Exodus 29-40; James 1-5
We saw man’s depravity and God’s incredible mercy.
We saw the law introduced, and the results of "law without faith."
Temptation is real. Sin is costly.
James 4:4 CSB – 4 You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God.
Romans 8:7-8 CSB – 7 The mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Knowing this makes the debacle of the golden calf not at all surprising. Knowing this makes the favoritism, the wars and quarrels not at all surprising.
Knowing this is why we so desperately need Jesus. Without his complete payment for all our sin, his complete fulfillment of God’s law we are truly without hope.
Romans 8:9-10 CSB – 9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him. 10 Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.
James 4:6-8 CSB – 6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 7 Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
God’s mercy is incredible! Not only does he give the law again to Moses after the golden calf, and then complete the tabernacle so that he can meet with the people . . .but God gives us the Holy Spirit so that we can actually live in obedience to God’s law!
As we move into our reading of Job, I would like to give a "spoiler alert;" read chapter 42 to see who God said had a right idea about God and his ways, and who did not. Keep that in mind as you read the opinions and observations of Job and his friends.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Our God is amazing!
Plea for Grace 
I missed the discussion yesterday, so I very much appreciate the email and recording! One of the things that I thought a lot about last week is that God is a God of Second (third, fourth, fifth . . . .) chances. He is not a “One strike and you’re out” kind of God. He is willing to forgive and help us figure it out. He loves us that much! Pretty awesome.
His Mercy is amazing!
The thing that came to mind, while reading, all about the tabernacle and all that was involved in getting it set up was…that God had told them everything, the people obeyed everything and worked together to do all that God had told them to do! It soo reminded me of Philippians whee the people were active participants/partners in God’s work! They, we all have a part to further God’s Kingdom!
Thanks Edna! Love what you say about working together! The people were blessed and God was glorified.
Thanks.