Key Verses
20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house… 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
 
Meditation
The gospel is of greater value than anything else in life, giving believers the security and strength not to “shrink back” from proclaiming God’s Word and God’s work in Jesus Christ. 
 
Today’s reading begins with the story of Eutychus (vv. 7-12), a vivid warning for the Church: Stay awake to persevere in gospel vigilance! This becomes a key point as Paul prepares to leave Ephesus after nearly three years of ministry (vv. 36-38). 

Paul’s testimony reveals the heart of Christian perseverance. Twice, he declares that he “did not shrink back” (vv. 20, 27) from proclaiming God’s truth. He taught publicly and from house to house, calling both Jews and Greeks to repentance and faith in Christ (v. 21). Paul did not “account my life of any value nor as precious to myself,” he says, if only he may finish the ministry Christ entrusted to him (v. 24). 
 
Paul’s warning to the Ephesian elders remains urgent. Wolves will come, seeking to devour the flock (vv. 28-31). Some attacks arise from outside the Church; others emerge from within. Therefore, shepherds must stay awake to persevere in guarding, feeding, knowing, and leading through courageously teaching the whole counsel of God. In every generation, the temptation is to soften truth to be accepted by the culture rather than stand firm in grace and truth (2 Timothy 4:3).
 
Jesus is the greater Shepherd who never shrank back. He steadfastly endured the cross, laying down His life for His sheep. Therefore, stay awake to God’s Word, stand firm in God’s grace, and press forward with joyful perseverance.
 
Today’s Reading
 
After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. 

Eutychus Raised from the Dead
7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. 
 
13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. 

Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders
17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: 

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” 
 
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship. 
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially in Paul’s summary of his service to the Church in Ephesus?
 
-Where do you shrink back from the authority of God’s word, not obeying the teaching in faith or practice? Finances? Friendships? Family formation? What do you do in free time (when no one is around)?...
 
-How does the finished work of Jesus not only model faithfulness over fear but also fuel your faith by offering forgiveness and focusing your hope? Grace is the ground on which you walk forward to embrace the whole council of God for life and practice. 
 
Key Verses
20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house… 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Key Verse
33 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy. 
 
Meditation
Today’s reading reminds us of both the problem of sin and the greatness of God’s grace. The veil hanging in the center of the tabernacle declared that a holy God cannot be approached by sinful people. Sin separates humanity from God (Isaiah 59:2), and no amount of effort, sincerity, or religion can remove the barrier.
 
The veil marked off the Most Holy Place, where the ark of the covenant symbolized God’s throne among His people. Royal colors and intricate design in the curtain emphasized both the majesty of God and the distance sin had created. Though God desired to dwell with His people, access to His presence was restricted. Only the high priest could pass beyond the veil, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), representing the people before God.

When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). God Himself ripped apart the barrier separating sinners from His presence. Through His sacrificial death, Jesus became both the perfect High Priest and the final sacrifice for sin. As Hebrews declares, by “a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14).

The gospel celebrates that our sins are forgiven and that we are welcomed into God’s presence. Through Christ’s torn flesh, believers have a “new and living way” to draw near to God (Hebrews 10:20-22). We no longer stand outside the veil, wondering if we are accepted. In Christ, we are invited to come boldly before His throne of grace.
 
Today’s Reading
 
“Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them. 2 The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall be the same size. 3 Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another. 4 And you shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set. Likewise you shall make loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set. 5 Fifty loops you shall make on the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain that is in the second set; the loops shall be opposite one another. 6 And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains one to the other with the clasps, so that the tabernacle may be a single whole.

7 “You shall also make curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle; eleven curtains shall you make. 8 The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. The eleven curtains shall be the same size. 9 You shall couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and the sixth curtain you shall double over at the front of the tent. 10 You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set.

11 “You shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together that it may be a single whole. 12 And the part that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. 13 And the extra that remains in the length of the curtains, the cubit on the one side, and the cubit on the other side, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, on this side and that side, to cover it. 14 And you shall make for the tent a covering of tanned rams' skins and a covering of goatskins on top.
​
15 “You shall make upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. 16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each frame. 17 There shall be two tenons in each frame, for fitting together. So shall you do for all the frames of the tabernacle. 18 You shall make the frames for the tabernacle: twenty frames for the south side;19 and forty bases of silver you shall make under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons; 20 and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side twenty frames, 21 and their forty bases of silver, two bases under one frame, and two bases under the next frame. 22 And for the rear of the tabernacle westward you shall make six frames. 23 And you shall make two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear; 24 they shall be separate beneath, but joined at the top, at the first ring. Thus shall it be with both of them; they shall form the two corners. 25 And there shall be eight frames, with their bases of silver, sixteen bases; two bases under one frame, and two bases under another frame.

26 “You shall make bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, 27 and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the side of the tabernacle at the rear westward. 28 The middle bar, halfway up the frames, shall run from end to end. 29 You shall overlay the frames with gold and shall make their rings of gold for holders for the bars, and you shall overlay the bars with gold. 30 Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to the plan for it that you were shown on the mountain.

31 “And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it. 32 And you shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, with hooks of gold, on four bases of silver. 33 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy. 34 You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place. 35 And you shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand on the south side of the tabernacle opposite the table, and you shall put the table on the north side.

36 “You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. 37 And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five bases of bronze for them.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about the description and purpose of the veil in the tabernacle?
 
-Where do you struggle to believe the Lord has purified you so you can enter into the holiness of a personal relationship with Him?
 
-How does the finished work of Jesus fuel your faith to abandon yourself in God’s Holy presence?  How can you (specifically) apply this reality?
 
Key Verse
33 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy. 

Key Verses
1 Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering….      11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. 
 
Meditation
Biblical wisdom compels God’s people to walk in integrity (Proverbs 11:3), external godliness flowing from internal transformation. Integrity is the fruit of a heart renewed by His grace.
 
Integrity begins and ends with trust in the Lord. David's confidence in today’s reading rests not in his performance but in God's steadfast love (vv. 1, 3, 11). Because God's grace guides his steps, David can invite divine scrutiny: "Prove me, O Lord, and try me" (v. 2). Secure in God's covenant love, believers need not fear examination and can pursue lives marked by integrity.
 
David's evidence is seen in the direction of his life. He refuses the companionship of the wicked and delights instead in the presence of God, loving the place where God's glory dwells (vv. 4-8). His plea for deliverance is ultimately anchored not in his righteousness but in God's redeeming mercy (v. 11). Standing on the firm ground of God's grace, David responds with praise (v. 12).
 
Integrity has always been God's design for His people (Genesis 18:19). It was required of Israel's leaders (Exodus 18:21) and remains a qualification for elders in Christ's church (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). God desires leaders whose public lives and private homes are ordered by the transforming power of His grace.

Jesus alone lived with perfect integrity. Every thought, word, and action perfectly pleased the Father. Through His obedient life and sacrificial death, sinners are forgiven, adopted, and made new. God's grace not only forgives our failures of integrity; it forms in us a life of faith and practice that can withstand examination and bring glory to God.
 
Today’s Reading
 
Vindicate me, O Lord,
for I have walked in my integrity, 
and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 
2    Prove me, O Lord, and try me; 
test my heart and my mind. 
3    For your steadfast love is before my eyes, 
and I walk in your faithfulness. 
4    I do not sit with men of falsehood, 
nor do I consort with hypocrites. 
5    I hate the assembly of evildoers, 
and I will not sit with the wicked. 
6    I wash my hands in innocence 
and go around your altar, O Lord,
7    proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, 
and telling all your wondrous deeds. 
8    O Lord, I love the habitation of your house 
and the place where your glory dwells. 
9    Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, 
nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 
10    in whose hands are evil devices, 
and whose right hands are full of bribes. 
11    But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; 
redeem me, and be gracious to me. 
12    My foot stands on level ground; 
in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially David’s focus on being interrogated in his integrity?
 
-If your integrity was interrogated by God, would the result be praise to God or problems from being exposed for inconsistency and incongruity of faith and practice?
 
-How does the finished work of Jesus free you to live in the light, confessing where you have not lived with integrity and seeking to cultivate a life of integrity? Where do you need to apply His work to your life and leadership? Be specific.
 
Key Verses
1 Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering….      11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. 

Key Verse
8 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.
 
Meditation
God’s covenant purpose is to be present with His people. Today’s reading points beyond itself to what was lost in Eden, secured through Christ, and ultimately fulfilled when God dwells with His people forever in the new creation (Revelation 21:3; 22:4). 

Following the covenant renewal ceremony in chapter 24, God reveals His heart: “Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst” (v. 8). The tabernacle was a place of worship, declaring God’s desire to be with His people. From the mercy seat, God would meet and speak with them (v. 22). Through the Bread of the Presence, God’s people would celebrate covenant fellowship with Him (v. 30). God was making a way to dwell among His redeemed people.
 
The practical details of the sanctuary reveal the heart of God’s grace. The gold, silver, and bronze used for construction came from Egypt, where God had sovereignly provided through Israel’s redemption (Exodus 12:36). Now, hearts transformed by grace overflowed with generosity (vv. 1-7). God provides everything necessary for construction because God supplies what is needed to make that fellowship with His people possible.
 
Jesus is the fulfillment of every detail. Jesus is God made flesh who “dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Jesus is the true mercy seat, the mediator of a better covenant, and the Bread of Life. Through His blood, believers gain access to God’s heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 8:1-9:12).
 
The heart of God has never changed, and His grace invites you to trust His love and live in His presence. He desires to dwell with you.
 
 
Today’s Reading
The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. 3 And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, 4 blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats' hair,5 tanned rams' skins, goatskins, acacia wood, 6 oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 7 onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece.8 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. 9 Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.

The Ark of the Covenant
10 “They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height.11 You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside shall you overlay it, and you shall make on it a molding of gold around it. 12 You shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet, two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. 13 You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 14 And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark by them. 15 The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. 16 And you shall put into the ark the testimony that I shall give you.

17 “You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. 18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat.19 Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. 20 The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be. 21 And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. 22 There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.

The Table for Bread
​23 “You shall make a table of acacia wood. Two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. 24 You shall overlay it with pure gold and make a molding of gold around it. 25 And you shall make a rim around it a handbreadth wide, and a molding of gold around the rim. 26 And you shall make for it four rings of gold, and fasten the rings to the four corners at its four legs. 27 Close to the frame the rings shall lie, as holders for the poles to carry the table. 28 You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, and the table shall be carried with these.29 And you shall make its plates and dishes for incense, and its flagons and bowls with which to pour drink offerings; you shall make them of pure gold. 30 And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me regularly.

The Golden Lampstand
31 “You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. 32 And there shall be six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of one side of it and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it; 33 three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on the other branch—so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. 34 And on the lampstand itself there shall be four cups made like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and flowers,35 and a calyx of one piece with it under each pair of the six branches going out from the lampstand.36 Their calyxes and their branches shall be of one piece with it, the whole of it a single piece of hammered work of pure gold. 37 You shall make seven lamps for it. And the lamps shall be set up so as to give light on the space in front of it. 38 Its tongs and their trays shall be of pure gold. 39 It shall be made, with all these utensils, out of a talent of pure gold. 40 And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the purpose of God to restore His presence with His people?
 
-God has given direction for us to know how to dwell with Him, making this clear through the person and work of Christ. How do you respond to His invitation?
 
-God has done everything needed to restore the relationship with His people. Jesus lived the life we could never live and died the death we deserved to die. Where do you need to appropriate the truth of this reality in your life? Be specific.

Key Verse
8 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.

Key Verse
20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. 
 
Meditation
The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to transform the world for the glory of God. 

In today’s reading, the transformation of Ephesus began with the faithful proclamation of Scripture. Paul preached daily for two years (v. 10), and “the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily” (v. 20). His ministry flowed from the Holy Spirit's work (vv. 1-7). Because Ephesus was a strategic port city and commercial hub, the gospel spread throughout the region so that “all the residents of Asia” heard the Word of the Lord. But darkness resists when the gospel advances. The strongholds of sin, idolatry, and demonic oppression pushed back... but the Word of God prevailed.
 
Paul’s message was rooted in God’s revealed truth, proclaiming that “gods made with hands are not gods” (v. 26). The Spirit used the Word to change hearts, restore lives, and reshape an entire community. Demonic oppression was exposed and defeated (vv. 11-20). Those who practiced magic publicly burned their books. As people turned from idols to the living God, demand for Artemis shrines collapsed, provoking a riot led by Demetrius (vv. 21-41).
 
The same Spirit still works through the same Word today. God transforms His world for His glory by first transforming hearts. Jesus followers must take up “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). Trust God’s Word to accomplish God’s purposes, from your heart and home to your neighborhood and the nations.
 
 
Today’s Reading
And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all. 

8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. 

The Sons of Sceva
11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. 

A Riot at Ephesus
21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. 
 
23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” 
 
28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 
 
35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. 
 
Richly Dwelling
-What do you observe from today’s reading regarding the emphasis on God’s word transforming people and places?
 
-Where do you look for personal, familial, and societal transformation? Do you believe the Spirit of God uses the Word of God as His means to transform the world for the glory of God?
 
-Ask the Lord to wreck you with His Spirit and His Word. Pray for the Church to have an authentic Holy Spirit encounter and for families, neighborhoods, your city, and region to be transformed with the Word and Spirit of God. Do you believe God can bring this transformation? He has! And He will again.
 
Key Verse
20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. 

Key Verse
11 And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.
 
Meditation
Biblical covenants are sovereignly established, sealed in blood, and celebrated with a meal. Before the fall, Adam and Eve enjoyed fellowship with God in His presence. Covenant is God's gracious initiative to restore His relationship with a sinful and rebellious people, binding Himself in faithfulness and inviting faith and obedience.
 
God had already bound Himself to Israel through His covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15, 17) and had redeemed them from slavery through the Passover (Exodus 12). In today’s reading, former slaves whose faces had been pressed into the dust of Egypt behold the glory of God. Covenant relationship moves God’s people from slavery to celebration.
 
Moses served as Israel’s representative, ascending the mountain to meet with God and bringing God’s word to the people (vv. 1-2, 12-18). In faith, Israel pledged obedience to the covenant (vv. 3-4, 7). Moses then offered sacrifices and sprinkled blood on the people, declaring, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you” (v. 8). The covenant ceremony culminated in a meal where God's people enjoyed fellowship in His presence (vv. 9-11).
 
This covenant renewal points forward to Jesus Christ. Sent by the Father in love, Jesus came as the true mediator between God and humanity. Where Israel failed, Jesus was perfectly faithful. Then He offered Himself as the sacrifice for our sins, bearing the curse we deserved (Galatians 3:10-14). His blood established the new covenant (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 9:15-28), and the Lord’s Supper now serves as the covenant meal where believers feast on His grace.
 
Through Christ, redeemed slaves become beloved children welcomed to God's table.
 
Today’s Reading
Then he said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. 2 Moses alone shall come near to the Lord, but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him.”

3 Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the rules. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.” 4 And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. 6 And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” 8 And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

9 Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, 10 and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. 11 And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.

12 The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” 13 So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14 And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.”

15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. 18 Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the specifics of covenant relationship represented in the reading?
 
-The blood of the covenant covers God’s people so we can enter into God’s presence. The sacrifice of Jesus for our sins is complete. How can gratitude and generosity grow from this grace in your heart?
 
-What does it look like for you to feast with the Lord? Do you need to move something from your schedule, add something (like a time of solitude) into your schedule, or miss a meal to be with Jesus in fellowship?
 
Key Verse
11 And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.