Tag: Tribulation

Caught Up

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Don’t get caught up in affairs that only God can fix as toiling in confusion is the opposition’s prominent weapon.”

TB

On Guard

The devil will try to get you to fixate on matters that God can tend to. Why? Because when you’re on guard and distracted, you’re less likely to be doing what God called you to do in the first place. While you’re stewing on inconsequential things, the plans God laid out for you sit in vain. Friends, don’t get caught up in the devil’s tricks.

Let Go

Instead of getting caught up in the things you cannot control, let them go and let God handle it. When we learn how to bask in the stillness of peace, we learn to quiet our fears, anger, rage, and the like to practice perseverance to run our race. This requires a deep relationship of trust in Christ. Imagine if Joseph stayed caught up in his situation rather than moving forward. Surely he would not have ended up victorious and he did. So friends, stay close to God, cling to His clear path for your life to run your race.

Today’s Question

Are you caught up or are you letting go?

Enjoy the reading

Ezekiel 27

1 Then this message came to me from the LORD : 2 “Son of man, sing a funeral song for Tyre, 3 that mighty gateway to the sea, the trading center of the world. Give Tyre this message from the Sovereign LORD : “You boasted, O Tyre, ‘My beauty is perfect!’ 4 You extended your boundaries into the sea. Your builders made your beauty perfect. 5 You were like a great ship built of the finest cypress from Senir. They took a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you. 6 They carved your oars from the oaks of Bashan. Your deck of pine from the coasts of Cyprus was inlaid with ivory. 7 Your sails were made of Egypt’s finest linen, and they flew as a banner above you. You stood beneath blue and purple awnings made bright with dyes from the coasts of Elishah. 8 Your oarsmen came from Sidon and Arvad; your helmsmen were skilled men from Tyre itself. 9 Wise old craftsmen from Gebal did the caulking. Ships from every land came with goods to barter for your trade. 10 “Men from distant Persia, Lydia, and Libya served in your great army. They hung their shields and helmets on your walls, giving you great honor. 11 Men from Arvad and Helech stood on your walls. Your towers were manned by men from Gammad. Their shields hung on your walls, completing your beauty. 12 “Tarshish sent merchants to buy your wares in exchange for silver, iron, tin, and lead. 13 Merchants from Greece, Tubal, and Meshech brought slaves and articles of bronze to trade with you. 14 “From Beth-togarmah came riding horses, chariot horses, and mules, all in exchange for your goods. 15 Merchants came to you from Dedan. Numerous coastlands were your captive markets; they brought payment in ivory tusks and ebony wood. 16 “Syria sent merchants to buy your rich variety of goods. They traded turquoise, purple dyes, embroidery, fine linen, and jewelry of coral and rubies. 17 Judah and Israel traded for your wares, offering wheat from Minnith, figs, honey, olive oil, and balm. 18 “Damascus sent merchants to buy your rich variety of goods, bringing wine from Helbon and white wool from Zahar. 19 Greeks from Uzal came to trade for your merchandise. Wrought iron, cassia, and fragrant calamus were bartered for your wares. 20 “Dedan sent merchants to trade their expensive saddle blankets with you. 21 The Arabians and the princes of Kedar sent merchants to trade lambs and rams and male goats in exchange for your goods. 22 The merchants of Sheba and Raamah came with all kinds of spices, jewels, and gold in exchange for your wares. 23 “Haran, Canneh, Eden, Sheba, Asshur, and Kilmad came with their merchandise, too. 24 They brought choice fabrics to trade—blue cloth, embroidery, and multicolored carpets rolled up and bound with cords. 25 The ships of Tarshish were your ocean caravans. Your island warehouse was filled to the brim! 26 “But look! Your oarsmen have taken you into stormy seas! A mighty eastern gale has wrecked you in the heart of the sea! 27 Everything is lost— your riches and wares, your sailors and pilots, your ship builders, merchants, and warriors. On the day of your ruin, everyone on board sinks into the depths of the sea. 28 Your cities by the sea tremble as your pilots cry out in terror. 29 All the oarsmen abandon their ships; the sailors and pilots stand on the shore. 30 They cry aloud over you and weep bitterly. They throw dust on their heads and roll in ashes. 31 They shave their heads in grief for you and dress themselves in burlap. They weep for you with bitter anguish and deep mourning. 32 As they wail and mourn over you, they sing this sad funeral song: ‘Was there ever such a city as Tyre, now silent at the bottom of the sea? 33 The merchandise you traded satisfied the desires of many nations. Kings at the ends of the earth were enriched by your trade. 34 Now you are a wrecked ship, broken at the bottom of the sea. All your merchandise and crew have gone down with you. 35 All who live along the coastlands are appalled at your terrible fate. Their kings are filled with horror and look on with twisted faces. 36 The merchants among the nations shake their heads at the sight of you, for you have come to a horrible end and will exist no more.’”

Darkest Hour

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Do you not fear your darkest hour because to fully realize God’s grace, you must know what he is sparing you from.”~TB

Unlearn

If I could give any advice to people— young and old— I would tell them to reject the teachings and ideas of the world. If you believe them, your perception and understanding of God’s will always be distorted. People tell each other the dumbest things, that have nothing to do with God, His grace, or even what His will is in your life. The world will sooner tell you it’s ok to become a unicorn rather than acknowledge God’s existence. The world and its ways are upside down. This is especially true when it comes to hard times and bad events

Necessary

Dark Times produce the purest fruit, because whatever leaves wasn’t necessary and whatever remains is what will see you through. Your darkest hour will reveal how much you truly need the Lord and that all things work according to His plan. Humility and submission will open your eyes to what exactly is going on around you. In hard times, look to see the lessons. Remember that those tough moments didn’t break you. No, you survived! When you are spared from these crazy moments, you then realize that God’s Will is the only way. Surviving harsh times makes you grateful for salvation and everything in between. So the next time you’re being tested or going through a struggle, let God guide you through the moment.

Today’s Question

Are you learning from your darkest hour or is bitterness setting in?

Enjoy the reading

Song of Solomon 7

1 How beautiful are your sandaled feet, O queenly maiden. Your rounded thighs are like jewels, the work of a skilled craftsman.
2Your navel is perfectly formed like a goblet filled with mixed wine. Between your thighs lies a mound of wheat bordered with lilies.
3 Your breasts are like two fawns, twin fawns of a gazelle.
4 Your neck is as beautiful as an ivory tower. Your eyes are like the sparkling pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim. Your nose is as fine as the tower of Lebanon overlooking Damascus.
5 Your head is as majestic as Mount Carmel, and the sheen of your hair radiates royalty. The king is held captive by its tresses.
6 Oh, how beautiful you are! How pleasing, my love, how full of delights!
7 You are slender like a palm tree, and your breasts are like its clusters of fruit.
8 I said, “I will climb the palm tree and take hold of its fruit.” May your breasts be like grape clusters, and the fragrance of your breath like apples.
9 May your kisses be as exciting as the best wine— Young Woman Yes, wine that goes down smoothly for my lover, flowing gently over lips and teeth.
10 I am my lover’s, and he claims me as his own.
11Come, my love, let us go out to the fields and spend the night among the wildflowers.
12Let us get up early and go to the vineyards to see if the grapevines have budded, if the blossoms have opened, and if the pomegranates have bloomed. There I will give you my love.
13 There the mandrakes give off their fragrance, and the finest fruits are at our door, new delights as well as old, which I have saved for you, my lover.

Help > Hinder

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“So you’re spiritually mature, great! Now, step aside and let others pass theirs instead of trying to do the work for them.”~TB

God’s Concepts

The longer you spend with God, the more you understand how complex yet simple His love and teachings are. Like a game of chess, it takes a lifetime to study God’s ways. Even still, the wisest of us all will never truly and fully understand the miraculousness that is God. Depending on where you are on the spectrum, God will use you for His purpose, but friends, do your job and nothing more, as we all learn at a different pace.

 

Learning Curve

Everyone goes through trials and tests at their own pace. Some learn faster than others. And some need to retake certain tests before they ace the exam. No person’s journey is superior to another’s, no matter how quickly they learn. If you are a quick learner, be a help and not a hindrance.

Help

Helping others is part of the journey that is being a Christ-follower. This means encouraging the downtrodden, aiding those enduring hard times, and giving mercy to one another. It’s great to help, but when helping turns into servitude, you’re doing too much.

Hinder

Yes, it’s natural to want to step in so that loved ones do not endure pain. However, everyone needs to go through their own tests so that they can learn the lessons and grow closer to God in the process. When you overstep in “helping” you’re actually hinder the person’s growth and maturity. Assist when necessary and let others develop accordingly.

Today’s Question

Is your help a hindrance?

Enjoy the reading

Proverbs 24

1 Don’t envy evil people or desire their company. 
2 For their hearts plot violence, and their words always stir up trouble. 
3 A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. 
4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables. 
5 The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger. 
6 So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers. 
7 Wisdom is too lofty for fools. Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say. 
8 A person who plans evil will get a reputation as a troublemaker. 
9 The schemes of a fool are sinful; everyone detests a mocker. 
10 If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small. 
11 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. 
12 Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve. 
13 My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. 
14 In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.
15 Don’t wait in ambush at the home of the godly, and don’t raid the house where the godly live. 
16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. 
17 Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble. 
18 For the LORD will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them. 
19 Don’t fret because of evildoers; don’t envy the wicked. 
20 For evil people have no future; the light of the wicked will be snuffed out. 
21My child, fear the LORD and the king. Don’t associate with rebels, 
22 for disaster will hit them suddenly. Who knows what punishment will come from the LORD and the king? 
23 Here are some further sayings of the wise: It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment. 
24 A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations. 
25 But it will go well for those who convict the guilty; rich blessings will be showered on them. 
26 An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship. 
27 Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house. 
28 Don’t testify against your neighbors without cause; don’t lie about them. 
29 And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me! I’ll get even with them!” 
30 I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one with no common sense. 
31 I saw that it was overgrown with nettles. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down. 
32 Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson: 
33 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 
34 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.

 

Calm Down

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Life will always present new opportunities and challenges, so hang tight, calm down, and remember who made you.”~TB

Filtered

This sin fallen world will lull you into the fake belief that Christian life is some perfect-Instagram-able filter, where Jesus protects you from experiencing any pain or hardship. Many of you believe that if bad things happen, God must not be around. How foolish! Read your Bibles and you will see that every single person who took up their Holy employment struggled with many things. Even David, God’s favorite, endured hardship. The enemy uses this false ploy to deceive young believers. The moment you face a struggle, you abandon ship. You cower in fear and anguish over every little thing, because you haven’t done your reading. Friends, use your hardships to deepen your relationship with God. In those moments, double-down in your faith.

Unfiltered

No one gets out of this life unbruised as we are all tested, pruned, pressed, into becoming more and more into the image of our Father in Heaven. To walk the path of Jesus means to catch a glimpse of what He endured to save us. When you understand this truth, go to the ultimate playbook, the Bible, to see how to navigate tricky situations. Troubles do not go away the closer you walk with God. However, because you’ve done your work and you know His teachings, He gives you the grace, strength, patience to endure any and every test thrown your way. So stop looking for the perfect life as a sign that God is good. God is Good because He IS. Calm down, remember the truth, and make Biblical decisions in all that you do.

Today’s Question

How do you respond to your trials and tribulations?

Enjoy the reading

Proverbs 14

1 A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. 
2 Those who follow the right path fear the LORD ; those who take the wrong path despise him. 
3 A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe. 
4Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. 
5 An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies. 
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding. 
7 Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips. 
8 The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves. 
9 Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation. 
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. 
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish. 
12 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. 
13 Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains. 
14 Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward. 
15 Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. 
16 The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. 
17 Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.
18 Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 
19 Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly. 
20 The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.” 
21 It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor. 
22 If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness. 
23 Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! 
24 Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness. 
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor. 
26 Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.
27 Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death. 
28 A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing. 
29People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. 
30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. 
31Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him. 
32 The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die. 
33Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools. 
34 Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 
35 A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him.

 

 

Be Cool

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

”All things work as God intended, so till your soil, chill out, and be cool.”~TB

Resources

Each day presents new opportunities and challenges. You have a finite amount of resources to till the soil and plant the seeds of your future harvest. The devil’s job is to get you off task and he doesn’t play fair or nice. In those moments, you have two options: be cool and plant Godly seeds, or give in to the chaos and plant seeds of discord. While the opposition will lead you to a poisoned well, you make the choice to drink the poisoned water. No matter which path you choose, the results will show your deeds.

Results

You can only fake your results for so long. Don’t forget that wheat and tares grow together and cannot be distinguished until harvest time, so don’t be fulled by growth. Come harvest time, God will show you whether you’ve been cool or not. Just because you have not yet reaped your harvest— good or bad— does not mean that God is not watching. If you’re cool, He will reward you. If you’re not, well, you reap what you’ve sown. Perhaps if you repent and let God work in you, He’ll hook you up in the next season. So be cool, honor God, and do your work.

Today’s Question

Are you being cool yet?

Enjoy the reading

Proverbs 9

1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns.
2 She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table.
3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.
4“Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says,
5“Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”
7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.
8 So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you.
9Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.
10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.
12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
13 The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it.
14 She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city.
15 She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business.
16 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says,
17 “Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave.

 

 

 

Fixate

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Don’t fixate on your problems, because you may miss God’s solutions and blessing to the resolve it.”~TB

Smoke and Mirrors

The devil will use your setbacks to transfix you on the problems you face. When you are only focused on the problems, you are not paying attention to the Biblically simple solutions that will propel you to the next chapter in your life. Don’t miss your blessing by obsessing over the challenges. Objects are smaller than they appear.

Step Aside

God made you as you are, which means you have the tools to overcome any obstacle. One of the biggest misconceptions about walking with Christ is that all of your fleshly afflictions vanish and life becomes perfect. No, as you mature in Christ, you recognize that your flesh is fickle, so you simply step aside from the traps to avoid them. Not every thought and feeling is valid or useful so let go of the ones that cause you to stumble.

Let Go

When you finally understand that you must depend on God in every second of every day, you let go of your man-made solutions which probably got you into your troubles in the first place. Let go of your legalistic pride, and accept the wisdom of God, which will gently nudge you to practice patience, forgiveness, and humility. Sure, you may not “win” every human argument, but winning with God is better than any victory the world could ever give you.

Today’s Question

Are you fixating on your right ways or are you leaning on God’s solutions?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 114

1 When the Israelites escaped from Egypt— when the family of Jacob left that foreign land— 
2 the land of Judah became God’s sanctuary, and Israel became his kingdom. 
3 The Red Sea saw them coming and hurried out of their way! The water of the Jordan River turned away. 
4 The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs! 
5 What’s wrong, Red Sea, that made you hurry out of their way? What happened, Jordan River, that you turned away? 
6 Why, mountains, did you skip like rams? Why, hills, like lambs? 
7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob. 
8 He turned the rock into a pool of water; yes, a spring of water flowed from solid rock.

11 or 40

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Don’t look at your troubles too deeply, because what looks like a mountain is actually a molehill”~TB

40

It took the Israelites 40 years to get to the promised land because they couldn’t look past their problems. They chose to focus on their past slavery, and their uncertain future, even though God explicitly told them that there was a future of Hope. Do not be like our ancestors, realize that you are free to enter the promised land as quickly as you’d like. Just because the devil makes some trouble, it does not negate the predestined will for our lives. Your wilderness journey timetable is up to you.

11

By Faithfully reading and embracing the Word, you understand the tricks, traps, and schemes that the evil one plants out for us. Though they are pesky and annoying, they will not bring you death. Avoid stewing in the opposition for too long otherwise, you will be trapped in the fake and shallow void, prolonging your arrival time. If you can keep your eyes focused on the plan that God has created for you, you can reach the destination in the time that God intended.

Today’s Question

How long will you sit on inconsequential problems, 40 years or 11 days?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 94

1 O LORD, the God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth! 
2 Arise, O Judge of the earth. Give the proud what they deserve. 
3 How long, O LORD ? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat? 
4 How long will they speak with arrogance? How long will these evil people boast? 
5 They crush your people, LORD, hurting those you claim as your own. 
6 They kill widows and foreigners and murder orphans. 
7“The LORD isn’t looking,” they say, “and besides, the God of Israel doesn’t care.” 
8 Think again, you fools! When will you finally catch on? 
9 Is he deaf—the one who made your ears? Is he blind—the one who formed your eyes? 
10 He punishes the nations—won’t he also punish you? He knows everything—doesn’t he also know what you are doing? 
11 The LORD knows people’s thoughts; he knows they are worthless! 
12 Joyful are those you discipline, LORD, those you teach with your instructions. 
13You give them relief from troubled times until a pit is dug to capture the wicked. 
14 The LORD will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession. 
15 Judgment will again be founded on justice, and those with virtuous hearts will pursue it. 
16 Who will protect me from the wicked? Who will stand up for me against evildoers? 
17 Unless the LORD had helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave. 
18 I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O LORD, supported me.
19 When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. 
20 Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side— leaders whose decrees permit injustice? 
21 They gang up against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. 
22 But the LORD is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide. 
23 God will turn the sins of evil people back on them. He will destroy them for their sins. The LORD our God will destroy them.

Trial by Fire

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“It’s easy to perform well when the conditions are in your favor, whereas trials can make the task extremely difficult to complete. Intense pressure turns coal into diamonds, in the same manner that suffering for Christ brings you closer to God.” ~Taryn Barnes

By Sight

In the beginning, God gives us milk, gently showing us the way to become mature Christians as we begin our path to follow Christ. He gives us plain and clear direction, encouraging us in our walk. Be thankful for the times where life is plentiful and the walk with God shows you favor and abundance in life. 

By Faith

In time, God weans us off of milk, giving us meat that will prove to be tougher to digest than the milk previously given. It is best to ingest slowly and carefully as these messages often always are not meant to be swallowed in one bite.  Be thankful for the times of famine and confusion as this is a test of your ability to continue following Christ sight unseen.

Rejoice

As people who have made the conscious decision to take up the cross each and every day, we will experience seasons of feast and famine; encountering trials and tribulations that human understanding will never fully resolve. Don’t be afraid of trials and tribulations as they are an indication that you have chosen the narrow path that leads to everlasting life. Rejoice in all of these seasons as they bring us toward Christ, forming a closer bond to God than we could ever imagine.

Question of the day

In your times of trial, are you leaning on your understanding, or God’s?

Enjoy today’s reading

Setting Up the Lamps

1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the lamps, see that all seven light up the area in front of the lampstand.’ ” 3 Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the LORD commanded Moses. 4 This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold—from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern the LORD had shown Moses.

The Setting Apart of the Levites

5 The LORD said to Moses: 6 “Take the Levites from among all the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. 7 To purify them, do this: Sprinkle the water of cleansing on them; then have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes. And so they will purify themselves. 8 Have them take a young bull with its grain offering of the finest flour mixed with olive oil; then you are to take a second young bull for a sin offering. 9 Bring the Levites to the front of the tent of meeting and assemble the whole Israelite community. 10 You are to bring the Levites before the LORD, and the Israelites are to lay their hands on them. 11 Aaron is to present the Levites before the LORD as a wave offering from the Israelites, so that they may be ready to do the work of the LORD.
12 “Then the Levites are to lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, using one for a sin offering to the LORD and the other for a burnt offering, to make atonement for the Levites. 13 Have the Levites stand in front of Aaron and his sons and then present them as a wave offering to the LORD. 14 In this way you are to set the Levites apart from the other Israelites, and the Levites will be mine.15 “After you have purified the Levites and presented them as a wave offering, they are to come to do their work at the tent of meeting. 16 They are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to me. I have taken them as my own in place of the firstborn, the first male offspring from every Israelite woman. 
17 Every firstborn male in Israel, whether human or animal, is mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set them apart for myself. 18And I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn sons in Israel. 19 From among all the Israelites, I have given the Levites as gifts to Aaron and his sons to do the work at the tent of meeting on behalf of the Israelites and to make atonement for them so that no plague will strike the Israelites when they go near the sanctuary.” 20 Moses, Aaron and the whole Israelite community did with the Levites just as the LORD commanded Moses. 21The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes. Then Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD and made atonement for them to purify them. 
22 After that, the Levites came to do their work at the tent of meeting under the supervision of Aaron and his sons. They did with the Levites just as the LORD commanded Moses. 23 The LORD said to Moses,24 “This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting,
25 but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. 
26 They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites.”