Live-Wire Bible Study - Day 32 - Exodus 35–37 · Philippians 4 · Psalm 26 - FeedTheGoodHorse
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Day 32: Exodus 35–37 · Philippians 4 · Psalm 26· Commentary · Commentary² · Audio
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Exodus 35
Moses assembled the whole congregation of the sons of Israel and said to them, “These are the things that Jehovah has commanded you to do. Six days work may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a holy day, a Sabbath of complete rest to Jehovah. Whoever does work on it shall be put to death. You shall not kindle a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.”
Moses said to the whole congregation, “This is what Jehovah has commanded: Take from among you a contribution for Jehovah. Whoever is willing of heart, let him bring it as Jehovah’s contribution: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen; goats’ hair; tanned rams’ skins; fine leather; acacia wood; oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; onyx stones and stones for setting in the ephod and the breastpiece.
“Let every skilled person among you come and make everything that Jehovah has commanded: the tabernacle, its tent and its covering, its clasps and its frames, its bars, its pillars, and its bases; the ark with its poles, the mercy seat, and the veil of the screen; the table with its poles and all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence; the lampstand for the light with its utensils and its lamps, and the oil for the light; the altar of incense with its poles; the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; the screen for the entrance at the entrance of the tabernacle; the altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles, and all its utensils; the basin and its stand; the hangings of the court, its pillars and its bases, and the screen for the gate of the court; the pegs of the tabernacle and the pegs of the court and their cords; the woven garments for ministering in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons for serving as priests.”
All the congregation of the sons of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. Everyone whose heart stirred him and whose spirit made him willing came and brought Jehovah’s contribution for the work of the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments. They came, both men and women, all whose hearts moved them. They brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, armlets, and all kinds of gold objects—everyone who presented an offering of gold to Jehovah.
Everyone who possessed blue, purple, or scarlet yarn, or fine linen, or goats’ hair, or tanned rams’ skins, or fine leather, brought them. Everyone who could contribute silver or bronze brought it as Jehovah’s contribution. Everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it.
All the skilled women spun with their hands and brought what they had spun—blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen. All the women whose hearts stirred them in skill spun the goats’ hair. The leaders brought onyx stones and stones for setting in the ephod and the breastpiece, and spices and oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense.
The sons of Israel brought a freewill offering to Jehovah—every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work that Jehovah had commanded through Moses to be done.
Moses said to the sons of Israel, “See, Jehovah has called by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, understanding, and knowledge in every kind of workmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood—for every kind of skilled work. He has put it in his heart to teach, both he and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do every kind of work done by an engraver, a designer, an embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and by a weaver—those who do every kind of work and devise artistic designs.”
Exodus 36
Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom Jehovah had given skill and understanding to know how to carry out all the work for the construction of the sanctuary did everything just as Jehovah had commanded.
Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person in whose heart Jehovah had put skill—everyone whose heart stirred him to come and do the work. They received from Moses all the contribution that the sons of Israel had brought for doing the work of the sanctuary. The people still kept bringing freewill offerings every morning.
All the skilled men who were doing every kind of work on the sanctuary came, each from the work he was doing, and said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for doing the work that Jehovah has commanded us to do.” So Moses gave an order, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp: “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution to the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing, for what they had was sufficient to do all the work—and more.
All the skilled men among those who did the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them. The length of each curtain was twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains were the same size. He joined five curtains to one another, and the other five curtains he joined to one another. He made loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set, and the same on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set. He made fifty loops on the one curtain and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain in the second set; the loops were opposite one another. He made fifty gold clasps and joined the curtains together with the clasps, so that the tabernacle became one.
He made curtains of goats’ hair for a tent over the tabernacle; he made eleven curtains. The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and the width four cubits; the eleven curtains were the same size. He joined five curtains by themselves and six curtains by themselves. He made fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set, and fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set. He made fifty bronze clasps to join the tent together so that it became one. He made a covering for the tent of tanned rams’ skins and a covering of fine leather above it.
He made upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. The length of each frame was ten cubits, and the width one and a half cubits. Each frame had two tenons joined to one another. He made twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle and forty silver bases under the twenty frames—two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons. For the north side he made twenty frames and their forty silver bases. For the west side he made six frames and two frames for the rear corners; they were separate at the bottom but joined at the top at the first ring. There were eight frames with their sixteen silver bases—two under each frame.
He made bars of acacia wood: five for the frames of the one side, five for the frames of the other side, and five for the frames at the rear. He made the middle bar to run from end to end halfway up the frames. He overlaid the frames with gold, made gold rings to hold the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.
He made the veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine twisted linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it. He made four pillars of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold; their hooks were of gold, and he cast four silver bases for them. He made a screen for the entrance of the tent of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine twisted linen, embroidered with needlework, and its five pillars with their hooks; he overlaid their tops and bands with gold, but their five bases were of bronze.
Exodus 37
Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Its length was two and a half cubits, its width one and a half cubits, and its height one and a half cubits. He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside and made a gold molding around it. He cast four gold rings for its four feet—two rings on one side and two rings on the other. He made poles of acacia wood, overlaid them with gold, and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.
He made the mercy seat of pure gold. Its length was two and a half cubits, and its width one and a half cubits. He made two cherubim of gold, hammered from one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends—one cherub at one end and one cherub at the other end. The cherubim spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings. Their faces were turned toward one another; the faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.
He made the table of acacia wood. Its length was two cubits, its width one cubit, and its height one and a half cubits. He overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it. He made a frame a handbreadth wide around it and made a gold molding around the frame. He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to the four corners at its four legs. The rings were close to the frame to hold the poles for carrying the table. He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. He made the utensils for the table—its plates, dishes, bowls, and pitchers for pouring drink offerings—of pure gold.
He made the lampstand of pure gold. He made it of hammered work; its base, shaft, cups, knobs, and flowers were of one piece with it. Six branches extended from its sides, three from one side and three from the other. On one branch were three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with knob and flower; and on the next branch three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with knob and flower—so for the six branches extending from the lampstand. On the lampstand itself were four cups shaped like almond blossoms, with knobs and flowers. There was a knob under each pair of branches extending from it. Their knobs and branches were of one piece with it; the whole was one piece of hammered work of pure gold. He made its seven lamps and its snuffers and trays of pure gold. He made it and all its utensils from a talent of pure gold.
He made the altar of incense of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high; its horns were of one piece with it. He overlaid it with pure gold—its top, its sides all around, and its horns—and made a gold molding around it. He made two gold rings for it under the molding on two of its sides, as holders for poles to carry it. He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
He made the holy anointing oil and the pure fragrant incense, blended by the perfumer, as commanded.
Philippians 4
Therefore, my beloved siblings—whom I love and long for, my joy and crown—stand firm in this way in the Lord.
I urge Euodia, and I urge Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true partner, to help these women, who struggled alongside me in the work of the good news, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything. In everything, by prayer and plea with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. The peace of God—which surpasses all understanding—will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, siblings, whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, or commendable—if there is any excellence or anything worthy of praise—give your attention to these things. What you have learned, received, heard, and seen in me—put these into practice, and the God of peace will be with you.
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you have renewed your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you lacked opportunity. I am not speaking from need. I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in. I know how to live with little, and I know how to live with abundance. In every situation I have learned the secret of being satisfied—whether well fed or hungry, whether having plenty or lacking. I can do all things through the one who empowers me.
Still, you did well to share with me in my trouble. You yourselves know that in the beginning of the good news, when I left Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. Even in Thessalonica you sent help for my needs more than once. I do not seek the gift itself, but the fruit that increases to your account. I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you sent—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greet every holy person in Christ Jesus. Those with me greet you. All the holy ones greet you, especially those from Caesar’s household.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Psalm 26
Judge me, Lord,
for I have walked in integrity
and have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Test me, Lord, and examine me;
try my inner life and my heart.
For your steadfast care is before my eyes,
and I walk in your faithfulness.
I do not sit with deceitful people
nor associate with hypocrites.
I hate the assembly of those who do harm,
and I will not sit with the wicked.
I wash my hands in innocence
and go around your altar, Lord,
so that thanksgiving can be heard
and all your wonders told.
Lord, I love the house where you dwell,
the place where your glory remains.
Do not sweep my life away with sinners,
nor my life with those who shed blood—
those whose hands carry schemes,
whose right hand is full of bribes.
But as for me, I walk in integrity;
redeem me and show me favor.
My foot stands on level ground;
in the assemblies I will bless the Lord.
Day 32 Commentary
Exodus 35–37 · Philippians 4 · Psalm 26
Exodus 35 begins again with Sabbath. Before materials are named, before skill is summoned, rest is commanded. Six days may be done; the seventh is a holy day, a Sabbath of complete rest. No fire is kindled in dwellings. Work for the sanctuary is framed by cessation. Construction is placed inside restraint.
Then contribution is invited. Not commanded by tax, but stirred by heart. “Everyone whose heart stirred him,” “whose spirit made him willing,” brought gold, silver, yarn, skins, wood, oil, stones. Men and women bring what they possess. Skilled women spin with their hands. Leaders bring stones. The phrase repeats: willing heart, stirred heart, brought.
Bezalel and Oholiab are named again, filled with skill, understanding, knowledge. Skill is described as given; teaching is placed in their hearts. Work proceeds as commanded. The people continue bringing every morning until the artisans speak: more than enough. Word is proclaimed to restrain them. The giving is sufficient—and more.
Exodus 36–37 retell what was earlier commanded. Curtains are made, loops placed opposite one another, clasps joined so that the tabernacle becomes one. Frames stand upright; bases are set beneath; bars run from end to end. The veil is woven with cherubim. The ark is made, overlaid inside and outside. Rings are cast; poles inserted. The mercy seat is hammered from one piece with the cherubim at its ends. Wings overshadow; faces turn toward the mercy seat. The table, the lampstand of one piece of hammered gold, the altar of incense—all are made “as commanded.” Instruction becomes execution. Command becomes form.
Philippians 4 turns to standing firm. Two names are spoken in appeal to think the same way. Rejoicing is repeated. Gentleness is to be known. Anxiety is named and redirected toward prayer and thanksgiving. Peace is described as guarding heart and mind. Attention is directed toward what is true, honorable, just, pure. What has been learned and seen is to be practiced. Contentment is spoken of as learned in hunger and abundance. “I can do all things” is said within the context of lack and sufficiency. Giving and receiving are remembered; fruit is named rather than gift. Supply is promised according to riches in glory.
Psalm 26 speaks in first person. Integrity is claimed; examination is invited. Steadfast care is kept before the eyes. Association is refused with deceitful and violent hands. Hands are washed in innocence; the altar is encircled; thanksgiving is heard. The house where glory dwells is loved. A request is made not to be swept away with the wicked. The foot stands on level ground.
Rest before building. Willing heart before contribution. More than enough restrained. Pattern executed as commanded. Standing firm. Attention directed. Contentment learned. Hands washed. Altar encircled. The texts move through ordered giving, measured work, guarded thought, examined heart. Work is done within boundary. Rejoicing is spoken within circumstance. Integrity is named before the dwelling place.
Exodus 22–23 stays concrete—oxen, cloaks, fields, fires, loans, testimony—so responsibility follows effects and restitution tracks the spread of damage. When no witness exists, the case is carried “before God” so accountability doesn’t evaporate. The foreigner living amongst you, widow, and orphan function as exposed points where harm draws sharper consequence. Exodus 24 shifts to covenant enactment: words gathered and heard, blood divided and shared, ascent restricted, distance maintained, delay held.
Ephesians 6 names pressure without drama: authority and restraint, conflict beyond flesh, armor for standing. Psalm 109 keeps the wound open—speech as violence, curse as clothing—ending with appeal and praise beside exhaustion, God positioned at the right hand of the needy to act.
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