Our Sovereign God

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 25:1-11, 17-18, 23-24, 31-32; 26:1-2, 7-8; 27:1-2; 29:43-46 (day four) 

The Lord spoke to Moses and called for the Israelites to bring a contribution for the purpose of building a Tabernacle for Him.  But wait…the Israelites have been slaves for over 400 years.  How could they possibly have anything to bring as a contribution to the Lord?  Remember back to Exodus 12:35-36…God told them to ask the Egyptians for silver, gold, and clothing.  God caused the Israelites to have favor in the eyes of the Egyptians and they plundered Egypt.  God provided for the needs of the Israelites, even before they knew that they had a need.  How often God does that!  Before we even know that we have a need, He has prepared a supply.  God may move in the heart of someone to provide food in the time of hunger, to provide protection in the time of danger, to provide supply in the time of need, or to send a witness in the time of crisis.  God is a sovereign God!

Gaze

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 25:1-11, 17-18, 23-24, 31-32; 26:1-2, 7-8; 27:1-2; 29:43-46 (day three)

“Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.”

Someone once said about a famously charismatic politician: “He always made you feel as if he were lucky to be with you.”  Contrast that with a situation in which you attempt to talk in a public space with someone who repeatedly looks past you to other people in the room. Nothing says “You don’t matter” quite like a distracted gaze.  The Israelites—whose display of gratitude for God’s presence was genuine, and not merely political charisma—told the Lord by their intents and their actions that they needed to live with him.  They gave themselves wholly to the creation of sacred space to make such a life possible for themselves.  Are you looking past God, or creating sacred space with him?

Your Temple

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 25:1-11, 17-18, 23-24, 31-32; 26:1-2, 7-8; 27:1-2; 29:43-46 (day two) 

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? 1 Corinthians 6:19

Such detail. From the dimensions to the colors and fabrics there is an excruciating amount of detail contained in these passages. All of these elements that were designed to honor the Lord must have been exquisite. Nothing was left to chance, and only the best would do to honor the Lord.

We no longer have a tabernacle or arc, but we have the Holy Spirit which has decided to take up residence in us. So how does all those details from Exodus apply to this “new” tabernacle? Everything matters! Our speech, our thoughts, and actions all reflect our character which should show the character of Christ. Our lives should honor the Lord in every aspect. If the Lord took such care with a physical structure, how much more will he care for an eternal being? For we are created to follow the Lord through eternity. Let us maintain beautiful temples for him while we are here.

God with us

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 25:1-11, 17-18, 23-24, 31-32; 26:1-2, 7-8; 27:1-2; 29:43-46 (day one) 

After the Passover, after the Red Sea Crossing, after the 10 Commandments, after the Covenant was ratified, God commanded Moses to build a sanctuary.  Hebrew=miqdash, “holy or sacred place”.  The sanctuary (Tabernacle) was to stand in the center of the camp signifying worship as the center of this new society.  The sanctuary was to be made exactly after the pattern God gave Moses–v 25:9.  It was for the purpose of worship and God promised to meet the people in this holy place.  “And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them.”–v 29:46.  What a lofty, beautiful vision of human life!  God with us!  Immanuel.  May the symbol of the sanctuary drive our hearts to hunger for this promised unbroken fellowship with the Living God.  May we dream of the safety and profit and joy that comes when He is near.

Come up to the Lord

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 24 (day seven) 

“Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and the seventy elders of Israel.”–v 1.

The Bible speaks of “the upward call of God in Jesus Christ”.  Believers are told, in Colossians, “the keep seeking the things above, where Christ is”.  So, what does it mean when God invites us to “come up”?  It means the great mistake in life is to never let it be great.  We stay stuck, either by distraction or anxiety, in insignificant things that will not matter in 2 months, much less 20 years. It means being too busy to pray, too absorbed with self to reflect on God, too lazy to study and let Holy words call us higher.  Eventually, all of us either attempt to pull God into our affairs, or we hear God’s call to “come up” and get involved in His affairs.  It is grace that invites us.  It is faith that answers His command.

The People’s Response

Re:Verse reading Exodus 24 (day 6)

The people heard the written words, given to Moses by God, and they said “we will do all that you have said.” Worship is forever tied to the hearing of God’s Word and the people’s response. It was true over 4000 years ago, and it is true for us today as His church gathers. It begs the question, can we truly worship without a corporate response? Does it constitute worship if the church listens to the words of God and yet does nothing? I would contend that the answer is no; it does not constitute worship if the people do not respond.

Of course the people failed to obey God almost immediately; they fell into hypocrisy before the ink was even dry. God was not surprised by their failure, he anticipated it. Their sin did not rob their corporate response of any significance, nor should it ours- ever. Not only is our response to God appropriate and necessary, but it points to Jesus, the Word, who fulfilled every covenant promise on our behalf!

So, let me encourage you to do two things, first ask God this question, “Father, what must I do? Show me how I must follow your Son today.” Secondly, pray on behalf of the First Baptist family, asking God to move in mighty ways that we might all respond to His Word in unity.

Rejoicing that I have the privilege of joining my response with yours!

 

Trust and Obey

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 24 (day five) 

3 Then Moses came and recounted to the people all the words of the Lord and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words which the Lord has spoken we will do!”

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!”

As the Israelites enter into covenant relationship with God in Exodus, their response is a sincere and bold confession of understanding, trust, and dedication.

The new covenant through Christ requires similar understanding, trust, and dedication.  9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Rewind to the confession made in Exodus 20.  Are we just as determined to trust and obey?

God’s Glory

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 24 (day four)  God is initiating a covenant with Israel.  It is a covenant based on all of the words of the Law that He delivered to Moses.  Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and seventy elders of Israel saw the God of Israel.  What an awesome sight!  Yet, He did not stretch out His hand against them.  When Isaiah received his commission (Isaiah 6), he too saw the Lord.  He was afraid for his life.  It pleased God to give these leaders a glimpse of His glory to inspire them to lead.  What will it take for us to lead?  We have the written Word of God…thousands of years of His working to redeem mankind.  We have the Gospel message…Jesus died for our sins and rose from the grave…paying the full price for our sin.  When we obey the Gospel, we have the Holy Spirit, living within us to give us understanding and power.  We may not have seen the Lord physically, but we have seen His hand at work.  Are we going to lead?

Climb

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 24 (day three)

“But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.”  In order to see God, the Israelite elders had to come with Moses some distance up the mountain.  We make much of God’s coming to us, and we are right to do so.  Indeed he did come to us—but he did not pander to us.  Indeed he did come to us—but he did not give us the answers we demand.  There is some distance we must climb to him, but not because God is grudging in his self-revelation.  When you really want to find something, you will not wait for it to appear in your hand; you will seek it earnestly.  Anything else is just lip service.  God knows it, and you know it.

Who Will You Follow?

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 24 (day two)

When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.” vs. 3

When was the last time that you believed so strongly about something that you were willing to make a statement like that? Whatever _____ asks of me, I will happily do it. That requires much trust on our part. Consider the reasons someone would make a statement like that. Perhaps a track record of honesty and integrity engendered that kind of devotion. Personal connection always makes a difference too, doesn’t it? If you know the individual or organization intimately you are more likely to follow without reservation. Perhaps it has more to do with a strong belief in where they are going that develops trust. While some of us trust more easily than others, making a claim to obey every word or command is a bold one.

Now look back over that list and put Jesus’ name. Above any other organization or individual Jesus will fulfill every requirement of trust. His track record, his desire to have a close relationship with him, and his future is a bright as they come. If you are looking to follow anyone or anything…consider Jesus.