Slavish mobs will always pull you towards fear. Faithfully stand strong in the LORD. SINCE WE LAST LEFT OFF... Explorers were sent ahead to scope out the Promised Land. They return with an impressive display of the land's bounty, but also terrifying tales of the "fortified cities and men of great size" the Israelites would need to overcome. Numbers 14 (NIV) 14 That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2   All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! 3  Why is the L ORD  bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4  And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” 5  Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6   Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7  and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8   If the L ORD  is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9  Only do not rebel against the L ORD . And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the L ORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” 10  But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the L ORD  appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites. 11  The L ORD  said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? 12  I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.” --- Moses then pleads with the L ORD to spare Israel for the sake of His great name, asking Him to display His power through covenant mercy rather than destroy the people and give the nations cause to doubt His glory. -- 20  The L ORD  replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. 21  Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the L ORD  fills the whole earth, 22  not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— 23  not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their fathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. -- 28  So tell them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the L ORD , I will do to you the very thing I heard you say: 29  In this wilderness your bodies will fall—every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me. 30  Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 124 Q. What does the third request of the Lord's Prayer mean? A. “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” means, Help us and all people to reject our own wills and to obey your will without any back talk. Your will alone is good. Help us one and all to carry out the work we are called to, as willingly and faithfully as the angels in heaven. Summary At this point, it's been thirteen months since the final plague struck down all of the first born in Egypt. The opening verses of today's passage mark the fifth time now in this very short span that the Israelites have raised their voices, grumbling against Moses and Aaron and blaming the LORD for bringing them to this land only to let them die. They'd witnessed the most powerful army on earth flounder as the Red Sea collapsed upon them, seen the power of the LORD's glory in their midst, heard His voice thunder down from Sinai and tasted water that sprang up out of rock and manna that fell from heaven at God's command, but they conclude that this God that's brought them this far can't overcome some men of great size. It was somewhat understandable that the people feared the Canaanites, but inexcusable that they wouldn't trust the LORD. Moses is out of words at this point. All he and his brother Aaron could do was to fall facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly. Prayer, in the most humble posture possible, was their only recourse. The job of trying to talk sense to the mob then fell to the two faithful spies, Joshua and Caleb. They remind the people that the Canaanites' protection is gone. The Egyptian army had provided security for these outlying areas, but God had already sunk them. Much more importantly, they remind Israel that the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them. But, as one commentator puts it, "a key aspect of evil men is their intense self-pity." Joshua and Caleb's words fall on ears attached to brainwashed dolts that were already gathering stones to execute God's faithful leaders and looking for a new leader to bring them back to Egypt.   Dig Deeper   Once again we have ugly proof that God's patience is not unlimited. As His glory appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites (what a sight that must have been!), He tells Moses He's done. After all the signs He'd performed among them, they refuse to believe. God would strike them down with a plague and then raise Moses into a nation greater and stronger than they. But Moses appeals to God's honor and reputation amongst the nations, who would conclude that the LORD was unable to deliver. He repeats back to the LORD what the LORD had told him, that He's slow to anger, abounding in love, and forgives sin and rebellion . The LORD hears Moses' prayer and forgives them, as Moses asked. But He also answers the unholy prayers of the people and gives them exactly what they asked for. He wouldn't lead them against the Canaanite men of great size. Rather, He'd lead them back out into the wilderness where their bodies would fall - every one of them over the age of twenty, with the exception of faithful Joshua and Caleb. The security this world offers will almost always seem more appealing than the darkest valley the LORD calls you to walk through with Him at your side. But this world's security comes at a steep price: slavery to it. Like Joshua and Caleb, faithfully follow where the LORD leads, knowing that your Savior has already conquered sin and death, so that you need not fear any evil . AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you can break free of the slavish mob pulling you into a life of fear so that you can be faithful like Joshua and Caleb; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:

Sometimes it's best when God doesn't satisfy your appetite. SINCE WE LAST LEFT OFF... Numbers 1–10 records Israel being organized at Sinai: the tribes are numbered, arranged around the tabernacle, and assigned specific duties, with the Levites set apart to guard and serve the LORD’s dwelling. These chapters emphasize holiness, order, and readiness as God dwells in the midst of His redeemed people and prepares them to depart from Sinai and march toward the Promised Land. Numbers 11:4–34 (NIV) 4  The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! 5  We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 6  But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna !” -- 10  Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents. The L ORD  became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. 11  He asked the L ORD , “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? 12  Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their fathers? 13  Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14  I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. 15  If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.” 16  The L ORD said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17  I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone. 18  “Tell the people: ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The L ORD heard you when you wailed, “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!” Now the L ORD  will give you meat, and you will eat it. 19  You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, 20  but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it—because you have rejected the L ORD who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?” ’ ” 21  But Moses said, “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’ 22  Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?” 23  The L ORD  answered Moses, “Is the L ORD 's arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” --- 31  Now a wind went out from the L ORD  and drove quail in from the sea. It scattered them up to two cubits deep all around the camp, as far as a day’s walk in any direction. 32  All that day and night and all the next day the people went out and gathered quail. No one gathered less than ten homers. Then they spread them out all around the camp. 33  But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the L ORD  burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague. 34  Therefore the place was named Kibroth Hattaavah,  because there they buried the people who had craved other food. Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 113 Q. What is God’s will for you in the tenth commandment (do not covet)? A. That not even the slightest thought or desire contrary to any one of God’s commandments should ever arise in my heart. Rather, with all my heart I should always hate sin and take pleasure in whatever is right. Summary Today's passage begins with an ominous demographic: the rabble with them. Other translations refer to this bunch as the riff-raff or the mixed multitude. These were foreigners who'd been added to the Israelites along the way. As one commentator puts it , "these were people who had come together with no common bond except to complain. The fact that they could dominate all Israel indicates the religious and moral bankruptcy of the people. The temper of a mob can work only where there is no superior or governing faith." This rabble complained about the manna God had miraculously provided for them to eat. They don't complain about its nutritional value, for they couldn't! Psalm 78 describes manna as the grain of heaven and the bread of angels. It kept the people healthy and strong as they traveled through the wilderness. No, their complaint was based in their appetite. They demanded meat to eat. The murmuring complaints of this rabble spread like a highly contagious disease, and it soon infected the people of every family who all began to wail at the entrance to their tents. The LORD became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. Moses' prayer is stunningly aggressive - he doesn't hold back in his complaints - but yet it shows his utter dependence upon the LORD. And being the caring Father that He is, the LORD graciously answers Moses' prayer by spreading Moses' burden out over seventy elders. God also answered the people's wailing, but His reply to them wasn't nearly as gracious as He was to Moses. He gave them the meat to eat that they'd demanded, but He gave them so much that it began to come out of their nostrils - quite literally. While the meat was still between their teeth, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and He struck them with a severe plague that caused them to vomit it right back up.   Dig Deeper   Your appetite is a gift from God, and it's not wrong to develop and expand it. Nor is it sinful to be driven by it in such a way that it pushes you to improve your lifestyle and provisions. In fact, that desire to make things better is a reflection of the very purpose God created man to accomplish: to work the garden and keep it [holy] - in other words, to expand God's image into all of creation. So the Israelite's desire for a broader menu wasn't wrong in and of itself. But be careful with your God given appetite! While it's not wrong to be driven by it towards godly pursuits, it can quickly usurp total control of your life. Starting with Eve, who saw that the fruit of the tree was good and desirable , our appetites have been at the root of nearly every sin since. The ironic thing is that these Israelites were being brought through the wilderness into a land flowing with milk and honey - in other words, a place where their appetites could be satisfied in the most abundant ways possible as they pursued all that God had in store there for them. The manna God had provided was never meant to be a permanent solution. Their natural appetite for better things was meant to help push them forward. But instead their appetites drew them backwards, to the mediocre, yet diverse diet they'd been fed in their slavery. It caused them to complain (or murmur, as the older translations put it). They wanted full satisfaction in the wilderness. You need to learn from them. Don't be controlled by your appetite's desires for good things here and now, let it drive you forward to the unspeakable bounty God has promised you in the world to come. Forget what is behind, and strain towards what is ahead: the prize for which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, whose arm is not too short to provide for all of our needs; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that your appetite will drive you forward to the prize God has for you in Christ; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:

Find out why you're welcome to stand in the LORD's holy place. Faithlife.com Psalm 24 (ESV) A Psalm of David.       1 The earth is the L ORD ’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,       2  for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.       3  Who shall ascend the hill of the L ORD ? And who shall stand in his holy place?       4  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.       5  He will receive blessing from the L ORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.       6  Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah         7  Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.       8   Who is this King of glory? The L ORD , strong and mighty, the L ORD , mighty in battle!       9  Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.       10   Who is this King of glory? The L ORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 46 Q. What do you mean by saying, “Jesus ascended to heaven”? A. That Christ, while his disciples watched, was lifted up from the earth to heaven and will be there for our good until he comes again to judge the living and the dead. Summary A psalm shouldn't have to begin the way Psalm 24 does - with a statement of basic truth that ought to just go without saying. Of course the earth is the LORD's, as well as everything in it! But as most of us read this psalm on a Friday, it's exactly what we need to be reminded of. After working hard this past week in a effort to increase our grip little by little on what we try to stuff into our own pockets, we need to know that none of it is really ours. All of it - the world and all who live in it - belong to the One who founded and established it. It's also good to read this as we begin to prepare ourselves for the upcoming Lord's Day. In a sense, this is what we do as we assemble with the saints in the Lord's house - we ascend the mountain to stand in His holy place. For we know it's there that we'll receive blessing from God. But Psalm 24 also gives us an ugly reminder as David answers his own question. The only ones qualified to ascend this mountain are those who have clean hands and a pure heart. We've spent the last week skimming through the book of Leviticus , which spells out in great detail exactly what kind of cleanliness and purity the LORD demands. And the more we read God's Law - His covenant terms and conditions - the more it becomes clear that we're anything but clean and pure. Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Certainly not us! But this is the wonderful good news of the Bible! You have a scapegoat who carried your sins away, having atoned (paid) for them with His own blood. In their place, He's given you His own perfectly clean hands and pure heart. Because of this, you're not only welcome in God's holy place this Sunday, but it's where you'll spend eternity, because you've been vindicated by God your Savior.   Dig Deeper   Psalm 24 ends with a poetic recitation of the strong and mighty King returning to His city after being mighty in battle and securing victory for His people. He is the One whose hands are clean and heart is pure, and so the city gates are lifted up so that the King of glory may come in. This scene is so glorious that David repeats it, with the second rendition only slightly expanded from the first. But this picture of victory isn't just hopeful fiction. David here, inspired by the Holy Spirit, narrates an event that would take place over millennia after David wrote these words - an event that the disciples would see the beginning of, but then wonder what happened as Jesus ascended and a cloud hid Him from their sight as they looked intently up into the sky ( Acts 1:9-10 ). Psalm 24 captures what happened on the other side of that cloud! Jesus' triumphal entry into the lifted gates of heaven wasn't His first triumphal entry. We'll be celebrating Palm Sunday soon, where Jesus was received into Jerusalem before a cheering crowd who echoed the second question in David's psalm: who is this King of Glory? Matthew 21:10-11 10  When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11  The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Psalm 24:10 - Who is He, this King of Glory? The LORD Almighty - He is the King of Glory! One of the New Testament's favorite description for Christians is a person who is in Christ. So as Christ victoriously ascends the mountain of the LORD to stand in His holy place, you went right on in with Him! AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the Triune God, the LORD Almighty - He is the King of Glory! A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for bringing you into His holy presence in Christ, and pray that you'll make going into His presence here on earth to receive a blessing a priority as you look forward to the Lord's Day; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:

How do we know what OT laws to keep or set aside? Image Credit: Ivan Bandura via Unsplash Leviticus 19:1–18 (NIV) 19 The L ORD said to Moses, 2   “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the L ORD  your God, am holy. 3   “ ‘Each of you must respect your mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the L ORD  your God. 4  “ ‘Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves. I am the L ORD  your God. 5   “ ‘When you sacrifice a fellowship offering to the L ORD , sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf. 6  It shall be eaten on the day you sacrifice it or on the next day; anything left over until the third day must be burned up. 7   If any of it is eaten on the third day, it is impure and will not be accepted. 8   Whoever eats it will be held responsible because they have desecrated what is holy to the L ORD ; they must be cut off from their people. 9   “ ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10  Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the L ORD your God. 11  “ ‘Do not steal. “ ‘Do not lie. “ ‘Do not deceive one another. 12  “ ‘Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the L ORD . 13  “ ‘Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. “ ‘Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight. 14  “ ‘Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the L ORD . 15  “ ‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. 16  “ ‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people. “ ‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the L ORD . 17  “ ‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt. 18  “ ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the L ORD . Belgic Confession Article 25: The Fulfillment of the Law We believe that the ceremonies and symbols of the law have ended with the coming of Christ, and that all foreshadowings have come to an end, so that the use of them ought to be abolished among Christians. Yet the truth and substance of these things remain for us in Jesus Christ, in whom they have been fulfilled. Nevertheless, we continue to use the witnesses drawn from the law and prophets to confirm us in the gospel and to regulate our lives with full integrity for the glory of God, according to his will. Summary We probably could have picked any of the remaining chapters of Leviticus to dive into today, for they're all quite similar to one another. But here in this 19th chapter, the LORD makes clear why it is that He has so many laws for His people: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy . Here's how one Hebrew dictionary defines what it means for a person to be holy: Being unique and pure in the sense of superior moral qualities and possessing certain essential divine qualities in contrast with what is human. It's not surprising to see words like pure and moral in that definition - especially the way that morality is framed: that it's superior. This is the way holiness is often caricatured in our society - as viewing your own ethical choices as being better than those around you. But if everyone is their own judge and definer of what holiness is, then everybody will naturally see their own morality as superior. This is why it's so critical to understand the second component of this definition - that holiness involves possessing certain essential divine qualities. In other words, your morality must be patterned after God's. Not only must your choices reflect what God has defined as good and right, but the way you enact those choices must embody God's character: His love, mercy, justice, and goodness.   Dig Deeper   It can be hard to read from books like Leviticus because it can seem so... so irrelevant. After all, when's the last time you've heard of somebody who was cut off from their people because they ate leftovers more than three days old? And it doesn't really make sense to not harvest our land to the very edges of our field. The poor and foreigners aren't going to come to glean our corn and beans! Our Confession can bring some clarity here. Some of the particular aspects of the Old Testament Law are no longer binding on Christians, but the truth and substance of these things remain. God's Law can often categorized. Some of it is applicable to the civil realm. Many of these laws were designed for a particular people in a particular place at a particular time, not for universal application. Much of God's Law had a ceremonial aspect to it, which, as the Confession describes it, symbolized and foreshadowed the coming of Christ. Since Christ has come, the use of them ought to be abolished among Christians . But even civil and ceremonial laws have moral components. We need not leave a couple of rows of corn standing on the edge of our field, but our society must maintain a strong social safety net. And so many of the Law's provisions are completely in the moral category and very much still applicable: Do not steal, lie, deceive, defraud, curse, pervert justice, spread slander, or hold back wages. Categorizing God's Law isn't always easy, and often times good Christians will come to very different conclusions about how an Old Testament law applies to us still or doesn't. But remember, our motivation isn't to check off boxes or just stay legal. Our motivation is to look as much like God as we can. We must be holy, because the LORD our God is holy. And such a lifestyle will always " contrast with what is human." AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the LORD, who is holy; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for giving us His Law, and pray for the wisdom to properly live it out in holiness; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:

Your salvation can be explained by two goats. SINCE WE LAST LEFT OFF... After the account of Aaron's sons offering 'strange' fire to the LORD and losing their lives, the intervening chapters are filled with regulations meant to protect public health for this community in the wilderness. Leviticus 16:1–10 (NIV) 16 The L ORD  spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the L ORD . 2  The L ORD  said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die. For I will appear in the cloud over the atonement cover. 3  “This is how Aaron is to enter the Most Holy Place: He must first bring a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. 4  He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on. 5  From the Israelite community he is to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. 6   “Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household. 7  Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the L ORD  at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 8   He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the L ORD  and the other for the scapegoat.  9   Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the L ORD  and sacrifice it for a sin offering. 10  But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the L ORD  to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat. -- 21  He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. 22  The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness. -- 34  “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.” And it was done, as the L ORD commanded Moses. Canons of Dordt The Second Main Point of Doctrine Christ’s Death and Human Redemption Through It Article 1: God is not only supremely merciful, but also supremely just. His justice requires (as he has revealed himself in the Word) that the sins we have committed against his infinite majesty be punished with both temporal and eternal punishments, of soul as well as body. We cannot escape these punishments unless satisfaction is given to God’s justice. Article 2: Since, however, we ourselves cannot give this satisfaction or deliver ourselves from God’s anger, God in his boundless mercy has given us as a guarantee his only begotten Son, who was made to be sin and a curse for us, in our place, on the cross, in order that he might give satisfaction for us. Summary Even though there are five chapters between the death of Aaron's sons and today's passage, the events we read about today happened right after Nadab and Abihu were consumed by fire from the LORD for worshipping Him differently than the LORD had commanded. So it makes sense that today's passage begins with a warning from the LORD: Tell Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place... or else he will die. Leviticus is so quickly skipped over by many Christians because of it's tedious content - paragraph after long paragraph detailing every facet of how God's people were to live. What gets missed when we skip over Leviticus, however, is that all of these rules and regulations were tied to holiness. Israel was to look, act, eat, and even groom themselves differently because they were God's holy people - a word that means different, literally, cut apart from the rest of the world. But no amount of rule keeping would be sufficient. None of the people - even the holiest of them - could enter in to the direct presence of the LORD, who appeared in the cloud over the atonement cover of the Ark of the Covenant (other translations render the term atonement cover as mercy seat ). Though God dwelled amongst His people, His holiness kept Him separated from them, except for this one day a year, which in Hebrew is called Yom Kippur , translated as the Day of Atonement. The LORD gave very specific instructions for when and how this meeting could take place (we only read the first 10 verses; the chapter goes on for 24 more verses with these details). The chapter ends with these succinct words: And it was done, as the LORD commanded. After seeing what had happened to his sons, Aaron had very good incentive to make sure he covered ever step and added nothing of his own creation.   Dig Deeper   All of this seems so odd to us as we read it from our side of the cross. Because we've been justified, we not only have peace with God , but we've gained access to Him ( Romans 5:1 ). We can come into God's presence - our Father's presence - any time we'd like! In fact, we're not just invited to do so, but we're commanded to do so, especially as He calls us into His house to worship Him on the LORD's day. So it's good to be reminded in books like Leviticus of the holiness that being in God's presence requires, and how impossibly unattainable that holiness is for us on our own. But it's even better to have the all important concept of atonement pictured for us by two goats. One of the goats would serve as a payment, which is what the word atonement ultimately means, and it would make that payment with it's life. It was to make the payment for sin - sin the goat itself was innocent of - as it was sacrificed for a sin offering. The other goat - the scapegoat - was to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness. Aaron was to lay his hands upon the live goat and confess over it all the sins of Israel and put them on the goat's head. He shall then send the goat - carrying the people's sins as their substitute - into the wilderness. The work of both of these goats was fulfilled by our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is your substitute, having taken on all of your sin. He atoned for that sin with His precious blood, and then took that sin away from you as far as the east is from the west ( Psalm 103 ) so that you would be made holy - able to be in the presence of our God and Father. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the LORD, who is holy; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you better understand the cost required to make you holy; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:

God takes our worship seriously. Deadly serious. Alittleperspective.com SINCE WE LAST LEFT OFF... There's been page after page, chapter after chapter of very specific instructions for how to properly make the prescribed sacrifices and offerings to the LORD. Leviticus 8:1-9 & 10:1-7 8 The L ORD  said to Moses, 2   “Bring Aaron and his sons, their garments, the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering,  the two rams and the basket containing bread made without yeast, 3   and gather the entire assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting.” 4  Moses did as the L ORD  commanded him, and the assembly gathered at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 5  Moses said to the assembly, “This is what the L ORD  has commanded to be done.” 6  Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water. 7   He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him. He also fastened the ephod with a decorative waistband, which he tied around him. 8   He placed the breastpiece on him and put the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece. 9  Then he placed the turban on Aaron’s head and set the gold plate, the sacred emblem, on the front of it, as the L ORD  commanded Moses. -- 9:23  Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the L ORD  appeared to all the people. 24  Fire came out from the presence of the L ORD  and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown. 10 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the L ORD , contrary to his command. 2   So fire came out from the presence of the L ORD  and consumed them, and they died before the L ORD . 3  Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the L ORD  spoke of when he said: “ ‘Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’ ” Aaron remained silent. 4  Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan, sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel, and said to them, “Come here; carry your cousins outside the camp, away from the front of the sanctuary.” 5   So they came and carried them, still in their tunics, outside the camp, as Moses ordered. 6   Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not let your hair become unkempt  and do not tear your clothes, or you will die and the LORD will be angry with the whole community. But your relatives, all the Israelites, may mourn for those the LORD has destroyed by fire. 7  Do not leave the entrance to the tent of meeting or you will die, because the L ORD 's anointing oil is on you.” So they did as Moses said. Belgic Confession Article 32 We reject all human innovations and all laws imposed on us, in our worship of God, which bind and force our consciences in any way. So we accept only what is proper to maintain harmony and unity and to keep all in obedience to God. Summary The opening verses of chapter 8 provide just a short sampling of the details God had handed down regarding how Israel was to worship Him. The short passage we read from it tells of the preparations being made for the ordination of Aaron and his sons, Nadab and Abihu - a service that would go on to last for seven days! Chapter 9 described the service itself and all went according to plan, culminating with a grand display of fire coming out from the presence of the LORD and consuming the massive burnt offering all at once, causing the people to shout for joy as the fell face down in worship . But then we get to chapter 10, and one of the most mysterious accounts in all of scripture. It's so mysterious because we are given so little background information regarding it. All we read is that Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu... offered unauthorized fire before the LORD. Most of the other Bible translations call it strange fire. One even uses the word illegitimate. What we don't know is whether they erred from ignorance, or if they were cleverly attempting to improve upon the instructions the LORD had given them. What we do know is that the two sons of Aaron paid dearly and instantly for their transgression. Once again fire came out from the presence of the LORD. But this time it was different than the crowd pleasing sight that it had just been. This time the LORD's fire consumed them, and they died before the LORD.   Dig Deeper   The Protestant Reformation is often associated with doctrines of salvation such as justification by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone. But it was just as much about reforming the Church's worship. Worship in the Roman Catholic Church had been corrupted with all sorts of unauthorized, strange and illegitimate practices, many of which had been implemented with good intentions (visual aids like statues and stained glass, meant to teach the Bible to illiterate people). But it didn't take long before the aesthetic add-ons became the central focus of worship as cathedrals become more and more grand. In response to these abuses, Reformed churches developed what has come to be known as the regulative principal of worship. It's best expressed in the Heidelberg Catechism: we will not worship God in any other way than He has commanded in His Word (QA 96). It means that we endeavor to do all that - and only that - which God has prescribed for His Church in the Bible. Way too many modern day churches - even some 'Reformed' ones - don't really have any sort of principle of worship. If it feels right, they just do it. And it may even be really sincere and seem so powerful, filling their auditoriums with people awed by it. But so often if disintegrates into what one author calls worshiptainment . Coming into the presence of our holy, Triune God is far simpler now than it was in Nadab and Abihu's day, since we enter into worship having been made holy by the blood of Christ. But learn from their cautionary tale, and worship God through the simple, ordinary means that He's instructed. God takes our worship seriously. Deadly serious. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the LORD, who has commanded His people to worship Him; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that your worship would be holy and acceptable to the LORD; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:

Your sin requires a costly, bloody sacrifice. Faithlife.com Leviticus 1:1–9 (NIV) 1 The L ORD  called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting. He said, 2   “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When anyone among you brings an offering to the L ORD , bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock. 3   “ ‘If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, you are to offer a male without defect. You must present it at the entrance to the tent of meeting so that it will be acceptable to the L ORD . 4  You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you . 5   You are to slaughter the young bull before the L ORD , and then Aaron’s sons the priests shall bring the blood and splash it against the sides of the altar at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 6  You are to skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. 7  The sons of Aaron the priest are to put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. 8   Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, including the head and the fat, on the wood that is burning on the altar. 9   You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water, and the priest is to burn all of it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the L ORD . Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 19 Q. How do you come to know that your Savior must be truly man and truly righteous? A. The holy gospel tells me. God himself began to reveal the gospel already in Paradise; later, he proclaimed it by the holy patriarchs and prophets, and portrayed it by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law; finally, he fulfilled it through his own dear Son. Summary The book of Leviticus is well known for tripping up even the best intentioned Bible reading plans. The first two books of the Bible, which we've now completed, go from one adventure to the next as they begin to trace man's journey from being evicted from Eden to the new heavens and earth described at the end of the Bible. As we met and were immersed in the stories of the patriarchs, we came to be convinced early on that salvation is only possible by God's grace alone. But here we are at the threshold of Leviticus, and the action is going to dramatically slow down as the book describes how Israel was to be holy - that is, set apart from the nations. It begins with seven chapters similar to our reading today that describe the intricate details of the various sacrifices - rituals that seem so foreign, odd and even grotesque to our modern ears. But it's in these seemingly strange and exceedingly bloody details that we can learn so much about one of the most important theological concepts that you need to understand: atonement (sometimes referred to as propitiation ). Leviticus helps us understand that sin has a cost that must be paid for. Commentator Rousas Rushdoony explains it well: There are thus three conditions required in animal sacrifices: first , the only animals acceptable were those that had been specified as clean by God’s law; second , they were domesticated animals which were commonly used for food; third , they were a part of the sacrificer’s personal property and wealth, and thus they cost him something. Even the poor had to give a sacrifice which cost them something, a dove or a pigeon. Thus, in the sacrifice of atonement, nothing man does can earn his redemption: it is entirely an act of sovereign grace on God’s part. At the same time, it is not costless to man.   Dig Deeper   Although these sacrifices of atonement certainly had a financial component, they involved so much more than just paying a penalty. They demanded a very personal, hands on confession. The repentant man must lay his hand on the burnt offering so that it would be accepted on his behalf to make atonement. The innocent animal, a male without defect, would be substituting himself on behalf of the sinner. The intimate connection of placing hands upon the animal's head was meant to drive home the point that the sinner deserved the death that the animal would receive. But even then the sinner's duties were not yet complete. The man himself was required to slaughter the young bull before the LORD with his own hand. What an intense way to come to understand that the penalty for sin is lifeblood as the sinner held his dying animal as it bled out, having been substituted in his place! The priest would then take over, bringing the blood and splashing it against the sides of the altar. Every piece of the cut up animal would be burned on the altar as a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD. So as we read through the sometimes tedious book of Leviticus this week, pray that through the reading of this portion of God's Word that you will come to more deeply understand what it means that Christ, through His sacrificial death, became a substitutionary atonement for you. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the LORD, whose holiness demands a perfect atonement for sin; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Gratefully acknowledge that Jesus Christ substituted Himself as the atoning sacrifice for all of your sins; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:

What if Psalm 23 isn't really about sheep? Psalm 23 A psalm of David. 1  The L ORD  is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4   Even though I walk through the darkest valley [ under death's shadow ],  I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the L ORD forever. Belgic Confession Article 27: The Holy Catholic Church We believe and confess one single catholic or universal church— a holy congregation and gathering of true Christian believers, awaiting their entire salvation in Jesus Christ being washed by his blood, and sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit. This church has existed from the beginning of the world and will last until the end, as appears from the fact that Christ is eternal King who cannot be without subjects. And this holy church is preserved by God against the rage of the whole world, even though for a time it may appear very small in the eyes of men— as though it were snuffed out. For example, during the very dangerous time of Ahab the Lord preserved for himself seven thousand men who did not bend their knees to Baal. And so this holy church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or certain persons. But it is spread and dispersed throughout the entire world, though still joined and united in heart and will, in one and the same Spirit, by the power of faith. Summary Psalm 23 is one of the Bible's most familiar passages, and for good reason! Psalm 23 is poetically beautiful, theologically rich, and massively comforting. It soothes our souls when we're in green pastures , as well as when we find ourselves in the dark valley . One of the reasons Psalm 23 is so enduring is that the opening metaphor of a shepherd tending His sheep seems so appropriate. After all, the Bible often refers to us - God's people - as being the sheep of His pasture (Psalms 79, 95 , 96 , 100, John 10 , just to name a few). It only makes sense: sheep are driven only by their appetites, they're stubborn, prone to wander away, and completely lost and vulnerable once separated from their shepherd. Just like us. But re-read Psalm 23, and stop when you get to the word sheep . You won't stop, because it's not there. Yes, the shepherd motif continues, using metaphorical language like green pastures and the shepherd's rod and staff, but David doesn't go so far as to call us sheep! Your appreciation and application of Psalm 23 will grow once you understand the full imagery behind it. Yes, for sure, the LORD is our shepherd , but He's so much more than just a gentle farmhand sitting on a hillside tending a flock of sheep. In the Ancient Near Eastern culture that David wrote in, kings were understood to be the shepherds of their people. So here's David, the preeminent shepherd-king of Israel, indicating that he bases his comfort on the fact that he is under an even greater King.   Dig Deeper   If we stick to the shepherd / sheep metaphor, it seems to fizzle out half way through when the scene shifts to a table prepared in the presence of our enemies. Sheep are like us in many ways, but they don't sit at tables. But if we understand Psalm 23 as a picture of our relationship of the sovereign King of the universe who cares for His people as a shepherd cares for His sheep, the final two verses aren't merely just a change in imagery, but rather they're a progression showcasing the King's protective role. The prepared table and overflowing cup, then, become expressions of royal patronage and covenant blessing rather than simple pastoral provision. When read through a royal lens, this table reflects the king’s responsibility to ensure the welfare and honor of those under his protection. And not just minimum welfare, but an invitation to the King's luxurious table in the presence of our enemies! If our shepherd is the King, then dwelling in the house of the LORD represents entering the divine King’s palace - the ultimate expression of security and covenant favor. And David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, assures God's people that we'll dwell in this house of the LORD forever! So no matter wherever you find yourself in life - whether you've been given charge over much, like King David, whether you're lying down in green pastures and being guided along quiet waters and right paths , or whether you find yourself under a heavy shadow as you walk through the darkest valley, find your confidence in the fact that you are forever a subject of the LORD, the Shepherd-King who sovereignly reigns over all things. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the LORD, our shepherd ; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank your Shepherd-King that you lack nothing, and pray that His goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life as you follow His leading; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:

If it's heavy, it's expensive. SINCE WE LAST LEFT OFF... The LORD renewed His covenant with Israel after the golden calf, commanding them to tear down idols, keep His appointed feasts, and live as a distinct, holy people. Moses descends from Sinai with his face shining from having spoken with God. The people then give generously for the tabernacle, and under the skilled leadership of craftsmen filled with the Spirit, they carefully construct the tent, its furnishings, and the priests’ garments exactly as the LORD commanded—so that at last everything is ready for His dwelling among them. Exodus 40 (NIV) 40 Then the L ORD said to Moses: 2   “Set up the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, on the first day of the first month. 3   Place the ark of the covenant law in it and shield the ark with the curtain. -- 8   Set up the courtyard around it and put the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. 9  “Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy. -- 12  “Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water. 13  Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest. 14  Bring his sons and dress them in tunics. 15  Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they may serve me as priests. Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will continue throughout their generations.” 16  Moses did everything just as the L ORD  commanded him. 17  So the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month in the second year. 18  When Moses set up the tabernacle, he put the bases in place, erected the frames, inserted the crossbars and set up the posts. 19  Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering over the tent, as the LORD commanded him. -- 34  Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the L ORD  filled the tabernacle. 35  Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the L ORD  filled the tabernacle. 36  In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37  but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38  So the cloud of the L ORD  was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels. Belgic Confession Article 18, The Incarnation We confess that God fulfilled the promise which he had made to the early fathers by the mouth of his holy prophets when he sent his only and eternal Son into the world at the time set by him. -- In this way he is truly our Immanuel— that is: “God with us.” Summary By the time we reach this final chapter in the book of Exodus, God's people have been in the wilderness for just under a year. Eleven and a half months, to be exact. We can know that with certainty because of the LORD's instruction to set the Tabernacle up on the first day of the first month. Back in chapter 12 , we read that they'd been rescued through the Red Sea on the fifteenth day of the first month. Next time someone suggests to you that the exodus is just a myth or legend, ask them how many myths and legends contain exact dates. There's upwards of two million people in this convoy - a massive logistical challenge even by modern standards. But the only solid - yet transportable - infrastructure project recorded in the book of Exodus is this Tabernacle. God's dwelling place among His people was of paramount concern. It would be the literal center of their existence, even as they set out whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle. What a sight it must have been when the LORD moved into His dwelling place centered amongst His redeemed covenant people. The English translations all properly render the event with the words the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. The Hebrew word that lies behind that is kā·ḇôḏ , which means heaviness. Remember the famous line from Jurassic Park - "if it's heavy, it's expensive." God's heavy glory conveys His infinite value. This same cloud borne heaviness that stood between these people and Pharoah's pursuing army had now settled in their midst.   Dig Deeper   The Hebrew word translated tabernacle simply means dwelling place. But what's so remarkable about the Tabernacle and the Jerusalem Temple that would later replace it was their inaccessibility. Their most striking features were their barriers. These dwellings were shrouded with either thick, heavy curtains or imposing walls. With each new curtained layer, the amount of people who could enter the area was increasingly restricted. It all culminated in the most exclusive area: the Holy of Holies, where the ark of the covenant law was to be kept. It could only be entered into once a year, under very tight constraints, with the high priest bearing the prescribed offering of atonement (payment). It's important to understand the spatial relationships regarding the Tabernacle. The facility itself was located at the center of Israelite society, and at the center of this center were the two stone tablets containing God's covenant specifications - two exact copies: one for the people, and one for the LORD. God's presence amongst His people was predicated upon this covenant relationship. This is exactly what has been fulfilled by our Savior, who became flesh and tabernacled among us ( John 1:14 ). Because He perfectly kept our end of this covenantal relationship with God, we look forward to the coming day when God's dwelling place [tabernacle] is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God ( Revelation 21:3 ). The heavy curtains and imposing walls separating us and God will be gone. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the God who came to dwell amongst His people; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that even though we no longer have a visible pillar of cloud to follow, that your life will be directed by pursuing God's glory; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:

Be thankful for God's grace and your salvation. But don't be satisfied with it. Logos.com SINCE WE LAST LEFT OFF... Moses came down from meeting with the LORD upon the mountain to find the Israelites "running wild" before the golden calf, "and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies" (32:25). Moses offered himself in intercession for Israel after the golden calf, pleading that God would forgive their sin or blot him out instead, and though the LORD spares the nation for the moment, He affirms that each sinner will bear his own guilt and sends a plague as judgment for their rebellion. Exodus 33 - 34:10 33 Then the L ORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ 2   I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 3   Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.” 4   When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. 5   For the L ORD had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.’ ” 6   So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb. -- 12  Moses said to the L ORD , “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13  If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” 14  The L ORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15  Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16  How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” 17  And the L ORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” 18  Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” 19  And the L ORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the L ORD , in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20  But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” 21  Then the L ORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22  When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23  Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.” 34 The L ORD said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2   Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. 3  No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain.” 4  So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the L ORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. 5   Then the L ORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the L ORD . 6  And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The L ORD , the L ORD , the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7  maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” 8   Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. 9  “L ORD ,” he said, “if I have found favor in your eyes, then let the L ORD go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.” 10  Then the L ORD said: “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the L ORD , will do for you. Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 122 Q. What does the first request of the Lord's Prayer mean? A. “Hallowed be your name” means, Help us to really know you, to bless, worship, and praise you for all your works and for all that shines forth from them: your almighty power, wisdom, kindness, justice, mercy, and truth. And it means, Help us to direct all our living— what we think, say, and do— so that your name will never be blasphemed because of us but always honored and praised. Summary As we've already seen multiple times these past weeks as we've begun our journey through the Bible, God doesn't fit in the boxes we like to keep Him in. We often bind God by His own attributes, thinking that His grace and patience are unlimited and will forever keep His wrath at bay. As the popular book claimed, we want to think that Love Wins, as if somehow God's mercy will always overcome His justice. But passages like today's ought to cure us of such vapid notions. God's patience has run out on His stiff necked people. He tells Moses that He'll send an angel to lead the people back to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob... the land flowing with milk and honey, but that they'd be going alone. I will not go with you, the LORD says, because I might destroy you on the way. Even God's just rejection is based in His grace! Upon hearing these distressing words, the people began to mourn. Notice how different this reaction is for them. Whereas before their continual refrain was to blame God for bringing them out to the wilderness to die, they now recognize their utter sinfulness and simply and silently mourn. But it's in the midst of this mourning that we see the gospel. God's people, even at their lowest, most sinful moments, have an intercessor - a mediator... a man who stands in the middle - shielding them from experiencing the fullness of God's anger that our sins fully deserve. Moses tells the LORD that if your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.   Dig Deeper   The LORD gave Moses, and the people Moses represented, exactly what Moses asked for. The LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name." Notice that salvation isn't based on empty promises to do better or try harder, but fully rests upon the fact that upon the fact that the LORD knows  us. But Moses wasn't finished. He wanted more. He didn't even ask humbly, he simply demanded that the LORD show me your glory. And the LORD didn't even skip a beat. He told Moses I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. But Israel's mediator was limited. The LORD told him, you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live. The LORD's holiness would completely crush Moses' sinfulness. So the LORD put Moses in a cleft in the Rock and covered him. The LORD protected this sinful, limited mediator by the holy, perfect Mediator - the Rock, upon which we continue to stand before the face of the LORD. Be thankful for God's grace and your salvation. But don't be satisfied with it. Like Moses, long to see God's glory as well. Pray that you, hidden in a cleft in the Rock, will fully experience all the wonders of the LORD and that you'll see how awesome is the work that the LORD has done and will do for you. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for the grace He's given, and pray that you will experience and reflect His glory; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: