https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Exodus+27
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Tuesday, 28 January 2025:
Exodus 27 — Notice how detailed God’s instructions were, requiring very strict obedience. Some things God commands are very specific, and there is no room for interpretation. What would have happened if Noah didn’t strictly obey God’s instructions for building the ark? What happens when you don’t strictly obey God’s specific commands?
Listen to this message on Exodus 26-27 by Jon Courson — https://www.blueletterbible.org/audio_video/popPlayer.cfm?id=2313&rel=courson_jon/Exd
Exodus 27:1 — “You shall make the altar….”
“The idea behind the Hebrew word for altar is essentially, ‘killing-place.’ It was a place of death and sacrifice, where atonement for sin was made and consecration unto God was marked. Under the New Covenant, we also have an altar: We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat (Hebrews 13:10). Our altar — our ‘killing-place’ — is the cross, where Jesus died for our sins and we follow by dying unto self and living for Jesus. We lay down our lives on that same altar: ‘I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me…. But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.’ (Galatians 2:20 and 6:14)” (David Guzik)
“The position of the Altar just inside the entrance to the court made it as clear as symbology could that the beginning of fellowship between God and man must be in sacrifice.” (F.B. Meyer)
Exodus 27:9 – “You shall make the court of the tabernacle.”
The following commentary on Exodus 27 provides an illustration of what the court of the tabernacle could have looked like, along with very detailed notes all elements described in this chapter: https://www.preceptaustin.org/exodus-27-commentary
Man’s approach to God was and is no casual matter. It required sacrifice and cleansing, and only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and then only once per year. But Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice, our purification, and our Great High Priest who has opened to us the Holy Place of God. However, that freedom and access should in no way make us less reverent but rather more so, more eager to serve our Holy, Almighty Savior in holiness, purity, and with great attention to detail.
– Hebrews 10:19-31 — Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 28 January 2025: Commit to worshipping the LORD through your obedience with the same amount of commitment and attention to detail as the Israelites demonstrated in the construction and administration of the Tabernacle. Use the freedom you have been given in Christ to worship and serve God as He deserves, not to earn His favor but to enjoy His favor unhindered and share it with others. Don’t let casual sin rob you of the fullness of joy God intends for you to have as you abide in Him and His will, unified with Him.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 