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 27:1,
"Build an altar of acacia wood, three cubits high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide."
Acacia wood was the wood used in the furnishings of the tabernacle. The ark, the altar of burnt offerings and the other accoutrements of the tabernacle were to be made using acacia wood as specified by the Lord.
Acacia wood was available to the Israelites in the wilderness, possibly one of the only types of trees there. From an article on it at gotquestions.org we learn that acacia wood is "dense and extremely strong". Also, "This wood is resistant to decay because the tree deposits in the heartwood many waste substances which are preservatives and render the wood unpalatable to insects making the wood dense and difficult to be penetrated by water and other decay agents." Durable.
This made for a great material for these furnishings as they would be in use for centuries. I believe there is no spiritual significance in the use of acacia wood and that it was simply a great choice given its availability and its durability. Given that, I can't help but think of those "durable" things of God.
God's nature is "durable" in that it never changes. His love for us never changes. We are told in Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Our standing with God as a redeemed sinner and imbued with the righteousness of Jesus Christ will never change, it is durable, "He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:8-9. We also read in Ephesians 1:13b-14, "When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory." Our salvation is "durable"!
"Build an altar of acacia wood, three cubits high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide."
Acacia wood was the wood used in the furnishings of the tabernacle. The ark, the altar of burnt offerings and the other accoutrements of the tabernacle were to be made using acacia wood as specified by the Lord.
Acacia wood was available to the Israelites in the wilderness, possibly one of the only types of trees there. From an article on it at gotquestions.org we learn that acacia wood is "dense and extremely strong". Also, "This wood is resistant to decay because the tree deposits in the heartwood many waste substances which are preservatives and render the wood unpalatable to insects making the wood dense and difficult to be penetrated by water and other decay agents." Durable.
This made for a great material for these furnishings as they would be in use for centuries. I believe there is no spiritual significance in the use of acacia wood and that it was simply a great choice given its availability and its durability. Given that, I can't help but think of those "durable" things of God.
God's nature is "durable" in that it never changes. His love for us never changes. We are told in Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Our standing with God as a redeemed sinner and imbued with the righteousness of Jesus Christ will never change, it is durable, "He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:8-9. We also read in Ephesians 1:13b-14, "When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory." Our salvation is "durable"!
Given there seems to be so many things that change in this life, isn't it great to know the things of the Lord that are durable? There are many things about the Lord that are "durable". What comes to your mind?
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/
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/
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