Week 22: The Wilderness Tabernacle:
There is so much packed into this lesson, it is hard to get our head around it all. One thing is clear, we see the instructions that were given for the order of worship. This order was established in the wilderness. The children of Israel were willing and there was more than enough to get the job done. Moses at one point had to stop the people from bringing more resources forward for the project.
In 1 Kings, we find Solomon building a more permanent residence for God’s presence to dwell. It was David’s desire to accomplish this task, however, David had blood on his hands and the task came to Solomon. This temple was absolutely one of the most beautiful buildings in the world at the time.
This week we find the Hebrews were in community, working together to accomplish the work of God, commanded by God. The passages below highlight something very important. The hearts of the people were stirred and their spirit moved them. The people had willing hearts.
This outpouring produced a result we find in Exodus 36, a surplus of what was needed to do the work.
"Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the Lord." - Exodus 35:20- 22
"All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord." - Exodus 35:29
"So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing,for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more." - Exodus 36: 6-7
In this reading, we are given some further understanding in Hebrews 9. We understand that progressively these intersections of time and history are types and shadows of what we can know to be true today. We need more than ceremonial cleaning. Individually we must be cleansed from impurity or brokenness through a perfect sacrifice.
Questions for reflection:
▪ When was the last time your heart was stirred by the commands of God?
▪ How is my spirit moved today?
▪ Do I believe God has all that I need and more to accomplish God’s work in my life?
▪ Can I see how Christ was the culmination of the original system in Moses time?
▪ Do I believe that Christ was the fulfillment?