Lessons Archive

The Glory of the Lord Fills the Temple (Exodus 36:8-40:32)

The tabernacle is constructed in accordance with all the detailed instructions the Lord had given Moses. Since the tabernacle was a physical model of spiritual things to come, the details were purposeful and necessary to follow even if the artisans did not understand the reason why. We examine the importance of following God’s commands even

The Glory of the Lord Fills the Temple (Exodus 36:8-40:32) View Lesson

The People Give Freely (Exodus 35:1-36:7)

Thus far it seems we have seen in the Israelite nation nothing but faithlessness and sins, including disobedience, idolatry, revelry, ingratitude and complaining. Happily, in the current passage we finally see the people doing something praiseworthy! When Moses issues a request, the people contribute freely and generously toward the construction of the tabernacle. We use

The People Give Freely (Exodus 35:1-36:7) View Lesson

The Radiant Face of Moses (Exodus 34:10-35)

The Lord warns Moses that when the people enter Canaan, they must not make any covenants with the people of that land. This foreshadows the New Testament command to not be "yoked together with unbelievers." In this lesson we explore the implications of that foundational teaching regarding marriage and other close relationships. Also, when Moses

The Radiant Face of Moses (Exodus 34:10-35) View Lesson

Teach Us to Pray

Is "the Lord's prayer" a general outline of what Christians should pray about, or does Jesus want us to say the very words of this prayer? This short lesson provides wonderful insights from Tertullian, an early Christian writer who considered the Lord's prayer to be "the highest and best prayer" for Jesus' followers to pray.

Teach Us to Pray View Lesson

Asking to See the Lord (Exodus 33:12-34:9)

Moses asks to see the face of God. The Lord rejects that request as impossible, shields Moses, and then proclaims His nature as His glory passes by. This revelation later helped David, the Psalm writer, grasp the merciful and compassionate nature of the Lord and can help us have a healthier view of God as

Asking to See the Lord (Exodus 33:12-34:9) View Lesson

A Friend of God (Exodus 33:7-11)

Moses pitched his tent outside the camp, and would go there to speak with the Lord. It says the Lord "spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." Do you speak to God "as with a friend"? Are we supposed to speak with God like this? Is that kind of

A Friend of God (Exodus 33:7-11) View Lesson

Leaving the Bright Clothes and Ornaments Behind (Exodus 33:1-6)

As a consequence of their idolatry with the golden calf, the Israelites are told that the Lord will not accompany them on their journey to Canaan. As the people mourn upon hearing this bad news, Moses tells them to cast off their expensive clothing and ornaments. Here we bring in early Christian writer Clement of Alexandria,

Leaving the Bright Clothes and Ornaments Behind (Exodus 33:1-6) View Lesson

The Book of Life and the Foundation of Evangelism (Exodus 32:21-25)

Moses calls out "all those who are with the Lord," but only the Levites answer the call. Three thousand Israelites are slain by the sword at their hands, a consequence of idolatry with the golden calf. However, we also see another side of the heart of Moses. He pleads with the Lord to have mercy

The Book of Life and the Foundation of Evangelism (Exodus 32:21-25) View Lesson

The Evil of Idolatry (Exodus 32:15-20)

Of all the sins the Israelites committed in the wilderness, making the golden calf may have provoked the greatest anger from the Lord. The sin of idolatry, prohibited in the Second Commandment, continued to be a snare to the Israelites through most of their history. Later, as the apostles spread the Christian faith throughout world,

The Evil of Idolatry (Exodus 32:15-20) View Lesson

The Golden Calf and the Sin of Impatience (Exodus 32:1-14)

The Israelites become impatient at the delay of Moses returning and pressure Aaron to make "gods" to go before them. Aaron gives in; and makes the famous golden calf. Rather than look down on the Israelites for their foolishness, we consider similar temptations we face today when our patience is tested. We also consider insights

The Golden Calf and the Sin of Impatience (Exodus 32:1-14) View Lesson