MOSES TALKS WITH GOD EXODUS 34 "Come back up to the top of Mount Sinai," God told Moses. "Bring two more stone tablets. I will write the commandments again." Moses obeyed God. Early in the morning he went up the mountain. There God appeared as a pillar of cloud. "I am the Lord," God said to Moses. "I am a kind God. I don't get angry quickly, and I am full of love. I show my love by forgiving sins." As soon as Moses heard these words, he worshiped the Lord. "Please go with us through the wilderness," Moses begged. "Please forgive the people for their sins." So the Lord agreed. He would go with Moses and his people to the Promised Land. "But you must never become like the wicked people who are now living in the Promised Land," God told Moses. Then the Lord gave Moses instructions about three great feasts. The Israelites were to hold these three feasts to honor the Lord each year. Moses stayed with the Lord on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights. It was during this time that God wrote the Ten Commandments again on the new tablets of stone. He also gave Moses many other instructions. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, his face glowed. That's because he had been with the Lord. Moses shared with the people what God had told him. His face was so bright that he had to put a veil over it. DISCUSSION: Why did Moses go back to the top of Mount Sinai? The Lord came to Moses in a certain form. What was it? How long was Moses on the mountain? What caused Moses' face to glow? What did Moses wear so the people could look at him? When we spend time with God, do you think we reflect Him in some ways? Spending time with God makes us more like Him! Spend time reading God's word. Spend time praying. You will become more like God as you do.
Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert
GIFTS FOR THE TABERNACLE EXODUS 35:1-36:7 One day Moses called the Israelites together. "You will work six days each week," he said. "But the seventh day is holy, a day of rest." Then Moses told the people about the Tabernacle, the beautiful tent that God wanted them to make. This would be a special place where God could be and where the people could worship Him. "Those who are generous, bring your gifts for the Tabernacle," Moses said. "You are not required to bring the offerings. Bring only what you want to give." The people began to bring special gifts. Many of these were treasures the people of Egypt had given to them. God's people gave gold jewelry, different colors of yarn, silver, and bronze. They brought beautiful wood and fine linen. They gave shiny stones, spices, and oil. Many people volunteered to help with the construction. Bezalel was the foreman. He was skilled at making things. He and Obadiah taught others their skills. So Moses brought the gifts for the Tabernacle to these two men. At last the time came when there was enough. "Tell the people to stop giving," the workmen said to Moses. "We have more than enough to build the Tabernacle." So Moses told the people to stop giving. What a wonderful feeling everyone must have had. They had given the Lord even more than He needed! DISCUSSION: Did Moses tell the people that they had to give? What did he tell them? What kinds of gifts did the people give? Where did they get many of the treasures? Who was going to do the work? Why is it good to see people cheerfully give to the Lord? God loves a cheerful giver. He really doesn't want what we don't want to give Him. Are you a cheerful giver? Do you like to give to God? Never give with a grumble -- give with a smile! Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert
THE TABERNACLE IS BUILT EXODUS 36:8-40:38 There has never been a tent like the Tabernacle. And there will never be another tent like it. God had told Moses how to make it. The people of Israel gave their treasures. Many volunteered to help with the work. The Tabernacle was made of ten large sheets of fine linen with blue, purple, and red angel figures sewn on them. These linen sheets had blue ribbons along the edges, connected by clasps of gold. The roof was made from sheets of goats' hair. Two more layers of roof were made of rams skins and goatskins. The sides of the Tabernacle had beautiful wood frames set in silver bases. The frames were fastened together with wood bars. These frames and bars were covered with pure gold. The inner curtain was made of blue, purple, and red woven linen with angel figures sewn on it. It was attached by golden hooks. The curtain for the doorway was also fine linen, with blue, purple, and red embroidery. Think of all the work the people did to make these things. There were no machines. Everything was handwork. Bezalel made a very special box called an Ark. He made it from wood and covered it with pure gold inside and outside. It had four gold rings. He put two goldcovered wooden poles through these rings so the Ark could be carried. The lid of the Ark was pure gold. On top of it were two gold statues of angels with outstretched wings. Bezalel also made a gold-covered table and golden bowls, dishes, and pitchers. He made a beautiful gold lampstand that had a main stem and six branches, three on each side. And he made a gold-covered incense altar. The incense was made from sweet spices. The altar for burnt offerings was made of wood and covered with bronze. Pots, shovels, basins, meat hooks, and fire pans used for the burnt offerings were also made of bronze. A large bronze wash basin was made from the solid bronze mirrors that the Egyptian women had given to the Israelite women.
Around the Tabernacle was a beautiful courtyard. It was surrounded by linen curtains, held up by bronze posts with silver hooks and rods. All the nails used for the Tabernacle and courtyard were made of bronze. The priests were to wear beautiful linen. Their clothes were made exactly the way the Lord had commanded. Moses blessed the workmen. They had followed the Lord's instructions exactly. Now the Tabernacle was put together. The Ark, which held the Ten Commandments, was put in the Holy of Holies. That was the small room that was farthest inside the Tabernacle. The table, lampstand, and incense altar were placed in the next room. Outside, in the courtyard, was the altar for burnt offerings and the big wash basin. Aaron and his sons were set apart as the priests. When all the work was done, the cloud that showed the Lord's presence covered the Tabernacle. The glory of the Lord filled the holy tent. In the days to come, when the cloud lifted and moved, the people of Israel followed it. But when the cloud stayed, the people didn't move. By day in continued to be a pillar of cloud. By night it was a pillar of fire. This is how the Lord led the people through the wilderness. DISCUSSION: Who gave the plans for the Tabernacle? Did the workmen follow the plans? How did the people know that God was there at the Tabernacle? How did God show when the people should move? God wants us to worship Him everywhere. But He also has special places where we can worship Him. The Tabernacle was God's house. Your church is also God's house. You go there to talk with God and learn about Him. God's house is a special place! Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert
moving day for god's house Numbers 10:11-36 The Israelites had been gone from Egypt for more than a year. For most of that time they had camped in the wilderness near Mount Sinai. It took a long time for God to give Moses all the laws to govern the people. It took a long time for God to give Moses the plans for the Tabernacle. It also took a long time to build the Tabernacle. But now the cloud lifted up from the Tabernacle. So Moses and the people knew that God was ready to lead them away from Mount Sinai. The Israelites followed the cloud until it stopped in the wilderness of Paran. They traveled by family groups called tribes, with the tribe of Judah leading the way. Several other tribes started out behind Judah. Then it was time to take the Tabernacle down. The Levites, who were from the tribe of Levi, carried the Tabernacle. More family tribes followed behind them until all of the tribes of Israel were once again on their way to the Promised Land. Along the way, Moses spoke with his brother-in-law, Hobab. "Come with us," Moses said. "We are going to the Promised Land. God has good things for us there." But Hobab refused. "I must go home to my people," he said. Moses pleaded with Hobab. We don't know if he went home or stayed with Moses. The people traveled from Mount Sinai for three days. The cloud with God's presence led the way. The Ark, which was the golden box with the Ten Commandments inside, was at the front of the procession. Each time the Levites picked up the Ark and started out, Moses prayed, "Arise, O Lord. Scatter your enemies." Whenever the Ark was set down at the place where the people would camp, Moses prayed again. "Return, O Lord, to the millions of Israelites." DISCUSSION: Where had the Israelites been for the past year? Where were they going next? Was this the first time they had moved the Tabernacle? Who told them how to move? Who led the procession? What piece of Tabernacle furniture was at the head of the procession? God goes with us wherever we go. When you go to a new place, do you pray to God first? How do you know He will be in the new place just as He was in the old place?
Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert
SOMEONE TO HELP MOSES NUMBERS 11 Trouble came to the Israelite camp again, so the Israelites began to complain. The Lord was angry and sent fire at the far end of the camp. Then the people were afraid. They begged Moses for help. When he prayed, the fire stopped. They called that place "the place of burning." Some Egyptians had come with the Israelites. They longed for the good food in Egypt. This made the Israelites long for that food too. "Remember the good meat and fish we had there?" they said. "The cucumbers, the melons, onion, and garlic were so good. Now all we have is this manna!" The manna tasted something like pancakes or honey bread. Moses was very unhappy when he heard the people complaining. So he began to complain to the Lord. "Why did you ever give me this job?" he asked. "The burden of leading all these people is too much. I can't carry this big load alone." "Call the 70 leaders of Israel to you," the Lord said. "I will give them the Spirit that you have. Then they will be able to help you carry the load.. "Also tell the people that I've heard them complain about the manna. So I will give them meat to eat." Moses told the people what the Lord said. He called the 70 leaders of Israel together near the Tabernacle. Then the Lord gave these 70 the Spirit that Moses had. They began to prophesy. That night the Lord sent a wind. It blew quail in from the sea. The quail fell into the camp. They flew about three or four feet above the ground. Everyone gathered at least 50 bushels of quail. But as they began to eat the quail, the Lord punished them for their complaining. Some of the people got very sick and died. From that place, the Israelites moved on to Hazeroth. There they camped for some time.
DISCUSSION: Why did the Israelites complain? What did they long for? How did Moses feel about all the complaining? What did God do to help Moses? What kind of meat did God send to the Israelites? What trouble came from this meat? Grumbling and complaining will not solve our problems. Things often get worse. When we need help, we should ask God. He is able to solve all our problems. Do you need special help today? Could God help you? Will you let Him? Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert
THE TWELVE SPIES Numbers 13 "Send some spies into Canaan, the land I will give the Israelites," the Lord told Moses. "Send one leader from each tribe." At that time the Israelites were camped in the wilderness of Paran. So Moses obeyed the Lord. He sent a leader from each of the 12 tribes. "Go north into the hill country," Moses ordered. "See how many people there are and how strong they are. What are the cities like? Do the cities have walls around them? What is the land like? Are there many trees? Don't be afraid. Bring some crops back." So the spies went into Canaan during the grape harvest. They saw the ancient city of Hebron. Then they visited a beautiful valley. There they cut a very large cluster of grapes to take back. It was so large that two men had to carry it on a pole between them. They also took some pomegranates and figs with them. After 40 days the spies returned and gave their report. They showed the fruit they had brought back. "This is truly a wonderful land," they said. "It is a land that's rich like milk and honey. Look at the fruit we brought back. But the people are powerful and their cities have walls. We even saw giants there." Caleb and Joshua wanted to go into the land and capture it. The other ten spies were afraid. "We can't," they said. "The people are too big. They are great warriors. They will win over us." Now Moses had a problem. Two spies wanted to go into the land and capture it. But ten spies were afraid to do this. The ten spies were making the rest of the people feel afraid. DISCUSSION: How many spies went into the land of Canaan? What three kinds of fruit did they bring back? Who wanted to go into the land and capture it? Who didn't? God wants to give us many good things. But sometimes we must work hard for them. Why? Because we wouldn't appreciate them or take care of them if they came too easily.
God gives us good things to eat. He gives us a home to live in. He gives us clothes to wear. You and your parents must work to get these things. But they are all gifts that God helps you get. Remember to thank Him for them! Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert
the b-i-b-l-e... god's book! Have you ever had a bad day at school? Have you ever had an argument with your brother or sister? Is there any place you can get away from trouble? Yes, there is! Here is what the Bible tells us. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Psalm 32:7 DISCUSSION: God is a refuge, our safe place, the only place we can truly hide from the bad things that may happen in our lives. What is troubling you most right now? Do you ever feel that you would like to hide from it? God is that kind of hiding place. Talk with him about your trouble right now. Ask him to help you deal with it. You want to do what is right, don't you? But how do you know what is right? Who can help you know that? The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 DISCUSSION: God will not only guide us, but He will show us the best way for us. Then He will go with us to advise us and watch over us. Where should I go? What should I do? Have you ever asked those questions? Who did you ask? Yourself? We don't know what is best because we don't know what is ahead. But God knows everything that will happen to us in the future. So He knows the best way for us. He will even go with us to guide us.
God doesn't put us in a maze, turn out the lights, and tell us "good luck"! He knows everything about us and our future - things we have no way of knowing. To make sure we have the best future possible, all we need to do is ask God to go with us every day and help us know what is best! Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert