Arms Reaching

Today’s text is from Exodus 28-29 and details the making of the priestly garments and the consecration of the Priests. Interestingly, the pictures and descriptions of the Ephod or Breastplate of the priest reminds me of today’s bulletproof vest worn by law enforcement officers. So the breastplate could be considered the bulletproof vest of the priest. 🤔

https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/beginning/2023/01/27?version=NIV

Things to Ponder from earlier this week!

What can be learned from the battle with the Amalekites in Exodus 17?

While it is not explicitly declared in the text, when Aaron and Hur held up Moses hands during the battle with the Amalekites it is symbolic of the meaning of Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

What did Jethro observe while visiting with Moses and the Israelites in Exodus 18?

While Jethro observed Moses listening to the complaints of the Israelites he noticed that the work was far more than Moses could handle by himself. Therefore he spoke to Moses and advised him on a better way. Jethro’s advice lead Moses to establishing the first judicial system for the Israelites.

Why are the Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20, followed by the laws, rules and regulations in Exodus 21?

The important take away here is that the Ten Commandments are the rules the Lord expects of all of us, how we are to treat God and how we are to treat others. The Laws on the other hand details the specifics of the ‘sin’ and the consequences of committing that sin.

Are the Ten Commandments and the Mosaic Laws still relevant today?

Many, many scholars and many denominations and churches no longer read the Old Testament. They claim that Jesus “freed’ us from the burden of the Law, and others say that the Commandments and Laws found in the old testament are part of the covenant between God and Abraham for his people (the Jewish race) and therefore irrelevant to the modern world. While I am not a “Biblical Scholar’ and I have not focused a lot of study on religious doctrine, I read the bible and study God’s word. Therefore I believe the Old Testament is just as important as the New Testament. If God is never changing and steadfast in his desires for his creation than his expectations for us are the same as they were for Moses and the Israelites. By reading these laws and consequences the reader can clearly see the “wages of sin is death” This realization leads the reader to see the need for salvation and thus the need for a savior, which is Jesus!!!

Enjoy today’s text!!