Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Exodus 26:15-37 and Luke 1:3-25 (NLT)

Exodus 26:15-37
The Tabernacle

15  “For the framework of the Tabernacle, construct frames of acacia wood.
16  Each frame must be 15 feet high and 27 inches wide,
17  with two pegs under each frame. Make all the frames identical.
18  Make twenty of these frames to support the curtains on the south side of the Tabernacle.
19  Also make forty silver bases—two bases under each frame, with the pegs fitting securely into the bases.
20  For the north side of the Tabernacle, make another twenty frames,
21  with their forty silver bases, two bases under each frame.
22  Make six frames for the rear—the west side of the Tabernacle—
23  along with two additional frames to reinforce the rear corners of the Tabernacle.
24  These corner frames will be matched at the bottom and firmly attached at the top with a single ring, forming a single corner unit. Make both of these corner units the same way.
25  So there will be eight frames at the rear of the Tabernacle, set in sixteen silver bases—two bases under each frame.
26  “Make crossbars of acacia wood to link the frames, five crossbars for the north side of the Tabernacle
27  and five for the south side. Also make five crossbars for the rear of the Tabernacle, which will face west.
28  The middle crossbar, attached halfway up the frames, will run all the way from one end of the Tabernacle to the other.
29  Overlay the frames with gold, and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Overlay the crossbars with gold as well.
30  “Set up this Tabernacle according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain.
31  “For the inside of the Tabernacle, make a special curtain of finely woven linen. Decorate it with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim.
32  Hang this curtain on gold hooks attached to four posts of acacia wood. Overlay the posts with gold, and set them in four silver bases.
33  Hang the inner curtain from clasps, and put the Ark of the Covenant in the room behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
34  “Then put the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—on top of the Ark of the Covenant inside the Most Holy Place.
35  Place the table outside the inner curtain on the north side of the Tabernacle, and place the lampstand across the room on the south side.
36  “Make another curtain for the entrance to the sacred tent. Make it of finely woven linen and embroider it with exquisite designs, using blue, purple, and scarlet thread.
37  Craft five posts from acacia wood. Overlay them with gold, and hang the curtain from them with gold hooks. Cast five bronze bases for the posts.

Luke 1:3-25
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
3    Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus,
4    so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
5    When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron.
6    Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.
7    They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
8    One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.
9    As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.
10  While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.
11  While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar.
12  Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.
13  But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.
14  You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15  for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.
16  And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God.
17  He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”
18  Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”
19  Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!
20  But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”
21  Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long.
22  When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.
23  When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home.
24  Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months.
25  “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

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