Mon.’s Devo - Consecration of the Priests

Read: Exodus 29:1-30:10; Matthew 26:14-46; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 8:14-26 God told Moses what he must do to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests. Moses was to take a bull, two rams, unleavened cakes mixed with oil and unleavened wafers smeared with oil and crushed into fine flour. This flour was to be brought in a basket. *** Moses was to bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent and wash them with water. Bringing them to the entrance represents their profession of faith. Washing them with water represents their baptism. Then Moses was to put on Aaron the coat, the ephod, and the breastplate. These represent the robe of righteousness and the belt of truth. The turban was put on their head to guard their minds with the holiness of God. Last of all he was to anoint his head with the oil of the Holy Spirit. He was to do the same thing for his sons. *** Next, Moses was to apply the blood of the bull with his finger on the base of the altar and burn its fat on the altar, making the altar holy. *** Then Aaron and his sons were to lay their hands on the head of the ram transferring their sins to it and then kill the ram and sprinkle its blood on the sides of the altar. Then the whole ram was to be burnt on the altar to represent Jesus’ blood atoning for their sins. *** The other ram was then taken. They laid their hands on it and Moses killed it and applied its blood to the tip of the priest’s right ear, the tip of their right thumbs and the tip of their right big toe. Then the rest was thrown against the altar. This was to anoint their hearing, the works of their hands and wherever they went. *** The fat from the ram and the grain offering was put in their hands so they could wave it before the Lord as an offering to the Lord. I think of this as them giving of everything else in their lives to the Lord as a free-will offering. *** The breast was waved before the Lord and given to Aaron and their sons as their portion to eat. It represented the gifts of the people so they would have peace with God. *** These holy garments of Aaron’s should be passed down throughout his generations and they shall wear them for seven days - till their lives are completed. This is the promise of salvation to our whole families. *** Aaron and his sons were to eat from the ram every day for seven days. All the days of their lives they will eat from the goodness of what God did for them. *** All of this represents what we go through spiritually to be priests before the Lord. Jesus died to make a kingdom of priests (1Peter 2:9). *** They were to daily offer two lambs on the altar - one in the morning and one at night, along with flour and wine. This shows how we need to constantly go before the Lord in our good times and our bad. *** After the priests were sanctified and had atoned for their sins, they were instructed in how to make the altar of incense. Now they were ready to intercede for the people. The incense was their prayers for their nation and themselves. They were to burn incense every morning and night. Blood was to be applied to the horns of this table every year on the Day of Atonement. This represented a special prayer once a year to atone for the sins of the nation. *** In Matthew, the evil priests had decided to wait till after Passover to kill Jesus, but when Judas came and offered to deliver him to them, they changed their minds. They paid him 30 pieces of silver and arranged the deal. *** Meanwhile, the disciples were planning the place where they would eat the Passover meal with Jesus. He sent them to the city to a man who had a room prepared for them. As they were together at this house eating, Jesus told them that one of them would betray him. Judas was right there when he said it. The others asked if it was them, but Jesus said that the one who dipped his hand in the dish with him would betray him and it would be woe for him. They had probably all dipped their hands into the dish so this didn’t help them much. I think Jesus was metaphorically saying that one of them who had served with him and participated in the things of the Lord would do this. Jesus even answered to Judas that he was the one. (Did this fly by their heads?) *** Jesus blessed the bread and explained that it represented his body and the wine was his blood that would be poured out for many to forgive their sins. *** Jesus promised that they would one day drink together in his Father’s kingdom. Then they sang a hymn and went to the Mount of Olives. There, Jesus told them that they would all fall away and be scattered when he was killed, but he would rise and meet them in Galilee. *** Peter spoke up and said he would never deny him. Jesus told him that before the rooster crowed, he would have denied him three times. *** Jesus then took them to Gethsemane and told them to pray. He took Peter, James and John with him to pray. He told them that he was filled with sorrow and asked them to pray with him. Jesus prayed that if it was possible to let this cup pass from him, but he wanted more to do God’s will. *** Jesus came back to Peter, James and John and found them sleeping. Twice he woke them up to pray with him but on the third time he came and told them the hour was here and he was about to be betrayed. Lord, it is sad to end our story at this place but we know the ending and it is good. May we be anointed and consecrated priest unto you. May we not be like the disciples who could not stay awake and pray. May we know the day we are living in and intercede for our President, our nation and your will to be done on the earth. Great are You, Lord!

Sun.’s Devo - The Priestly Garments

Read: Exodus 28:1-43; Matthew 25:31-26:13; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 8:12-13 Moses called Aaron and his sons to him and told them to make holy garments for them to wear as priests. He gave them explicit instructions about what to tell the artist who would make their garments. *** The garment for the high priest, Aaron included a breast piece, an ephod, a robe, an embroidered coat, a mitre, a turban and a sash. The ephod was to be made of gold, blue, purple and scarlet twisted thread. A shoulder piece would hold two onyx stones that would rest on the priest’s shoulder and have the names of Jacob’s first six sons engraved on the right shoulder stone and the names of his last six sons on the left one. They would stand as a remembrance and be seen by God as he looked down. *** A breast plate of judgement was made of the same material but was more like a bib that he wore over his chest. On it were the stones of the tribes of Israel in four rows, three across. Each tribe was known by its different stone. This was to remind the priest that he always carried the cause of Israel in his heart. There was an inside pocket that held the Urim and the Thrummed. This would help him make decisions as one stood for “No” and the other “Yes”. *** The robe of the high priest was blue with pomegranates and bells alternating around the hem. The pomegranates stood for the Word since there are 613 laws in God’s Word and the same number of seeds in a pomegranate. The bells were to ring out the presence of the priests. Bells speak to healing and joy. *** On his turban would be a gold plate that read “Holy to the Lord.” As Aaron wore this garment and acted the part of the high priest he was a type of Jesus. Aaron was to bear the guilt of the people who offered their gifts to the Lord. He would consecrate their gifts and make them holy. That is what Jesus does for us. *** Aaron’s sons were to wear fine linen robes and turbans and tie their robes with an embroidered sash. Everything was made for beauty and to glorify God. They even wore fine linen undergarments. They were to wear them when they went into the tabernacle or came hear the altar to minister in the Holy Place or they would die. *** In Matthew, Jesus said that when he comes to earth in his glory, he will have his angels with him and he will then sit on his throne. All the nations will be gathered to him and he will separate the sheep from the goats. His sheep will go to the right and the goats to the left. *** He will welcome the sheep who cared for one another as unto him. He will tell the goats that they did not feed or care for the poor, visit the sick or those in prison. They did not love “the least of these.” They will be sent to eternal punishment. *** Jesus told his disciples that the Passover was two days away and that was when he would be delivered up to be crucified. At that very time, the chief priests and elders were at Caiaphas’ house plotting to snatch him and kill him. They decided to wait until after the feast because they didn’t want the people to riot. *** Jesus was staying at Bethany at Simon’s house and a woman came and began pouring expensive ointment on his head. When the disciples saw it and thought it was wasteful, Jesus rebuked them. He said that what she had done was beautiful and was in preparation for his burial. She would be remembered forever for what she did. *** Lord, help us to remember what we do matters. May our eyes be open to the poor, the needy and those locked in prisons. May we constantly remember what you have done for us. We anticipate your return with great joy.

Sat.’s Devo - The Curtains of the Tabernacle

Read: Exodus 26:1-27:21; Matthew 25:1-30; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 8:1-11 Today we read a very long and detailed description of the curtains that will be the walls of the outer court of the tabernacle and the curtains that will be the walls and ceiling of the inner tabernacle. *** These curtains were to be made of linen and embroidered with blue, purple and scarlet yarn. The weavers were to work cherubim into their design. These walls were to give the people the feeling of entering into the Garden of Eden. The curtains were made in five large sections of fabric bordered with loops which were joined together with clasps of gold. Coverings for the top of the tent were made of goats hair that draped over the sides so no rain could get inside the inner tabernacle. *** The frames which held up the curtains were to be made of acacia wood and covered with gold. These frames were held up with ten silver bases on each side. *** The outer tabernacle which was surrounded by the curtain wall were where the people who came to worship would stand and offer their sacrifices on the bronze altar, which we haven’t read about yet. *** Inside the inner tabernacle were two rooms. The first room was entered through a curtain into the Holy Place. In it were the golden lampstand and the table with the shewbread and the altar of incense. Through a curtain in the back you entered into the Holy of Holies where the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat was placed. *** Moses had the people bring him pure beaten olive oil for the menorah which would be attended to by Aaron and his sons every evening. *** In Matthew, Jesus gives another parable about the kingdom of heaven. It was about ten virgins who went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and took no oil with them for their lamps. The other five were wise and took flasks of oil with their lamps. The bridegroom did not come when they expected so they all fell asleep. At midnight the announcement of the bridegroom went out, but only the wise virgins had oil for the lamps. The foolish had to go and buy oil and missed the open door. When they came to the feast and the door was shut, they begged him to open the door, but the Lord told them he didn’t know them. Jesus is coming for a people who are ready and are filled with his Spirit. *** Jesus gave another parable explaining the coming of the Lord. He said it would be like a man leaving for a journey and putting his servants in charge of his property. He gave one five talents, another two an another one each according to their ability to handle talents. The one with the five and the two immediately multiplied their talents but the one with one hid his in the ground. *** When the master came back to settle his account with them the one with the five and the one with two talents showed him how they had doubled his money. The master praised them both and put them over more responsibility. The last one gave him back his one talent saying he knew he was a hard man who reaped where he did not sow and gathered where he didn’t scatter seed. (What a horrible thing to say! This man truly didn’t know his master’s heart.) The master rebuked him for not at least putting the money in the bank and gaining interest. He gave his one talent to the one who had five and cast him into outer darkness where he would weep and gnash his teeth. *** These parables are self-explanatory. We have been given so much from the Lord and we will give an account for what we have done for the Lord on Judgment Day. We have been created for a destiny crafted just for us and our abilities. We are not to compare our talents with others but use what we have been given to the highest potential for God’s glory. *** Lord, as we read about your tabernacle, may we see the beauty of it and understand how you love to surround us with the beauty of your holiness. May we enjoy spending time in your presence today.

Fri.’s Devo - The Feasts

Read: Exodus 23:14-25:40; Matthew 24:29-51; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 7:24-27 God told the people they were to keep a feast to him three times a year. The first season would be the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It was to be kept in the month of Abib also called Nissan. It would last for 7 days representing the time when they came out of Egypt. (During this time they would also celebrate the Passover and the Feast of First Fruits.) *** The next feast would occur fifty days later and was called the Feast of Harvest (also called Feast of Weeks or Pentecost). The last group was in the end of the year and it was called the Feast of Ingathering. These were all times when they were harvesting different crops from their fields. The first was the barley harvest, then the wheat, then the fruit. *** The men were to appear before the Lord these times during the year with the first fruits of their harvests. *** They were not to boil a young goat in its mother’s milk. This commandment is given several times in the law. I believe spiritually it means that you are not to kill the baby for the mother’s sins. I’m sure there was a reason for why they were told this. *** God said he was sending his angel before them to guard them on their way and bring them to the place the Lord had prepared for them. When they got there, they were not to bow to their enemies’ gods. If they served the Lord only, he would bless their food and water and take sickness away from them. They would not miscarry or be barren. They would live out all the days of their lives. God would cause their enemies to fear them so that they would be confused. He would drive them out with hornets. He would do this slowly so they would have time to inhabit their land. They were not to make any covenants of peace with them because if they did, they would end up serving their gods. God called Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu and the seventy elders to worship him from afar. Then he called Moses to come near to him. Moses wrote down what the Lord told him and and would come and tell the group. They agreed to obey his words. *** Early in the morning, Moses built an altar to the Lord with 12 pillars representing the 12 tribes. He sent young men to offer burnt offering and sacrifices on the altar. Moses took half of the blood and threw it on the side of the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant he had written and read it to the people. They agreed to do all that it said. Then the Lord sprinkled the rest of the blood on the people. *** Moses and his appointed group went up and saw the Lord on a pavement of sapphire stone and saw a glimpse of heaven. They also saw that God did not harm Moses. *** God called Moses back on the mountain so he could give him the tablet of stone with the law and commandment written on them. He left Aaron and Hur in charge of the people. Moses took Joshua and went up the mountain. The mountain it was overshadowed by a cloud because of the glory of God and appeared to be on fire. *** God told Moses to let the people contribute things to make the tabernacle. He would need gold, silver, bronze, etc. (25:1-8). With all the metal, gems, yarns and skins, oils and spices, they were to make the tabernacle like he showed him in heaven. The tabernacle would be a replica of what was in heaven though much smaller. *** God gave Moses the exact measurements and how to make the ark to hold the covenant and the mercy seat that would rest on top of the ark with the two cherubs on it. This was where the Lord would meet with him. *** He was to make a table along with gold plates and dishes for incense, and cups and bowls to pour drink offerings in. *** He was to make a gold lamp stand (menorah) with a main branch and three branches on both sides. On the branches would be almond blossoms and a cup to hold the old for lighting. *** In Matthew, Jesus was explaining the last days. After the tribulation time, the sun would be darkened and the moon would not give light. The stars would fall from heaven and the sign of the Son of Man would appear in the clouds. God would send out his angels with a loud trumpet call and they would gather his elect from the four winds and from heaven. According to Jeremiah 49:36, these four winds are the four quarters of heaven. Ezekiel 37:9 tells us that the ones from the four winds are those who were slain. So the Lord is calling the dead to rise and join him. We will not be able to see this from earth. On September 23, 2017 the sign of the Son of Man appeared in the sky. This day was also the Feast of Trumpets. We just read where God would sent out his angels with a loud trumpet call and then they would gather those who have been slain. We could only saw the sign in the sky. *** Jesus tells us it will be the same as the days of Noah where they had no idea what was about to happen, even though Noah preached and told them it was coming. That is the way it is now. Only those awake know the day we are living in. The rest of the world is going on with their daily living, unaware. They didn’t know till the flood swept them away and that will be the same now. Those swept away will be taken while we will be preserved on the earth. *** Jesus called us to be faithfully doing his work when this happens. When the evil see that they are getting away with all their crimes they will not repent, but they will not get away with their evil. They will be taken and face their judgment. They will be thrown into the pit where they will weep and gnash their teeth. *** Both our Psalm and our Proverb mention Sheol, the place of the dead. This is where the evil will end up. *** Lord, thank you for the promise of eternity with you. Thank you that your Word is true and every jot and tittle will be carried out before all this is done. May we be awake and aware of what you are doing and not be afraid. We rest with assurance in your arms.

Thurs.’s Devo - God’s Laws

Read: Exodus 21:22-23:13; Matthew 24:1-28; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 7:6-23 As you read the ordinances of how to deal with property loss, bodily harm and the laws of pain and suffering you will realize how much our laws follow this wisdom given by God. *** God himself is the avenger of the widow and the orphan if they cry out to him. God will make sure that their perpetrator is killed and his wife and children are left without their husband and father. *** God had laws about how he was to be treated also. He told them not to be slow in offering him their first fruits of their harvest and the firstborn of their sons and animals. The sons were to be circumcised on the eighth day of their life and the animals were to be sacrificed on the eight day. *** There were laws commanding them to treat your enemy as you would your neighbor. They were told not to pervert justice with false charges, taking bribes, acquitting the wicked and killing the innocent. *** They were to treat those passing through their land with kindness, remembering how they were sojourners when they came out of Egypt. *** They were to work the land for six years, then let it rest the seventh. During the seventh year they were to allow the poor and the beasts of the field to eat from their land. *** They were not to even mention the names of false gods. *** In Matthew, as Jesus and his disciples were leaving the Temple, the disciples admired the Temple buildings. Jesus told him that there was coming a day when none of the stones would be left standing. They would all be thrown down. He was speaking of both physically and spiritually. *** As Jesus sat with his disciples on the Mount of Olives, they asked him when the Temple would fall and when would he return and when was the end of the age. Jesus told them all the things that would happen first. Many would come in his name and say they were the Christ and lead people astray. They will hear of wars and the rumors of coming wars. They were not to be alarmed because this was all part of the plan. There will be wars and famines and earthquakes and these are the beginnings of the birth pains of the new age to come. *** His followers will the persecuted, and many will not stand but fall away from the faith. False prophets will arise and lawlessness will increase causing some to become hopeless and bitter. But, those who endure through all this will be saved. The gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole earth. Then the end will come. *** Then, Jesus warned them that an abomination was coming to the Temple. When they see this happen they are to flee to the mountains. Pray this won’t happen in the winter or on a Sabbath. Then, there will be great tribulation and those days will be cut short so that there will be survivors. False Christs will arise and do miracles and great signs and wonders. These are only imposters. The coming of the Son of Man will be light lightning that comes from the east and shines to the west. Jesus light will shine across the earth. *** The abomination Jesus was talking about happened after his death on the cross. Antiochus Epiphanes came into the Temple and sacrificed a pig on the altar and sprinkled its blood all over the Temple. The believers fled into the hills and many were killed. We have been under the tribulations written in Revelation ever since. We are in the cusp of the new age Jesus was talking about and are about to see Jesus’s kingdom come to earth, through us. This is not his second coming. That is way up ahead. Jesus will come and dwell on the earth and set up his kingdom through us, first. *** Lord, help us to discern the day we are living in and rejoice! This is the day that Jesus spoke of and we are privileged to live in this day. May we live the kingdom of God and endure till the end.

Wed.’s Devo - The Third Day -

Read: Exodus 19:16-21:21; Matthew 23:13-39; Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 7:1-5 On the third day, Pentecost, The people saw lighting and a thick cloud on the mountain. They heard thunder and a very loud trumpet blast that grew louder and louder like a siren. God called Moses to come up the mountain to the top. He told them to warn the people not to come, or the Lord would break out against them. God sent Moses to get Aaron only. *** Then the Lord spoke and gave them the 10 Commandments we know today. Moses didn’t have to worry about the people rushing the mountain because the voice of God along with all the thunder and lightning and smoke scared them so much they stood far off. But, Moses was drawn to the thick darkness where God was. *** God gave them specific rules forbidding them from making gods of silver or gold to use to worship him. His altar was to be made of rough stones that were not smoothed with tools. They were not to have steps leading to the altar. *** Then he gave them rules about their Hebrew slaves. They were only to serve them six years then go free the seventh. The slave should go the way he came. If he chooses to stay to be with his family or because he loves his master, then his master was to bring him to the door of his house and pierce his ear on the door. Then he would be his slave forever. *** Fair and honorable laws were given to protect the women. These are the things that were to be punished by death: intentional murder, buying or selling a trafficked man, cursing your parents, and beating a slave to death. *** If two men quarrel and one strikes the other with his fist or a stone, if the man lives, then the one who hit him only has to pay for the loss of his time he wasn’t able to work and is to have him thoroughly healed. *** All of the laws God gave the people have spiritual meaning to us. In the law about the Hebrew slaves, we are slaves in this world to our Creator God. We will serve the Lord until we are judged on the seventh day. If we decide we love him and his ways and want to willingly serve him, he will bind us to his son who is the “door” and mark us as his. Then we will dwell with him forever. *** In Matthew, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for not entering into the kingdom of heaven and not allowing anyone else to enter, either. He called them children of hell, blind guides, hypocrites, serpents and vipers for all their false teaching. They made gold and their gifts more honorable than God’s temple and his altar. They tithed but neglected to show mercy and faithfulness. They worried about how they appeared to others and yet neglected cleansing their hearts, which, Jesus explained, if their hearts were clean then their actions would follow. *** The Pharisees built elaborate tombs for the prophets claiming that they would have never killed them if they lived during that time. Jesus made it clear that they were still doing the same thing. (And, they would be the ones to crucify the Messiah.) *** Jesus cried out for Jerusalem who rejected all who God sent to her. He told then they would not see him again until they say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” This will happen when Jesus returns. *** Lord, may we renew our commitment to hear only your voice and serve you with our whole heart. May our hearts be clean and may we fight for mercy and justice and righteousness.

Tues.’s Devo - Their First Battle

Read: Exodus 17:8-19:15; Matthew 22:34-23:12; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 6:27-35 The Amalekites attacked Israel at Rephidim. Moses told Joshua to choose some men to fight them and he, Moses, would stand on the top of the hill with his staff in his hand. Aaron and Hur went with Moses where they watched the battle from the hill. As long as Moses had his hands up with his staff, they would win, but when his hands grew tired and he lowered them, they would begin to lose. Aaron and Hur found a rock for Moses to sit on and they stood on either side holding his hands up until the sun went down. Joshua and his men prevailed. *** God told Moses to write down the events of that day because He would one day blot out the memory of the Amalekites. Moses built an altar to the Lord where he had stood and named it “The Lord Is My Banner.” *** Moses had sent his wife Zipporah and their two sons Gershom and Eliezer to stay with her father Jethro during all the plagues of Egypt. Jethro brought them back to reunite with Moses. Jethro rejoiced when he heard all the stories of what God had done for them in Egypt. Jethro saw that God was greater than all gods and brought a sacrifice to the Lord. *** Jethro watched as Moses sat and decided every dispute the Israelites had. He told him he would burn out fast if he continued doing this and advised him to train some fair and just men to take all the small cases for him and leave the big ones for Moses. Moses took his advice. Jethro soon left and went back to his home. *** Forty-seven days after Moses had left Egypt they reached Mt. Sinai. God told Moses to tell the people to sanctify themselves because in three days God was going to speak to them. If they listened to what he said and obeyed him, he would make them his treasured possession and they would be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. They all agreed to listen and obey. *** Fifty days after Passover is Pentecost. God came down on Mt. Sinai on Pentecost bringing his Spirit to rest on Moses and the mountain. In the New Testament, the Spirit of God came to rest on the people - they became the mountain with fire on their heads. *** In Matthew, the Pharisees heard of how he shut the Sadducees down, so one of their lawyers asked Jesus which law was the greatest commandment in the law. Jesus said to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind. The second greatest was to love your neighbor as yourself. All the laws hang on these two commandments. Then, Jesus asked them a question. They asked him whose son would the Messiah be and they answered “David’s son.” Then Jesus asked them about the Psalm where David called him Lord. They were not able to answer him. *** Jesus turned to the crowd and told them to obey the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees, but not their works because they did not practice what they preached. They used the scriptures to bind the people and control them. They loved the honor they got from their position, but lorded it over the people instead of shepherding them. He told them never to call their teachers, Father because there is only one Father and that is God. And, call no person your Teacher because their Teacher is Christ. Those who exalt themselves above another will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted. *** Lord, may we love you with all our hearts, soul and mind and our neighbor as ourselves. May we be humble and teachable.