Freedom For Today

Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Exodus 32 before reading the devotional below.

God has finished giving Moses his laws and instructions at the top of Mount Sinai. Moses climbs down the mountain, stone tablets in hand, ready to share God’s message with the people. (If you have ever seen The Prince of Egypt, this is the moment the movie ends. If you know what happens next you realize that is a very misleading ending…) Keep in mind Moses was up on the mountain for 40 days. In just a little over a month, God’s people have completely abandoned everything and are making a golden calf idol. Even worse, Aaron is leading the show.

Remember all those instructions God just gave for his priests to be set apart? Aaron could not be doing anything more opposite of what God wanted. Moses becomes angry and smashes the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments on the ground. Those were supposed to be the centerpiece of God’s new tabernacle. Instead of experiencing triumph and a new direction, God’s people are in chaos, dysfunction, and disorder. Moses climbs back up the mountain and prays for forgiveness on behalf of the people. God does not destroy his people but they do suffer a plague for their rebellion.

Here’s your freedom for today: you can always trust God’s timing. If the Israelites had just waited for Moses to come down, if they had just trusted in the faithfulness of God, they would not have worshiped a false god and brought trouble on themselves. How often do we wait for God a whopping 8 seconds before we take matters into our own hands? What blessings do we miss in our lives as a result? Moses was only gone 40 days. Honestly that is one of the shorter waiting periods in the Bible. Sometimes we wait years or decades for God to deliver what he has promised. Sometimes while we wait it is pretty quiet and we don’t hear a whole lot from God. Can you trust that even if you do not hear God’s voice right now he is bringing about something good for you? Can you wait long enough for him to deliver it?

Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Exodus 31 before reading the devotional below.

Well today I’m feeling convicted that I have seriously underestimated God’s calling on the lives of craftsmen. We usually think about God pouring out his Spirit to anoint pastors, teachers, and spiritual leaders. But if God has very specific project requirements, then skilled craftsmen are suddenly a key part of God’s plan.

The second part of the chapter talks about the Sabbath. This explanation is an expansion on the mention of the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments that were delivered earlier. God’s law sets a death penalty on anyone who doesn’t keep the Sabbath, which is strange if you think about it. What is it about humans that we have to be threatened with punishment of death if we do not rest one day a week? Why are we not jumping at the chance? Imagine a boss who said, “You take your week of vacation time before the end of the year or you’re fired!” And yet Americans especially have a strong resistance to rest. It’s something for all of us to consider as we think about what God is trying to tell us about himself and about what we need.

Here’s your freedom for today: God wants you to take a break. One whole day a week. Nothing on your to-do list is really that important. And what is important can be fit into six days. If you have more to do than six days will allow, maybe God is letting you know that you are trying to steal his job. You can’t save the world. There is absolutely nothing that you must do every single day. Set aside one day for rest and for dwelling in God’s presence. If you develop a Sabbath discipline, you might just find that you aren’t stressed to the max at all times. And you know what? That’s freedom.

Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Exodus 30 before reading the devotional below.

Handwashing has been saving lives for thousands of years, long before anyone knew about germs. Today’s chapter describes the various daily and yearly rituals that Aaron and the priests must do. There is a sense of rhythm as you read the chapter — I can picture Aaron and the other priests lighting lamps and burning incense daily just as God instructed. Daily routines have a calming impact on us all.

Two phrases stuck out to me in this passage: “I will meet you there” and “from generation to generation.” God is making a promise to his people. He shows up where he says he will show up. He’s also thinking long-term. This is not a temporary plan for the desert journey. No, these plans will be followed for generations of priests. God is in this for the long haul.

Here’s your freedom for today: God hasn’t given up yet. He’s still pursuing people. He’s pursuing you. He sent Jesus to open up the doors so that both the Israelites and the non-Jewish people around the world could have access to God. He continues to meet us in our daily rituals — quiet morning prayer over tea, reflecting on a Bible passage and devotional before bed, or entering into corporate worship on a Sunday. God is still showing up and he will keep showing up until his victory is finished. He’ll meet you today and every day when you set yourself apart for him.

Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Exodus 29 before reading the devotional below.

Serving God isn’t an easy task. Ministry is hard sometimes, and the Israelites priests were set aside for a really tough job. Every Jesus-follower has a role to play in God’s work, but revolving your whole life around ministering to God’s people is a different kind of life.

In today’s chapter, God gives Moses instructions for a ceremonial consecration for Aaron and his sons. Aaron, Moses’ brother, has a special assignment as the head priest. He must set the standard for following God’s laws and keeping holy things holy. Throughout the history of Israel, there will be priests who do not do this job well and the consequences are grave. The consecration of the priests in this moment is for their protection.

Here’s your freedom for today: you can live a different kind of life. Since we no longer need priests to mediate between us and God, we are set apart and made holy by giving our lives to Jesus. That means that your life is different when you follow Jesus — you won’t look like the world around you anymore. As Christians, we all have the task of inviting people into God’s family. You may be someone’s only connection to knowing Jesus. Some, like Aaron, are called to devote their whole lives to serving God’s people. No matter your calling, your life isn’t the same as God refines you and sets you apart for his purposes.

Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Exodus 28 before reading the devotional below.

God has a uniform all picked out for the priests who will meet with him on behalf of the people. He gives very detailed instructions on what they should wear, right down to their underwear. (In case you ever wondered the secret weapon stopping the priests from dying in God’s presence, it’s underwear…). This priestly outfit is full of symbolism and is quite exquisite.

These garments are made of the finest linen, sewn with gold thread and full of intricate embroidery. (How the did this in the middle of the desert I have no idea!). On the shoulders there are six stones on each side, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. There is a special chestplate that the priests would wear when making a decision for the people, and the mysterious Urim and Thummim (most likely gem stones) were placed inside.

Here’s your freedom for today: God spares no expense. He is not frugal, and his designs for the priests’ clothing as well as his Tabernacle demonstrate this. If you think about it, God is wealthier than the wealthiest person in the world (currently Jeff Bezos who has a net “worth” of $90 billion). I doubt Mr. Bezos skimps on his grocery bill or his outfits. When he has a party, he probably goes all out. God has all the world’s resources plus a whole supernatural realm at his disposal. So yes, he’s using gold thread for his priests’ garments. This extravagance is not oppressive as earthly wealth often is. Rather, it is a way to invite his people into his kingdom and open the doors for them to be made right with him. Participation in God’s kingdom will always mean that the poor are cared for, protected, and lifted up and his abundant resources are made available for all to enjoy.