The Priests' Garments

 

Exodus 28:1-14

 

October 11, 2024

 

The Priests' Garments

“Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.  And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.  You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron's garments to consecrate him for my priesthood.  These are the garments that they shall make: a breast piece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons to serve me as priests.  They shall receive gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen.

“And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and of fine twined linen, skillfully worked.  It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together.  And the skillfully woven band on it shall be made like it and be of one piece with it, of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen.  You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel,  six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth.  As a jeweler engraves signets, so shall you engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall enclose them in settings of gold filigree.  And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for remembrance.  You shall make settings of gold filigree,  and two chains of pure gold, twisted like cords; and you shall attach the corded chains to the settings.

 

As I read Exodus 28:1-14, one verse caught my attention, verse three. Maybe it would be wise to ponder.  You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill. How many people do you encounter that God has blessed with skills and talents, looks, and a great mind, and believe it was their doing?  In my career in sales.  I often told people who I work for and my customers that would say You are good at what you do;” I’m a composite of all those professionals in sales that I’ve encountered.”  And there was some truth in that statement. I often learn from them, but who gave them the skills they have?  My question to me and maybe to you is, where did the skills, the talents, the mind, and our good appearance come from?  And why are we willing to give credit to others but not to God?

Maybe it is time to open your Bible to James 1:17, which states, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." 

In Exodus 31:1-3, we have a very clear picture of how God has blessed you and me, “The Lord said to Moses,  “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,  and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship,” 

That being true, why not apply Romans 12:3, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

If you are a follower of Christ and believe you are better than another brother or sister in Christ because of your spiritual gifts, you need to examine yourself. I Corinthians 12:4-11 makes it clear that these gifts have been given to serve others.  “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of work, but in all of them and in everyone, it is the same God at work. Now to each one, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous power, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 

All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

 

Let me share my thoughts about myself. I’m not sure why you do it, maybe for some of the same reasons.  I never applied myself in school; I did not see the value in learning at that time in my life. I just wanted to be noticed.  I was one of the smallest in my class for many years, and I chose to be somebody by association, and who I wanted to be like, the smart kids, not to mention they were popular.  So, my kind of flesh, needing to be noticed, needs to be included, but on my terms.  When you grow up with that kind of mindset, you’re not very secure, and so once more, you look to others who seem to be the best at whatever needs to be done.  One big problem was that fear and insecurity do not go away with becoming a new person in Christ.  I was trained like a bird dog on how to get my needs met outside of Christ.  For many years, I was that man, and then one day early in my career, I was putting a copy machine in my car and saw a young man in a suit, who looked very sharp and handsome, going into my office, and I just knew that he would get my job.  And at that moment of fear and insecurity, I heard a voice in my head that said, Bob, I have given you skills and talents to be the best at this job, and I listened and went about my day, and never again did I doubt that God had blessed me.  I did look at others who were real pros in sales, but often what they did was not a fit for the gifts God had given me.  Was I blessed by the many who helped me improve? You bet, but they were sent by my Lord.

 

Let's end with 1 Timothy 6:6-8, “But godliness with contentment is great gain,  for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

The Armor God has given His Church

 

The Armor God has given His Church

 

Lord, How, do I put on the Armor?

 

By Jan Rice

 

It is of utmost importance to understand the Armor Has only been given to His Church and it is a Gift to use in all areas of Life.

 

Breastplate of Righteousness

 

2 Corinthians 5:21, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

 

Romans 8:1-4, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.  For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

 

Nothing can separate us from the Love of God if we stand with the Breastplate of Righteousness protecting.  We walk as children of the Light. 

 

·      Be angry and do not sin.

·      Don’t give the devil an opportunity to steal your peace.

·      Steal no more but labor.

·      No unwholesome words.

·      Confess sin, an agree with God.

 

Sons can’t be kicked out of God’s house.

 

 

Shoes of Peace

 

Put on the shoes of peace and take the gospel to others.  You are putting on Christ-being at peace with God thru Christ.

 

·      Peace with God

·      Peace with others

Do Not’s

·      Don’t let anger rob you of Peace

·      Do not allow unwholesome words 

·      Bitterness will defile you, so put away bitterness.

·      Confess sin, agree with God.

·      Satan wants disobedience; sin given him power; it will hold you captive.

·      Peace comes after obedience.

 

Review of the Breastplate of Righteousness

 

We are declared righteous, so we need to walk righteously.

 

The shoes of Peace

 

Shoe your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

·      Peace with God

·      Living in peace with man.

These are the areas that will Rob your Peace

 

·      Anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness.

·      Those will keep us from walking in Righteousness.

·      Steal your peace.

·      These three above will open the door for the enemy to gain a foothold.

 

What two pieces of Armor must the follower of Christ take up to stand firm against the enemy?

 

Shield of Faith

 

Ephesians 6:16, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;”

 

Want does the Shield of Faith Do?

·      It extinguishes all not some of the flaming darts.

 

What was the purpose of a flaming dart, then and now?

 

Answer from Got Question

An arrow is a deadly weapon used in warfare since ancient times. Arrows were forcibly thrown or projected at a target but were not self-propelled. The original Greek word (belē) used in Ephesians 6:16 could be translated as “arrow,” “dart,” “javelin,” “spear,” or “missile.” Flaming arrows were sharp, piercing projectiles that, in Paul’s day, were dipped in a flammable substance and set on fire before being launched at an enemy (see Psalm 120:4). Their purpose was to cause widespread destruction and death.

The flaming arrows of the evil one in Ephesians 6:16 represent all the wicked schemes the devil devises and then hurls at us to weaken and undermine our faith. Determined to take us down, Satan loads his bow and quiver, always ready to attack (1 Peter 5:8–9). He shoots his flaming arrows or “fiery darts” (NKJV) at our minds and hearts (Romans 7:22–23; 12:2; Ephesians 4:23; Matthew 15:18–19).

 

Without the second piece of Armon no one can Stand

 

The Helmet of Salvation

 

Purpose of the Helmet?

 

Our helmet is the assurance of Salvation.

Question: What does it mean to take up the helmet?

Answer: To put on the helmet of salvation is to know with an absolute certainty you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ and are a member of His forever family.  It is to know and embrace your identity in Christ.

Question: What three aspects of salvation does the helmet cover?

·      I have received Justification

·      I am being sanctified

·      I shall be glorified 

 

 

 

Why do you need the Shield of Faith and the Helmet of Salvation?

 

Question: What is Satan primary objective?

Answer: Getting us to sin

Question: What does he target?

Answer:  Both the heart and mind.

 

What principles can we learn about warfare from 

2 Corinthians10:3-6?

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”

 

The first item we must put on is the belt of Truth

Without Truth, all is for nothing.

Pilate asked Jesus What is Truth?

John 10:36-38, “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this, he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. 

Pilate is like so many who go by the title of Christian; they ask a question, but are not willing to wait for the answer.  If he had, he would have heard the following: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Jesus is the Truth; the devil is the father of lies, and if you are seeking truth, run to Jesus.

 

From our Back Porch,

Jan Rice

Oil for the Lamp

  

 

Exodus 27:20-21

 

October 10, 2024

 

Oil for the Lamp

“You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn.  In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel.”

 

“The Bible statutes set boundaries for life. God, our Creator, knows our needs and what is best for us.”  In that, everyone who has asked Jesus to forgive their many sins repented of them, and has asked Jesus into their lives as Master and Lord, or the Church.  And Scripture is clear that when two are more come together in His name, He is with them.  So, as a follower of Christ, what are your boundaries?  And why do you need those boundaries?

 

One of the main statutes is found in Matthew 28:18-20, ^“And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  How does that apply to you and me, as we go, share what God has done for you, tell them they are loved greatly by Jesus, and He desires a personal relationship with them.

 

One of the statutes that is so needed and the reason boundaries are so important is found in Ephesians 6:1-4, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”  Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”  Men, it is your responsibility, not your wife’s, to lead your family, to love your wife, and to discipline your children in love. 

 

What about the statute found in Matthew 22:37-40, “And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

 

I believe a person with a foot in the culture of this world will find it impossible to do the statutes found in Matthew 22:37-40, in that this culture is all about self.  And God reminds us it is not about you; it is about Him. So how does one learn to love God above all others?  I believe it requires another statute found in 2 Timothy 2:15,  ^“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”  If you are a new follower of Jesus, you may need a mentor, men you need a man who is mature in both his walk and the application of the Scriptures.  Ladies, you also may need an older lady who has the same qualities.

 

One thing we have to make sure we grasp: our neighbor is anyone we encounter, but just for practice, start with those who live around you.

There are many more, but if you get these, the Holy Spirit will guide you to the ones that you need in your life.  The Holy Spirit is the oil for our lamp, and it is the Holy Spirit that will shine the light of Jesus in your life.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

The Court of the Tabernacle

  

Exodus 27:9-19

 

October 9, 2024

 

The Court of the Tabernacle

“You shall make the court of the tabernacle. On the south side, the court shall have hangings of fine twined linen a hundred cubits long for one side. Its twenty pillars and their twenty bases shall be of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.  And likewise, for its length on the north side, there shall be hangings a hundred cubits long, its pillars twenty and their bases twenty, of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.  And for the breadth of the court on the west side, there shall be hangings for fifty cubits, with ten pillars and ten bases.  The breadth of the court on the front to the east shall be fifty cubits.  The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases.  On the other side, the hangings shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases.  For the gate of the court, there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. It shall have four pillars and with them four bases.  All the pillars around the court shall be filleted with silver. Their hooks shall be of silver, and their bases of bronze.  The length of the court shall be a hundred cubits, the breadth fifty, and the height five cubits, with hangings of fine twined linen and bases of bronze.   All the utensils of the tabernacle for every use, and all its pegs and all the pegs of the court, shall be of bronze.

 

How good is your ability to recall something you were told that was important last week, or what about three days ago?  Remember, Moses and Joshua were on the Mountain with God for 40 days, and God had not only given Moses the 10 Commandments, but also all the details of how to build the Tabernacle and the furniture.  Plus, the details on the Holy of Holies.

 

Now, if you are like me, you understand God is doing a mighty work at this moment in Moses and the life of Moses and the young man who will later be leading the people of Israel.  I also hope you see the need to mentor younger men, and ladies, younger ladies.  Moses pours his life into Joshua, and we see the result in Joshua and his friend Caleb, the only spies that came back with a God is with us, and He will fight for us.

 

When you read about all the designs and instructions that God gave Moses, God also gave him the ability to recall every detail.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

The Bronze Altar

 

Exodus 27:1-8

 

October 8, 2024

 

The Bronze Altar

“You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits.  And you shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze.  You shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and fire pans. You shall make all its utensils of bronze.  You shall also make for it a grating, a network of bronze, and on the net, you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners.  And you shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net extends halfway down the altar.  And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze.  And the poles shall be put through the rings so that the poles are on the two sides of the altar when it is carried.  You shall make it hollow, with boards. As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made.

 

It may not be hard for a person who is an architect to grasp what God has shown Moses on the Mountain, but for him to have all of this fixed in his mind, one more shows me the greatness of our God.

 

In our day to effectively show a customer what a house will look like, an architect typically uses computer-aided design (CAD) software to create detailed 2D and 3D drawings, including floor plans, elevations, and sections, which can then be rendered into realistic visualizations using specialized rendering software; additionally, tools like virtual reality (VR) can provide an immersive experience for clients to "walk through" the design virtually.

 

We have no understanding of what God did to show Moses these designs, but whatever it was, He did something for Moses that all the tools above could not do for the architect customer.  He gave Moses the ability to recall every detail.

 

Do you understand God has given you and me a new covenant, we also have an altar, the Cross, where Jesus pays for sin, all sins.  Hebrews 13:10-14,  ^“We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.  For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp.  So, Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.   Therefore, let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.  For  here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.“

 

We are told in Hebrews Galatians 2:20,  ^“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  Crucified, they die, so what death took place in you, was it not the old man, the one who wanted to do it his way?  By dying unto self and living for Jesus.  Our flesh has been trained by the world to get its needs met outside of Christ, and that is why one must study God’s word to seek Him and to listen to the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 6:14 tells us to put no faith in self, “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”  God has given us Sacrifices Pleasing to God.  In Hebrews 13:1-8, let brotherly love continue.  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.  Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.  Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.  Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  So, we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

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Bob Rice

Canyon Lake, Texas

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