John Calvin wrote in his Institutes of the Christian Religion  that the heart is a “perpetual forge of idols” [1] or colloquially stated that “the heart is an idol factory.” This is a reality we experientially know is true through our own struggles, but a concept that isn’t always clearly defined. In our narrative this morning, Exodus 32, we are given a picture of an idol, and that picture will help us define what an idol is, particularly for us as we live in a different cul

In Exodus 31, the Sabbath is once more raised as an important part of life with God. It was introduced in Exodus 16 in the context of God’s provision of bread from heaven, presented as one of the Ten Words in Exodus 20, and expanded on in Exodus 23. Now, in Exodus 31, the Sabbath caps the instructions for building the tabernacle as a way to underscore its priority. To end these instructions with a reminder of the Sabbath is to say that the construction of the tabernacle, for

In Exod 31:1-11, we are introduced to Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other artisans who will skillfully make the tabernacle and its...

In the opening chapter of James’ letter, he speaks of the implanted word, “which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21 ESV), as well as...

The gospels teach us that Jesus’ teaching and activity were disruptive to all kinds of notions related to the law, including Pharisaic...

Having laid out the blessings and curses of the covenant in Exodus 23 and prior to that the rules or judgments, i.e. the substance of the...

In Exod 23:20-33, there is a close connection between the promises and blessings of God’s covenant relationship with Israel and the...

The regulations in Exodus 23 that pertain to the Sabbath and annual festivals are interesting for a number of reasons. One of those...

In the development or explication of the ten commandments that unfolds in Exodus 21-23, we encounter a few series of rapid-fire...

“Spare the rod, spoil the child!” is an oft quoted phrase that I consider a southern translation of Proverbs 13:24, which reads, “whoever...

A couple of weeks ago, Jared wrote a reflection on the three uses of the moral law to provide some context for his preaching of the ten...

As the book of Exodus turns from the historical narrative of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt to the legal framework that fleshes out what...