How can we prioritize God's commands in our weekly routines, as in Exodus 35:1? Gathered to Hear the Command “Then Moses assembled the whole congregation of Israel and said to them, ‘These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do:’” (Exodus 35:1) What the Scene Teaches Us Today • A weekly rhythm begins with deliberate assembly—coming together to hear God’s word first, not squeezing it in later. • Moses doesn’t offer suggestions; he delivers commands. Our calendars should show the same weight: God speaks, we adjust. Building a God-First Weekly Routine • Block the Lord’s Day before anything else. Worship, fellowship, and rest are booked, and other plans must fit around it (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Open each workday with Scripture aloud—alone, with family, or with a roommate—mirroring Israel’s gathered hearing (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). • Schedule a mid-week reset (e.g., Wednesday evening Bible study) to keep His voice central between Sundays. • Use commutes or lunch breaks for focused meditation on a single verse (Psalm 1:2). Little pockets compound over six days. • Treat task lists as stewardship: pray Matthew 6:33 over them, asking, “Does this honor the commands I already heard?” before adding new items. Keeping the Sabbath Principle Alive • Exodus 35:2 teaches six days of work, one day holy. Guard that seventh-day principle—even if your “day off” lands on another day because of shift work. • Prepare in advance: finish chores, meal prep, and emails on day six so the set-apart day stays uncluttered. • Exchange productivity metrics for delight: worship, rest, family, unhurried service to others (Mark 2:27). Setting Boundaries That Protect Obedience • Limit digital noise: turn off non-essential notifications during devotions and on the Lord’s Day. • Say “no” to recurring commitments that compete with gathered worship. Obedience sometimes costs opportunities. • Teach children early: family calendar visibly revolves around church and Scripture, not the reverse (Proverbs 22:6). Daily Reminders from Other Passages • Luke 10:27 – Love God with all your heart: make the first appointment of the day His. • Colossians 3:16-17 – Let Christ’s word dwell richly as you cook, drive, exercise; sing, memorize, speak truth throughout routines. • Joshua 1:8 – “Meditate on it day and night” pairs naturally with morning and evening touchpoints. Encouragement for the Long Haul • Consistency beats intensity. Small, repeated acts of obedience mold a week—and a life—around the commands heard in Exodus 35:1. • Each Sunday gathering recalibrates the heart so the next six days overflow with purposeful work and restful trust. |
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