For those who are visual learners here's a depiction of the priestly garments described in chapter 39. It strikes me that Israel throughout this time had been extremely obedient (following the golden calf disaster). Many times it is mentioned that things were done by Moses, "according to all that the Lord commanded him."
And finally, Moses finished the work. God comes and dwells with his people. He comes by the cloud and fire (significant symbols throughout the Bible of the manifestation of God's glory). God is reminding them that He is their God... that He brought them out of the land of Egypt in order that He might dwell among them. How they must have enjoyed this closeness with God. They knew He was there. Often times, for me, this also happens following a period of obedience. I feel the nearness of God. Not that He's not always there, but I am able to sense Him so much more the more obedient I am.
Psalm 45
This psalm celebrates a royal wedding. Whose is unclear, but it would be a king in the line of David... the line through which God would bless His people and carry out his whole world mission. It begins with words speaking to the king... focusing him in on character and ideals he should have as a king. It then moves onto the bride...she will leave her family and join her husband in a new life. The psalm ends coming back to the king showing again that God will bless all the nations through the line of David.
Proverbs 2
A couple results of seeking wisdom....
1. You will understand the fear of the Lord (what does this really mean?)
2. You gain an understanding of righteousness and justice and equity (wow!)
Acts 24
I think if I had been Paul, I would have been close to giving up by now. Unlike me, Paul uses this "opportunity" to come before Felix and yet again proclaim the truth of the Gospel. He confesses to the middle charge Tertullus brings against him (being a Christian ringleader), but denies the first and third charges (stirring up riots and profaning "the temple") To the Romans, the first charge would have been the worst (threatening Roman peace). I find it interesting Felix is said to have, "an accurate knowledge of The Way". Probably because of his Jewish wife? But, in the end, Felix does nothing to free Paul, despite this knowledge. He decides to keep him in prison another 2 years and then was removed from office, leaving Festus, his successor to deal with Paul. At least Paul was granted "some liberty", which I'm guessing meant he was not sitting in a jail cell the whole time.
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