God bless~

-Love, GinniePark

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Memory Verse of the Week [new!]:

"For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath rest to the LORD." - Exodus 35:2a

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Commands of the Lord - Exodus 35:1-19

Sabbath Rest

1: "Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, 'These are the things the LORD commanded you to do:"

2: "For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death."

3: "Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath Day.'"

 

Invitation to Give

4: "Moses said to the whole Israelite community, 'This is what the LORD has commanded:"

5: "From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of gold, silver, and bronze.;"

6: "blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair,"

7: "ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather, acacia wood,"

8: "olive oil for the light; spice for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;"

9: "and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and piece."

10: "All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the LORD has commanded:"

11: "the tabernacle with its tent and its covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases;"

12: "the ark with its poles and the atonement cover and the curtain that shields it;"

13: "the table with its poles and all its articles and the bread of the Presence;"

14: "the lampstand that is for light with its accessories, lamps, and oil for the light;"

15: "the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; the curtain for the doorway at the entrance to the tabernacle;"

16: "the altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; tje bronze basin with its stand;"

17: "the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard;"

18: "the tent pegs for the tabernacle and for the courtyard, and their ropes;"

19: "the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary - both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests."

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Reflection

Sabbath Rest (35:1-3)

The commands about the Sabbath were the last instructions recored before the Lord gave Moses the original Ten Commandments and the first instructions reported after the giving of the second set of stone tablets. This means that keeping the Sabbath is important. According to the Book of Exodus, the reason for observing the Sabbath is to follow the example of the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh. Keeping the Sabbath sets the Israelites apart from all other peoples and demonstrates that their trust is not in themselves but God.

Jesus declared in Mark 2:27, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Setting legalistic rules about what it looks like to keep the Sabbath is not helpful. The Sabbath was designed to help us depend more on God.

 

Invitation to Give (35:4-19)

The Sovereign Lord proclaims, "The world is mine, and all that is in it (Ps. 50:12b). Yet, He does not seize things by force. He commands Moses to take an offering, not to collect a mandatory tax. This offering is to be brought by "everyone who is willing" (v.5). People are invited to give, both of material goods as well as their skills. By issuing this invitation, God enables people to participate in His work. They are able to contribute to something meaningful. God has no need of people, but in His grace, He allows them to be involved. Thus, the ability to give is in itself a gift from God. We give, not because we are forced to, but because we have the amazing opportunity to take part in building His kingdom.

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Application

-When and how do you get rest? Our culture often confuses recreation and rest, but being entertained is not the same as getting rest. It may be helpful to think of Sabbath as time to pray, not just to play.

-Do you see tithing as a burden or joy? Ask God for a willing heart to give Him something, whether money or service, that will further His kingdom.

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A Letter to God

O Lord my God, You own everything, and You rule over all.

All of my days belong to You.

Forgive me for how possessive and territorial I have been of my money, time, and energy.

Make me wholeheartedly willing to live for You.

In Jesus' name. Amen.