Exodus

OK. So, about Exodus. This book proves that God cares about small details in our lives, that's for sure. Exodus goes on and on and on (yawn) about the specifics of how God wants the people to build the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant, etc., etc. God even talks about what the priests are to wear, down to the color of the threads and decorations of their garments. He picks a craftsman named Bezelel (you'll never forget his name after reading Exodus) who is filled with the Spirit, and a gifted craftsman to do the work. (I love that God values designing and crafting skills). Anyway, Exodus isn't exactly an exciting read, unless you really love details and picturing what the tabernacle and curtains and arc of the covenant looked like (which I kind of did) . It doesn't miss a beat in the descriptions, down to the finest detail. (Don't read it if you're tired). It is interesting, but I find the people stories more interesting.

Take Aaron. God chose him and his sons to be his priests. After all, he had done a good job of being Moses' spokesperson. But, this is what I don't get. When God calls Moses to Mt. Sinai to speak with him and give him the stone tablets with the ten commandments, Aaron is down there in charge of the people at the foot of the mountain. The people, for some weird reason, decide they need to make an idol to worship, and say that the idol rescued them from Egypt! After all that they have seen God do for them, and how much they praised God, they decide to do this! How dumb. Even dumber, is their temporary leader, Aaron, a priest chosen by God, who gets caught up in the people's enthusiasm, and allows them to do this - even helps get it done!!! So, God sees this, and is furious. He tells Moses He is going to wipe them out. Moses pleads with God to change this mind, which He does. But, hold on, as soon as Moses gets down there, he is furious with Aaron, and asks all those who don't worship the idol (the Levites) to go kill a bunch of people (they killed 3,000 of their own family members). On another note, I noticed that Moses, in his anger with the people, becomes quite a good speaker and tells the people off (remember how he told God he wasn't good with words before?) But, back to Aaron! Even after all that Aaron did (or didn't do), God still keeps him as priest and the book of Exodus goes on to describe how his garments are especially made. My big question is: why did he keep Aaron as the priest after what he did?

So, I was thinking about this. Maybe this is God's way of saying that His plans won't be hindered, even when we mess up! That God is going to carry through with His plans through us, no matter what kind of screw-ups we are! He is still going to accomplish things, using us, even if we make mistakes! That's pretty awesome....

Leviticus is next!