Exodus - Day 6

Did you read Exodus 21-24 over the weekend? We're jumping right into the Exodus 25-29 for today's reading.

Context: Moses is on the holy mountain and God is giving him instruction. In the past four chapters he has talked about laws related to Hebrew servants, personal injuries, protection of property, social responsibility, justice and mercy, annual festivals, and he has confirmed the covenant. In today's reading God has given detailed instructions for the building of the ark of the covenant, the tabernacle, and the items to go into the tabernacle.

Ex 27:1-5
1 "Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests. 2 Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and honor. 3 Tell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. 4 These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. 5 Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Many years before Moses appeared before Pharaoh to request the release of the Hebrew people, God was preparing his elect for the work that was to come. There were many men (and women?) who learned sewing, wood working, metal working, and construction at the feet of skilled craftsmen. They had years to practice these crafts, becoming very skilled in their own right. Now, after they have been taken away from everything they know, God is giving them the job of a lifetime -- to create a tabernacle and to outfit God's own holy priests in a manner defined by God himself.

Did you catch verse 3 above? "Tell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such matters..." Through the course of their lives God has prepared them with skill and wisdom. I'm sure there were days in the lives of each of these craftsmen when they questioned their choice of career. It was too difficult to learn, and their backs, arms, and fingers cramped. they destroyed several items out of foolishness, carelessness, and ignorance before they became proficient enough to turn out something of value. I'm sure there were days when they thought they should quit (perhaps prompted by the criticism of the knowledgeable craftsmen they apprenticed for).

But God was preparing them for this very moment. He watched as they smashed their thumbs, burned their arms, and bled from the prick of the needle.

What difficult lessons or skills are you learning that may be part of God's training regime?

NOTE: I am giving away two copies of "Closer Than Your Skin" on by book review blog today. This book helps you learn how to develop closer communication with God so you can better understand his will and more tangibly feel his love! Leave an e-mail address or some other way that I can contact you in case you win!