Keep the Fire Burning

When God is giving Moses the instructions on how to draw near to Him, which we covered in our last blog, When You Draw Near, God elaborates on the importance of keeping the fire on the altar burning. This verse alone states twice that the fire must always be kept burning. The entire passage states this requirement five times! God doesn’t want us to miss this point!

 

When You Draw Near

God’s desire is to have a relationship with the people He created, both individually and collectively. He chose the Children of Israel specifically to be His people. He told them to build a Tabernacle for Him so He could dwell among them. When the Tabernacle was completed, God’s glory entered the Tabernacle. God was dwelling in the middle of the camp of the Children of Israel. But there was a problem; no one could approach the Tabernacle, not even Moses. Even though the physical Tabernacle of God was right in the center of the camp, no one could actually enter the Tabernacle. How could God have a relationship with man if no one could approach Him? How could man relate to God when they had to keep their distance? How could man know God and be able to trust Him to care for them when they couldn’t draw near?

The Day of Completion

After the construction of all the articles for the tabernacle and its furnishings, Moses gave an accounting of all the materials used. He verified that it was done according to all the instructions given to him by God! The Tabernacle of God was built from items willingly given for that purpose by the children of Israel. They gave so much that Moses had to stop them from bringing more! Gifted artisans among them, led by men chosen by God, carefully and lovingly constructed the tabernacle and all its furnishings according to the pattern God gave to Moses. This entire account is an incredibly deep and multi-faceted picture of Yeshua and His congregation.

The Scent of Sweet Incense

When we think of the altar of God, we think of the bronze altar outside the tabernacle or temple. All the offerings of the people were brought to this altar. But there was a second altar, a golden altar inside the tabernacle, and, later, the temple. The priests were to burn incense on it twice a day. The desire to bypass the priesthood and offer incense before the LORD led to the downfall of more than a few people in the Bible. Competing to light the lamps of the menorah, which were lit at the same time the incenses was burned, didn’t seem to inspire such desire. Why did the people have such a desire to bring incense before the LORD? Why is God so particular about who brings offers the incense? What do the incense and its altar represent?

 

Put on the Holy Garments

The apostle Peter wrote a letter to the sojourners of the diaspora who were among the elect who have received sanctification through the blood of Yeshua. Peter addresses many issues in this letter including the suffering of the believers for the sake of Yeshua. In spite of the suffering and the persecution they were facing, Peter exhorts believers to live holy and righteous lives. He reminds us that we are to be a royal priesthood and a holy nation. The garments of the High Priest reveal how we are to accomplish this.

Bring Me and Offering

After God spoke the ten words to the children of Israel at Mt. Sinai accepting them as His people, Moses went up the mountain to get further instructions directly from God. The first instructions God gave to Moses involved taking an offering. This is a special offering. What is its purpose? Why is it so important that only those with a willing heart contribute? Why did God emphasize that it was His offering by using the phrase “My offering?” How does this instruction apply to us today? What implications does it have for the return of Yeshua?

 

The Angel of His Presence

When the children of Israel were gathered at Mt. Sinai, God spoke all the words we call the Ten Commandments. Moses drew near to God at the base of the mountain. While he was there, God continued to speak to Moses elaborating on the Ten Commandments. Then God told Moses that His angel would go before them.

Who is this Angel that God promised would lead them, keeping them on the right path and guiding them to the place God had prepared for them? Does this Angel appear elsewhere in scripture? What can we learn about this Angel of God?

 

The Children of Moses

When Moses and the children of Israel arrived at Mt. Sinai, Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, brought Moses’ wife and two sons to him. Moses had originally brought his wife and sons with him when God sent him to bring his fellow Hebrews out of Egypt. But, Moses sent them back to Midian to wait while only he and Aaron traveled on to Egypt. They are once again back at Mt. Sinai and Moses is reunited with his family.

 

War with Amalek

The children of Israel had left Egypt and had almost arrived at their destination of Mt. Sinai. While camped at Rephidim, only a couple days from Mt. Sinai, they faced their first battle. Amalek attacked them at their camp. After this battle, God tells the children of Israel that they will have war with Amalek in every generation. What did God mean by this statement? Why did this battle occur at this place and time? What does war with Amalek signify?

 

Pharaoh's Heart

During the contest between God and Pharaoh when God was bringing the plagues against Egypt, God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that He could demonstrate that He is God. Many people think that Pharaoh should not be held accountable for his refusal to let the children of Israel go because it was God who hardened his heart. At least, this is what our English translation lead us to believe. The original Hebrew reveals what is really going on.