Daily Bible Reflection 9/30

Continuing a plan to get through the entire Bible in a year, follow as I journal through the reading. I have chosen a straightforward approach that begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation. This will not be an in-depth study or a comprehensive commentary. There are plenty of sources for such material. This is stage one Bible reading, taking the text at face value and sharing impressions.

Today’s reading comes from the book of Exodus, chapters 36 through 38, detailing the construction of the tabernacle. Some impressions from the text:

For a stiff-necked and rebellious people, the Israelites still had their moments of proper reverence for the Lord. Asked to contribute materials for the construction of the tabernacle and its utensils, they kept giving and giving to the point that Moses was prompted to command they stop. “So the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.”
Today’s entire reading describes the construction of the tabernacle and its utensils, effectively repeating the dimensions previously listed when God gave them to Moses. It’s dull reading. But it serves to note the exacting detail with which Israel followed God’s instructions when crafting his place among them.
This kind of passage argues against the Bible being a book of myths. It reads like a business ledger, like a historical account. That’s because it is a historical account.

Return soon as we continue our year-long journey through the text of the Bible.

Catch up on the previous entries:

Archived Genesis posts (scroll down in link).

Moses gets a mission from God. – Exodus 1-3

Believer and unbeliever, each defy God’s commandments. – Exodus 4-6

God makes his name known by plaguing Egypt.– Exodus 7-9

The final plagues, and God’s deliverance of Israel from their captivity in Egypt. – Exodus 10-12

“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously…” Exodus 13-15

God continues to provide, even for an ungrateful people. – Exodus 16-18

Moses receives the Ten Commandments. – Exodus 19-21

Israel receives the Law at the foot of Mount Sinai. – Exodus 22-24

God commissions the building of the tabernacle. – Exodus 25-27