Exodus 35 - 36 Responding to a Superior Covenant
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In the book on Exodus God takes his people from being depressed, demoralised and disillusioned as slaves in Egypt to being a people of destiny in covenant relationship with the living God. This covenant, as with all covenants, has two sides. God promised to dwell among the nation of Israel, making them his chosen people and treasured possession. The people were then to live as a holy people, fulfilling the laws and statutes that God commanded.
For God, who is totally holy and without blemish, to live among a people who are inherently sinful, sacrifice had to be made. This was a major part of the covenant. God gives the people of God great detail about the way in which they can approach Him. It is an intricate and bloody affair, involving the sacrifice of many animals and the sprinkling of blood to cover the sins of the people.
We see in Exodus 35 and 36, God’s people delighting in this covenant. They diligently did all that God commanded concerning the building of the tabernacle and the worship and sacrifice that took place there. They gave generously of the material possessions and the skills that God had given them.
But this covenant was just an imperfect foreshadowing of a far superior covenant that God was going to make. God is still a Holy God and we are still a sinful people. But God has now provided a superior sacrificial system, fulfilled by Jesus our perfect High Priest and perfect sacrifice. Jesus, by the shedding of his blood at the cross has made a way for all people who repent and put their faith in Him to enter into God presence. The Israelites had to make sacrifices time and time again and could never themselves enter into the holy presence of the Lord. But Jesus’ sacrifice was perfect, meaning no other sacrifice is ever going to be needed. By his death and resurrection we now have a way into the Lord’s presence.
This greater covenant demands a greater response. Jesus has given us all we need to enter God’s presence, for life and for godliness. Therefore let us respond with exuberant worship. Four practical ways in which we might do this are…
- Prayerfully consider how you can worship God with your giving at the Gift Day on 1st March.
- GET INVOLVED. God has gifted each of us with skills and abilities that we might bless the church that we are building here in Brighton and Hove. Sign up at the GET INVOLVED stand in the lounge or contact the church office.
- GET CONNECTED. God desires for us to live as a worshipping community. Part of His grace in our lives is to put us along side other believers in the church. Go to the Get Connected stand and find your local small group and sign up for Joining the church family on 21st March
- Repent and put your faith in the perfect sacrifice that Jesus made for you on the cross.
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