Exod. 30:9 Strange incense: One that was not offered according to the formula of verses 34-38.

Exod. 30:10 The Day of Atonement would be celebrated once a year, when the high priest offered sacrifice for the sins of the nation. This sacrifice was the recognition that the human being couldn't sacrifice himself for his own sins. See the note for Leviticus 16:1-34.

Exod. 30:11-16 The tabernacle was supported in part by the tax for the expiation. All paid the same as a symbol of the rescue of their lives, because all were sinners. They paid approximately 5.5 grams of certain metals.

Exod. 30:17-21 A laver was used by the priests to wash their hands and feet. It constituted a kind of anticipation of the work that Christ completed by cleansing our sins.

Exod. 30:23 Myrrh is an extract of the tree that bears that name. Calamus is a reddish herb that smells like ginger and grows on the shores of bodies of water.

Exod. 30:24 Cassia is a fragrant plant that smells like cinnamon.

Exod. 30:31 The oil of holy ointment, which represented the Holy Spirit, was prepared for the worship and formed part of it (chap. 29).

Exod. 30:34-38 Incense was widely used in the religious ceremonies of the eastern lands. Its rare and costly ingredients gave testimony that Jehovah deserved the best as an offering.

Exod. 30:34 Stacte was the resin of a tree; an aromatic, a dark coffee colored resin; and the aromatic galbanum, originally was obtained from a plant that produces a milky substance of gummy consistency. Pure frankincense is also an aromatic and sticky resin.

Exod. 31:3 This is one of the first Scriptural references to being filled with the Spirit of GOD. The idea being expressed here is that the Spirit of GOD enriched the innate abilities of these men with wisdom to comply with their instructions. Intelligence to resolve the complex problems of the project, in knowledge and every art, necessary for realizing the work adequately.

Exod. 31:12-17 See section 3 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Exodus.

Exod. 31:12-17 Although it was necessary to construct the tabernacle quickly, that necessity didn't justify abandoning the observance of the days of rest.

Exod. 31:13 See section 1 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Exodus.

Exod. 31:13 The days of rest were the sign of the covenant between GOD and Israel, of their mutual relationship and the sanctification of the chosen people. Jehovah was the one who sanctified and strengthened them so they could obey Him.

Exod. 32:1-34:35 GOD's Disciplining, Forgiving Presence with a Disobedient People (HBH) The covenant fellowship almost immediately fell on hard times, however, Even before Moses could descend from the mountain with the tables of stone and other covenant texts, the people, with Aaron's consent, violated the covenant terms by casting an idol of gold and boring down to it. This act of apostasy brought GOD's judgment and even a threat of annihilation (32:1-29). [See the feature article, Apostasy.] Only Moses' intercession prevented the annulment of the covenant with the larger community (32:30-35).

The LORD was attentive to Moses' cry and did not utterly destroy the idolaters immediately (32:33-34). GOD did renew His promise to bring His people into the land of promise. Yahweh, however, declared that He could not go with Israel lest He destroy the stubborn, rebellious people (33:1-6). Two narratives stressing GOD's intimacy with Moses (33:7-11,18-23) only highlight the Holy One's separation from Israel more. GOD's people would never make it to the land of promise without GOD's presence. Twice Moses interceded with GOD on behalf of rebellious Israel (33:15-17; 34:9). Yahweh twice revealed Himself to Moses as a GOD of mercy and compassion (33:19; 34:6-7). GOD's mercy and compassion - not Israel's faithfulness - formed the basis for renewal of the broken covenant (34:1-28). Descending from the mountain with the tablets of the covenant, Moses appeared before his people, his face aglow with the reflection of the glory of GOD (34:29-35).

Exod. 32:1-6 Some believe that the modeling of the molten calf wasn't an attempt to abandon the worship of the one true GOD. On the contrary, the molten calf would serve as a sign of his presence. The idea has been proposed that the decision to choose a calf was due to the people having been familiarized with the worship of this type of animal in Egypt. This, however, is highly improbable. The fabrication of a calf evidenced the impatience of the Hebrews and the intent to worship Jehovah according to their criteria and not GOD's will. It also constituted an affront to Moses' leadership.

Exod. 32:1 See section 4 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Exodus.

Exod. 32:7-14 Moses accepted GOD's verdict about the unruly Hebrews, but begged that he wouldn't work with them in a way that would affect His honor or the promises that he had made. Moses' petition was granted by GOD.