Today’s reading: Exod 30:1–32:35, John 5:31–47, Song 4:4–8

Today’s theme: Holy prayer

We are called to be a people of prayer and prayer is a holy thing before God. It is not just a casual conversation, as we are talking to the Sovereign God of the universe.  We must speak to Him with the reverence, awe, respect and love He deserves, knowing that our prayers come up before Him like incense and that Jesus functions as our High Priest, making our requests acceptable. We must always pray with faith, believing God is able to respond to our requests.

Exodus 30:1–32:35

Holy prayers

You shall not offer unauthorized incense on it, or a burnt offering, or a grain offering, and you shall not pour a drink offering on it. Exodus 30:9 (ESV)

The incense speaks of prayer. Our prayers should not be casual or disrespectful, but should be holy. This is why Jesus said when we pray, we should say hallowed (holy) be Your name…

Atonement

You shall take the atonement money from the people of Israel and shall give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the LORD, so as to make atonement for your lives.” Exodus 30:16 (ESV)

This points towards Jesus who paid the ransom for our atonement, once for all.

Built by The Spirit

and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, Exodus 31:3–4 (ESV)

God filled Bezalel with His Holy Spirit so that the tabernacle could be furnished to His glory. This also points to the fact that Jesus builds the church by the Holy Spirit. God has given us His Spirit and the practical abilities that we need to work in His house, for His glory.

God responds to prayer

And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people. Exodus 32:14 (ESV)

Moses intercessory prayer points towards Jesus’ intercessory ministry. When we pray to God, He is willing to respond… so pray.

John 5:31–47

Believe God’s word

But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” John 5:47 (ESV)

We must believe God’s written word, the bible, we must also come to Jesus otherwise we cannot have life.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

TGC on Prayer