.3-4; 2 Peter 3.17-18).  

BIBLE READING: Exodus 35-36

“Then Moses said to the Israelites, ‘See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel …, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills.’” (Exodus 35.30-31)

YHWH had given Moses intricate designs His tabernacle. Even as a temporary structure, the tabernacle was to be created with ‘artistic designs,’ ‘for glory and for beauty’ (Exodus 28.2). Scripture suggests that the aesthetic dimension of life exists ‘for glory’—to glorify God and to give humans a faint glimpse of God’s splendor; and ‘for beauty’—so that mere creation of beauty is an appropriate end in itself.”

Into this context we are introduced to Bezalel. He was not a priest or a prophet, but a craftsman, selected by YHWH for the task of building the tabernacle (Exodus 31.1-5). Interestingly, Bezalel is the first person in Scripture to be described as filled with the Spirit of God. He was specifically empowered to use his artistic and construction skills to build the tabernacle—a structure that would be used for the next 400+ years as God’s dwelling among the people. Bezalel was talented because YHWH had prepared him for this task. God equipped Bezalel to make intricate, amazing designs of the highest quality and visual beauty. Nothing of “ho-hum” or inferior quality. Bezalel’s artistry would set the tone for an even greater glory to fill this tent for generations to come.

However, in the shadow of Moses’ enormous role in Exodus, Bezalel’s ability can seem a bit less spiritual. He’s not making atonement or instructing people in the laws of YHWH. And yet, twice he is called by name for this task (Exodus 31.1-5; 35.30-ff). Why the emphasis on his role here? Two things stand out to me.

1. The excellence of his efforts (Exodus 35.31-33). God never does things half-way and neither should we. In our jobs, families, in the community, and especially in the church, we should pursue excellence with the gifts we are given. “Having gifts that differ, let us use them… if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12.6, 8, NIV). Every activity may not have an overt spiritual purpose (consider Acts 9.36-41), but our excellence honors God. We should work hard in whatever we do, as for the Lord (Colossians 3.23) knowing that this reflects the nature and glory of God.
2. His God-given ability to teach others how to do things well (Exodus 35.34). This wasn’t a one-man show, so it wasn’t enough for Bezalel to be good at his work. The whole structure needed to be built with excellence. YHWH gave Bezalel to teach others to build this place for God. God has done the same for the church today. “…he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers to equip the saints for… the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4.11-12). The church is being built up in love as a house for God to dwell among his people today (Ephesians 4.16; 1 Peter 2.5).

There have always been various roles among God’s people. He doesn’t expect more out of us than we are able. But he does expect excellence in what we can do. And so, “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9.10)and as for the Lord, “knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3.23)”

BIBLE READING: Exodus 34

I was blessed with a large group of Christian friends in high school. When many our age were doing dumb things together, I didn’t feel to pressure to conform because I had friends like me. But over time some of my friends started spending more time with others who didn’t have the same spiritual values. They would go to the parties and engage in the things that, at one time, we would have agreed were wrong. I remember confronting one of my friends about this, to which he replied, “If I’m going to influence them, I’ve got to be with them.” At the time the sentiment made sense, but the results told a different story. Over time, my friend became more like them, and his spiritual convictions dwindled.

It is natural for people to assimilate with those around them. It’s Dinah going to see the people of the land (Genesis 34.1-4) or Judah ‘shearing his sheep’ with the Adullamite (Genesis 38.1-ff; 12-ff). The naïve are curious and intrigued by the acceptable practices of the world, which later become a snare in their lives. Biblical and secular history proves it is more common for an individual to be altered by the crowd than vise versa. And while relatability is important to believers, it must not be at the expense of loyalty.

As YHWH restates his promise and judgment against the Canaanites (Exodus 3.8; 13.5; 23.23; 33.2; cf. Genesis 15.18-21), he warns Israel plainly: Don’t become like the people (Exodus 34.12, 15). But YHWH doesn’t stop there. He commands Israel to destroy their gods: “Tear down the altars, break their pillars, cut down their Asherim (for you shall worship no other god…)” (Exodus 34.13). Whatever affinity Israel might find from the locals will corrupt them for future generations. But more importantly, they do not belong to these lifeless things. YHWH, the Living God, is a jealous God, and rightfully so. He secured their freedom as a demonstration of his love and commitment. Israel must not allow any occasion for divided loyalties. They must destroy the idols.

As we journey through this life, we will be distracted and drawn by many things. People, pleasures and pursuits offer much value in establishing our identities; but they are worthless if they draw us from God. He is our life. God doesn’t expect us to destroy others but to bring down their gods by “destroying arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10.5). This is no small task that will involve ridicule and rejection (1 Peter 4.1-6; 2 Peter 3.3-6). But we have been bought with a price and empowered to serve the Living God with totality. We must destroy the idols that captivate our attention. Hence why Jesus would call people to such extreme measures (Matthew 5.29-32; 19.21). This is the calling of holiness. Tear down the idols and serve God alone.

BIBLE READING: Exodus 32

“And Aaron said, “Let not the anger of my lord burn hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. For they said to me, ‘Make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ So I said to them, ‘Let any who have gold take it off.’ So, they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.”” (Exodus 32.22-24)

I wonder what Moses’ face looked like as Aaron tried to spin this story. When called out, Aaron crafted an absurd story about this calf magically coming from the fire. Surely, he didn’t think Moses was buying this story… did he?

Many of us have had these moments. We realized we’ve done wrong, but we’re afraid to take responsibility and face the consequences. So, we make up stories in our minds and pass them along as truths to save face. This is always motivated by self-preservation and fear. But if we were honest with ourselves, we would see that we are just covering up the disappointment of our choices.

The fact is, Aaron knew this was wrong. He didn’t even try to argue with Moses about the calf he made. It was a direct violation of the first commandment (Exodus 20.3-6). But he wasn’t just guilty in this matter; Aaron was responsible for the people’s behavior. Moses left Aaron in charge (Exodus 24.14), and he had failed. At that point Moses didn’t try to reason with him. Aaron was clearly not dealing with the facts. Moses took action to control the people and bring the truth to light. Moses is a powerful contrast to Aaron as he dealt directly with their sin but also pled for mercy from God (Exodus 32.25-32). In Moses, we see what a life lived in relationship with God looks like. It not only seeks the best for others, but it does so with in compassion, mercy, and holiness.

A couple of lessons to learn from this episode:

• We must deal with reality. It’s much easier to pretend we’re victims or leave out events that paint us negatively. But our sins will always come to light (1 Timothy 5.24).  Accept responsibility for your choices and those in your sphere of influence. This is fundamental to stewardship. God gives with expectation, and so we must not obscure what is real.
• We must not make excuses. There will always be reasons for not doing the right thing, but frankly, they don’t matter. Wrong choices are never in our best interest and worse they dishonor God. We cannot be satisfied with circumstantial morality. We cannot convince ourselves that conformity is the only option. We cannot allow peer pressure to dictate our behavior. If we are people of God, empowered by his Spirit and the gospel, excuses are nothing more than a failure to trust God.

We are responsible for our behavior and our influence, and God will call us to account for both.

BIBLE READING: Exodus 28-29

As YHWH outlines the activities necessary to prepare the people for worship, he also makes emphatic commitments to this covenant:

“It shall be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance of the tent of meeting before the LORD, where I will meet with you, to speak to you there. There I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified by my glory. I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar. Aaron also and his sons I will consecrate to serve me as priests. I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.” (Exodus 29.42-46)

Five times YHWH explicitly says “I will” to emphasize certainty in what they can expect from him.

1. YHWH will meet with Israel (2X). The very presence of the tabernacle communicated YHWH’s interest in helping them. It is called ‘the tent of meeting’ to emphasize it as a definite location where they could expect to find instruction and mercy from YHWH. But this was no ordinary place of meeting, but was a place of holiness because…
2. YHWH will consecrate the tent of meeting and altar. It is not the people’s decision to make this place holy; it is YHWH’s presence there. He has promised to sanctify it with his glory as they proceed in obedience according to the pattern shown. Furthermore…  
3. YHWH will consecrate Aaron and his sons. He chose them from among the people, a great privilege, not based on their goodness but simply YHWH’s calling. We must observe that God is doing the work of setting them apart. They are going through the processes, but it is his holiness and prerogative that allows it to happen. It is the only way that…
4. YHWH will dwell among the people. When the people YHWH has called purify themselves and engage worship according to holiness, YHWH will settle with them.

As the section concludes, YHWH is emphatic about his identity in relation to them. YHWH is the LORD their GOD. This personalized identification is subtle but profound. Why would the Creator of the universe identify himself in relation to these people? Because He wants all people to know their purpose and his desire. He made us in His image to be in relationship with our Him and at peace.

As Paul reflected on this passage (2 Corinthians 6.16-18), he would say, “since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7.1). We simply cannot experience the blessing of God’s presence if we are impure or unholy. And so, our daily pursuit must be the purification of our souls by obedience to the truth (1 Peter 1.22). When we obey, we are consecrated and prepared to meet God as he desires, and we were intended to do.