Numbers 4

Further info today on clan assignments for transporting the Tabernacle. It sounds like there were enough men employed in that line of work that they could easily take shifts as they traveled, so as not to have a few bear too much burden. I wonder if these responsibilities were carried over into service in the Temple when it was constructed under Solomon - but I'm sure we'll get more details when the time comes.

Numbers 3

Today's reading included a census of the Levites, who were left out of the previous chapters' counts. Nothing much stood out to me as being of particular import, but it was interesting to see how much detail God went into about responsibilities - giving each family their own part of the tabernacle to take care of, and a different side of it to camp around.

Exodus 40

And the story of the Exodus from Egypt draws to a close with the assembly of the Tabernacle. I am excited to see where the next book goes, as I'm not sure I've ever read much in Leviticus. The last thing I noted in this section of scripture was that God's presence now rested on the Tabernacle, but was manifest in the same way as the pillar of cloud/fire that initially led them out of Egypt. I sometimes wonder how large a fire and cloud this is talking about; I mean, it must have been pretty sizable if the Israelites could see it from a distance, but it also must have been small enough to effectively sit atop of the tent of meeting. How awesome it would be to have seen that! I wonder if there will be slide shows in Heaven... ;)

Exodus 38

You may have noticed that yesterday's post was a little late in coming. It was done last night, but our internet connection was down so it didn't get posted till I got home from work today.

Today's reading was more of the same - descriptions of the way parts of the Tabernacle were made. It seems to be over, though, and the tally at the end of how much gold, silver and bronze were used is kind of cool to see. It might be fun to translate the weights into current-day values to see what the metals would cost to recreate this today (not counting all the linen and hides, of course).

Exodus 36

I know this sounds horrible, but the tedium of repetition in the last few chapters is getting to me. We've gotten at least two descriptions of how the Tabernacle was made, and two recaps of the major laws handed down by God to the Israelites. I'm sure the extra accounts are for emphasis or some other important reason, but I'm afraid it is lost on me at present.

I will note, though, that the fact that the needs of the Tabernacle were met and the Israelites were still giving is pretty cool. Maybe after everything they had been through the people finally felt like giving back to God for all He had done for them.

Exodus 35

The neatest thing about the gathering of goods God arranged for His tabernacle is that it was all voluntary: the text repeats in many places that only those who felt it appropriate gave donations, and that was what Moses relayed as God's instructions. How many other ancient religions do you suppose made giving to their gods optional? Even today, groups and cults like Scientology basically require giving of their members - but every church I've gone to portrays tithing as optional. Mind you, in that case God does command it (both in the old and new testaments); the difference, though, is that no one but you and God know how much or how little you give in church. You won't get kicked out of any real Christian church for not giving, though you may find that God will bless you tenfold for donations that come from the heart.

Exodus 25

Not much to say about today's reading. I might have more thoughts if I had the knowledge of carpentry and design to understand how everything described would come together and look when built - but alas I don't. I will say, though, that the descriptions seem quite thorough and specific. I sometimes wonder why God would be so particular about such a place, but His tie to that physical place (and the temple, later on) must have been a lot stronger than to the various churches and places of worship we use today.