117 passages · Salvation
The Lord tells Abram to leave his country and family for a land he will show him. He promises to make Abram a great nation, bless him, and bless all families of the earth through him.
As the men leave, the Lord reflects that he has chosen Abraham to teach his household justice. He says the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and he will go see for himself.
Isaac prays because Rebekah is barren, and she conceives twins who struggle in her womb. God tells her two nations are within her and the older will serve the younger; Esau and Jacob are born.
Left alone at night, Jacob wrestles with a man until daybreak. He refuses to let go until blessed, is given the name Israel, is left limping, and names the place Peniel, saying he saw God face to face.
Hearing Jacob is ill, Joseph brings his two sons. Jacob recalls God's promise at Luz and declares Ephraim and Manasseh to be his own sons, then remembers Rachel's death.
Jacob kisses the boys and blesses them, crossing his hands so his right hand rests on the younger Ephraim. He prays that God, who has shepherded him, will bless them.
While shepherding, Moses sees a bush burning without being consumed. God calls to him from it, tells him to remove his sandals on holy ground, and identifies himself as the God of Moses' ancestors.
God says he has seen Israel's suffering and will rescue them to a good land, and sends Moses to Pharaoh. Moses asks who he is to go, and God answers that he will be with him.
Moses says he is slow of speech, and God replies that he made the mouth and will help him. When Moses asks him to send someone else, God grows angry and appoints his brother Aaron as spokesman.
The text stresses that these are the Moses and Aaron the LORD told to bring Israel out. It repeats the day God told Moses to speak to Pharaoh and Moses' worry that he speaks poorly.
Israel camps before Sinai and the LORD tells Moses to remind them how he carried them on eagles' wings. If they obey his covenant they will be his treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and they answer that they will do all he says.
God describes a breastpiece with four rows of gemstones for the twelve tribes, attached to the ephod by chains and rings. Aaron will carry the tribes' names over his heart, along with the Urim and Thummim.
God announces that he has chosen Bezalel of Judah and Oholiab of Dan, filled with his Spirit and skill, to make the tent, furnishings, priestly garments, oil and incense.
Moses tells the people that the LORD has called Bezalel and Oholiab, filled them with skill and given them the ability to teach others, so they can do every kind of craft.
The workers make the breastpiece with its twelve gems for the tribes, its gold chains and rings, and tie it to the ephod with a blue cord.
The LORD will set his face against anyone who turns to mediums. He calls the people to consecrate themselves and keep his statutes, since he is the one who makes them holy.
Moses collects twelve staffs and places them in the Tent. Next day Aaron's has sprouted, blossomed and produced almonds, and Moses shows all the staffs to the people.
Balaam says Balak asked him to curse Israel, but he cannot curse those whom God has not cursed. He sees a numerous people who live apart, and Balak angrily complains that Balaam has blessed them instead.
Moses says God chose Israel not because they were numerous but because He loved them and kept His oath. God is faithful to those who love Him and repays those who hate Him, so they should obey.
Moses asks what God requires: to fear Him, walk in His ways, love and serve Him. He says God owns everything, cares for the fatherless, widow, and foreigner, and Israel should love foreigners too. He urges them to circumcise their hearts.
Moses says Israel are sons of the LORD and holy, so they must not cut themselves or shave their foreheads in mourning for the dead.
Moses urges Israel to keep the statutes wholeheartedly. Israel has declared the LORD its God and the LORD has declared Israel his treasured people, promising them honor above the nations as a holy people.
Moses and the priests call Israel to be silent and listen, since they have become the LORD's people. They are to obey his voice and commands.
The LORD will defeat Israel's enemies, bless their barns and work, and make them his holy people. Other nations will see and stand in awe, provided Israel does not turn to other gods.
Every group of Israel, from leaders to children and resident foreigners, stands before the LORD to enter his covenant and oath. It also binds future generations who are not present.
Moses asks that Reuben live and be many, that the LORD hear Judah and help him against enemies, and that Levi keep the Urim and Thummim and teach God's law. Levi is praised for loyalty at Massah and Meribah.
Benjamin is called beloved of the LORD, resting securely under God's protection. Joseph is blessed with rich land, dew, harvest, and strength like a wild ox to push nations.
Moses blesses Zebulun and Issachar in their work, Gad's fierce strength, Dan as a lion's cub, Naphtali with favor, and Asher with abundance and security.
Moses closes by praising the God who rides the heavens to help Israel, whose everlasting arms carry them. He declares Israel blessed as a people saved by the LORD, who will drive out their enemies and live in security.
Joshua relays God's words: Abraham's ancestors worshiped other gods beyond the Euphrates, but God led Abraham into Canaan and gave him Isaac, Jacob and Esau. Jacob's family then went down to Egypt.