Summaries:
God continues giving Moses instructions, such as the ordination rites for Aaron and the priests, and instructs how the ordination sacrifices are to be done (29). They are also to have an altar for burning incense, they are to take a census and have a tax, have a bronze laver for washing, oil for anointing, and special incense, as per God's instructions (30). God explains that he has provided men with the abilities necessary to build and create all that he has commanded, and reminds Moses of the importance of observing the sabbath (31). Meanwhile, the Israelites at the bottom of the mountain lose hope in Moses, and ask Aaron to construct a god to worship, so after collecting their gold, constructs a golden calf (which may have been a symbol of God's strength, not necessarily another god altogether, but still a violation of the idolatry law). As Moses came down the mountain with the tablets, he was furious with their actions and threw down the tablets (32)
Reflections:
I was delighted to read, after pages and pages of these complicated instructions and blueprints and designs, that God reassured Moses that he has blessed individuals with the gifts necessary to construct that which he has commanded. It reminded me that we all have a purpose. I may not be able to influence the world the way you can, but I can do what I can with the gifts God gave me. An eye cannot do what a foot can do, but they are both important parts of the body. So together, God has constructed the Body, the Church.
Quotes:
Exodus 29:43 - "There, at the altar, I will meet the Israelites; hence, it will be made sacred by my glory."
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Hey now, let's not blame Aaron too much... I mean, listen to his account: He collected the gold from the people, "threw it into the fire and this calf came out." It just *happened*; it's not like Aaron actually *made* the calf. :-)
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