Day 50: Sacrificial Offerings

 Today's readings: Exodus 37-38, Leviticus 26, and Psalm 82.

I. Today's reading in Exodus begins with Bezalel making the Ark of the Covenant (37:1-9). Then, he made the Table of the Bread of the Presence (37:10-16), the Lampstand (37:17-24), and the Altar of Incense along with the anointing oil and incense (37:25-29). In the following chapter, we are given descriptions of other things Bezalel also made, from the Altar of Burnt Offering (38:1-7), to the Laver and the Court (38:8-20), to various materials for the Tabernacle (38:21-31).

II. In Leviticus chapter 26, we are told of blessings and curses depending upon Israel's keeping of the covenant with God. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

Obedience to the covenant will bring peace, prosperity, and protection in Canaan (26:3-13), while disobedience will bring distress, devastation, and death (26:14-39). Both lists build to a climax: the ultimate blessing is the Lord's presence among the Israelites (26:11), and the ultimate curse it Israel's exile among the nations (26:33), where many of the people will perish away from the Promised Land (26:38)... (p. 220)

III. Psalm 82 is one of legal sentencing and a plea for justice. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

The scene is a divine courtroom where the Lord presides as Judge (82:1). On trial are the corrupt judges of Israel, who are guilty of favoring the wicked and denying justice to the poor and powerless (82:2-4). For this, they are sentenced to death (82:7), despite the exalted titles that attach to their office ("gods" in 82:6)... (p. 901)

That's all for today!