Exodus Chapter 27

 

EXODUS 

CHAPTER

 27

1. You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar shall be square; and it shall be three cubits high. 2. You shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze. 3. You shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and, shovels and basins and forks and the firepans; you shall make all its utensils of bronze.

(Exodus chapter 27 verses 1 to 3)

In contrast to the ark of the covenant that was covered with pure gold, the altar was to be covered with bronze, which is inferior to gold. This reflects the fact that the offering was inferior to the one receiving the offer or sacrifice that is the almighty God. As much as He makes this priority we are also to make priorities in our life that promote God and His ways to the highest level of priority.

4. You shall also make for it a grating, a network of bronze; and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners. 5. You shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net shall extend halfway down the altar. 6. You shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze; 7. the poles shall be on the two sides of the altar when it is carried. 8. You shall make it hollow, with boards. They shall be made just as you were shown on the mountain.

(Exodus chapter 27 verses 4 to 8)

On reflecting it can be said that God thinks of all the details of our lives. Even when giving Moses the details of how to construct the altar God went into great depth in relation to detail. Moreover when creating our bodies which is much more complex God went into greater detail in creating such a great work of art that is our body.

In order to view an image of this altar please click on the following link:

Altar for Burnt Offerings

9. You shall make the court of the tabernacle. On the south side of the court shall have hangings of fine twisted linen one hundred cubits long for that side; 10. its twenty pillars and their twenty bases shall be of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their bands shall be of silver. 11 likewise for its length on the north side there shall be hangings one hundred cubits long, their pillars twenty and their bases twenty of bronze but the hooks of the pillars and their bands shall be of silver. 12. For the width of the court on the west side there shall be fifty cubits of hangings, with ten pillars and ten bases. 13. The width of the court on the front to the east shall be fifty cubits. 14. There shall be fifteen cubits of hangings on the one side, with three pillars and three bases. 15. There shall be fifteen cubits of hangings on the other side, with three pillars and three bases. 16. For the gate of the court there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, of blue purple and crimson yarns and of fine twisted linen, embroidered with needlework; it shall have four pillars and with them four bases.

(Exodus chapter 27 verses 9 to 16)

God gave His people the project of a life time. The building of this complex structure would need the effort of all if not many of the people who in some way or another would have been involved in its construction. On the other hand as a people they would have experienced the satisfaction of having participated in such a project and they would have felt that they were more a part of it, than if they had been just been born into a ready made system and structure. The problem of Christians in which I am obviously including myself, is that we have been born into the system and structure and were it not by faith and liturgical participation we would never feel it as being our own. As a consequence some of us simply refer to it by terms such as 'them' meaning priests and other inner circle participants and 'us' the clergy which reflects a great attitude of anonymity and a lack of belonging to the Church as members of that same body. I urge all Christians and readers of this blog, even those of other churches and beliefs to become involved in their systems of worship so that they will experience the sense of belonging experienced by those who feel that they are actually part of the Church or their particular place of worship. Participation increases motivation, passivity on the other hand brings a lack of motivation and even a laxity in faith and spiritual and religious progress.

17. All the pillars around the court shall be banded with silver, their hooks shall be of silver and their bases of bronze. 18. The length of the court shall be one hundred cubits, the width fifty, and the height five cubits, with hangings of fine twisted linen and bases of bronze. 19. All the utensils of the tabernacle for every use, and all its pegs and all the pegs of the court shall be of bronze.

(Exodus chapter 27 verses 17 to 19)

In order to have an idea of how the tent and inner chambers were planned to be please click on the following link;

layout of court and tabernacle area

As found in the above mentioned the planned area had special places such as the tabernacle where the presence of God was to be present on the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant that was so special that it had its apparatus made of gold, the outer chamber which had its apparatus made of silver which is inferior to gold, and the court area which had its apparatus or apparel made from items of bronze which again is inferior to silver. On reflecting the quality of the metal signifies the importance of each chamber. From a spiritual perspective, we can either be people who are very advanced in our spiritual life and are worthy to enter the area of the tabernacle, or we can still be people like myself who are in the process of getting to know God thus making part of the outer and or exterior chambers.

20. You shall further command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of beaten olives for the light, so that a lamp may be set up to burn regularly. 21. In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that is before the covenant, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the LORD. It shall be a perpetual ordinance to be observed throughout their generations by the Israelites.

(Exodus chapter 27 verses 20 to 21)

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

Oh God almighty creator of heaven and earth, I acknowledge You as my loving father. Moreover I also acknowledge myself as a sinner who is not worthy to share your presence. Please Oh Father continue to help me in my spiritual formation so that one day I will be worthy of being part of your inner circle and be in your Holy presence forever. I also that this wish be granted to all the people of the world so that we can all receive your love and blessings and be united with You forever. 

Exodus Chapter 26

EXODUS 

CHAPTER 

26 

 

1. Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen, and blue, purple, and crimson yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them. 2. The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall be of the same size.

(Exodus chapter 26 verses 1 to 2)

On reflecting why Churches are adorned with golden images and vestments, I understand that while in a balanced amount, this may be acceptable to the will of God. If He wanted His tent of the meeting to be adorned with golden apparatus and ark of the covenant in order to reflect his purity and love for us, then it is acceptable for Churches to use golden articles because they are reaching the same goal. Thanks be to God for giving us such beautiful metals and elements that can be used to make objects that are used in order to give You honour and worship.


3. Five curtains shall be joined to one another; and the other five curtains shall be joined to one another. 4. You shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set: and likewise you shall make loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set. 5. You shall make fifty loops on the one curtain, and you shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is in the second set; the loops shall be opposite one another. 6. You shall make fifty clasps of gold, and join the curtains to one another with the clasps, so that the tabernacle may be one whole.

(Exodus chapter 26 verses 3 to 6)


The tabernacle was surrounded by a curtain that hindered direct access to the holy area of the tabernacle where one could have direct access to God. On a spiritual level we also be hindered by this curtain which could consist of unbelief in God, false beliefs about God ourselves and even about others amongst others.


7. You shall also make curtains of goat's hair for a tent over the tabernacle; you shall make eleven curtains. 8. The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits and the width of each curtain shall be four cubits; the eleven curtains shall be of the same size.

(Exodus chapter 26 verses 7 to 8)


One can observe that in God there is no place for confusion or disorder. Every detail reflects order and symmetry which reflects stability and order. On the other hand in the realm of disorder we find nothing but chaos and disorder and all is out of proportion and symmetry. This is an utter state of sin and discord.


9. You shall join the curtains by themselves, and the sixth curtain you shall double over at the front of the tent. 

(Exodus chapter 26 verse 9)


As much as the Holy Trinity is united as one so were the curtains of the tabernacle were to be united save for one curtain which gives us access to God and his grace and love for us. God always makes room for us in His eternal space for us, He gives us the opportunity to enter His tent that could be, at Church or our prayer corner or in fact even any place where we happen to be in order for us to worship Him in honour and in praise.


10. You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set. 11. You shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and put the clasps into the loops, and join the tent together, so that it may be one whole.


(Exodus chapter 26 verses 10 to 11)


As much as God wanted his tent of the meeting to be united He also wants His Church to be united and not be in a state of fragments and divisions such as Christians, protestants etc. God's tent is whole, his body is whole and therefore His Church is also to be whole, therefore let us all patch up our differences in a spirit of unity and unite under the influence and power of the Holy Spirit of God as one Church. The forces of evil are lifting their heads against God and our brothers and sisters, many are being slaughtered and raped for what they and we believe let us be united against the forces of evil in prayer and in faith and also in a spirit of love for our enemies. God is our champion He will do the fighting for us and or chose those that are specially called to act as His instruments in order defend brothers and sisters


12. The part that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. 13. The cubit on the one side, and the cubit on the other side, of what remains in the length of the curtains of the tent, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, on this side and that side, to cover it. 14. You shall make for the tent a covering of tanned rams' skins and an outer covering of fine leather.

(Exodus chapter 26 verses 12 to 14)


When planning the tent the shape designed was that of a small church or chapel meaning a place of worship of a mobile nature that could easily be carried. Although God gave them this form of place where to give Him praise and worship God has given us access to pray anywhere we go in the throne of our hearts and spirits where we can meet God and have fellowship with Him.


In order to view a description of the tabernacle area and the whole tent please click on the following link:


Tabernacle area


15. You shall make upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. 16. Ten cubits shall be the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the width of each frame. 17. There shall be two pegs in each frame to fit the frames together; you shall make these for all the frames of the tabernacle. 18. You shall make the frames for the tabernacle twenty frames from the south side; 19 and you shall make forty bases of silver under the twenty frames, two bases under the first frame for its two pegs, and two bases under the next frame for its two pegs; 20. and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side twenty frames, 21 and their forty bases of silver, two bases under the first frame and two bases under the next frame; 22. and for the rear of the tabernacle westward you shall make six frames.

(Exodus chapter 26 verses 15 to 22)


In order to have an idea of what the biblical author is referring to by frames and cubits please click on the  following link which gives us a detailed account of the whole structure along with detailed illustrations:

Tabernacle layout


22. and for the rear of the tabernacle westward you shall make six frames. 23. You shall make two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear; 24. they shall be separate beneath, but joined at the top, at the first ring; it shall be the same with both of them: they shall form the two corners. 25. And so there shall be eight frames, with their bases of silver, sixteen bases; two bases under the first frame, and two bases under the next frame.

(Exodus chapter 26 verses 22 to 25)


The Holy Spirit of God gave Moses a perfect structure in order to support this tent where his sons and daughters could come and give Him praise and worship, moreover even during our times the same Holy Spirit of God is still structuring His Church and its organisations in order to cater for the needs and rights of His children of all ages meaning young and of an age as myself, so as to offend nobody. God is still choosing people to become priests, nuns and even bishops and deacons, however the same Holy Spirit of God is exposing those previously chosen people who accepted to answer God's call however, for some reason they did not remain faithful to their call and became corrupt and sinful or abusive in their ways.


26. You shall make bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, 27 and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the side of the tabernacle at the rear westward.  28. The middle bar halfway up the frames, shall pas through from end to end. 29. You shall cover the frames with gold, and shall make their rings of gold to hold the bars; and you shall overlay the bars with gold. 30. Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to the plan for it that you were shown on the mountain.

(Exodus chapter 26 verses 26 to 30)


As in the case of the tabernacle that was to be erected even God and His Word are to be praised and erected on the throne of our hearts and even externally by means of our witness to it, by both words and actions. When we perform acts of love and charity towards others especially to those whom we consider as being our enemies we are giving witness once again that the 'Word' of God is authentic and valid even during the current time of our lives and forever more throughout our lives.



31. You shall make a curtain of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen; it shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it. 32. You shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, which have hooks of gold and rest on four bases of silver. 33. You shall hang the curtain under the clasps, and bring the ark of the covenant in there, within the curtain; and the curtain shall separate for you the holy place from the most holy.

(Exodus chapter 26 verses 31 to 33)


God makes a distinction between that which is Holy and pure to that which is not. He ascribed strict boundaries in order to protect and sanctify His presence from anybody who was not prepared to appear in His presence to worship or offer offerings. At the point of Jesus death this curtain was torn apart, thus meaning that from that moment onwards till the end of time, there were to be no more boundaries that could possibly hinder the communication between God and humanity. God is available to us all the time and moments of our lives, inside the temple or Church and even beyond. God has no limitations of time and space unlike us humans. In the New Testament He told us that where two or three are gathered in His name He is amongst them, therefore we are to rest assured that God is always there and available for us. He does not have office hours.


34. You  shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant in the most holy place.  35 . You shall set the table outside the curtain, and the lampstand on the south side of the tabernacle opposite the table; and you shall put the table on the north side.

(Exodus chapter 26 verses 34 to 35)


The lampstand and the tabernacle were like the sun and the earth and the moon. The presence of God would rest on the mercy seat which was the lid of the ark of the covenant. God's light would lighten the presence of the tabernacle, this light would be represented by the lampstand which would reflect the light of God's presence as in the case of the moon on to the earth and its inhabitants. Therefore when we go to Church to receive the Holy presence of God we become a reflection of that light and like the moon we reflect the presence of God on to others in our inner and outer circles. On reflecting we become a 'Super Mega Ultra Power Station of God' in the world. What a sight it would be so strong that the forces of evil would have no chance or power against the Holy Spirit and the light and power emanating from Him and us if we continue to receive Him in us and reflect Him everywhere we go!


36. You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen, embroidered with needle work. 37. You shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold; their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five bases of bronze for them.

(Exodus chapter 26 verses 36 to 37)

On reflecting on verses 36 to  37 of the twenty-sixth chapter of the book of Exodus we find that there were two screens that needed to be accessed before being able to reach the area where the tabernacle was located. The two screens may be two filters of which takes place during our earthly and daily life which consists of tests or trials and tribulations and the last filter that prepares our soul before actually meeting God face to face during our last hour. Throughout each and every day we are scanned for our viruses, God makes us aware of our sins and motivates us to go to confess our sins, then He is able to press the 'clean' button that deletes all our viruses and gives us a fresh start again.

I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer and link which I invite you to click on in a spirit of prayer and adoration;

Prayer to the Holy Spirit of God


Oh God my only father on earth and in heaven. I wish to thank You and praise Your Holy Name for You only are worthy to be praised. Thanks for being with me in the temple of my heart. I would also like to thank You for the Church where I come to receive Your Holy Presence. Thanks for the Roman Catholic Church and even thanks for the other offshoots of this Church which I also respect. I pray with a hurt and humble heart that Your Church reunites as one body so that there will be no fragments or blemish in your earthly body. Bless the Church and the other churches with the power of Your Holy Spirit and bring unity and renewal of our spirits. May Your Spirit fall on us so that our souls will be renewed and cleansed in You again. Amen

Thank You God 

 

Exodus Chapter 25

EXODUS

 CHAPTER 

25

1. The LORD said to Moses: 2. Tell the Israelites to take for me an offering from all whose hearts prompt them to give you shall receive for me.

(Exodus chapter 25 verse 1 to 2)

Throughout my analysis of the Word of God throughout these four years God has never stopped showing me how generous and loving a father He really is. God loves us so much that He does not force Himself on us. When reflecting on the very first verse of this chapter we find that although God wanted an offering from His people He did not force the people in general to make this contribution. God strictly refers to those whose hearts are prompt meaning ready to give willingly to God and not do so under compulsion as part of an obligation or answer to a prayer. God generously gives from the heart and wishes that we respond in the same manner that means from our hearts.

3. This is the offering that you shall receive from them: gold, silver and bronze, 4. blue, purple, and crimson yarns and fine linen, goats hair, 5. tanned ram's skins, fine leather, acacia wood, 6. oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 7. onyx stones and gems to be set in the ephod and for the breastpiece. 8. And have them make me a sanctuary, so that I may dwell among them. 9. In accordance with all that I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle and of all the furniture, so you shall make it.

(Exodus chapter 25 verses 3 to 9)

There comes a time when God asks of us not only praise and worship but even material gifts. On reflecting God does not need any material gifts, however from what we generously give to Him He gives back to us and to others who may be in need of such goods. God is always giving, so much that He wishes to give Himself by means of His Holy presence and be with His people. God wanted His people to build a sanctuary or a chapel from the materials mentioned so that they could have fellowship with Him in His presence. God wants to have personal time with you and me in our hearts. He also wants to have a relationship of love with us in the little chapel of our inner being. Today God is asking this from us. May we all have a prayer corner in our homes where we can open our hearts to God and fraternise with Him. Moreover it would be better to do so as a family because our salvation is not only personal but even as a family.

10. They shall make an ark of acacia wood, it shall be two and a half cubits long a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. 11. You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside you shall overlay it, and you shall make a moulding of gold upon it all around. 12. You shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet, two rings on one side of it, and two rings on the other side. 13. You shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14. And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark by which to carry the ark. 15. The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. 16. You shall put into the ark of of the covenant that that I shall give you 


(Exodus chapter 25 verses 10 to 16)


God gave Moses specific instructions in order to make the ark according to the given measurements that have been given in cubits. God plans the adequate measurements and materials for the job at hand. God requires that pure substances be used such as gold, that reflect the pureness of God. In order for the people to always have access to the Word of God in order to give praise and worship God planned the construction of a tent that would serve as a sanctuary and also a means of transport for His Holy Word this was the ark of the covenant which is represented by the tabernacle that we find in our churches. Now that we lead settled lives the tabernacle is placed on the altar, however during the times of Moses, everything needed to be mobile in order to suit their migratory way of life.


In order to have an idea of how long a cubit is please click on the following link, I will leave the head work for you in order to make out the exact dimensions.

length of a cubit 

In order to view the ark of the covenant that has been claimed to be actually found please click on the following link:

ark of the covenant 



17. Then you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and half its width. 18. You shall make two cherubim of gold; you shall make them of hammered work, at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19. Make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other; of one piece with the mercy seat you shall make the cherubim at its two ends. 20. The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overflowing the mercy seat with their wings. They shall face one to another; the faces of the cherubim shall be turned toward the mercy seat. 21. You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark; and in the ark you shall put the covenant that I shall give you. 22. There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the covenant. I will deliver to you all my commands for the Israelites.


(Exodus chapter 25 verses 17 to 22)


Apparently the mentioned mercy seat is the lid of the ark of the covenant. This lid was to support two angels or Cherubims facing each other at opposite sides of the lid with their wings outstretched in each others direction. The gap between the two angels was to be the place where God was to appear to the Israelites. The ark of the covenant was to contain the commandments that God had planned to give to Moses in the form of two tablets of stone.


In order to view an image showing the ark of the covenant and the Cherubims please click on the following link


Cherubims on ark of the covenant


The people of God were to carry the ark with them. This granted them access to God wherever they went. As a good practise I also carry my pocket version of the New Testament in my pocket all the time, so that at times I turn to God in prayer when and where ever He makes it possible for me even during my lunch break at work. God and His word or covenant are with me all the time of the day.


23. You shall make a table of acacia wood, two cubits long, one cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high. 24. You shall overlay it with pure gold, and make a molding of gold around it. 25. You shall make around it a rim of bandbreath wide, and a molding of gold around the rim. 26. You shall make for it four rings of gold, and fasten the rings to the four corners at its four legs. 27. The rings that hold the poles used for carrying the table shall be close to the rim. 28. You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, and the table shall be carried with these.


(Exodus chapter 25 verses 23 to 28) 


In order to have a bird's eye view of this table and other apparatus that were to be used during the ritual offerings to God please click on the following link that describes everything in detail as mentioned in chapter 25 of the book of Exodus


Apparatus


As previously mentioned any of the apparatus made was to be able to be carried due to their migratory lifestyle. We can also observe the constant use of gold which as an element is pure and thus reflects the purity of God. Any of the apparatus that were to come in contact with God or His offering was to be covered with gold that was totally pure. In this way God was given the respect and dignity that was due to Him. Likewise when we go to His temple in order to give worship we are also to manifest our love and our respect towards the house of God and anything that is there including the prayer books,benches and footrests that we are to use with care as part of our love and respect to God.


29. You shall make its plates and dishes for incense, and its flagons and bowls with which to pour drink offerings, you shall make them of pure gold. 30. And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me always.

(Exodus chapter 25 verses 29 to 30)


On reflecting the bread of the Presence is very similar to the Eucharistic Host that contains in it the Holy Presence of God that is always placed in the tabernacles of our Churches and chapels in order to facilitate our worship. In order to view a more detailed explanation please click on the following link which in fact covers all that is mentioned to the end of the chapter.


Bread of presence and other apparatus  



31. You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The base and the shaft of the lampstand shall be made of hammered work; its cups, its calyxes, and its petals shall be of one piece with it; 32. and there shall be six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it. 33. three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with calyx and petals, on one branch, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with calyx and petals on the other branch-so for the six branches going out of the lampstand.

(Exodus chapter 25 verses 31 to 33)


On reflecting on these verses Oh God I am filled with awe and wonder for even the description reflects a great work of art and beauty that in turn reflects your own unimaginable awesomeness that as follows is reflected in your creations. You wanted everything that you created on earth and also by means of your children meaning us humans to be so beautiful, but not to appear beautiful in itself in order to glorify itself as in simply a work of art that gives aesthetic beauty but in order to magnify your beauty, love and kindness which is beyond all human comprehension and perception. Thank You for having created us on such a beautiful and perfect image.




34. On the lampstand itself there shall be four cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with its calyxes and petals. 35. There shall be a calyx of one piece with it under the first pair of branches, a calyx of one piece with it under the next pair of branches, and a calyx of one piece with it under the last pair of branches- so for the six branches that go out of the lampstand.

(Exodus chapter 25 verses 34 to 35)


As all the branches find their strength and centre of gravity in the middle stand as Christians and or followers of God we all find our strength and stability in God who is our cornerstone and point of stability or centre gravity and we are to place all our faith and security in Him.


36. Their calyxes and their branches shall be of one piece with it, the whole of it one hammered piece of pure gold. 37. You shall make the seven lamps for it; and the lamps shall be set up so as to give lights on the space in front of it. 38. Its snuffers and trays shall be of pure gold. 39. It and all these utensils shall be made from a talent of pure gold. 40. And see that you make them according to the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain.

(Exodus chapter 25 verses 36 to 40)


As in the branches of the lampstand and each calyx when we are all united together as one lampstand we make a bright light which has its source in God, however when we remain divided in different groups sects and or churches our lights are fragmented and do not give as much light. 

In order to view an image of the lapstand please click on the following link:

The golden lampstand


The author of this chapter Mary Geveetha chose to end this chapter with the following prayer:

Almighty Father,

God of all creation, God of all Power and Might,  we Praise and Glorify Your name.  We thank You for Your abounding blessings.  We thank You for your, everlasting covenant, a tabernacle made perfect and great in atonement for our sins. A holy tabernacle in which the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us by Your grace and mercy.

By His grace and glorious works, He dwells amongst those who come to His sanctuary in solemn worship and praise.  We pray to preserve and perceive, the knowledge of Your Kingdom and your methods of Grace in revelation as we come in honour to Your sanctuary, the tabernacle of Glory. As we come in communion with You in the body and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray to be nourished in Your spiritual provision and be in communion with You and Your Spirit throughout our lives.

May the light of the Gospel of Christ and the communion of His body and blood in bread and wine, bring light in our darkness and be a lamp unto our feet leading us into a righteous path,  towards the tabernacle of Glory.

Amen!

Exodus chapter 24

EXODUS

CHAPTER 

24

1. Then he said to Moses  "Come up to the Lord, you, and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship at a distance. 2. Moses alone shall come near the Lord; but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him."

(Exodus chapter 24 verses 1 to 2)

As Christians as a community we all have a special calling to be united with God in His presence, however due to our sins we do so always at a distance. It is only when God gives us the grace to overcome this barrier of impurity and sin that we are able to fully commune with Him. Moreover when God wants to communicate with us both as a community and even on a personal level, He is able to break any barrier in order to heal and talk with us. The Holy Spirit of God can be conditioned by no such boundary or hierarchy, however in order to restore order and harmony in the Roman Catholic Church and I imagine even in other churches there is a structure apparent or transparent, which for particular reasons, sets boundaries between those that lead the community as ordained by God and those that follow meaning the community.

3. Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the ordinances: and all the people answered with one voice: "All the words that the Lord, has spoken we will do.

(Exodus chapter 24 verse 3)



Time and time again we have given our consent to the Word of God and chanted our 'Amen's and Hallelujahs and after the celebration was over we immediately go back from our word or pledge to God. The people of God in the location of Sinai were terrified when God's presence rested on the mountain and it started smoking. Fear could have been the driving force that persuaded them to utter such a response. Today God is inviting us again without fear but in a Spirit of Faith to take Him at His word and seriously proclaim that we are ready to fulfil all the Words that god wants us to obey, words that are declared by His Holy Word in the bible and also any word that the Holy Spirit would consider to share with us by means of other sources such as the Roman Catholic Church and maybe even other churches. God is not limited his boundaries and outlets are infinite therefore we are to foster an attitude of obedience to His will even if at times it goes against the values and logic of the world, even if others will not want to be our friends any more because of what we believe, even if we have to lose our jobs for what we believe. Our Yes is either genuine or false. The decision is ours, however those who obey and place their trust in God have never been disappointed, while those who have placed their trust in other humans have experienced hurt, betrayal and even great depression. Thanks be to God there are also other people who are of support to us, however our trust is always to be primarily be focused on god and His people for God is the Way, and the Truth and the Life, anybody who walks in His ways is never forsaken or betrayed.


In order to refresh our memories of what took place at mount Sinai please click on the following link:


God's people at Mount Sinai

4. And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD.  He rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mount, and set up twelve pillars corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel.5. He sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed oxen as offerings of well being to the LORD.

(Exodus chapter 24 verses 4 to 5)


Moses was so obedient to the will of God, that he set as priority the building of the altar on which to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to God. Moses set up twelve pillars that represented the twelve tribes of Israel. If you had to offer a person in your life to God at this moment, who do you think it would be. Every day is to be am offering of thanksgiving to God because if it was not for Him we would not even wake up to see the light of the new day.


In order to remember the word of God Moses wrote all the words that God had told him. These were to be the guidelines for their every day lives. As in the case of Moses we are also to make more and more people aware of the Word of God and its message that is valid for all people and times, so that they will come to know and make an experience of God that will change their life forever.

6. Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basins; and half of the blood he dashed against  the altar.

(Exodus chapter 24 verse 6)


Moses places before God our portion of the covenant and also God's portion. During mass the celebrant also offers the body and blood of God as an offering of reparation for our sins, in order for us to commemorate that great day when God by means of Jesus offered the sacrifice that supersedes all other sacrifices.

7. Then he  took the book of the covenant, and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said: "All that the Lord has spoken, we will be obedient" 8. Moses  took the blood and dashed it on the people, and he said; "See the blood of the covenant, that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.

(Exodus chapter 24 verses 7 to 8)

We all are bound to God when we are baptised, or when we accept God in our life and, we are bound to him forever. We become one with God and in doing so, God gives us a better understanding of life with Him and therefore even a better view of the world as seen from the perspective of God which is more positive than that of the world.

9. Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abiu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up 10. and they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was something like a pavement  of sapphire stone,like the very heaven for clearness.

(Exodus chapter 24 verse 9)


God manifested himself to to His people in all his splendour and glory. Although they made this experience in contrary to common held beliefs they remained alive to experience, recall and record such a grand experience. God challenges the grand theories and beliefs of our lives and is able to either prove them and or disprove them.


11. God did not lay his hand upon the chief men of the people those of Israel; also they beheld God and they ate and drink.

(Exodus chapter 24 verse 11)


Although those present made an experience of God, the experience differed from one person to another. Those who like Moses were spiritually close to God made a full experience of God, while others who were not as close were simply present and just ate and drank without a particular meaning. During mass this can easily happen. There are those of us who really make an experience of God and leave the Church fulfilled with the presence of God and there are also those who would not receive this blessing because there agenda was simply to be present and satisfy the social beliefs norms and values in order not to become part of the public discourse. On reflecting it is a good time to reflect on which group we may belong to, either the one of believers or non believers or just passive spectators who came to eat and drink without any meaning.

12. The LORD said to Moses; "Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there there; and I will give you the tables of stone, with the law, and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction."

(Exodus chapter 24 verse 12)


God is loving and generous in His interactions with humanity. He never stops giving us what we need. In order to help us in keeping in line with His Holy will God gave us a set of commandment which He strictly ordered us to keep and abide to. In themselves they are a challenge because they require us to overcome our sinful selves and start loving others as they are and not as we wish them to be. Once we have overcome ourselves and our sinful habits or deeds we are then in an ideal position to help out others. Although for humans this may seem impossible to reach, with God's help we can accomplish this aim.

13. So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God, 14. To the elders he had said, "Wait here for us until we come to you again: for Aaron and Hur are with you: whoever has a dispute may go to them."

(Exodus chapter 24 verses 13 to 14)


For some reason God chose Joshua as the new assistant of Moses. Previously it was Aaron who had assisted Moses, however God is able to manipulate our reality for our own good, even if this means making radical changes in his original plan, even if this means choosing a new leader manager or pope who would be better to handle the reality of the given time or period. However although God may appoint many leaders, He is and always will be our ultimate point of reference in the solution of our problems.

15. Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16. The glory of the LORD had settled on Mount Sinai and the cloud covered for six days: on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. 17. Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD, was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain, in the sight of the people of Israel. 18. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

(Exodus chapter 24 verses 15 to 18)


It seems that God spoke to Moses after six days, which may have been as long as eternity for him. One of the most difficult things for humans to endure is that of waiting. While in a state of waiting fear and doubts may harass us. As in the case of Moses who was in constant contact with God, spending almost seven days without communicating with God may have been a trauma. On reflecting may it be also for us a feeling that stimulates a greater want and need for God in our life. As humans we cannot afford to spend one second away from God because temptation moves in to rob us of our inner peace and relationship with God. On the other hand at times in order to grow closer to God trials and tribulations that keep us at a distance from God, may be more of a help than a hindrance, because after we have experienced this period of tribulation we will have experienced spiritual growth and personal development


The author of this chapter Mr. Deevain Ajit Pawar chose to end this chapter with the following prayer:

God thank you for being my companion. Thank You also for being my source of love and support especially during moments of trials and tribulations. Thanks for providing me with the solutions to my problems. I am sorry if at times I rebel and take matter into my own hands instead of waiting for your reply and or intervention
.

Thank you God for everything

Exodus chapter 23

Exodus

 Chapter

 23

1. You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with the wicked to act as a malicious witness.

(Exodus chapter 23 verse 1)

 Oh God I pray for Your justice. This is a time when my parents are going through the process of the annulment of their marriage. By the time this chapter is published a big chapter of my life will be over. The people managing the marriage tribunal will falsely declare that this marriage never took place as if I was created out of atoms or a laboratory experiment. For some reason oh God and I am sure that evil is taking place during the process false testimonies are being given by malicious witnesses so that the annulment will go through and then my father can marry again. The great sin is that that the Church is declaring that my father was incapable of fulfilling the duties of marriage, on the other hand it is bringing an end to a previous marriage and still giving him the opportunity to marry again. On reflecting my question is this if my father was not able to fulfil his duties in the first marriage how can he do so in the second marriage if it comes to be. The person either has the capacity or he does not.

      
2. You shall not follow a majority in wrongdoing: when you bear witness in a law suit, you shall not side with the majority so as to pervert justice; 3. nor shall you be partial to the poor in a law suit.


(Exodus chapter 23 verses 2 to 3)

God is insisting on truth and fairness in dealing with each other. Moreover He is warning us not to be influenced by the opinions and beliefs of the majority and stick to our values especially when in a situation of value judgements. On reflecting Oh God I remember when I found myself in a situation in a particular work setting where I had to testify in favour of the truth, even though I was aware that the majority would disapprove of my testimony because the truth was going to bring them in trouble with my boss. However as You say the truth sets us free and by giving true witness I was not reprimanded by my superiors as were those who testified falsely or in favour of the majority in order to cover the wrong doing that was committed.

4. When you come upon your enemy's ox or donkey going astray, you shall bring it back.

(Exodus chapter 23 verse 4)

God is again making a special emphasis on our need to care for others and their property. Even though the property is that of one considered as being our enemy, our love for that person is not to be forsaken by means of our anger sorrow and negative bias's. Thank You God for giving me this verse on which to reflect, As you are aware I feel deeply hurt and angry and as a human many negative thoughts are coming to mind, however You are telling me that even though people whom I loved are hurting me, I am not to respond with anger and hatred but with love.


5. When you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden and you would hold back from setting it free, you must help to set it free.

(Exodus chapter 23 verse 5)


Furthermore God is continuing to insist that we are to go against our sinful nature and lend our support to those whom we consider as having or still hate us. Everybody has burdens in life, even those whom we consider are doing well in life or even are better than us. Jesus offers to carry our burdens even though at times we are still His enemies and have greatly wronged him. Jesus is always there to set us free from our burden, therefore we are to behave likewise in our relationships with others


While we are reflecting on this theme I invite you along with me to offer your burdens on to Jesus and join me in this prayer please click on the following link:


Cast Your burdens upon Jesus



6. You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in their lawsuits. 7 Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and those in the right, for I will not acquit the guilty.

(Exodus chapter 23 verses 6 to 7)




Oh God thanks for being so just and merciful especially to those who do not have as much means as others. I am sad to say that even in your Church there are those who have been influenced by the well off and justice has been perverted. In the case of my parents justice has been perverted, my father has been favoured many times, because it was he who paid for the case. Moreover the great injustice lies in the fact that my mother is going to have to pay the cost of the case without ever having wanted to go through with the case in the first place. However as you said Oh heavenly father You will not acquit the guilty and justice will be done.


8. You shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the officials, and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.

(Exodus chapter 23 verse 8)


How many times Oh God have we tried to bribe You in order to try and bend You hand in our favour in impose justice on us, when and where we did not merit it. How many prayers have we offered You in order to favour us over our enemies. Thanks for sharing this verse with me and the readers. Help us to imitate You Oh God. Give us a just mind Oh God so that we can think, act and behave justly as You have taught us and want us to behave accordingly.


9. You shall not oppress a resident alien: you know the heart of an alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.

(Exodus chapter 23 verse 9)


Send a thief to catch a thief, be in the dumps and you can understand those who are or were in the dumps. Even though the professionals say that we project our experiences on to our clients there is nobody better who can understand them. This is why God always understands us, because while being a human He chose to experience life to the fullest in the sense of experiencing both the good times and the bad.


10. For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yields: 11. but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor of your people may eat: and what they leave the wild animals may eat. You shall do the same with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard.

(Exodus chapter 23 verses 10 to 11)


 The same concept of respect for the seventh day as found in the creation process is applied in verses 10 to 11 of this chapter. This shows how important this concept is. We need to rest in God both body and soul or else both may face a state of burn out.


12. Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest, so that your ox and your donkey may have relief, and your homeborn slave and the resident alien may be refreshed.

(Exodus chapter 23 verse 12)


The concept is highlighted perfectly in verse 12. Everybody is eligible for rest in God our spirit needs it. God is able to refresh our souls in a way that the way cannot. Therefore if you feel on the verge of burnout please do not wait until you have no strength left but go and refresh yourself in the presence of God.


13. Be attentive to all that I have said to you. Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips.

(Exodus chapter 23 verse 13)


God advises us to pay particular attention to what He has been telling us this is reflected by the fact that certain issues are repeated over and over again such as that of invoking the name of other gods. He always speaks the truth therefore we are to be eyes and ears open for the Word of God. 


14. Three times in the year you shall hold a festival to me. 15. You shall observe the festival of unleavened bread: as I commanded you, you shall eat unleavened bread for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. No one shall appear before me empty handed.

(Exodus chapter 23 verses 14 to 15)


On reflecting verses 14 to 15 send cold chills running up and down my spine. This is the fear that after a life time of existence on earth I appear before God empty handed. This would be my greatest disappointment. It would have been a complete waste of the time that God had lent me and you to make good of. Therefore let us pray that this will never be our case. Every minute in our life is precious. It is a gift that we are to use wisely both for our selves and also for others.


16. You shall observe the festival of harvest of the first fruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. You shall observe the festival of ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor. 

(Exodus chapter 23 verse 16)


God wants us to adopt an attitude of thanks giving to Him for every occasion of our life. He is our sole provider and therefore we are to reciprocate our gratitude to Him. Every Sunday or even during the week ideally we go and give thanks to God. We can adopt the positive habit of thanking God for even the smallest thing that happens in our life be it in our favour or even against us, because nothing happens to us in this world without the knowledge of God.


17. Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the LORD GOD.

(Exodus chapter 23 verse 17)


It might appear strange that only the males were to appear before God, however on reflecting both Males and God share the same role that of creating and therefore for some reason this is why God wanted males to appear before Him three times a year. Another possible reason may be that of offering their produce to God. As breadwinner of the family or household it would be proper for for the men to appear before God.


18. You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with anything leavened, or let the fat of my festival remain until morning

(Exodus chapter 23 verse 18)


God gives us the reason why during the breaking of bread everything is to be consumed meaning the bread and blood in the chalice that the celebrant consecrates during mass. God is whole and not individual parts, therefore the sacrifice is also to be consumed as a whole.


19. The choicest of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God. You shall not boil a kid in its mother;s milk.

(Exodus chapter 23 verse 19)


When God asks us to offer sacrifice to Him He wants it to be the best of our offering as in the case of Abel and Cain. Cain offered the inferior of his produce, while Abel offered the best portions. As in our life, even where prayer time is concerned, we are  not to offer God the meagre left over time of the day when we are dead tired and do not have a positive state of mind that is open to God. Throughout the day we are to plan time that is to be between us and God alone or with our family in praise and worship to God.


20. I am going to send an angel in front of you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. 21. Be attentive to him and listen to his voice; do not rebel aginst him, for he will not pardon your transgression; for my name is in him.

(Exodus chapter 23 verses 20 to 21)


God sends us His guardian angels to guide us in the ways of the world, however our greatest sources of guidance are the Holy Spirit of God ,who speaks by means of His 'Word'; the Roman Catholic Church that although it contains sinners such as you and me it also consists of holy people by which the will of God is transmitted to us, and also by means of teachers, counsellors, spiritual counsellors who guide us according to the Will of God and Help us to discern His Will in our life.


22. But if you listen attentively to his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.

(Exodus chapter 23 verse 222)


God not only does He want us to listen to His 'Word' but to listen attentively. This means mindful listening which requires the focusing of both mind and spirit. This attentiveness requires that we focus on each word that comes out of the mouth of God and his sources as previously mentioned. Moreover once we have focussed with attention on the word of God then comes the second step. On becoming motivated by the Holy Spirit of God in order to grasp the message of His Word that same Holy Spirit of God inflames our soul in order to apply the teachings of God in our lives, in order for us to benefit and even for society at large and especially for those comprising of our inner and external circles, meaning family friends, acquaintances etc.


23. When my angel goes in front of you and brings you to the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, and I blot them out, 24. you shall not bow down to their gods, or worship them, or follow their practices, but you shall utterly demolish them and break their pillars in pieces.

(Exodus chapter 23 verses 23 to 24)


Once a person is warned that person is made aware of the consequences of one's actions. Therefore as Christians we are to be aware and shoulder the responsibilities of that awareness. God may not liberate us from the 'Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites and the Jebusites' however he may liberate us from gossiping on our neghbours, giving false witness in order to avoid facing just accusations against us etc. God may also heal us from drug addiction or other conditions, however on having received our healing from God there is no going back to our old ways. We are to demolish our habits and or practices forever even if this means breaking down illicit relationships or a great decrease of our income that had its sources by means of illicit means. Even today on reflecting on His Word, God wants to give us a fresh start, therefore we are to take Him at His word go and confess our sins and pray to God to help us make a roundabout turn in our lives which points us to a new direction that leads us far away from our previous lifestyles and puts us back on track in the direction of his Holy Ways.


Now is the ideal time to reflect on our lives and even go to confess our sins before His appointed priests in order to receive His healing and forgiveness if and when it is the case. The Holy Spirit of God has given the Roman Catholic Church such criteria that both enable it and even restrict it from absolving us of our sins therefore we are to refer to such source and accept whatever the outcome of the decision taken as being according to the Holy Will of God.


25. You shall worship the LORD your God, and I will bless your bread and your water; and I will take sickness away from among you. 26. No one shall miscarry or be barren in your land; I will full fill the number of your days. 27. I will send my terror in front of you and will throw into confusion all the people against whom you shall come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.

(Exodus chapter 23 verses 25 to 27)


God promises us that if we remain in His ways He will take care of our every day needs. He will be our insurance policy forever. However for every service given in life there is a price and this is our love, praise, faith obedience and worship to God. He will protect us from physical and spiritual hardships however if we insist on getting ourselves into trouble it is not God's fault if tribulations befall us.


28. And I will send the pestilence in front of you, which shall drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites and the Hittites, before you. 29. I will not drive them out from before you in one year, or the land will become desolate and the wild animals would multiply against you. 30. Little by little I will drive them out from before you untill you have increased and possess the land.

(Exodus chapter 23 verses 28 and 29)


God has perfect timing and is fully aware of the consequences of His actions. God was aware that His people were not strong enough in numbers in order to be able to conquer all the land that He had promised them. Therefore the conquest would be done gradually according to the growth of His people. God gives us tasks and skills to achieve those aims that are within our reach at the current moment. God loves us so much that He does not want us to be hurt by the obstacles and even opportunities that we are offered. On reflecting even an opportunity that comes to us at a time when we are not prepared for it, becomes and obstacle because it hinders God's plans for us. This is why at times we pray to God for this and that and the answer is a negative. On reflecting this means that we are either not ready spiritually, socially, and or psychologically to reach that aim or it may be the case that other steps that we are not yet aware of need to be taken before we can advance and reach this stage of the process that leads to our reaching of our ultimate goal.


31. I will set your borders from the Red Sea to the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the Euphrates, for I will hand over to you the inhabitants of the land, and you shall drive them out before you.  32. You shall make no covenant with them and their gods. 33. They shall not live in your land, or they will make you sin against me; for if you worship their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.

(Exodus chapter 23 verses 31 to 32)


As He did time and time again God confirmed the promise that He had been making since the time of Abraham. However the problem is not with God but with us, who at times we do not keep our part of the bargain but double cross God in order to suit our means.

The author of this chapter Mary Geveetha wishes to end this chapter with the following prayer;

Almighty Father,

We come in honour, glory and praise.  You are our One true God and forever you shall reign.  There's no other God before us, there's no other God greater than You in the universe. We come before You in fear and trembling.  May our every step in life be in Your light. May we turn away from the temptations of this world and keep away from all evil desires. We pray that we lead a prayerful life. And as we come before You,  may our hearts be filled with desires of a holy life. As we dedicate our lives in Your service,  may we give our day of rest to You. May our Sabbath be a day fully utilised for prayer and Your service.

May we recognise people who need our help. May we recognise people who need our prayers.  As we keep away from people who are harmful, may we continuously pray for their transformation in Your blessed name. In our efforts of evangelisation and in Your service may we reach out to hearts that need You and Your love and bring them the good news of Your Kingdom.

We pray in the precious name of Jesus, Amen

(Mary Geveetha)