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Exodus 35:1-29(Good News Translation)
Sunday
November 8, 2009
Called to be Free to Give God Thanks and Praise
Introduction
Exodus 35:1-29: Today we begin to learn about God's laws for the Sabbath-the day set apart for honoring God through a day of rest. The passage includes a list of offerings for the sacred tent, ranging from gifts of the earth to items created by people. The people bring gifts to the Lord to be used for the tent, the worship services, and the priestly clothes.
Today's Scripture: Exodus 35:2a
"You have six days in which to do your work, but the seventh day is to be sacred, a solemn day of rest dedicated to me, the LORD."
How is this Scripture passage speaking to me today?
Today's Reading
Regulations for the Sabbath1Moses called together the whole community of the people of Israel and said to them, This is what the LORD has commanded you to do:2You have six days in which to do your work, but the seventh day is to be sacred, a solemn day of rest dedicated to me, the LORD. Anyone who does any work on that day is to be put to death.3Do not even light a fire in your homes on the Sabbath.Offerings for the Sacred Tent(Exodus 25.1-9)4Moses said to all the people of Israel, This is what the LORD has commanded:5Make an offering to the LORD. Everyone who wishes to do so is to bring an offering of gold, silver, or bronze;6fine linen; blue, purple, and red wool; cloth made of goats' hair;7rams' skin dyed red; fine leather; acacia wood;8oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet-smelling incense;9carnelians and other jewels to be set in the High Priest's ephod and in his breastpiece.Articles for the Tent of the Lord's Presence(Exodus 39.32-43)10All the skilled workers among you are to come and make everything that the LORD commanded:11the Tent, its covering and its outer covering, its hooks and its frames, its crossbars, its posts, and its bases;12the Covenant Box, its poles, its lid, and the curtain to screen it off;13the table, its poles, and all its equipment; the bread offered to God;14the lampstand for the light and its equipment; the lamps with their oil;15the altar for burning incense and its poles; the anointing oil; the sweet-smelling incense; the curtain for the entrance of the Tent;16the altar on which to burn offerings, with its bronze grating attached, its poles, and all its equipment; the washbasin and its base;17the curtains for the enclosure, its posts and bases; the curtain for the entrance of the enclosure;18the Tent pegs and ropes for the Tent and the enclosure;19and the magnificent garments the priests are to wear when they serve in the Holy Place—the sacred clothes for Aaron the priest and for his sons.The People Bring Their Offerings20All the people of Israel left,21and everyone who wished to do so brought an offering to the LORD for making the Tent of the LORD's presence. They brought everything needed for use in worship and for making the priestly garments.22All who wanted to, both men and women, brought decorative pins, earrings, rings, necklaces, and all kinds of gold jewelry and dedicated them to the LORD.23Everyone who had fine linen; blue, purple, or red wool; cloth of goats' hair; rams' skin dyed red; or fine leather, brought it.24All who were able to contribute silver or bronze brought their offering for the LORD, and all who had acacia wood which could be used for any of the work brought it.25All the skilled women brought fine linen thread and thread of blue, purple, and red wool, which they had made.26They also made thread of goats' hair.27The leaders brought carnelians and other jewels to be set in the ephod and the breastpiece28and spices and oil for the lamps, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet-smelling incense.29All the people of Israel who wanted to brought their offering to the LORD for the work which he had commanded Moses to do.Reflect
In addition to bringing physical gifts, the people were encouraged to share their skill and energy to make the sacred tent and the many objects that were to be used in worship. What sorts of materials were used to create your worship space? What kinds of skills did people employ to create the space? How can you use your gifts and skills to worship God?
Pray
Creating God, you have equipped me with many resources and abilities. Empower me to use them in ways that bring praise to you, that you may always know of my love for you. Amen.
Prayer Concern
Construction workers
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