Heaven's Royal Sacrifice--Introduction--Day 1

 Introduction

I am reading through the Bible in a year.  I should be reading Ruth today, but I am still in Exodus.  I am 57 days behind. I've never been that far behind before. 😓 But God caught my attention in Exodus and I've not been able to leave.  (Accidental pun alert...)

To recap where we find the Israelites for our study, starting in Exodus 15:1-18

Moses has led the Israelites out of the slavery of Egypt by God's power.  They escaped through the Red Sea, promptly followed by a song of praise on the seashore.  

They praise God for who He has been--

"He has thrown the horse and the rider into the sea.  The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation."  

They praise God for who He is--

"LORD, who is like You among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?"

 They praise God for who He will be--

"You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your possession; LORD, You have prepared the place for Your dwelling; LORD, Your hands have established the sanctuary. The LORD will reign forever and ever!" 

The Israelites trade their praise for complaints before they'd walked 5 miles from the shore.  God answers with provision--water for their thirst, manna and quail for their hunger.  He has introduced Himself to them in a big way--Yahweh, I AM.  As they continue to learn to walk in freedom, God introduces Himself in more devoted specifics--"I am the LORD who heals you." Exodus 15:26 "The LORD is my banner." Exodus 16:14-15 (Declared by Moses based on God's promise of protection.) They've been given the Ten Commandments, and laws for living in community--civilly, morally, and ceremonially.  While Moses is on the mountain--Mount Sinai-- receiving all these words from God, the people build a gold calf to worship as deliverer.  😑  But God entered into a covenant with them anyway, because He is faithful, steadfast, and loyal to His Word and to His Name even when the Israelites are not.  

From the beginning of the Wilderness Walk, God was preparing the Israelites for a dwelling place for Himself among His people.  In Exodus 26, God gives Moses the blueprints for the tabernacle.  And this is where I found myself captivated.  

The tabernacle is drawn out to be a beautifully furnished dwelling, as it should be...gold, silver, bronze, fine leather, acacia wood, fine linen, goat hair, oil, spices, incense, gemstones...

Since this is the introduction, I'm going to stop myself from going into too much detail, or this may end up as a one day study instead of ten.  😁 So to start off, I would like to challenge you to read Exodus 25-28.  If you find it hard to follow along, draw it out as best you understand it.  (Pretend like you're on HGTV..whatever works!!)  But I would like you to mark every time you read the words "Blue Purple and Scarlet".  If you aren't a Bible marker, at least make note of it.  We are going to focus on these three colors for the rest of the study!!!  

Link to these chapters below.  I am using the CSB, but will also be referencing the ESV.  

Exodus 25-28