Lecture: Exodus 30-33

Introduction

• Opening Prayer: Offering thanks and requesting protection
• Disclaimer: Israel United in Christ is a non-violent Bible-based movement, not affiliated with any hate group
• Chapters for Today: Exodus 30-33

Exodus 30: Sacrificial Altar

Instructions for Altar Construction

• Materials: Acacia wood overlaid with pure gold
• Dimensions: Cubits provided for length, breadth, and height
• Usage: Burn incense

Incense and Sacrifices

• Morning and Evening: Incense to be burned perpetually
• Prohibition: Strange incense, burnt sacrifice, meat offering, or drink offering not allowed on this altar
• Day of Atonement: Atonement made once a year with specific sanctification duties

Offerings for Numbering Israelites

• Ransom: Half shekel offering for those 20 years and older
• Use of Ransom Money: For service of the tabernacle

Laver of Brass

• Construction: Brass laver with water for Aaron and sons to wash before ministrations
• Purpose: To avoid death for uncleanness

Holy Anointing Oil

• Composition: Specific recipes for principal spices, sweet calamus, cassia, and olive oil
• Usage: Anoint tabernacle, its contents, and priests
• Prohibition: No replication for personal use or it leads to being cut off from the community

Exodus 31: Craftsmen and the Sabbath

Skilled Craftsmen

• Bezalel: Tribe of Judah, filled with God's spirit in wisdom, understanding, and craftsmanship
• Oholiab: Tribe of Dan, assistant to Bezalel
• Other Wise-Hearted Individuals: Given wisdom for craftsmanship of the tabernacle items

The Sabbath Covenant

• Significance: A perpetual covenant and a sign between God and the Israelites
• Commandments: Death for defilement, six days for work, seventh for rest

Tables of Testimony

• Written by God, given to Moses

Exodus 32: The Golden Calf

Israelites' Idolatry

• Aaron’s Role: Created a golden calf under pressure from the people
• Feast and Offerings: Israelites offered sacrifices to the golden calf
• God’s Anger: Threatens to destroy Israelites, Moses intercedes

Consequences

• Moses’ Actions: Smashes tablets, burns calf, grinds it to powder, makes Israelites drink it
• Levites’ Loyalty: Kills 3,000 men, shows loyalty to God
• Plague: God sends a plague as punishment

Exodus 33: The Presence of God

Commands to Depart

• Land of Promise: God reiterates the promise to give Israelites the land of Canaan
• Stiff-Necked People: Refusal to go in their midst to avoid consumption

Establishing the Tent of Meeting

• Moses: Sets up the tent outside the camp
• Joshua: Stays in the tent, showing dedication and preparing for leadership
• God’s Communication: Speaks to Moses face-to-face, symbolic of direct communication not literal

Request for God’s Presence

• Moses’ Plea: Seeks assurance of God’s continued presence
• God’s Assurance: Moses finds favor with God, presence will go with them

Seeking God’s Glory

• Moses’ Request: Wants to see God’s glory
• God’s Response: Allows Moses to see His back but not His face

Recapping the Covenant

• God's Character: Merciful yet just

Questions and Answers

• Explanation of Land Flowing with Milk and Honey: Land's fertility, abundance in crops, livestock, and landscape
• Sabbath Observance: Eating, cooking, shopping, and working guidelines
  • No kindling fire for cooking
  • Reheating of food allowed but not cooking
  • No buying or selling except in emergencies (i.e., medical needs, vehicle breakdown)
  • Gathering for worship and rest stressed, hard work prohibited
  • Examples provided for when certain actions are unavoidable due to unforeseen circumstances

Conclusion

• Encouragement to Attend Upcoming Classes