Exodus 35-40 building projects.

Exodus 35-40

These chapters describe the fabrication of everything in chapters 25-31, roll on Leviticus.

The materials used included 

Nearly a tonne of gold (that is about a family saloon car weight)

Nearly 3.5 tonnes of silver (small ltruck)

2.4 Tonnes of bronze 

Plus several hundred square metres of cloths, wood precious gems, incense, olive oil and so on.

It is also notable that anybody who felt moved to donate was able to do so, men and women, rich and poor - it was a real community project.

The description at the end of the book is that when God moved from the tabernacle, the camp broke up and followed him, when he stayed, they did too.

Well, dear readers, we are now 2 books down with 64 to go.

The next 3 books form the remainder of the Torah or Law

Biblical law has been rather attacked from certain quarters over the years, I'd like to share the following  

Dr Laura Schlessenger converted to Orthadox Judaism and earned the ire and censure of the Canadian media when she announced on her TV show that she believed that homosexual lifestyle is wrong.

The following is an open letter to Dr Laura and it appeared on the web and went viral in about 2000

Dear Dr. Laura,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.

a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?

i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.

I plan to note these laws as we come to them and perhaps include an open response to this letter once I've studied the law in a bit more detail.

Stay tuned, Leviticus tomorrow!