8/7 Reading (Exodus 40; Acts 2)

Exodus 40: The last chapter in Exodus. God tells Moses to set up the tabernacle and everything that goes with it: the Ark of the Covenant, the table, lampstand, lamps, golden altar, screen, etc. Then God’s presence filled the tabernacle. I found it interesting that when God was there, no one, not even Moses, was able to enter it. This was strange to me because Moses was allowed to be in God’s presence in earlier chapters.

I enjoyed reading Exodus, but found it tedious once we got to the construction of the tabernacle. On to Leviticus!

Acts 2: The time of Pentecost. I didn’t remember that Pentecost was considered a festival associated with harvest and the time of Moses. I just thought it was associated with the arrival of the Holy Spirit. I find while reading the Bible that I really didn’t have much of an understanding of what else is in here.

Just like that, Christianity grows. This was a really interesting chapter. As I’ve written for earlier readings, I’m excited to learn more about what happened after Jesus died. This chapter kicks off right away:

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. ² And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³ Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 2.1-4)

If I were around this would’ve totally freaked me out. Out of nowhere everyone starts speaking in all these different languages. Yikes! I love the reaction of the crowd. Many were bewildered and some claimed they were drunk. He he. Pretty funny.

Peter, who seems to be the leader of the Apostles, then addresses everyone. He makes it clear that everything that has happened was foretold by the Prophet Joel. To be honest, I had no idea who this was. I really don’t know much about the Bible. Hence one reason to read it. The notes refer to this part as Peter’s sermon. I find it interesting that part of the sermon includes reference to natural events like the solar and lunar eclipses: “the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood” (Acts 2.20).

Peter’s sermon was clearly effective:

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” ³⁸ Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” ⁴⁰ And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” ⁴¹ So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. ⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Now we see the beginning of the church. Very cool.