I’m on a journey to help you navigate your relationships using God’s Word. Today, I want to share with you some thoughts from a very special part of the Bible, the Ki Tisa Torah portion from the Book of Exodus that I shared on my Perfect Body podcast.
Understanding the Census and Its Significance
We start off with a fascinating event where the Israelites took a census. God asked Moses to count the people who were 20 years and older, and each person had to give a half-shekel as an offering. Now, why 20 years old, you might wonder? Well, just like I used this as a rule of thumb when raising my son, this age seems to signify adulthood in God’s eyes. It’s an interesting thought, isn’t it? So, keep that in mind next time you think about what makes someone an adult!
The Holy Anointing Oil
Now, let’s switch gears and talk about something really holy, the special blend of anointing oil. God instructed only the priests to make this oil, and it was reserved for very sacred purposes. It’s a wonderful reminder that when God is involved, everything must be the best! He doesn’t settle for second best. He is the best, and He wants the best for you too!
The Golden Calf Incident
But not everything was rosy. There’s this incident with a golden calf that caused a lot of people to die. While Moses was up on Mount Sinai talking to God, the people got impatient. Can you imagine waiting for 40 days with no sign of your leader? Well, instead of holding on to faith, the people lost it. They asked Aaron to make them a god, and he did—a golden calf! The people started worshipping it, thinking it would help them. They committed idolatry. God was so mad about this. He saw the people dancing and celebrating this golden idol and was ready to bring down His wrath. However, Moses interceded for the people, asking God to forgive them. Thankfully, God listened to Moses, but there was still a heavy price, 3,000 people died because of this sin. It’s a big reminder of how important it is to keep faith even when times get tough.
Learning About Steadfast Love
Despite the people’s mistakes, God shows us that His love is forever. He described Himself to Moses as slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He wants us to know that even when things go wrong, His love is constant. All He asks is that we seek forgiveness when we mess up. This means saying sorry and asking God to forgive you. It’s that straightforward. He loves you and will forgive you because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ whose blood made atonement for our sins.
Keep Faith and Clear Your Guilt
The big message here is about faith and forgiveness. You see, God doesn’t clear the guilty just because. He wants you to come to Him and ask for forgiveness. Every day offers a new chance to start fresh by asking God to forgive your mistakes. You can make asking God for forgiveness a daily habit. That way you stay clear and clean in spirit!
In the end, remember His steadfast love. It’s there for you through everything. Next time you’re feeling lost or impatient, pause and think of this story. It’s a good one to keep in your heart.
God bless, Shirah Chante, Relationship Artist
