The stage has now been completely set, the lights are humming, the crowd has gathered, it’s time to fire this beast up. God speaks to Moses and tells him it’s time to erect the tabernacle. This happens on the first day or the first month of the year, which seems very unlikely to accidentally coincide… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 40

As with the chapters that precede it, chapter 38 continues the historical record of the people of God fulfilling the commandments of God that were passed down to them through Moses. We’ve moved out into the items in the courtyard and both the burnt offering altar and wash basin are made as instructed. Interestingly here… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 38

In chapter 33, Yahweh is meeting with Moses in the tent of meeting outside the camp, His restricted presence a consequence of Israel’s recent golden bull/revelry idolatry action and its clear breaking of the covenant between them and Yahweh. God tells Moses to continue on the journey into Canaan, He will keep His promise, but… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 34

Chapter 32 represents a major shift in the Exodus narrative. Since arriving at Mt. Sinai, God has been laying the foundation of His covenant with His people, including what He will do for them, their purpose (a kingdom of priests), and how they are to live to properly reflect that purpose and the image of… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 32

We’ve established where God is going to “live” among His people (the tabernacle), how His place will be furnished (and what it will be used for), and what the area surrounding His house will be like. Now, the burning question of what those who are in God’s service are going to wear. This may seem… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 28

On to the tabernacle, or “dwelling place”. Here we have the symbolic home of God’s presence among His people. It was to be situated in the middle of the Israelite camps (entrance facing east). So, although in battle or travel, God’s presence went before His people, when they were at rest, His presence was to… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 26

The laws continue. Interestingly, the covenant law has no prison system or confinement as a punishment, it always focuses on restitution. There are a number of possible reasons for this. Practically, it could be that they are a travelling group so setting up a permanent prison system might be quarrelsome. However, the Law was always… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 22

There are some things at face value that seem troubling in chapter 21 but that I think they are resolved with proper context and understanding of language. First, on slavery in the Bible. The terms generally in play here have a relatively wide range. There are various Hebrew words for servant, the most common being… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 21

Our society, as well as many modern societies, have exhaustive law codes. Basically, if we want to regulate or prohibit something, it must be explicitly stated in separate laws. For this reason, our federal, state and local law codes have thousands and thousands of entries (as well as a relatively high instance of loopholes, or… Read more: Biblical Law

The people continue the trek through Sin, following cloud and fire as they went (likely how we should understand that “…according to the commandment of the Lord” bit. They camp at Rephidim, just a bit further south and the last stop prior to Mt. Sinai. Wouldn’t you know it, there’s no water there for the… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 17

Although Elim sounds nice, the travel continues. Why not stay in Elim? Well, it’s neither the mountain of the Lord (Mt. Sinai) nor the promised land of Canaan for starters. More directly, though, the cloud and fire that leads them places ain’t staying in Elim. When the magic cloud and fire move, you pack up… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 16

Things have come to a head, one more plague is to come and Pharaoh will release the Israelites completely. The goal has always been the complete freedom of God’s people (remember, God has promise to keep with these folks and the land of Canaan, which we were reminded of in chapters 3 & 6) and… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 11

As chapter 6 starts, we find a Moses who seems a bit disoriented. He knew enough from what God has previously said that there would be reluctance on the part of Pharaoh to just let the people split (God gave him signs and wonders for a reason specifically to combat doubt). However, the impact this… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 6

The phrase that is usually translated “the Angel of the Lord” shows up in in the Old Testament 67 times (including the description of the character in the burning bush). It is a curious phrase considering what it leads us to ask about the identify of this angel and its relationship to God. The Hebrew… Read more: Angel of the Lord

Click on the link to view the image of the Sinai Peninsula. Notice the mountains in the middle of peninsula in the middle of the picture. Mount Sinai (and perhaps Mount Horeb) is located here. Also shown is the northern portion of the Red Sea, as this satellite picture is taken looking from the Southeast.… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 3

Whereas chapter 18 focused on the priests and the Levites and their role in keeping the Tabernacle (YHWH’s place of residence among the people) from becoming unclean, there were still risks that came from the ordinary people. Specifically, this chapter focuses on how to restore cleanliness in the presence of death. The book of Leviticus… Read more: Numbers | Chapter 19

“Everyone who comes near, who comes near to the tabernacle of YHWH, shall die. Are we all to perish?” Chapter 17 ends with this question as the people take stock of their situation after a series of rebellions and tests of the unique role of the priesthood. They should neither grumble against those who YHWH… Read more: Numbers | Chapter 18

Chapter 17 contains the third round of YHWH’s validation of both the leadership of Moses and Aaron but also the need for an established priesthood. God established the role and responsibility of the priests for a specific purpose and those who have attempted to subvert that are intruding upon His specific intention and His choice… Read more: Numbers | Chapter 17

One of the things that the tassels from chapter 15 were supposed to remind the Israelite people of was, “…do all of my commandments and be holy to your God.” (Numbers 15:40). This holiness, coupled with the call for them to be a “…kingdom of priests, a holy nation” from the Exodus narrative, is the… Read more: Numbers | Chapter 16

Some see the transition from chapter 14 to 15 to be abrupt and misplaced. Chapter 14 ended with God’s command that those who went all in on not believing that YHWH would deliver them into the land He promised would wander the wilderness  they love so much until it was time for their kids to… Read more: Numbers | Chapter 15