Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1 to 25 of 88 results

Exodus 6:28--7:7

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Exodus 7–12 describes the Lord’s dramatic intervention in the lives of the Israelites. God accomplishes two main objectives through the plagues and the eventual exit from Egypt in the crossing of the sea. We see these in the refrains, “Let my people go so that they might worship me,” and “so you may know that I am the LORD.” These events reveal that God is the Creator of all things and the redeeme...

2. Aaron's Staff Becomes a Snake

Exodus 7:8-13

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

7:8–13 The conflict between the pharaoh and the Lord commences with a prefatory symbolic wonder. While Moses’ staff is sometimes called the “staff of the Lord” (4:20; 17:9), God uses the staffs of Aaron and Moses interchangeably to perform the wonders in Egypt. In the first encounter with the pharaoh, Aaron’s staff becomes a reptile. In the first two wonders God tells Moses to take his staff (v. 1...

3. Anointing Oil

Exodus 30:22-33

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Exodus 30 includes instructions essential to priestly service in the tabernacle: making the gold incense altar for the tent of meeting (vv. 1–10); collecting the tabernacle census tax (vv. 11–16); making the bronze basin for the courtyard (vv. 17–21); the anointing oil ingredients (vv. 18–33); and the incense recipe (vv. 34–38). 30:22–33 Producing the anointing oil required large amounts of fine s...

4. At Mount Sinai

Exodus 19:1-25

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Meeting God at Sinai: Exodus 19 is the theological and literary pivot of Exodus. Nowhere do we find a fuller revelation of God in relation to the people. In the preceding chapters Israel had been “let go” from serving the pharaoh so that they might serve/worship the Lord. Here they serve/worship at the place of Moses’ original calling and receive their own call to be God’s “kingdom of priests” to ...

5. Atonement Money

Exodus 30:11-16

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Exodus 30 includes instructions essential to priestly service in the tabernacle: making the gold incense altar for the tent of meeting (vv. 1–10); collecting the tabernacle census tax (vv. 11–16); making the bronze basin for the courtyard (vv. 17–21); the anointing oil ingredients (vv. 18–33); and the incense recipe (vv. 34–38). 30:11–16 The Lord instituted a tabernacle census tax for two purposes...

6. Basin for Washing

Exodus 30:17-21

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Exodus 30 includes instructions essential to priestly service in the tabernacle: making the gold incense altar for the tent of meeting (vv. 1–10); collecting the tabernacle census tax (vv. 11–16); making the bronze basin for the courtyard (vv. 17–21); the anointing oil ingredients (vv. 18–33); and the incense recipe (vv. 34–38). 30:17–21 The bronze basin or “laver” was to be for the priests to was...

7. Basin for Washing (II)

Ex 38:8

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Building: Altar, Basin, and Courtyard · Again the text repeats, almost verbatim, the details of the work the craftsmen accomplished according to the instructions God gave Moses in Exodus 25–30. After completing the furnishings for the tent of meeting, they made the “altar of burnt offering” and the “bronze basin” for washing for the courtyard. They hung the “courtyard curtains” on their “posts.” T...

8. Bazalel and Oholiab

Exodus 31:12-18

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

31:12–18 The Lord told Moses to remind the people of the gift of Sabbath rest, that God established in the creation, and of God’s holiness, conferred upon them. They were to remember that the Lord created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. The people were about to begin the creation of the tabernacle as God’s work in the world. The Lord made the earth as a dwelling place for them. No...

9. Bezalel and Oholiab (II)

Exodus 35:30--36:7

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

35:30–35 Moses addressed the people concerning the overseers of the creation of the tabernacle (31:1–11). Bezalel was filled . . . . with the Spirit of God. God filled both Bezalel and Oholiab . . . with skill, ability and knowledge. God also gave them the ability to teach others. The last verse of the chapter refers to the others, who were taught. They, too, were filled with skill as master craft...

10. Bricks Without Straw

Exodus 5:1-21

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

The major theme of Exodus 5 focuses on the question, “Who will serve whom?” The players and their commitments are center stage: Aaron and Moses, the pharaoh and his servants, and the Israelite foremen caught in between. The conflict that begins here will not be resolved until Exodus 12:31–33. This chapter echoes some of the material in Exodus 1, reminding readers of the situation in Egypt: heavy ...

11. Consecration of the Firstborn

Exodus 13:1-16

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

The first sixteen verses of Exodus 13 belong to the framework that begins in Exodus 12. They return to the themes of unleavened bread and the firstborn, completing the braided work of 12:1–13:16 (see an outline of this structure in §13). The observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (B′) in verses 2–10, with Moses speaking the message to the people, mirrors God’s words to Moses in (B), 12:14–20....

12. Consecration of the Priests

Exodus 29:1-46

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Instructions: Aaron’s Consecration, the Altar Consecration, and Daily Sacrifices: “After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests” (28:41). Exodus 29 contains specific instructions for the priestly consecration and ordination ceremony, including three sacrifices and the consecration of the bronze altar. It als...

13. Crossing the Sea

Exodus 13:17--14:31

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

13:17–22 These verses introduce the next major section (13:17–15:21) that takes the Israelites to the wilderness by way of the sea. We return to the story of the exit from Egypt with three brief notes. First, we look ahead to the geographical route. Next, we look back in history to an oath made about Joseph. Then we are brought up to date on a new manifestation of the Lord’s presence in cloud and ...

14. Family Record of Moses and Aaron

Exodus 6:13-27

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

6:10–30 The remainder of this chapter establishes Aaron’s call and credentials. The genealogy functions mainly to demonstrate his legitimacy as a leader with Moses. The narrative structure ingeniously serves this purpose, as it begins and ends with Moses’ concern about his faltering lips (vv. 12, 30)—which makes Aaron’s presence necessary. The Lord’s instructions to Moses to speak to Pharaoh king ...

15. God Promises Deliverance

Exodus 5:22--6:12

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

5:22–6:1 At the end of this first round, Pharaoh has clearly won. Everyone is discouraged, including Moses, who complained to God. Yahweh responded as though everything was going according to plan. The Lord had told Moses that Pharaoh would refuse (3:19; 4:21).. The key word in Moses’ complaint is “trouble” (raʿaʿ, “evil plight,” or “catastrophic situation”). The foremen also realized they were in...

16. God's Angel to Prepare the Way

Exodus 23:20-33

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Covenant Laws IV: Corruption, Poverty, Three Festivals, God’s Promises: The book of the covenant concludes with laws that establish judicial integrity (vv. 1–9); Sabbath laws that protect the poor and beasts of burden (vv. 10–13); and the institution of three yearly festivals (vv. 14–19). Then the text returns to the narrative of God’s promises to Moses (vv. 20–33). The alternating pattern of soci...

17. Hebrew Servants

Exodus 21:2-11

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Covenant Laws I: Debt Slaves and Capital Offenses: Israel’s law codes have a unique context. Other ancient Near Eastern cultures had laws that were similar in form and content, but none were integrated into an account of deliverance. Israel’s law is unique in that it is embedded in the story of the Lord’s salvation and desire to ensure the well-being of the people. In Exodus, narrative sections bo...

18. Idols and Altars

Exodus 20:22--21:1

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

20:22–26 Exodus 20 continues with Moses’ conversation with God. It serves as a transition to the lengthy legal corpus called “the Book of the Covenant” in 24:7. These verses function as a preamble to the law code, reminding the people that the Lord was not a created god, but had spoken to you from heaven. The description of the Creator’s altar answered the implied question, “If the Lord is not a c...

19. Incense

Exodus 30:34-38

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Exodus 30 includes instructions essential to priestly service in the tabernacle: making the gold incense altar for the tent of meeting (vv. 1–10); collecting the tabernacle census tax (vv. 11–16); making the bronze basin for the courtyard (vv. 17–21); the anointing oil ingredients (vv. 18–33); and the incense recipe (vv. 34–38). 30:34–38 The second recipe from the Lord was for a fragrant blend of ...

20. Jethro Visits Moses

Exodus 18:1-27

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Jethro, the non-Israelite, met Moses and the Israelites in peace. The first half of Exodus 18 describes the circumstances of Moses’ reunion with his father-in-law Jethro, his wife Zipporah, and his sons. The conversation and action, however, focus on Jethro. Moses’ witness to the Lord’s deliverance is followed by a description of Jethro’s belief and celebration meal with the elders of Israel. The ...

21. Laws of Justice and Mercy

Exodus 23:1-9

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

22. Manna and Quail

Exodus 16:1-36

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Leadership, Learning, Manna, Meat, and the First Sabbath Rest: In Exodus 16, Israel begins learning to walk in the Lord’s way (vv. 4b, 28b). The survival of the people depended on the transformation of their culture. The text presents a jumble of themes around this purpose, some for the first time in Exodus: the grumbling and lessons of the newly redeemed slaves; the status of Moses and Aaron’s le...

23. Materials for the Tabernacle

Exodus 35:4-29

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Building Yahweh’s Dwelling Place: Willing Hearts · Exodus 35 is remarkable for the dramatic reversal and transformation after a word of forgiveness from the Lord. The people prepared to build the tabernacle with full and willing hearts. The structure of the chapter illustrates the reversal by forming a mirror image of Exodus 31 (the last chapter before the golden-calf crisis), presenting similar m...

24. Moses and the Burning Bush

Exodus 3:1-22

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

The third chapter of Exodus is filled with revelation and interaction. It includes a theophany (the appearing of God) and the story of Moses’ call. Moses meets God for the first time in the burning bush, where God calls him to go back to Egypt. We are reminded of the oppression there and hear the first two of Moses’ five objections to God’s call. Exodus 3 gives the name of the Lord, repeats the pr...

25. Moses and the Glory of the Lord

Exodus 33:12-23

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Crisis: Will Yahweh Go with Them? Following Moses’ discovery of the golden calf, Moses and the Lord engaged in conversation as God decided what to do (v. 5). The primary question was whether the Lord would continue to go with them personally (vv. 3, 5, 12, 14–16; see also 34:9). Exodus 32 had ended with the Lord’s immediate negative reaction to their betrayal (32:33–34). God initially decides not ...

Showing results

Showing 1 to 25 of 88 results

1. Aaron to Speak for Moses

Exodus 6:28--7:7

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

2. Aaron's Staff Becomes a Snake

Exodus 7:8-13

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

3. Anointing Oil

Exodus 30:22-33

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

4. At Mount Sinai

Exodus 19:1-25

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

5. Atonement Money

Exodus 30:11-16

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Exodus 30 includes instructions essential to priestly service in the tabernacle: making the gold incense altar for the tent of meeting (vv. 1–10); collecting the tabernacle census tax (vv. 11–16); making the bronze basin for the courtyard (vv. 17–21); the anointing oil ingredients (vv. 18–33); and the incense recipe (vv. 34–38). 30:11–16 The Lord instituted a tabernacle census tax for two purposes...

6. Basin for Washing

Exodus 30:17-21

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Exodus 30 includes instructions essential to priestly service in the tabernacle: making the gold incense altar for the tent of meeting (vv. 1–10); collecting the tabernacle census tax (vv. 11–16); making the bronze basin for the courtyard (vv. 17–21); the anointing oil ingredients (vv. 18–33); and the incense recipe (vv. 34–38). 30:17–21 The bronze basin or “laver” was to be for the priests to was...

7. Basin for Washing (II)

Ex 38:8

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

8. Bazalel and Oholiab

Exodus 31:12-18

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

9. Bezalel and Oholiab (II)

Exodus 35:30--36:7

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

10. Bricks Without Straw

Exodus 5:1-21

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

11. Consecration of the Firstborn

Exodus 13:1-16

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

12. Consecration of the Priests

Exodus 29:1-46

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

13. Crossing the Sea

Exodus 13:17--14:31

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

14. Family Record of Moses and Aaron

Exodus 6:13-27

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

15. God Promises Deliverance

Exodus 5:22--6:12

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

16. God's Angel to Prepare the Way

Exodus 23:20-33

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

17. Hebrew Servants

Exodus 21:2-11

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

18. Idols and Altars

Exodus 20:22--21:1

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

19. Incense

Exodus 30:34-38

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Exodus 30 includes instructions essential to priestly service in the tabernacle: making the gold incense altar for the tent of meeting (vv. 1–10); collecting the tabernacle census tax (vv. 11–16); making the bronze basin for the courtyard (vv. 17–21); the anointing oil ingredients (vv. 18–33); and the incense recipe (vv. 34–38). 30:34–38 The second recipe from the Lord was for a fragrant blend of ...

20. Jethro Visits Moses

Exodus 18:1-27

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

21. Laws of Justice and Mercy

Exodus 23:1-9

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

22. Manna and Quail

Exodus 16:1-36

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner