The religious leaders asked for a sign and Jesus rebuked them. Of course, they were asking for Jesus to prove himself to them. His presence, His life was proof enough (Matthew 16:1-4). The disciples asked for a sign and Jesus entertained their question (Matthew 24:3). Of course, the signs have been happening since Jesus ascended to heaven. Martyrs and mayhem have been with us from the start. The d...  Read More

In the emotional frenzy of the moment, the crowd cried out the words that they will one day sing again, "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord" (Matthew 21:9; 23:39). But, they were hollow words. For that same crowd will again utter a frenzied mob condemnation: "Crucify! Crucify!" (Matthew 27:22-23). The irony is that the fickle crowd is inspired by the same ones who claimed they would ...  Read More

In Exodus 31:1-11 we are introduced to Bezalel and Oholiab, skilled craftsmen appointed by God and filled with His Spirit, to do the work of constructing the tabernacle. They cannot do this alone. In Exodus 35:30-35 we are reintroduced to these men, given their status and reminded of their appointment with the addition of this vital fact that God gave them the ability to teach others their trades ...  Read More

The culture in which I grew up was not prone to excessive gift-giving and did not have a special celebration for every day (though I must say I fancy September 29 and October 1). However, out of respect for a superior, on special occasions, one would bring a gift...a homebaked loaf of bread, a chicken, a carved cane. Our gracious God (Exodus 34:5-8) had an expectation of His forgiven children in w...  Read More

What's that I hear?As Moses and his protégé, Joshua, head down the mountain to respond to the fickle, sinful people who have utterly abandoned God in very short order after encountering His glorious presence, Joshua, before seeing anything, observes: "There is the sound of war in the camp" (Exodus 32:17). Moses sets him straight: "That's not war! That raucous sound is 'the people throwing a party'...  Read More

“You are to place the altar in front of the curtain by the ark of the testimony—in front of the mercy seat that is over the testimony—where I will meet with you. Aaron must burn fragrant incense on it; he must burn it every morning when he tends the lamps." (Exodus 30:6-7, CSB)."Another angel, with a golden incense burner, came and stood at the altar. He was given a large amount of incense to offe...  Read More