Study Desk

the table and everything on it; the pure gold lampstand and everything used with it; the altar for burning incense;

the altar for burning offerings and the things used at the altar; the bowl and the base under it;

the special clothes for Aaron the priest; the special clothes for Aaron's sons when they serve as priests;

the sweet-smelling anointing oil; the sweet-smelling incense for the Holy Place. These workers must make everything the way that I have commanded you."

"Tell the Israelites this: ‘You must follow the rules about my special days of rest. You must do this because they will be a sign between you and me for all generations. This will show you that I, the Lord , have made you my special people.

There are six other days in the week for working. But the seventh day is a very special day of rest. That is the special day to honor the Lord . Anyone who works during the Sabbath must be killed.

They have very quickly turned away from what I commanded them to do. They made a calf from melted gold for themselves. They are worshiping that calf and making sacrifices to it. The people have said, ‘Israel, these are the gods that led you out of Egypt.'"

So the Lord felt sorry for the people. He did not do what he said he might do—he did not destroy them.

Moses answered, "It is not the noise of an army shouting for victory. And it is not the noise of an army crying from defeat. The noise I hear is the sound of music."

Then Moses said, "Take your role today as special servants of the Lord because you were willing to fight against even your own sons and brothers. You will receive a blessing for this."

The next morning Moses told the people, "You have committed a terrible sin! But now I will go up to the Lord , and maybe I can do something so that he will forgive you for your sin."

Also, how will we know if you are pleased with me and these people? If you go with us, we will know for sure. If you don't go with us, these people and I will be no different from any other people on the earth."

Then the Lord said, "Here is a place for you to stand by me on this large rock.

He shows his faithful love to thousands of people. He forgives people for the wrong things they do, but he does not forget to punish guilty people. Not only will he punish the guilty people, but their children, their grandchildren, and their great-grandchildren will also suffer for the bad things these people do."

"Lord, if you are pleased with me, please go with us. I know that these are stubborn people, but forgive us for the bad things we did. Accept us as your people."

Then the Lord said, "I am making this agreement with all of your people. I will do amazing things that have never before been done for any other nation on earth. The people with you will see that I, the Lord , am very great. They will see the wonderful things that I will do for you.

Don't worship any other god. I am Yahweh Kanah —the jealous Lord . That is my name. I hate for my people to worship other gods.

You might choose some of their daughters as wives for your sons. Those daughters serve false gods. They might lead your sons to do the same thing.

"Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. For seven days, eat the bread made without yeast as I commanded you before. Do this during the month I have chosen, the month of Abib, because that is the month you came out of Egypt.

"You will work for six days, but on the seventh day you must rest. You must rest even during the times of planting and harvesting.