Questions

Scriptural Reflection
Exodus 30:11–16

We shall continue the study of Exodus, the second book of the Old Testament.

(1) What normally was the reason for taking a census of the people in the olden days?

(2) As we know, the Lord actually instructed Moses to take a census. It was presumably for the sake of counting the number of fighting men, but why would He require each of the men to pay a fee and why did He call it a ransom?

(3) “Ransom” and “plague” obviously tie this counting to their being saved in “crossing over” the Red Sea.

a. Why then would God impose such a ransom fee?

b. Why then would God also impose a “plague” as a punishment?

(4) Do you think God delights in killing the Egyptians with plagues?

(5) So, the census would be to count those who have survived plagues. Do you think God also keeps a record of those who have not survived the plagues?

(6) When David took a census of his people (though the Bible says he was incited by God, but that does not mean that he did it with God’s permission), a plague came upon the people (2 Sam. 24). Does this command to pay a ransom shed light on why God inflicted the people with a plague because of David’s action?

(7) Under what condition(s) would such a census be pleasing to God?

(8) Under what condition(s) would such a census not be pleasing to God?

(9) How then can we apply these spiritual principles to our counting of attendance or membership in the church today?

(10) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Exodus 30:17–38

(1) What two occasions require the cleaning of the hands and feet of the priest in this instruction?

(2) What does such an instruction reveal and why is the penalty so severe?

(3) What is its implication to us today?

(4) What is the oil to be applied onto?

(5) What is the effect of anointing these with the oil?

(6) What then does the oil stand for?

(7) It is interesting that “whoever touches them will be holy” (30:29). Consider these possible cases:

a. Suppose one who is not holy touches them. Will he instantly become holy (in the sense of sinlessness)? Or

b. Would whoever touches them be considered totally set apart for the Lord (which is the core meaning of being holy) so that he or she does not belong to themselves, nor can they live for themselves any more?

Which is the case and why?

(8) Both “the ingredients of this oil and this incense are rare and expensive” (Durham, 408). What is the message here when it comes to the worship of the Lord?

(9) Both the oil and the incense so made, cannot be mixed for personal or other use. Why?

(10) V. 38 implies that they are to be enjoyed only by the Lord. How can you apply this to yourself today, especially in how you are expected to serve the Lord?

Scriptural Reflection
Exodus 31:1–11

(1) Apart from Bezalel and Oholiab, are there any other craftsmen involved in the building of the tabernacle and making its contents? Where did their skill come from?

(2) In choosing Bezalel as the chief craftsman, why does God have to fill him with His Spirit?

(3) What does it say about the importance and qualifications of those who serve the Lord in so-called non-spiritual ministries?

(4) Since Bezalel needs the filling of the Holy Spirit in his ministry, how will you define spiritual ministry from non-spiritual ministry? Why should there be such a difference?

(5) Just for the sake of interest, can you count how many kinds of craftsmen are needed for the entire project?

(6) What is the underlying command to them in 31:11?

(7) What is its message?

(8) However, although God has given very minute instructions in many of the things to be built and made, does it mean that there is no room for creativity? (See 31:4)

(9) Many commentators point out that in choosing Bezalel, the Lord, in fact, “has called out by name, Bezalel”. How does this deepen your understanding of God’s calling in one’s life, including yours?

(10) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Exodus 31:12–18

(1) Why does God reiterate the command of Sabbath at the end of this 40-day-and-night retreat with Moses?

(2) The reason for this must-keep command is that “This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so that you know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.”

a. Durham translates “know” as “know by experience”. What do you think, when it comes to the observation of Sabbath?

b. What is meant by a sign? What will happen if a sign is violated?

(3) Re-read this passage once more, this time substitute the word “holy” with “set apart” and see if it deepens your understanding of this command.

(4) With this “deepened” understanding, can you make more sense about the penalty of death for those who violate the Sabbath by working?

(5) A reason being given for the rest on Sabbath has to do with the precedent set by God in creation:

a. Why did God rest on the 7^th day?

b. From what did God rest?

c. Since God has “completed” His work of creation in the six days and rested, what if one of the Israelites honestly felt that his work for the week had not been completed, and he really needed the extra money and yet he chose to rest as the Lord has commanded? What was he demonstrating, apart from obedience?

d. What then is the real meaning of Sabbath, then and now?

(6) Why did God choose to inscribe the law (most likely the Ten Commandments) on the tablets, and with His own fingers?

(7) Read Matthew 5:17-18 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17. What parallels can you discover among these passages concerning the commands of the Lord?

(8) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Exodus 32:1–6

(1) In trying to understand the wickedness of not just the people, but the elders and Aaron, let’s ask ourselves, up to this point of time, what have each of these groups of people heard, seen and experienced in terms of the reality of God’s promise, power, mercy and attributes. Compile a list of the past experiences in these respects for the following:

a. Aaron (in particular 4:30; 7:10; 8:6; 8:17; 16:10; 17:12)

b. The chosen elders (in particular 17:6 and 24:10)

c. The people

(2) As much as it was a fact that Moses had gone for 40 days and nights already, what other assumptions could they have made about what happened to Moses?

(3) Even if something bad had happened to Moses, based on what they knew about Moses and who Moses was, how should they have reacted? Why didn’t they?

(4) Based on what they have witnessed so far about God and Moses, why would they choose the following?

a. Having other gods to lead them

b. Fashioning such gods as idols (i.e. Why did they need to have gods that are visible to lead them?)

(5) Why did Aaron succumb to their demand so quickly?

(6) Why did Aaron choose to do the following?

a. To fashion this “god” in the image of a calf

b. To hold a festival to “Yahweh”, having fashioned such a god. What does it mean?

(7) In what ways was this festival held after the manner of the pagans?

(8) How did this particular incident highlight the following?

a. The difference between Yahweh’s worship and that of the pagan gods

b. The reason why people appear to prefer the worship of gods other than Yahweh

(9) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Exodus 32:7–14

(1) What was the list of charges that God laid against the people in vv. 7-9?

(2) Of this list of charges, which sin would you consider the most wicked? Why?

(3) In response to the sins of these “stiff-necked” people, what did God say He was going to do in vv. 9-10?

(4) Carefully mull over these actions threatened by the Lord:

a. While God has decided to destroy the people, why did He have to tell Moses first, and ask him to “leave me alone”?

b. While the penalty was to destroy the people, God did not abandon His promise to Abraham and His plan to make him into the nation, except that He would choose Moses as the continuation of this promise. What kind of opportunity did it present to Moses? Why did he turn it down?

(5) What did God address these people as in v. 7?

(6) What did Moses address these people as in v. 11?

(7) What do you think about this exchange or contrast (i.e. v. 7 versus v. 11)?

(8) How did Moses reason with God in vv. 11-13? (i.e. what were the reasons cited by Moses to turn away God’s anger toward the people)?

(9) In Moses’ intercession on behalf of these people who had never really been good to him, what changes can you detect in Moses in terms of the following?

a. His relationship with the Lord

b. His relationship with the people

c. The charge given to him to lead the people

(10) Do you think the Lord really relented because of Moses’ intercession and/or because He had accomplished His desire in telling Moses of His anger and threat?

(11) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Exodus 32:15–26

(1) Can you feel the irony of vv. 15-16—Moses holding the God-engraved tablets of the holy laws in his hands and facing a people who totally disregarded God and His laws?

a. If you were Moses, would you not question in your heart, “What’s the point?”

b. In declaring and upholding the laws of the Lord before the world today (or perhaps even in the church), have you ever asked yourself, “What’s the point?”

(2) From the lips of this young man Joshua, how did the Bible point out the incredibility of the deeds of the Israelites?

(3) What did the breaking of the two tablets signify?

(4) If you were Moses, would you have at least a slight sense of regret of your earlier intercession for them before the Lord? Why or why not?

(5) Was the action which followed a bit too harsh? Why or why not?

(6) Moses held Aaron responsible for the sin of the people rightfully. Mull over Aaron’s reply:

a. Did he take responsibility of his action?

b. Did he show any sign of repentance?

c. Was he qualified to be the high priest and leader of the people?

(7) V. 25 reveals one of the concerns that Moses had when God’s people sinned. What was it?

(8) Pause and reflect on how you and/or your church might have become “a laughingstock” to God’s enemies.

a. How can you take responsibility for such a sin?

b. What should you do to prevent it from happening again?

(9) In dealing with the sins of the people, Moses asked for action: “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.”

a. Who were the people who rallied to his call?

b. Why didn’t the rest?

(10) What is the main message for you today and how may you apply it in your life?