The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Exodus 25:1-7,
"The Lord said to Moses, 'Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give. These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood; olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.'"
When Moses went up on Mt. Sinai to meet with the Lord, the Lord told him to take up an offering from the people. The purpose of this offering was to provide the materials for the construction of the tabernacle the Lord asked Moses to have constructed, as well as the furnishings attending it together with the activities the Lord would prescribe to take place there.
So, how were these vagabonds trekking in the desert to provide these materials of gold, silver, precious stones and the rest of what the Lord asked for? Earlier in Exodus we read where I suspect a substantial amount of it came from.
In Exodus 11:2, prior to the plague of the firstborn and Israel leaving Egypt, the Lord told Moses that Pharaoh would finally concede and allow Israel to leave. Then the Lord told Moses, "Tell the people that men and women [of Israel] alike are to ask their neighbors [the Egyptians] for articles of silver and gold." This they were to do when leaving Egypt. In Exodus 12: 35-36 we read, "The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians."
What the Lord asked for he had provided! I happen to notice that when the Lord asked for the offering, he only wanted what he asked for from those "whose heart prompts them to give."
I am reminded that so it is today. The Lord provides for us. Whatever it is we have has come from him. Even the health and strength required for us to make a living, the Lord provides it all. As the Lord builds his kingdom, it is from those whose hearts are willing that he receives gifts to carry on the work.
The Philippian church provided a wonderful example for us all, "Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:15-19.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know. A blog with all my posts can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
"The Lord said to Moses, 'Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give. These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood; olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.'"
When Moses went up on Mt. Sinai to meet with the Lord, the Lord told him to take up an offering from the people. The purpose of this offering was to provide the materials for the construction of the tabernacle the Lord asked Moses to have constructed, as well as the furnishings attending it together with the activities the Lord would prescribe to take place there.
So, how were these vagabonds trekking in the desert to provide these materials of gold, silver, precious stones and the rest of what the Lord asked for? Earlier in Exodus we read where I suspect a substantial amount of it came from.
In Exodus 11:2, prior to the plague of the firstborn and Israel leaving Egypt, the Lord told Moses that Pharaoh would finally concede and allow Israel to leave. Then the Lord told Moses, "Tell the people that men and women [of Israel] alike are to ask their neighbors [the Egyptians] for articles of silver and gold." This they were to do when leaving Egypt. In Exodus 12: 35-36 we read, "The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians."
What the Lord asked for he had provided! I happen to notice that when the Lord asked for the offering, he only wanted what he asked for from those "whose heart prompts them to give."
I am reminded that so it is today. The Lord provides for us. Whatever it is we have has come from him. Even the health and strength required for us to make a living, the Lord provides it all. As the Lord builds his kingdom, it is from those whose hearts are willing that he receives gifts to carry on the work.
The Philippian church provided a wonderful example for us all, "Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:15-19.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know. A blog with all my posts can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment