Biblical Chili

The interesting thing about God picking out furniture for His house is that each and everyone has a purpose.  Why did God set it up this way?  Why so much detail?  Here's a hint, it all points to Jesus.

If God is super specific about a set of blueprints for His tent maybe we should perk up and try and find out why.  God always has a reason for His commands and it's our job to glean the most from it.

The saddest part about being in a rough situation is that often we don't see the beauty or purpose of it later on.  Every scar, hard lesson or life altering experience we have God can "work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose."

Use the difficulty!

The strangest thing that will ever happen to those who truly love the Lord is the farther we escape the darkness of sin and run into His light the easier it is to see the darkness that still remains in our heart.  The bigger question is are you running to the light or muting it?

God once again has had His fill with humanity and it's pride filled nature.  But once again a way out from the well deserved destruction was provided.

Could Israel get any lower?  They had just made a covenant with their creator and in a few short days break said promise.  Well, I think this whole episode could be summed up in one phrase, "Israel was almost as good a sinner as we are."

The Sabbath topic may be one of the more hotly debated topics in scripture we can all agree that Jesus is the "Lord of the Sabbath".

Continuing in the tabernacle blueprints we find that God was even particular about the way they made the incense.  Although it was made up of unclean animal parts.  That would be a great talking point.

Each offering had a significant meaning to the Lord and to add to that point we must also keep in mind Moses was given these blueprints from God's tabernacle in Heaven.

God didn't just give Israel health laws he also helped introduce them to hygiene through under garments.  These ceremonies and sacrifices were not only supposed to be conducted in a certain way but also with the correct clothing.

God may not need a home, but Israel needed one to reach Him.

If there is anything that we can learn about God from what has happened to Israel so far is that He is quite particular and organized.  Some of us may look at what He's asking His people to do and not fully understand what His plans are, but I assure you, God does NOTHING without purpose. 

This glorified box that God had Israel build was meant to hold His character, yup you heard it right, God's own character was placed inside.  The Testimony was God's way to reach a fallen humanity that didn't know any better. 

Yes, God's law or commandments more than likely were blue.  God invited the elders of Israel to meet Him and have a meal.  Yeah, I know I didn't know that was in scripture until we went through this ourselves.

Ten Commandments Series

God continues His explanation of the law He gave Moses because humans are more prone to find those little cracks, we can slip through, so we can do what WE want to do.  

"The heart is deceitfully wicked, who can know it?"   -Jeremiah 

Don't follow your heart, follow Jesus instead.

Like a father speaking to their child who is trying to find a loophole in the command they are receiving, God clarifies again the commandments He just gave.  Even in the Old Testament God is the same person with the same character as Jesus in the New Testament.  

"If you have seen Me you have seen the Father."    -Jesus

You'd think God thought of everything, with the way that some of these laws are written.  The children of Israel just left slavery and oppression, so God and Moses wanted to ensure that Israel wouldn't follow in the footsteps of their old masters now that they are free.

How do I love everyone else?  Well let's dive deep into the second half of the Ten Commandments and discover God's best explanation on how to do so.  Keeping the Ten Commandments is not about salvation it's about showing your love for the One who saved you.

If one were to ask, how to love God, how would you answer it?  It's strange to think that God loves us and wants our love in return, but to show love to the creator of everything may be easier than we think.  God isn't looking for you to "give" something to Him to prove your devotion, instead He is just asking for your heart then everything else will fall in place.