Exodus Chapter 35

EXODUS 

CHAPTER 

35

1. Moses assembled all the congregation of the Israelites and said to them: These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do:

(Exodus chapter 35 verse 1)

When Moses was speaking to the Israelites he was doing so in the name of God. Moses was the medium or tool or voice, by which God wanted to pass on His message to His people. In the New Testament that same authority and teaching role was given to Peter and eventually the Roman Catholic Church. When the Roman Catholic Church or the pope makes a declaration with reference to our spiritual life it is the voice of God that is proclaiming that message and not simply the person himself. This is the case when we go to mass, to listen to the Word of God and receive the body and blood of God, although the oral transmission is that of the priest, it is the Holy Spirit of God that inspired them to proclaim God's Word.

2. Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a holy sabbath of solemn rest to the LORD; whoever does any work on it shall be put to death.

(Exodus chapter 35 verse 2)

According to verse two of the thirty-fifth chapter of the book of Exodus when God referred to the term rest, He did not mean a day lying in bed in the sun. God meant rest in Him which means a day or time of praise and worship to Him. A day where God is the only focus.

3. You shall kindle no fire in all your dwellings on the sabbath day.

(Exodus chapter 35 verse 3)

God's reason for having given His people such a commandment may have been that He is the only light in our lives, therefore there was to be no separate flames, in the sense that Israel's source of light was common that had its roots in God's presence in the Holy Place at the area of the Tabernacle where God's presence would rest on the mercy seat.


4. Moses said to all the congregation of the Israelites: This is the thing that the LORD has commanded: 5. Take from among you an offering to the LORD; let whoever is of a generous heart bring the LORD's offering: gold silver, and bronze; 6 blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and fine linen; goats' hair, 7. tanned ram's skins, and fine leather; acacia wood, 8. oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 9. and onyx stones and gems to be set in the ephod and the breastpiece .

(Exodus chapter 35 verses 4 to 9)


At times God asks us to make use of our resources for either His service or in either to be of service to others. He does not ask of us anything that is beyond our capacity. Along with the given task God also gives us the necessary skills in order to help carry out that particular task. God never expects any task of us, that is beyond our resources. On coming out of Egypt, His people had acquired such resources from the Egyptians, therefore He knew that He had not set for them an impossible task to fulfil while in the wilderness of Sinai.


10. All who are skillful among you shall come and make all that the LORD has commanded: the tabernacle, 11. its tent and its covering, its clasps and its frames, its bars, its pillars, and its bases; 12. the ark with its poles, the mercy seat, and the curtains for the screen; 13. the table with its poles and all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence; 14. the lampstand also for the light, with its utensils and its lamps, and the oil for the light; 15 and the altar of incense with its poles, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the screen for the entrance, the entrance of the tabernacle; 16. the altar of burnt offerings, with its grating of bronze, its poles and all its utensils, the basin with its stand; 17. the hangings of the court, its pillars and its bases, and the screen for the gate of the court; 18. the pegs of the tabernacle and the pegs of the court and their cords; 19. the finely worked vestments for ministering in the holy place, the holy vestments for the priest Aaron, and the vestments of his sons, for their service as priests.

(Exodus chapter 35 verses 10 to 19)


God gave his people a big assignment to fulfil that required both strength and fine skills in order to build and furnish the utensils and tent of the meeting. During our times God does not give us such outstanding tasks to accomplish, however on reflecting He does give us tasks. The undertaking of the commitment of marriage, becoming a priest, being part of a charity organisation, evangelising among minority groups or even during public sessions are all assignments given to us by God. In the New Testament God told us to venture beyond our securities and throw our nets, because if we stay in the limits of our harbours which are protected zones our catch would not be that successful. We are to venture into circles or groups of people among whom we usually think twice of going to. God will surely be with us, because such groups of people are also His sons and daughters, however the greatest assignment that God has given us is with ourselves. If we let Him into ourselves, God is able to change us. On the other hand others will witness the change in us, and we become witnesses of God's intervention for others to follow leading to the silent salvation of many souls. Without our being aware there may be others who admire the presence of God in us and are trying to follow the same path by imitating us. Therefore we are to always set a good example in all we do, so that we will not be of a scandal or negative experience for others.



20. Then all the congregation of the Israelites withdrew from the presence of Moses. 21. An they came, everyone whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and brought the LORD'S offering to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the sacred vestments. So they came, both men and women: all who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and pendants, all sorts of gold objects, everyone bringing an offering of gold to the LORD. 23. And everyone who possessed blue or purple or crimson yarn or fine linen or goat's hair or tanned rams skins or fine leather brought them. 24. Everyone who could make an offering of silver or bronze brought it as the LORD's offering; and everyone who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work, brought it.

(Exodus chapter 35 verses 20 to 24)


When God makes a call on all believers we are expected to respond to His call by, offering all our skills and or resources. At times we receive calls for prayer by the pope and even simple please such as people needed to wash the church or participate in fund raising activities among others. God shows us that there is some need lacking by means of different people and or situations. It is our duty to respond with the best of our selves and our resources.


25. All the skillful women spun with their hands, and brought what they had spun in blue and purple and crimson yarns and fine linen: 26. all the women whose hearts moved them to use their skill spun the goats hair. 27. And the leaders brought onyx stones and gems to be set in the ephod and the breastpiece, 28. and spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense.

(Exodus chapter 35 verses 25 to 28)


In the world every body has a role to play. God gives us skills to share with others even for the good of the Church and other organizations. This is a good time to reflect on the skills that God has given us and thank Him for each and every one of them.


29. All the Israelite men and women whose hearts made them willing to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done, brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD.

(Exodus chapter 35 verse 29)


God makes his call to all people, however only those who are free in their hearts and spirits are able to respond to God's will. At times we are bound by many blockages that hinder us from being ourselves and instruments in the hands of God.


30. Then Moses said to the Israelites: See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur of the tribe of Judah:

(Exodus chapter 35 verse 30)


God called Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur. He may also be calling you and your children or other members of you family in order to be of service to Him. God has a variety of calls, that differ according to other people's needs. The world may be in need of doctors, or psychologists, or even priests, or maybe even people to be married or maybe people called to be missionaries or instruments for evangelizing. It is our duty to respond by saying yes to God's call.


31. He has filled him with divine spirit, with skill, Intelligence, and knowledge in every kind of craft, 32. to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, 33 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, in every kind of craft. 34. And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. 35. He has filled them with the skill to do every kind of work done by an artisan or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue purple, and crimson yarns, and in fine linen, or by a weaver-by any sort of artisan or skilled designer.

(Exodus chapter 35 verses 31 to 35)


On reflecting on verses 31 to 35 God shows us that all of our skills and knowledge is not according to our own doing, but are gifts given to us by God for a particular purpose mainly that of being of help and or service to others.


Now is the time to thank God for all the skills that He has given us. It would be fruitful for us to stop and reflect on all the skills that God has given us, and thank Him for each and every one of them.


I would like to end this chapter by thanking God for all the love, care, friends, knowledge, skills that He has given us. They are all his blessings and without them I cannot imagine how our lives would be. I invite you to click on the following link and thank God with me by means of this song.

Thank You God

  

Exodus Chapter 34

EXODUS

 CHAPTER

 34

1. The LORD said to Moses, "Cut two tablets of stone like the former ones, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets, which you broke.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 1)

On reflecting we can observe that during the first encounter on Mount Sinai God gave the tablets of stone to Moses, however after he broke them the, second time Moses met God, He told Moses to make the tablets himself. It seems that God's attitude with Moses was now that of an adult who was nurturing his loving son. The tasks given on sensing that the son had matured as a consequence of the experiences one endures now become more complex. There is no more spoon feeding. 

Oh father even though I have physically grown and am forty-three years old, on a spiritual level I am still a toddler who needs much care and support. On me I still have the label saying; 'please handle with care!"

2. Be ready in the morning to Mount Sinai and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 2)



As in the New Testament God is asking us to be ready because we do not know the day or the hour during which we will appear before Him. Moreover Oh God every day I thirst for Your presence and I am in waiting for it, therefore it is a great need for me to be ready. One way that really helps us be ready for such mountain top experiences with God is frequent confession of our sins, so that the state of our soul will not be endangered. When considering that although we strive to walk in the ways of God our father we are still sinners and prone to sin, therefore a bit of spring cleaning is always necessary in order to help keep our spiritual welfare in a healthy state. The Holy Spirit of God prompts us to help us fulfil this role as long as we are willing to share this noble aim.


3. No one shall come up with you, and do not let anyone be seen throughout all the mountain; and do not let flocks or herds graze in front of that mountain.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 3)



As much as there is the need for us to give praise and worship as a community, there is also the need for us to worship as individuals. Therefore this highlights the need for our having a healthy and constant prayer life. During such sacred moments God speaks to our hearts and even to our minds, by giving us insights, feelings and even ideas in relation to sensitive issues that are of concern both in the present and even in the days to come. While meditating on the Word of God I was inspired to open a new blog on the New Testament. Meanwhile I waited to see if this was God's will and did not take action, however yesterday which was the 6th of December one of the followers of this blog asked me whether I intend to open a blog on the New Testament which according to his opinion would be more relevant for our Spiritual Welfare than the Old Testament. I considered this comment as being God's confirmation during moments of prayer after such a long time of prayer and waiting on God and created a new blog on the New Testament. If it is according to the will of God I will alternate by reflecting on both 'Testaments' simultaneously and when a chapter is ready I will publish it.


4. So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the former ones; and he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tablets of stone.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 4)


Now that Moses had to cut and fashion the new  stone tablets he would appreciate more God's work who made and fashioned the original tablets which Moses had destroyed in a fit of anger and passion on seeing the state of disorder in which the people of God had degenerated to. Oh God my father when my daughter was born the fruit of both material and spirit, I was overjoyed. Moreover I became more aware of what joy you experienced on creating the world with all its beauty and wonder. Thank You for giving us this opportunity to create, even though we are creatures ourselves. 


5. The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name, "The LORD,"

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 5)



On reflecting a person's name reflects alot in relation to who that person is. In the case of God, the name LORD reflects both majesty, power and authority which merits both love, obedience and respect. There is no other name but the name of Jesus, may You always be praised and worshipped and never have your blessed be named subjected to ridicule and bad words. When considering how much the name of God is spoken of in vain, it is the right time to stop and give worship to God by means of the following song please click on the following link:-



Song No other name but the Name of Jesus



6. The LORD passed before him, and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7. keeping, steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, yet by no means clearing the guilty, but visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children to the third and the fourth generation."


(Exodus chapter 34 verses 6 to 7)



On reflecting verses 6 to 7 reflects the amazing loving and generous character of God. He is merciful abundant in steadfast love and faithfulness, however God is also just and merciful and therefore cannot help but chastise us in a loving and caring way for our injustices. At times oh heavenly father it is necessary for You to say 'No' instead of a 'Yes'. In such situations there is a always a valid reason for our own good. Thank You Oh God for having such beautiful qualities, may we all share in such qualities. You are a reliable model for us to follow. Whenever we may feel or doubt if we are living according to the will of God we can refer to verses 6 to 7 as our checklist.


8. And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped. 9. He said, "If now I have found favour in your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the LORD go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, pardon our iniquities and our sin, and take us for your inheritance."


(Exodus chapter 34 verses 8 to 9)



Oh loving father, my prayer is also that of Moses, and maybe the same as that of who is reading and praying over this chapter as I am doing. Please accept me as I am that is a sinner. Please be with me, even though my carnal self gets the better of me and I end up sinning again and again. Even though I do my best to overcome my sinful self it often gets the better of me. Please accept me as Your own even though I am but sin and flesh, please have mercy on me and my sinful nature.



10. He said: I hereby make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform marvels, such as have not been performed in all the earth or in any nation; and all the people among whom you live shall see the work of the LORD; for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.


(Exodus chapter 34 verse 10)



Indeed it was truly awesome oh God my father, how you helped your people to enter the land that You Yourself promised them. This meant wiping out four nations. Even today we are still witnessing how awesome You are. After all these years since the day of its very conception Your Church has faced many tribulations, both within and beyond. You protected it from the mighty force of Nazism who at all costs attempted to exterminate You chosen people. You are protecting Your Church from the onslaught of fundamentalists who are beheading people just because they are Roman Catholics and you are also protecting Your Church from the internal scourge of homosexuality that is like the Ebola virus that leaves death and a wave of negativity that is having negative consequences even among those who have had considered themselves up to no as being believers. Please protect Your Church oh father from this cursed malady.


11. Observe what I command you today. See, I will drive out before you the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites,

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 11)


Oh father You are always willing and able to help us in our problems, You have done great things during the course of our lives and You never stop working in the history of time. You are always active on our behalf. However all You ask of us is to listen to what You are telling us, by the events, trends, ideas, findings of science, teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and even other churches but most of all by referring to the Word of God as our major source of reference in a spirit of prayer and worship. We are not only to listen bu to obey and act according to Your Holy will.


12. Take care not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you are going, or it will become a snare among you.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 12)


Although the people of God would inhabit the lands of their enemies, they were not to adopt their ways and beliefs. The world is becoming a global village, the Internet is gradually eliminating the distance between places on the globe and values and beliefs that are alien to the Christian Catholic beliefs are being transmitted so much that they are being incorporated into constitutions and even legal system. Marriage between people of the same gender has been made legal, and so has divorce, in future only God knows what will become legalised.



13. You shall tear down their altars, break their pillars, and cut down their sacred poles.

(Exodus chapter 34)



There is absolutely nothing wrong in our being aware of people of other creeds slants and beliefs, however if we become acquainted with such people we may easily be tempted to adopt foreign and maybe even sinful ways which may have negative repercussions on both our spiritual, social and or psychological self. Therefore it is best not to become acquainted with sin but do our best to be estranged from it.


14. (for you shall worship no other god, because the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God).


(Exodus chapter 34 verse 14)



God is jealous for our love and worship. The ways of the world have a special way of attracting our attention and luring us away from Him, therefore as a loving father it is understood that He cares for the well being of His children.


15. You shall not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to their gods, someone among them will invite you and you will eat of the sacrifice. 16. And you will take wives from among their daughters for your sons, and their daughters who prostitute themselves to their gods will make your sons also prostitute themselves to their gods.

(Exodus chapter 34 verses 15 to 16)


God does not want us to associate with evil and negative ways. God is warning us even though He is aware that even if we promise not to do such a thing there is always the possibility that as humans we will put our foot in it and go against His will at some time or another. Thanks for loving us oh father even though we have a strong inclination to sinful and negative ways.



17. You shall not make cast idols. 18. You shall keep the festival of unleavened bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib; for in the month of Abib you came out from Egypt.

(Exodus chapter 17 to 18)


Before permitting His people to proceed to the land that He had long since promised them, God revised the commandments that He had initially given to Moses starting with the feast that would remind them of one of the most important event in their lives, meaning that of their liberation from the bondage of Egypt.  It is nice to remember those intimate moments when we felt God intervening in full force, precious moments that made a whole lot of difference in our lives and maybe even having led to our conversion from a life without God to one that initiated our relationship with Him that has been lasting up to this very day.



19. All that first opens the womb is mine, all your male livestock, the firstborn of cow and sheep. 20. The firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. No one shall appear before me empty handed.


(Exodus chapter 34 verses 19 to 20)


Even though God's people would be living in a foreign land they were still to offer their first born to God, who would still be the main priority and value in their life. Oh Lord God and father I pray that in all my decisions and priorities You will always be the primary point of reference. Any thing or decision that does not correspond with You and Your teachings is not acceptable to me. Moreover I would like to take this opportunity to dedicate both myself and my family to You. Please wash us and consecrate us with Your Holy blood forever.


21. Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even in plowing time and in harvest time you shall rest.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 21)


God knows what is good both for our bodies and for our souls, among His commandments He gave us rules that concern both the well being of the soul and the body.


22. You shall observe the festival of weeks, the first fruits of wheat harvest, and the festival of ingathering at the turn of the year.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 22)


The festival of weeks had the intention of reminding the people of God of the covenant that took place at Mount Sinai, where God gave His commandments to His people. In the Christian world the festival of weeks is that of the celebration of Pentecost. In order to go deeper into the significance of the festival of weeks please click on the following link:-


The festival of weeks


23. Three times in the year all of your males shall appear before the LORD God, the God of Israel.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 23)


For three times the males of the people of God were to appear before Him. For one important time we are also going to appear before Him I pray that we be  ready when our time comes.


24. For I will cast out nations before you, and enlarge your borders; no one shall covet your land when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 24)


Go promises to share of his providence He will bless all that He provides for us and we shall always share of this blessing as long as we stay in His ways.



25. You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven, and the sacrifice of the festival of the passover shall not be left until the morning.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 25)


God also made a special emphasis in relation to the procedures of the sacrificial offerings as they were very important and significant.



26. The best of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring to the house of the LORD your God. You shall not boil a kid in it's mother's milk.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 26)



As in the case of Abel and Cain God wants us to offer Him the best of our produce, our abilities, our prayer time and not the bare remnants of our day. If we happen to be very very busy we can at least thank God for even the smallest and maybe insignificant thing that happens in our life even if it does not make sense, because if God permitted it to happen He has a reason to have done so.


 27. The LORD said to Moses: Write these words; in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 27)


Although it is not practical for us to write God's covenants on stone tablets, the Church has taught us these same commandments ever since we were of an age to attend catechism or other religious instruction, therefore by now they are engraved in our minds and hearts. They are an active part of our hearts. In order to make it easier legal systems have incorporated directly or indirectly the principles out lined in the commandments that God gave to Israel and to humanity at large. Thank You God for giving us such wise commandments that were updated in the New Testament by Your Son Jesus.


28. He was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 28)


One might wonder how ever could Moses cope on the mountain for fourty days without eating or drinking. However although Moses was technically famished, in reality he was more than fulfilled for his soul was replenished by Your Word Oh God. You preserved his body and his soul for fourty days so that he could continue to be an instrument in Your hands. In relation to these fourty days and their significance please click on the following link:-


Significance of fourty days on Mount Sinai


29. Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 29)


When Moses came down from the mountain the people realised that he had been in your presence, because his face reflected the fact that he had been exposed to Your presence. May we all be witnesses of You divine presence in our lives. May everyone realise by our deeds and words that we are people who have had a personal experience with You oh God. May this experience be like a positive label that all can see, may we be like signposts for all to be guided by, so that people who have lost their way on the pilgrimage of life may get back on track to their heavenly homes. Moreover may, we all be signposts for each other, for we are all travelling on a twisty and slippery road and without warning we can all at some point or other swerve of the road and need to towed back to a garage for repairs before being able to continue our race.


30. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 30)


The people saws a changed man or even thought that they were seeing a ghost. Something had changed in Moses. He was radiating the presence of God. On making an experiencing of You oh God, we are sure to experience radical or gradual changes in our behaviour or life style. We will begin to think, act and behave like You, so much that people will witness the difference from the person whom we were to the person whom we have become.


31. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 31)


One of the main features of people who have made an experience of God is that they are strongly motivated to share with others what God has shared with them. Moses wished to be a signpost for the people that would ultimately lead them to worship God in spirit and in truth. Therefore Moses did not want the people to be afraid of him.


32. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai.

(Exodus chapter 34 verse 32)


When we experience growth in our spiritual life we start feeling a greater need to be with You oh father. In Your infinite wisdom You start sharing with us, knowledge and insights about our selves, our sins, the world and even knowledge of the future, particular knowledge and insights that are given to society in general.


33. When Moses had finished speaking with them he put a veil on his face; 34. but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35. the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again until he went in to speak with him.

(Exodus chapter 34 verses 33 to 35)


For some reason Moses attempted to hide the reflection of God from his being by wearing a veil to cover his face. On the contrary in the New Testament Jesus wants us to be a shining light in this World of darkness in order to be a living testimony of Him and His word. May we all be a light that is strong enough to penetrate the darkness of evil both in ourselves and in those making part of our inner and outer circles.


I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-


Oh God thanks for loving us as You do! As sinners we do not deserve to be loved by You with such immense and caring love. Grant oh Father that we open ourselves to You so that you can always write Your will on the tablets of our hearts, so that we will always walk in Your ways. May Your light always shine in us. May our lives become a living testimony of Your presence in us, so much that more and more souls are drawn to You and saved from the damnation of hell.

Thank you Jesus my one and only father!   

 



  

Exodus Chapter 33

EXODUS

 CHAPTER 

33

1. The LORD said to Moses, "Go, leave this place, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, and go to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, "To your descendants I will give it.'

(Exodus chapter 33 verse 1)

On reflecting my God it seems that although You love us so much even You may feel hurt by our indifference and most of all by our sinful acts. This is reflected by the fact that although You forgave your people You still did not acknowledge them as being your people and the fact that You were the God who delivered them out of Egypt. Thanks for loving me even though at times I turn against you in disobedience. What is most astonishing is that although I break my promises and commitment with You, You still remain loving, faithful and committed to me as a loving father.

2. I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

(Exodus chapter 33 verse 2)

As in verse 1 of the thirty-third chapter of the book of Exodus God wants us to move on from our place or situation of sin which is unhealthy for us and move in in our life in order to achieve the ultimate goal that is being reunited with God in heaven and with humanity on earth. In order to reach this aim You send us angels that guide us along the way. Some of these angels maybe friends, employees, teachers or even fathers who during confession make us aware of the consequences of our decisions which in turn leads to our changing of the course of our lives. Throughout my life God has sent me many of these angels, however the greatest means of direction and opener, was given to me through meditating on His Word.


3. Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, or I would consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people."

(Exodus chapter 33 verse 3)


Verse 33 may explain alot of what is happening in the world today my God. Today we have become so stubborn and proud that we are driving You out of our lives in a polite way or even wilfully. We only turn our focus on You when we are up to our neck in trouble and even then we place we may even tend to place the blame the on You in order to compensate for our sins.


It is truly a tragedy oh God if You do not assist me and others throughout our daily lives, for what can we possibly do without You. Our lives would be chaos, a total disaster.com. You are our sense of hope, faith and love, the true and only way that leads to our salvation! May it never be oh Father that You turn Your face away from us because we cannot spend one second away from You.


4. When the people heard these harsh words, they mourned, and no one put on ornaments. 5. For the LORD had said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, and I will decide what to do to you.' 6. Therefore the Israelites stripped themselves of their ornaments, from Mount Horeb onward.

(Exodus chapter 33 verses 4 to 6)


As a response to Your harsh words of condemnation Your people humbled themselves as a sign of feeling sorry for their negative attitude as in confession of their sinful self, may we all feel the weight of our sins and turn to You for forgiveness.


7. Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp; he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the LORD would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp.

(Exodus chapter 33 verse 7)


On reflecting on verse 7 it can be said that anybody who wishes to spend time with God would have to invest time in venturing outside the camp and go to the tent of the meeting. It would have been a purposeful venture in order to meet God. Today we have chapels where we can come to meet You oh father in silence, however we can also meet You in the chapels of our hearts if these chapels or places of worship happen to be very far away. God is omnipresent and is available at all times. He does not operate on office hours. The Holy Spirit of God is always available for us with which to communicate.

8. Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise and stand, each of them, at the entrance of their tents and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. 9. When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses. 10. When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise and bow down, all of them at the entrance of their tent.

(Exodus chapter 33 verses 8 to 10)


On reflecting this is a replica example of why we stand up during mass when the priest enters in a processional way on his way to the altar. He is a representative of God and therefore merits our respect. Therefore if the representative merits our respect how much more do you merit it oh holy father when we pass in front of the Eucharist or receive You in our hands during communion.


11. Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then he would return to the camp; but his young assistant, Joshua son of Nun, would not leave the tent.

(Exodus chapter 33 verse 11)


This is my greatest prayer oh God! I also would like to have this form of relationship with You. How I wish that we could speak together face to face like two friends. I would surely grow in my love for You and others and would be always sure to be walking according to Your ways, because I would be receiving direct feedback from You every single day of my life.


 12. Moses said to the LORD, "See, you have said to me,  'Bring up this people'; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ' I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.' 13. Now If I have found favour in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people."

(Exodus chapter 33 verses 12 to 13)


In life we all have questions that try as we might we never or almost find never answers to them. When we seem to find an answer to one question like a pop up another one takes its place. We tend to use the scientific method or other means in order to answer the biggest issues of life, however the means and knowledge of this world is not enough to satisfy our quest for knowledge and answers, because only You oh father have all the answers and because all is happening according to Your perfect plan whether we like it or are aware of it or not. We are like a door bell we here alot of questions but do not have many answers. Only the knowledge given to us by means of the Holy Spirit of God is able to inflame our intellect with the much needed knowledge, however the greatest awareness and knowledge that is sufficient to us is, that which shows us how to always walk according to Your ways in obedience to Your holy will.


14. He said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."15. And he said to him, "If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. 16. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth."

(Exodus chapter 33 verses 14 to 16)


As in the case of Moses I totally agree with him that life without the presence of God is not worth living at all. However on the other hand there is nothing that makes me proud than to be called a person who is trying to walk in the presence of God by means of the help of the Holy Spirit of God. The names Christian and Catholic give me both pleasure courage and satisfaction.


17. The LORD said to Moses, " I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name."

(Exodus chapter 33 verse 17)


Oh how wonderful it is oh heavenly father that You know us by our name, that means on a personal level. We could not have a better friend than You. Thanks for permitting us to form part of Your inner circles by means of the Holy Sacraments and a healthy life of prayer. Please never stop being our father and even a friend to us.


18. Moses said, "Show me your your glory, I pray."

(Exodus chapter 33 verse 18)


Although God had manifested himself to Moses both in glory and in power Moses kept on praying for more. Our souls will always be thirsty for Your presence Oh God! The more we experience You the more we crave for You and You presence. You are the only source that is able to replenish both our body and most of all our soul. I also pray that You give us more of Yourself.

In a spirit of praise and worship let us lift our souls in praise worship to You oh God. I invite you who are reading this chapter to click on the following link and join me in praise and worship by means of this song;

More of You my God


19. And he said, " I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, "The LORD", and I will be gracious, and will show mercy. 20. But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one shall see me and live."

(Exodus chapter 33 verse 19 to 20)


Moses was asking for more than was allotted for him as a human. To experience God in all Your glory is such a powerful and wonderful gift that it is to be given by God and not only desired by us. If we are not yet ready to make such a profound experience of God this gift shall not be given to us, however when God considers us as being ready He will surely share Himself with us as He did with the apostles on the mountain of transfiguration in the New Testament. As based on my personal experience of God when I heard His voice in a vision or as many inferred as having been a dream I was on the verge of having a heart attack. I could not speak of anything but the dream and had to share it with all the persons with whom I was acquainted. The fire of the Holy Spirit of God was and still is alive and burning in my soul. It was a peak moment in my life that I will never forget.


21. And the LORD continued, "See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; 22. and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; 23. then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen."

(Exodus chapter 33 verses 21 to 23)


Oh God of Gods even I desire You presence even if from a limited perspective as in the case of Moses, from the cleft of a rock. Nothing would be more satisfactory to my soul.


I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer. In order to follow I invite you to please click on the following link:

In Your presence Oh God

Exodus Chapter 32

EXODUS

 CHAPTER 

32

1. When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered around Aaron, and said to him, "Come, make gods for us, 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."

(Exodus chapter 32 verse 1)

The experience of the people of God is my and maybe even our experience at large. After a time of spiritual consolation may come a period of dryness in our spiritual life. Oh God You are so near but at times I feel you so far away, that I start referring to my own means and agendas instead of following Your ways. The feeling is as if I am totally alone. I seem to forget that you redeemed me out of my Egypt and placed me back on the route leading to my salvation. I apologise Oh father for having made such bad choices that led me far away from You. When I wonder even from Your ways even for one second I end up following the gods or ways of the world, please help me to stay focused on You because You are the only Way that leads to my salvation and that of the world.


2. Aaron said to them; "Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters and bring them to me." 3. So all the people took off the gold rings from their ears, and brought them to Aaron.

(Exodus chapter 32 verses 2 to 3)


God had given orders to the people of God to ask the locals of Egypt to give them gold rings and ear rings and dress them upon themselves. God gave his people by adorning them with the gold of the Egyptians who were stripped of their dignity and power. Due to the sinful act that the people were going to give their consent to, they were now being stripped off their dignity, by having the same golden trinkets wilfully taken away from them. Oh God You made us beautiful shaped on Your Model, however we shame this model and seek to practise ways that are sinful and shameful that bring disgrace and sin on this holy form. Acts such as masturbation and body trampling where the person is placed under the high heels of women who have the role off disgracing the body by trampling on it in part or in whole are placing the subject in a state of utter dishonour. Sin does the same thing to us.


4. He took the gold from them, formed it in a mold, and cast an image of a calf, and they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!

(Exodus chapter 32 verse 4)

At times our perception of reality oh God becomes so twisted that we mix up the image of reality for reality itself. Israel was happy with a substitute god which they attributed their liberation from the bondage of Egypt, instead of giving worship to the actual one and true God who had actually brought them out of Egypt.

At times we attribute our successes to our own skills and knowledge. We become the image of God, the centre of praise and honour instead of attributing to God all the honour praise thanksgiving and worship.

In order to view this negative scene of adoration to the golden calf please click on the following link:

Aaron and the golden calf


5. When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation and said, "Tomorrow shall be a festival to the LORD." 

(Exodus chapter 32 verse 5)


It seems that even people of God are able to abuse others by going along with what is known to be negative. Aaron was more aware than the people that it was wrong to offer sacrifices to an image instead of offering sacrifices to God. In his heart he knew that it was wrong. He had been persuaded by the pressure made on him by the people into making them the calf. He had a slip of the tongue when he said that the next day they would make a festival to the LORD or else he was addressing the image of the calf as being the LORD.


Oh God although we are fully aware of what is good and acceptable to You from what is totally wrong and unacceptable we still follow our own agendas. Once our attention is not on You we are living in a world of illusions carnal desires and sins.


6. They rose early the next day, and offered burnt offerings and brought sacrifices of well-being: and the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to revel.

(Exodus chapter 32 verse 6)


The people were so intent in giving worship to this false manly created god that they rose up early in the morning to celebrate. This can mean that even during the night their minds was dwelling on the actions of the following morning so much that they rose early to start celebrating. Sin oh God attacks our conscious minds through the perception of the senses, this is followed by the creation of ideas that amplify the the idea with much creativity so much that by relying on our own sources we cannot be freed from this pattern of sin. The level of sin continues to increase to a state of revelry as shown in the following video clip.

The degeneration of God's people to revelry


7. The LORD said to Moses, "Go down at once! Your people whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely: 8. they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them: they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshipped it and sacrificed to it, and said, 'These are you gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!

(Exodus chapter 32 verses 7 to 8)


It would be a great loss for me Oh God if You claimed that You are not my father for indeed I would have nobody to call father in this world. I would declare myself as being an orphan in a cruel world. You told Moses that they were 'his' people and that they were the people that 'he' had brought out of Egypt. How humble You are Oh Lord to make such a declaration. I pray that You did not mean that wanted to have nothing to do with Your people whom You love so much. I pray that I never drive You to the same extreme so much that You declare that You have nothing to do with me!


9. The LORD said to Moses, 'I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. 10. Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation."

(Exodus chapter 32 verses 9 to 10)


Although God is portrayed as having lost his patience with humanity He is loving and kind, but on the other hand He is just and has the full authority of exercising His authority on humanity. On reflecting God does not impose the same penalty on the just and the unjust for when passing judgement on His people He spared Moses from the imposed penalty and still promised to make of him a great nation.

11. But Moses implored the LORD his God, and said, "O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12. Why should the Egyptians say, 'It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people.

(Exodus chapter 32 verses 11 to 12)


The biblical author under the influence of the Holy Spirit of God makes us aware of our actions before deciding to take major actions in our lives. god invites us to evaluate the consequences of such actions before proceeding with our intentions based on our agendas. We are to stop and consider the consequences of our actions on both ourselves and even on others. This may have either a positive or negative effect on how people may percieve us and even on their spiritual lives, especially if others hold us as their role model.


13. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self saying to them, ' I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants and they shall inherit it forever." 14. And the LORD changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people.

(Exodus chapter 32 verses 13 to 14)


One thing that God always keeps is His promises. He never goes back from His word, however his love for humanity surpasses all forms of worldly love. It can also be said of You Oh God that your ways are not like our ways and this is what makes it so difficult to understand You and Your ways. When considering the great sin that Your people had committed it would have been fair and just of You to destroy them from the face of the earth and sow the seed of a new nation by means of Moses, however You are aware of our weaknesses and therefore You do not use meritocracy as a means of judging us. If You did so my father I would never stand a chance because my sins weigh down the scale of justice against me all the time.


15. Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain, carrying the two tablets of the covenant in his hands, tablets that were written on both sides, written on the front and on the back. 16. The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved upon the tablets.

(Exodus chapter 32 verses 15 to 16)


I can only imagine how special the tablets were to Moses. They were the foundation stones or manual of the future, on which they were to base their life. Moreover, the fact that they were actually written by God made them more special than ever. Every day Oh God I carry with me a pocket version of the bible. It is so special to me that I take it with me every where I go. With in in my possession I feel more secure than being without it. It is my means of communication with God therefore it is special to me.

17. When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, "There is a noise of war in the camp." 18. But he said, "It is not the sound made by victors, or the sound made by losers; it is the sound of revelers that I hear."

(Exodus chapter 32 verses 17 to 18)


On reflecting it can be said that even chaos can make music. Instead of spending their time in worship to God, the people reveled in a celebration of stupor and lack of control over their senses, they became totally worldly and carnal which was an utter disgrace to a people chosen especially by God. The situation was enough to stimulate God's anger and even that of Moses.

19. As soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing. Moses' anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets from his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. 20. He took the calf that they had made, burned it with fire, ground it to powder, scattered it on the water, and made the Israelites drink it.

(Exodus chapter 32 verses 19 to 20)


In order to imagine this chaotic situation which was dominated by emotions from both sides please click on the following link:

Moses and the people revelling


In order for the people to experience the negative consequences of their sin they were to drink water that was contaminated with the gold of the calf, for they had also contaminated themselves with sin as is shown in the next video link

Israel drinks water with God


21. Moses said to Aaron, "What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?"

(Exodus chapter 32 verse 21)


On reflecting the same question that Moses asked Aaron is the same question that You will ask me Oh God!. You will ask me if I did something which as a consequence brought harm on others. Since I am human oh God I remember many moments when by what I said I brought harm on that person, however the intention was never that. My intention was only that of sharing something intimate, however the person broke confidentiality and I am carrying on my plate the consequences of the action. I pray oh God for your forgiveness and have already confessed my sins before your minister but I am still experiencing the negative consequences of my action since people are talking badly about me and not about the person who broke confidentiality. I have learnt oh father to trust only in You and not in any human! Thanks for being supportive loving and caring.


22. And Aaron said, "Do not let the anger of my lord burn hot; you know the people, that they are bent on evil. 23. 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.' 24. So I said to them, 'Whoever has gold, take it off'; so they gave it to me, and I threw it into the  fire, and out came this calf!

(Exodus chapter 32 verses 22 to 24)


 On reflecting on verses 22 to 24 we it can be observed that it is a replica of what happened on Mount Sinai when God wanted to vent His anger on the people. In such situation Moses took on the role of a mediator between God and His people. In this situation Aaron is also pleading for Moses's mercy. Although Aaron is explaining the events leading to his making the calf Aaron portrays himself as being totally at the mercy of the situation. Aaron says that he put the gold in the fire and out came the calf. In reality the gold needed a skill person to make a mould in which to form the calf hence it could not have taken its own form by itself. Therefore Aaron was not totally honest with Moses when pleading for mercy.


At times we also plea for your mercy, however in order to cover up our guilt we conjure a story that places the blame on others so that we can go off scott free. I am sorry if in my situation I did or am doing the same thing my father. If I am I also pray for your mercy for even I am a wretched sinner and am always in need of your mercy and kindness.


25. When Moses saw that the people were running wild (for Aaron had let them run wild, to the derision of their enemies), 26. then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, "Who is on the LORD's side? Come to me! And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. 27. He said to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Put your sword on your side, each of you! Go back and forth from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill your brother, your friend, and your neighbor.'

(Exodus chapter 32 verses 25 to 27)



As in the case of Adam and Eve who due to their sin were expelled from Eden, those members of the people of God, who offered worship and burnt incense to the golden calf, had no place among the people of God, therefore they were to be removed from the people. The means used may be somewhat gorey and unlikely of God from whom flows all love and mercy, however when these people accepted to follow You Oh God they also accepted the whole terms of conditions which held that who gives worship to any other God was worthy of death. During our times God is asking us the same question that Moses asked his people. Who is with the LORD? We cannot say we are in favour of God but do not accept the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church which are outdated and badly in need of updates. We either accept God as a whole or none at all. God does not like people who are half hearted. Now is a time to renew our commitment to God. We are either on His side or on the side of the world.

If we are on the LORD's Side let us rejoice in prayer and worship by clicking on the following link

Song who is on the LORD's Side?


28. The sons of Levi did as Moses commanded and about three thousand of the people fell on that day. 29. Moses said, "Today you have ordained yourselves for the service of the LORD each one at the cost of a son or a brother, and so have brought a blessing on yourselves on this day."

(Exodus chapter 32 verses 28 to 29)


When we obey You oh God we are continuing Your work on earth. Whenever we go against our sinful nature we claim a victory over ourselves and over our sinful self.


30. On the next day Moses said to the people. "You have sinned a great sin. But now I will go up to the LORD perhaps I can make atonement for your sin." 31. So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Alas, this people has sinned a great sin; they have made for themselves a god of gold. 32. But now, if you will only forgive their sin but if not, blot me out of the book that you have written."

(Exodus chapter 32 verses 30 to 32)


Although the perpetrators or act of sin had been ended, there was still the great need of obtaining pardon and forgiveness from God. This is why we go to confess our sins so, that we can be reunited with You oh father as your sons and daughters.


33. But the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. 34. But now go, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you; see my angel shall go in front of you. Nevertheless, when the day comes for punishment, I will punish them for their sin." 35. Then the LORD sent a plague on the people, because they made the calf the one that Aaron made.

(Exodus chapter 32 verses 33 to 35)


 Even though the remaining people were the ones who chose to side with God it seems that there were still some of them who had participated in the making of the calf and in their worship to it, and therefore they still had to compensate for their great sin.

I would like to end this chapter with a prayer given to us by Mary Geveetha a follower and a contributor of this blog:

Almighty Father and ever living God. We acknowledge no other God before You and no other idols present before Your Mighty existence. You are our One and Only true God, with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three in One and One in three. You alone are God most high and worthy of all Glory and Praise. We pray Father never to draw any one of Your people away from Your Mighty existence to idolatry or to change the meaning and context of Your word to suit our worldly taste.

We also pray to move into a deeper and closer relationship with You in daily prayer, meditation and perseverance in our faith. May we be fully aware that no carnal mind or unhumbled heart can endure Your holy percepts and truth.

We thank You for giving us Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we are sealed in a new everlasting  covenant of Grace. We pray to be a people  deeply loving You our God and in the fruits of Your spirit may we make ourselves worthy in all things in life and rejoice in the gift of Grace that Lord Jesus has purchased for us.

We pray in the blessed name of Jesus, Amen!

Exodus Chapter 31

EXODUS 

CHAPTER 

31

1. The LORD spoke to Moses: 2. See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3. and I have filled him with divine spirit, with ability, intelligence, and knowledge in every kind of craft, 4. to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver and bronze, 5. in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, in every kind of craft.

(Exodus chapter 31 verses 1 to 5)

Whenever the time is proper God gives us adequate skills and knowledge. People who were once considered as ordinary and or worthless become skilled persons and even geniuses such as Albert Einstein and or Galileo. God is able to enrich us with the needed skills in any field of science.  When the Church was in a crisis God sent people such as St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Thomas of Aquinas and gave them unlimited wisdom and knowledge in both arts and sciences as was needed in order to be as a strong defence during that time of Heresy. God anointed even particular people as popes and even initiated important events such as Vatican Council 2 and many others.

Oh God if I look back in my life I can remember many moments when you intervened in my life and gave me skills both for myself and for others. Of the many moments I recall the time when You wanted me to en roll as a full time University student. I was terrified. My level of education was only up to my second year of secondary school level and now I was attending for lectures with students who had completed the whole process of education. I was both unskilled and the underdog in my level of education, however still I graduated alongside those whom I had considered as being the 'big guys' because their level of education was far better than mine.

You gave me the knowledge and the skill to acquire all I needed in order to be of help to others. In fact You gave me more than I bargained for. On an academic level University gave me all the available skills but on a spiritual level You filled in the missing links, so that my perception of the human being could be made fully comprehensive. Thanks for enriching me with all that was lacking in me. I can recall many other moments, however I am not the focus of this chapter and I will therefore move on to verses 6 of the 30th chapter of the book of Exodus.    

6. Moreover I have appointed with him Oholiab son of Ahismach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have given skill to all the skillful, so that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7. the tent of the meeting, and the ark of the covenant, and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent, 8. the table and its utensils, and the pure lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, 9. and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its stand, 10. and the finely worked vestments, the holy vestments for the priest Aaron and the vestments of his sons, for their service as priests, 11. and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the holy place. They shall do just as I have commanded you.

(Exodus chapter 31 verses 6 to 11)

When reflecting on the mentioned items that God had commanded the sons of Israel to make, there was the need of a variety of skills in order to accomplish all the mentioned tasks. Oh father in heaven and Holy Spirit of God rich in love, power and even Knowledge that is supreme over worldly knowledge, thank You for giving us the sciences, that when used according to Your will many people can benefit from the discoveries in the cure of many illnesses and syndromes. I also thank You for the knowledge and skills that you give to inventors and manufactures of a variety of products such as cars and utilities that enable and improve the life of impaired people and even that of fully able bodied persons.

12. The Lord said to Moses: 13. You yourself are to speak to the Israelites: " You shall keep my sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, given in order that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you.

(Exodus chapter 31 verses 12 to 13)

On reflecting now that the Israelites would have had all the available means in order to give worship by means of sacrificial offerings God made it a must that they give worship to him as an everlasting covenant. T|his is why Oh God even during our times we still consider this day as being holy and is therefore dedicated to you.

14. You shall keep the sabbath, because it is holy for you: everyone who profanes it shall be put to death; whoever does any work on it shall be cut off from among the people. 15. Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD; whoever does any work on the sabbath shall be put to death.

(Exodus chapter 31 verses 14 to 15)


God made it a hard core law that on the Sabbath that is our Sunday no work was to be done. In this respect the state which is usually not in full accordance with issues related to the Church for instance as in the case of divorce, has come to accept and respect the fact that on Saturday no work is to be done. However in the name of respecting the exceptional cases of forms of work that cannot be left attended to in order to ensure the well being of mankind and the upholding of Social order the State gave permission to police, doctors and nurses working in hospitals etc to perform work even on a Saturday. Moreover Jesus in the New Testament challenged the issue of the Sabbath since it was being abused and made it clear that the Sabbath was to be respected, however we must be practical and perform necessary tasks that cannot be left unattended, therefore he was cut of from His society as a violator of this norm, and was an eligible candidate to be put to death. Jesus sought to establish the much needed balance between work and leisure that is a necessity for humanity, however it is not easy to go against a firmly ingrained mentality. The Roman Catholic Church today is being challenged by current trends such as divorce, marriage between people of the same genders amongst others.

Oh God give us the strength to remain adherent to the values that You transmitted to us. Help us to remain practising Christians instead of Christians simply due to our being baptised in the Church.


16. Therefore the Israelites shall keep the sabbath, observing the sabbath throughout their generations, as a perpetual covenant. 17. It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. 18. When God finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

(Exodus chapter 31 verses 16 to 18)


According to verses 16 to 17 which bring us to the end of chapter 31 of the book of Exodus our observance of the Sabbath or our Saturdays is a mark of distinction which identifies us from people of other religions. On the other hand our observance of this Holy day is an act of love and respect to God. This is a special day because God rose on this day and claimed our salvation from the forces of evil once and for all. God wanted this observance so much that He included this rule as one of His commandments which He had passed on to Moses and inscribed them on the stone tablets which He gave to Moses before leaving the mountain of Sinai on which he had spent forty days and nights  


 I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:

Thanks my God, my father for giving us the day of Sunday, which is the day of not only the Son but even of the Father and the Holy Spirit of God. Thanks for giving us a day during which I can totally focus my self on you and make more time to visit you in a special and solemn way. Thanks for the covenant that you made with me and all humanity. Please give us the sense of commitment to always be faithful towards You and towards the upholding of the sanctity of this Holy Day. Amen.




   

Exodus Chapter 30

 

EXODUS 

CHAPTER

 30

1. You shall make an altar on which to offer incense; you shall make it of acacia wood. 2. It shall be one cubit long and one cubit wide; it shall be square, and shall be two cubits high; its horns shall be of one piece with it. 3. You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top, and its sides all around and its horns; and you shall make for it a molding of gold all around and its horns; and you shall make for it a molding of gold all around. 4. And you shall make two golden rings for it; under its molding on two opposite sides of it you shall make them and they shall hold the poles with which to carry it. 5. You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 6. You shall place it in front of the curtain that is above the ark of the covenant, in front of the mercy seat that is over the covenant, where I will meet with you.

(Exodus chapter 30 verses 1 to 6)


The altar of incense was a device on which incense was burnt before God along with prayers on behalf of the High Priest himself and on behalf of the people. This was a very special place. May I also have a special place of worship for You in my heart oh God! As much as the altar was portable and could be moved from one place to another, in the same way we can offer you praise and worship on the altar of our hearts. When we join together in prayer as a congregation or simply as friends interceding for others our prayers become like burned incense of perfect odour that rises before God as an offering.

In order to view the altar of incense or maybe what it may have looked like please click on the following link:

The Altar of Incense


7. Aaron shall offer fragrant incense on it every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall offer it, 8. and when Aaron sets up the lamps in the evening, he shall offer it, a regular incense offering before the LORD throughout your generations. 9. You shall not offer unholy incense on it, or a burnt offering, or a grain offering; and you shall not pour a drink offering on it.

(Exodus chapter 30 verses 7 to 9)


Throughout the years as we grow in our relationship with You Oh Father our praise and worship becomes more precious. In the times of your people who were still being grounded in the discipline of worship by means of sacrificial offerings there was the need for them to make offerings according to these instructions, however in our every day life, are not constrained by rules in order to worship You because I can turn to you any time any day in praise and worship and open my heart to You. Thank You my God for giving me a prayer corner and time and an opportunity of worshipping You even during my break time at work, because this helps me in always keeping You in my heart and mind all day.


As in the case of Aaron who lit the Menorah every morning and every evening and offered You burnt incense of fragrant quality likewise I shall offer You my prayers, hurts, wishes and desires both in the morning and even in the evening at the end of my day. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share with others on line, so that they may also reflect on Your Word and give You Worship by doing so.


10. Once a year Aaron shall perform the rite of atonement on its horns. Throughout your generations he shall perform the atonement for it once a year with the blood of the atoning sin offering. It is most holy to the LORD.

(Exodus chapter 30 verse 10)


Although the rite of atonement was to be performed once a year, we are never to stop offering our prayers to God, Moreover as in the case of the atonement of sins, we are to go regularly to confession in order to preserve the purity of our souls from sin and its ways, so that we will help to preserve our spiritual welfare. The Holy Spirit of God in us stimulates us to reconcile with God by means of confession.


 11. The LORD spoke to Moses: 12. When you take a census of the Israelites to register them, at registration all of them shall give a ransom for their lives to the LORD, so that no plague may come upon them. 13. This is what each one who is registered shall give; half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as an offering to the LORD. 14. Each one who is registered, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the LORD's offering. 15. The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you bring this offering to the LORD to make atonement for your lives.

(Exodus chapter 30 verses 11 to 15)


According to verses 11 to 15, the value of a registered person was half a shekel which was a form of insurance policy that was to given to You in currency that was to be used in the temple of the meeting. It is also mentioned that the mentioned value was meant as a ransom of their lives to You Oh God, however on reflecting You love us so much that in Your passion You paid the price of the ransom of our salvation with Your own sacred blood which is surely worth more than half a shekel. Thanks for paying such a price for me oh God!


16. You shall take the atonement money from the Israelites and shall designate it for the service of the tent of meeting; before the LORD it will be a reminder to the Israelites of the ransom given for your lives.

(Exodus chapter 30 verse 16)


Oh father what you asked of the Israelites is nothing compared to the price that your paid for us, may I offer every day of my life as an offering to you, with all my ups and downs rewards and disappointments which, is worth more than any shekel or other currency. May it be Oh Father that when I die and appear before You I will not come empty handed but with my hands full of good deeds and acts.


17. The LORD spoke to Moses: 18. You shall make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it; 19 with the water Aaron and sons shall wash their hands and their feet. 20. When they go into the tent of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to make an offering by fire to the LORD, they shall wash with water so that they may not die. 21. They shall wash their hands and their feet, so that they may not die; it shall be a perpetual ordinance for them, for him and for his descendants throughout their generations.

(Exodus chapter 30 verses 17 to 21)


In order to appear pure and without sin before God, the High priest and his sons needed to perform ceremonial cleansing. As a practise during the act of baptism we are immersed in consecrated water in order to have us cleansed from original sins. On reflecting before a coffin is given to the ground it is also blessed with Holy Water, Such moments as in marriage or an ordination Holy Water is used, therefore this is very significant because nothing that is in a state of mortal sin can appear before God, because He is all good and purity itself. This is why on dying we are to undergo a process of purification in the stage of perfunctory before we can actually appear before God.

 In order to view this bronze washing basin please click on the following link and slide the bar to 2:15 to 2:48.


The bronze basin


On reflecting although it was practical for means of hygiene for anybody to be clean physically, what is also important is that even on a spiritual level our souls are also kept as clean as possible, that is why God gave us the sacrament of reconciliation in order to renew our relationship with God through the confession of our sins.


22. The LORD spoke to Moses: 23. Take the finest spices of liquid myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is two hundred fifty and two hundred fifty of aromatic cane, 24. and five hundred of cassia measured by the sanctuary shekel-and a hin of olive oil; 25. and you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.


(Exodus chapter 22 to 25)


In order to view the anointing oil please click on the following link:

The anointing oil


Although in our spiritual walk we may not have this form of anointing oil in all its splendour and perfumery, our oil can be be made of acts of charity that compel us to go against our carnal sinful nature, time of praise and worship to God and even donating monetary gifts to people who are in need or visiting elderly people in homes or even hospital and spending time with them. This is also an anointing of fragrance to God.


26. With it you shall anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the covenant, 27. and the table and all its utensils, and the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense, 28 and the altar of the burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its stand; 29. You shall consecrate them, so that they may be the most holy; what ever touches them will become holy.

(Exodus chapter 30 verses 26 to 29)


As much as the utensils of the temple were consecrated to God by being anointed to Him, as sons and daughters of God we are also anointed to Him in an everlasting priesthood. Although we are sinners, God gave us the opportunity to share of this priesthood.


30. You shall anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them, in order that they may serve me as priests. 31. You shall say to the Israelites, "This shall be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations. 32. It shall not be used to any ordinary anointing of the body, and you shall make no other like it in composition: it is holy, and it shall be holy to you.

(Exodus chapter 30 verses 30 to 32)


God made it as a rule that being of a holy nature, the oil of consecration was to be strictly used for that purpose. Even though we may not understand the meaning of certain rites and practises in the Church Oh God we are to accept them for what they are and show our respect to them, because if they were given by You they are Holy and worthy to be obeyed and practised.


33. Whoever compounds any like it or whoever puts any of it on unqualified person shall be cut off  from the people."

(Exodus chapter 30 verse 33)


Verse 33 is enough proof my God to take You seriously and obey Your Will for there is no greater penalty than that of being cut of from the Roman Catholic Church or even from any other church even for non Christians or people of other religions who consider their spiritual life as being of great value. Oh God I cannot ever live without You and Your presence. May it never be that we are separated from each other.Please keep me and my family and all my friends on G+ and elsewhere under You protection so that we may remain forever in Your Holy presence amen!

In a spirit of praise and worship I invite you all to click on this link and join me in a spirit of praise and worship

In Your presence Oh God


34. The LORD said to Moses: Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (an equal part of each), 35 and make an incense blended as by the perfumer seasoned with salt, pure and holy; 36 and you shall beat some of it into powder, and put part of it before the covenant in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you; it shall be for you most holy.

(Exodus chapter 30 verses 34 to 36)


God may not ask us to prepare such preparations in which He finds pleasure, in fact He might ask of us different tasks that also give Him pleasure, such as loving somebody who makes our life really difficult.


37. When you make incense according to this composition, you shall not make it for yourselves; it shall be regarded by you as holy to the LORD, 38. Whoever makes any like it to use as perfume shall be cut off from the people.

(Exodus chapter 30 verses 37 to 38)


According to verses 37 to 38 which bring us at the end of this chapter, we are not to mix or misuse what is holy for worldly purposes. Practises that are used in spiritual rites such as the breaking of bread in the sacrament of the Eucharist are not to be used during black masses. The same means of worship that were planned to worship God are not to be used to worship pagan cults.


I wish to end this chapter with a prayer for Priests, monks and all spiritual people. During this time oh God your servants are undergoing many torments and tribulations, In Malta and in other places throughout the world there have been cases of physical abuse of minors and even others. Priests are being accused of child molestation among other accuses. The Church is being portrayed as a human and corrupt organisation that is anything but holy. I am aware that the devil is trying to hurt the Roman Catholic Church were it hurts most. These events are causing many people to lose faith in the Roman Catholic Church and even in You oh God.


Therefore I pray Oh father that You protect Your Priests and ministers against the attacks of the devil and deliver them from any form of temptation and immoral scandals that  they may be tempted by. Help them to be diligent in their prayers and pray for Your Divine help. Bless them with the power of Your Holy Spirit and cleanse them with Your Blood.


Please click on the following link and recite the following prayer that is especially planned as a prayer for priests who are in constant need of our prayers:

Prayer for priests