Today's reading shows a very demanding God. He sets all these rules. And breaking a lot of them (or sinning as it's called) required death. Then he want a dwelling, built perfectly with excruciating detail! I sure hope these readings get better, because right now they're mostly reminding me of why I don't view the Bible as the authoritive word of God. A loving God would never be as mean as the God in these readings seem to be!

I also noticed something else: God wanted prients for his dwelling. Later it's revealed that he wanted 12. Well, Jesus had 12 disciples. Coincidence?

I just finished day 6 and I'm very excited that I have been able to keep up with the reading. I hope that I will be able to continue on and not miss a day of reading. :)

Wow, I actually finished before midnight today. :)

I think it's kool how God had the Israelites collect the manna every day and they weren't allowed to keep any until the next day (except Friday b/c God wanted them to rest the next day). It was like God wanted them to rely on Him every day, and to be reminded every day that He was the one providing for even their most basic needs.

21 "Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.

This verse struck me especially because of the current debate about what to do about undocumented aliens in the USA. God gave a command with NO EXCEPTIONS and we are to follow it. For we were all aliens and still are because of our sinful nature to the Kingdom of GOD!

*Exodus 16:10 - "While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud." - I wonder what the glory of the LORD looks like.

*Exodus 16:12 - "'I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, "At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'" It amazes me that they still question Him and that He has to keep proving Himself to them.

*Exodus 16:18 - "And when they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed." - I think that is so cool that they each had exactly what they needed.

i am enjoying reading the bible in such a compacted way so far and it doesn't seems like i am reading as long or as much as i expected it to be. i like genesis but exodus is harder to get through ...i am hoping to find understanding in the passages that puzzle me, and for god to give me wisdom as i read. what things pertain to us still today? i love reading god's word because i know it was meant for me and that god will draw out what he wants me to hear.

Well, I've made it through 6 days. It has been so good. I have seen alot of things in the Word that I have never seen before. I read most of today's reading in the emergency care. I was really sick. Thank you Lord that no harm will befall me, and you are always with me...no matter what. Jesus, I love you so much. Thank you for the salvation and healing and deliverance that you gave me.

I can't imagine being an Israelite... especially Moses! and having to build the altar and the ark and the priestly garments and doing everything just right... and all that gold! Goodness... that explains why God made sure the Egyptians gave the Israelites their gold and silver before the exodus... wow.
Craziness. So many little specifications!

God intends for Isreal to be his treasured possession.

He says, "Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." He gives the 10 Commandments and then elaborates upon them with the specific laws concerning alters, servants, injuries, property, social responsibility, justice, mercy, and Sabbath laws. He also tells them about the three festivals they are to have each year. Most of these laws seem like common sense to us, but that is because they have been in effect for so long, and they are the laws that have permeated much of Western Civilization. I don't think The Egyptians would have thought about helping the poor or the widow or the foreigner.

Even though I haven't had time to journal my progress for a couple days, I have kept on track with my daily reading. Today, I was amazed again at the details that God gave. He really cared about that. I have to believe He is the God that never changes and still does care about things to the finest details.