2/12 Exodus 30 - Ransomed by God!

Being "ransomed by the Lord" is a key truth we need to know and understand. Likewise, we need to understand why we need to be gathering with God's people in prayer. For that matter, we need to have a handle on everything in Exodus 30, so join us in another study in the Key Chapters of the Bible!  

DISCUSSION AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS:

1. Quick review… what was the dimensions of the Tabernacle? How many rooms did it have? What were the rooms called?

2. If you walked into the Tabernacle, you’d see three pieces of furniture. To the left was the golden lamp that burned continually. To the right was the golden table with 12 loaves of bread. What would be straight ahead against the veil in the back of the room? What other piece of furniture in the next room over, was near to this item? What did the podcast suggest was the reason for the location of these two items?

3. Why was it important that the altar of incense be consecrated to God? Why was it necessary to perform this ceremony every year? How does Hebrews 9:6-14 help us understand our permanent consecration that we have in and by Christ?

4. What was burned on this altar? If this was continually burning, what would this room be filled with? In light of Psalm 141:2 and Revelation 8:3, what did this symbolize?

5. When we think of the altar of incense’s proximity to the ark’s (right next to it, though separated by the veil); what does this point to in regards to God’s presence and fellowship with His people? How does this help us see the unique value of God’s people gathering together to pray before the Lord? How does this shed light on Matthew 18:20 which says that “where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am in their midst“?

6. Verses 34-38 give us the recipe for this incense which includes frankincense. Where is does frankincense later appear in the Bible (hint: Matthew 2:11)? How does the fact that it’s used in worship of God here in Exodus 30 help us understand Jesus’ deity in Matthew 2:11?

7. What was the Bronze Laver for? Who was to use it? What did it teach the people? What would happen to those who ignored this instruction in verse 21? 8. What was a key ingredient to the holy anointing oil that’s mentioned in verses 22 to 33? Where was this also used? What was the purpose of this holy anointing oil? Could it be used for any old purpose?

9. What was the meaning of the term “ransom” in verses 11 to 16? Who was it paid for and who was it paid to?

10. What is the meaning of the term “are numbered” that’s translated in the NIV as “each one who crosses over”? How does this help us understand that this payment is made by all who “cross over” into becoming one of God’s people in covenant with Him? Was it free to “cross over”? If not, what was paid for these people?

11. Over in Matthew 17:27, only Jesus and Peter paid the temple tax (or ransom payment). What might this tell us about the age of the rest of the disciples?

12. As New Covenant Christians, what does 1st Timothy 2:6 tell us about who paid our ransom payment and how? Taking what we’ve just learned from Exodus 30 regarding the payment being made for all the men who “crossed over” to enter into covenant with God, does the “all” in 1st Timothy 2:6 mean that Jesus paid the ransom for everyone who has ever lived, or just for those who “crossed over” to enter into covenant with Jesus?

The Key Chapters Bible Podcast is a daily, 15ish minute podcast that goes over the key chapters of the Bible, one per day, explaining how it fits into the overall message of God and how it relates to our lives now. Jump in today or start back in Genesis 1!

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