Exodus 40:17-38; Leviticus 1-4

We come to the close of Exodus, as the Dwelling has been completed according the Lord's precise instructions. Moses puts the commandments inside the ark, and the ark inside the Dwelling. The presence of the Lord, in the form of a cloud during the day, and cloud of fire at night, settles over the Dwelling. When the cloud lifts, the Israelites continue their journey. The Book of Leviticus begins with a very detailed description of the ritual of sacrifices. Depending on the reason for offering the sacrifice, a different animal might be used. But the animal offered as a holocaust or sacrifice must be unblemished. Just as Jesus, the ultimate Sacrifice and expiation for our sins, was a spotless Lamb. An interesting aspect of the description of these sacrificial rituals is that some of the offerings to be made are as a result of sins committed by an individual (e.g., a priest, a prince)--but the text is clear that these are sacrifices to be offered when the sin is "inadvertent." It is not clear to me what this means, because my understanding of sin includes as a condition that the act (or omission) was intentional, done with knowledge. As we leave Exodus, let me retrace my steps to mention one other thing that struck me. After Moses returned from the mountain, after having been called there by the Lord, we read of his "radiance." This radiance was so striking that Aaron and others were afraid to go near him, and he was given a veil to wear over his face. What a powerful metaphor for the transformative potential of prayer and of giving oneself to God! 

Exodus 12-14:20

The Lord establishes a ritual that proves the salvation of the Israelites, as the spreading of the lamb's blood over their doors saved them from the tenth plague. Passover. "You must celebrate this day throughout your generations as a perpetual institution." The feast plays a central role in the Passion of Christ many generations later. The tenth plague is horrifying to me. So many of the Egyptians must have been good, innocent people--and yet this catastrophe befell them because their leader was obstinate and did not honor God's request. Losing a child seems incomprehensible to me. The wailing that broke out across Egypt echoes in Pharaoh's ears, as he summons Moses and Aaron and demands that they and the Israelites leave Egypt. And so they fled Egypt. "It is with a strong hand that the Lord brought you away." God does guide us with a strong hand--yet why is it that so often i cannot discern His Will anywhere? A paradox, I guess, at least for me. When Pharaoh changes his mind and pursues the Israelites to the edge of the Red Sea, the Israelites begin to grumble to Moses and Aaron. But Moses answers them, "Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the Lord will win for you today." I think God asks me to "fear not" often, and I should not be fearful because of the victory Jesus won for me.