S – You are to instruct all the skilled artisans,, whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom, to make Aaron’s garments for consecrating him to serve me as priest.
Exodus 28:3 CSB
O – God gives people different gifts. The artists chosen for the task of creating Aaron’s garments were given a special dispensation of wisdom and consecration in using their gifts.
A – God gives gifts to all of us and gives us special dispensation to use them wisely. It is our choice to invite God into our use and display of these gifts.
R – Lord, thank you for the gifts and talents you have given me. I invite you into their use and application today. Help me to remain humble when I see good things happen through me gifts. Help me to keep growing when they are challenged. Either way, I give you all the glory for the results.
S – In the tent of meeting outside the curtain that is in front of the testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamp from evening until morning before the Lord. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites throughout their generations.
Exodus 27:21 CSB
O – Commentary:
The tabernacle having no windows, the lamps required to be lighted during the day…Although the priests were obliged from necessity to light them by day, they might have let them go out at night had it not been for this express ordinance.
A – God elevates the simple task of keeping the lamps lit. After all the specific instructions, it isn’t surprising that He gives specific instructions on keeping the Tabernacle lit.
R – Lord, you know every detail of my life. I surrender it to you. Examine me and give me direction on areas that need improvement. I know you desire the best for me according to your will. Help me to obey your words today.
S – Be careful to make them according to the pattern you have been shown on the mountain.
Exodus 25:40 CSB
O – After all the instructions in how to construct the items for the tabernacle, this is the last line. God gives intricate details for each item that will be in the tabernacle. Why would he need this statement? Because he knew the human heart – it would want to deviate from the instructions. To make it better, to do it my own way, to make it more practical, etc – it is hard to follow instruction.
A – We need to know God’s words and follow God’s words. We need to resolve the battle of God’s instructions vs my desire. God didn’t create us to be robots yet He does want us to obey Him.
R – Lord, thank you for relationship with you where you allow us to intersect with you. You allow us to pray and converse with you and also listen to your words. When you give me instruction, give me the strength and courage to do what you say. Help me to stay true to those directions and not stray.
S – You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you do mistreat them, they will no doubt cry to me, and I will certainly hear their cry.
Exodus 22:22–23 CSB
O – Commentary: The widow, the orphan, and the foreigner were in a helpless and economically disadvantaged position. God, by his protective stance toward these persons, demonstrated that he does not value people on the basis of their power or wealth, the standards accepted by most humans. Instead, God values people because they share his image (Gen 1:27).
God protects the widows and orphans. This theme is found throughout the Bible. The theme that God values everyone the same is also seen throughout the Bible.
A – We need to see all people as God sees them. We quickly “value” people from the first moment we interact with them with our senses. We make snap judgments and it can determine how we interact with them.
R – Lord, you know who we will interact with today. Help us to see them through “your eyes.” Each person is your creation and is made in your image. Let us find the good that makes us one instead of the differences that bring distance. In doing so, let us capture your heart for others and not our own desires.
S – Whoever strikes his father or his mother must be put to death…
“Whoever curses his father or his mother must be put to death
Ex 21:15, 17 CSB
O – Commentary: Because of the importance of the home its sanctity was guarded, parents protected, and children controlled; disrespectfulness was to be dealt with in the same way as murder.
“Exodus,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – From the Ten Commandments to Ephesians, the Bible holds the principle of honoring your parents. Whether physically or verbally, our actions should esteem their position in our lives. As a parent, I want to model the Christian life that is worthy of such honor.
R – Lord, I am grateful for my children. They truly are a gift from you. Help me to live in a way that helps them in their own walk with you. Let them see me love you first, their mom second and them in a way that brings your word to life.
S – Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.
Exodus 20:7 CSB
O – Commentary: In Hebrew, one’s name connotes nature and character (see note on 3:13–22). To make the name of God empty (NLT, misuse) is to do anything that makes him appear insignificant or worthless. One way to do this is to invoke his name in an oath we do not mean to keep. But there are other, even more significant ways to bring shame on God’s name (see Num 20:12; Amos 2:7; cp. Matt 6:9).
A – Strong statement – “Do anything that makes him appear insignificant or worthless.” When we flippantly use God’s name swearing or as a matter of speech we do not show honor. Just as I desire to have a good name (reputation) and character, we must honor and protect His with our speech. He is worthy of praise and honor ascribed to Him.
R – Lord, your name is Holy. Your name reveals your character as the one true God, healer, provider, banner over me and peace…and so much more. Let me reverence you with my words today but also my thoughts and actions. Where you wouldn’t let the people of Israel come close to you, you allow us in all of our imperfections to draw near to your holiness. I am grateful.
S – Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, 6 and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”
Exodus 19:5–6 CSB
O – Commentary:
This proposal made by God (My covenant) would give Israel an exalted position among the nations in view of their acceptance of God’s righteous standards. If they accepted and obeyed the covenant stipulations, God promised to make them His treasured possession (cf. Deut. 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Ps. 135:4; Mal. 3:17). They would be His own people, highly valued by and related to Him. Also they would become a kingdom of priests, that is, each member of the nation with God as his King would know and have access to Him and mediate on behalf of each other as did priests. Also they would be a holy nation, a nation morally pure and dedicated entirely to the service of God. God redeemed Israel so that she might be in touch with and separated to Him.
“Exodus,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – Israel had thousands of years of knowing they were God’s chosen. Even when different prophets mentioned the Gentiles, it was Jesus who brought the Gospel to all. The early church broke the entire mold saying it was for all people. Through Christ, we all have access to a covenant with God, as His treasured possessions. We are His own people, a kingdom of priests and have access to Him. It is our choice.
R – Lord, your Word invites me into a relationship with you today. I pray that in all that I do, I am a minister of your love, wisdom and empathy for all that I encounter today. I pray that my words, thoughts and actions bring glory to your name. Thank you that I can walk with you today.
S – “What you’re doing is not good,” Moses’s father-in-law said to him. 18 “You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You can’t do it alone.
Exodus 18:17–18 CSB
O – Moses was judging all the disputes himself. It was tiring and ineffective.
A – This is a common thought in us. We can do it ourselves. With all your gifts and talents, you cannot do it alone. You must raise up leaders and develop a strategy that will effectively take care of those you are responsible for daily. My dad would love this story – it is common sense. Keep it simple and invite the Lord into the process.
R – Lord, there are problems I will face today where I put the burden on myself that only I can fix it or be the solution. Give me wisdom to know what is mine to carry. Help me also see when others can use their leadership to shoulder that burden with me. We is better than me. Help me to not walk in pride and ego which prevents me from inviting others to lead with me.
S – When Moses’s hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. 13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword.
Exodus 17:12–13 CSB
O – Moses needed help from Aaron and Hur to maintain the posture that ensured victory in battle.
A – We need people in our lives who help us maintain the “posture” we need – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually – to win the battles we face.
R – Lord, there are battles to fight every day. Thank you for going into battle with me – I am never alone. Also, I am grateful for the men and women you put in my life that help me continue to grow and stay close to you. I cannot win without you. Thank you!
S – “He told them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil, and set aside everything left over to be kept until morning”
Exodus 16:23 CSB
O – God implemented the need for rest with the journeying Israelites. Preparations were made the day before so they could eat on a day they didn’t work.
A – After 400 years of slavery, Israel needed to establish their own customs because they were free from captivity. Freedom can be scary because it is “all new” with a lot of changes. God wanted to establish the need to rest and trust that God will provide on the day when work isn’t done.
R – Lord, continue to show me ways to rest physically, mentally and emotionally. The world moves at a fast pace. Refresh my mind and body so I can be available for your direction. Help me to trust on days that I need to pull away and rest. You have it all under your control.
Just Add Water . Chris Bonham 