Have you ever had a favorite movie that you watched over and over? One of my favorites is the Count of Monte Cristo. Every time I watch it, the main character gets thrown into prison unjustly. It happens every time, but that is my favorite part! Watching the main character’s journey to the happy ending is why I watch that movie over and over. I know how the story ends and that enhances my enjoyment of watching the steps of the main character to the happy ending. The incremental, piece by piece, revelation of Jesus is wonderful to behold. We will see God continually working at two different levels. The first is working in the belief system and daily life of the people at that time. The second is God revealing the thread of His plan from eternity past to save a wicked people through the sacrifice of the blood of His son Jesus Christ. The story left off with Moses currently up on Mount Sinai receiving instruction from the LORD on many different aspects of worship and relationship to God. This week, pay attention to how every aspect of worship: instrument, act, or person, is to be holy. Continue to watch the tension between God’s anger towards sin, yet mercy for sinners. God is preparing His people at that time to understand His greatness, but also preparing the climax of the story for His people across all time.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Bible Plan Reading - Week 10
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2024. Specifically, we're taking a journey into how the story of the Bible unfolded in the Old Testament. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell us. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the book of Exodus, what is impacting you the most? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
STUDY IT.
What did the people say they would do in Exodus 19:8? How has the people’s attitude reversed in Exodus 32:1? Who do they give credit for in bringing them out of Egypt?
How are Aaron and the priests to be made holy according to Exodus 29:21? Who is actually consecrating Aaron and the priests according to Exodus 29:43-44? Who makes the Golden Calf according to Exodus 32:3-4? How does Aaron describe the calf was made in Exodus 32:24?
What did the people do in Exodus 17:3? How does God respond in Psalm 95:7-11. Read Exodus 34:10. Is being involved in religious activity or even miracles the same as believing in God according to Psalm 95:10-11?
What does Moses say in Exodus 32:30-32? What does God say He will do if He goes with Israel in Exodus 33:3? What does Moses say in Exodus 34:9? How are these verses different?
Read Exodus 34:27. Read Matthew 4:1-2. How are these verses similar? Read Hebrews 9:11-15. How do these verses help you understand Exodus more clearly?
SHARE IT.
Does reading through the Bible (Old Testament) as the events unfolded excite you or something else?
How have you been reminded of Jesus in the reading through Exodus this week?
How has the story of Mount Sinai so far been shocking, or have you noticed something in the text you previously had not?
Read Exodus 34:34. Moses reflected the glory of the Lord before those he was around. How does the amount of time you spend with the LORD affect how your light shines before men?
Again, we see God preparing people and gifting people for serving Him. Read Exodus 35:5,10, 21-22. How is your heart stirring you to serve the Lord today? Read Exodus 35:30-35? Who filled Bezalel with skill, intelligence, knowledge, devising artistic designs, inspiration to teach, etc.? How does what God has filled you with align in your local church?
FINAL THOUGHT
We began with Moses on Mount Sinai receiving instructions from the LORD. This ended with how to keep the Sabbath. The people of Israel finally look like they might be on the right track, and then they prove otherwise by worshiping the golden calf. Aaron, the high priest, fails by making the idol, which he lies about it popping out of the fire on its own. Even Moses fails by literally breaking the tablets, or testimony, of God. They look hopeless and doomed by their own failures. Then, there is an unbelievable reversal. Moses stands as a mediator who God has found ‘favor in His sight.’ God renews His covenant and they pick up right where they left off with Sabbath instructions. How? Before the golden calf incident, God says in Exodus 29:43 that He will be the one to consecrate Aaron and his sons “as priests.” This is before any consecration has been done by the Israelites. God is doing the consecrating, and it is always through blood. There must be a coming perfect high priest consecrated through blood. There must be a perfect mediator coming who reflects the glory of God. The question becomes, how has this already happened? These things point to an eternal truth that God is slowly revealing to the Israelites: a truth that we now know, which is the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). It is God’s own perfect blood that is shed. Jesus is the glory of God for us to see. “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Hebrews 1:1-4)