READING FOR JULY 23, 2024: EXODUS 30, 1 TIMOTHY 5, PSALMS 71:1-13 EXODUS 30 God’s directions for building the altar of incense and other implements:
| God gave instructions for the construction and use of the altar of incense. As with previously constructed items, this altar was made of acacia wood. This wood is from a desert tree and thus was readily available. Its wood is resistant to decay and not a habitat for pests. It was perfect for use in constructing items that needed to last hundreds of years. God’s word is inspirational but also always practical. This was a small altar: about 1.5 feet long and wide and 3 feet high. Like the main altar, it had horns, but this altar was overlaid with gold instead of bronze. |
This altar was placed in the Holy Place just on the other side of the veil from the ark. Every morning and evening, with no days off, Aaron had to burn incense on it. Do you think consistency in the ministry was a virtue God valued then? How about now? Once a year Aaron made atonement for the altar by placing blood on its horns. More about incense later.
The text drastically shifts topics to taking a census of the people. When a person is counted, they must pay a ransom, which is like a tax, of a half shekel. All are counted who are at least 20 years old. Luke’s Gospel mentions Joseph and Mary going to Bethlehem “to be taxed” in the King James Version, but “to be counted in a census” in the New King James. Likely, as with Moses, there was a connection between the two in that the census was the basis for a later tax by Rome. Failure to pay the tax in Exodus did not activate the IRS, but it could result in a plague, which, remembering what happened to Pharoah, was even worse than the IRS. The money collected supported the operation of the tabernacle.
The text shifts back to making items for the tabernacle, starting with a water basin. Aaron and his sons had to wash their hands and feet whenever approaching the altar or else they would die. These kinds of actions are still part of the worship requirements for Islam, a belief system that doesn’t include a God/man who atones by His blood for our sins. God then gave precise recipes for both the anointing oil and incense. These recipes could not be used for any other purposes than the tabernacle. Obviously, with the constant animal sacrifices, the burning of incense had the practical advantage of masking the smell of animal parts. Of more importance, though, is as a pleasing aroma to God: “There shall be perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations” (vs.8). This concept of incense coming before God is repeated again: “The twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” (Rev. 5:8). OUR PRAYERS NEVER DISSAPATE BUT REMAIN BEFORE GOD!
READING FOR JULY 23, 2024 CONTINUED: 1 TIMOTHY 5, PSALMS 71:1-13 1 TIMOTHY 5 In the first verse the word “Presbyterō” is translated as “older man” by the New American Standard Bible compared with verses 17 and 19 where the same Greek word is translated “elder,” referring to an officer in church leadership. Obviously, the context is used to determine which English word is best. Verses one and two direct us to treat men and women with love and respect and with the deference that is appropriate to their ages.
Widows need special consideration depending on their age and family situation. Of course, all these guidelines were given before FDR started social security, but relational responsibilities still apply today. Children and grandchildren need to care for their mothers/grandmothers, at least emotionally if not financially. God likes this! Paul says those who don’t do this are not really Christians. A widow who is without family needs to place all her trust in God by praying day and night. If she is 60 or over and has been a faithful believer, the church is responsible for her well-being. Here Paul suggests that younger widows remarry, where in 1 Cor. 7 he states the ideal is for all single persons to remain single, if they are able to remain chaste.
Paul said to honor those elders who rule well, especially those who teach the Bible accurately. Some have used this Old Testament quotation about “muzzling the ox” as a reason to fairly compensate pastors. This seems appropriate. Also, appropriate is handling complaints about church leadership according to the guidelines given. Paul’s final guidance about the medicinal use of wine certainly supports using medication and doesn’t prohibit alcohol in moderation.
PSALM 71:1-13 If we think about it for a moment, we realize we all put our trust in something. Maybe it’s our good looks, our good education, our good friends, our good health, or good job. Let’s pause a bit and ask ourselves honestly, in what or whom do we place our trust? What do we cultivate with our time? Where does our mind go when we allow it to wander? These questions can be good diagnostic tests. The Psalmist had the kind of life vantage point to understand all the bearers of trust listed above are ultimately untrustworthy. He had reached the maturity and wisdom to trust in God. Not just as a verbal platitude but as a daily reality.
No matter how threatened the Psalmist is, if he has taken refuge in God, he is embedded in the mightiest source of power that exists. His confidence is such that he believes God has already commanded his protection in this case. What’s threatening us? Many at church are dealing with aging. Fair enough. Let’s closely examine the text. The Psalmist recalls a lifetime of walking with God. Let’s recall God’s faithfulness throughout our lives. The Psalmist finds others are puzzled by him because he praises God no matter what. That’s cool. Now he prays for God’s presence as he faces the evitable loss of strength in old age. Maybe that’s the secret: Accept the realities of old age while doubling down on the opportunity of God’s presence.
