The Lord had a message for Moses. He was designing the first church building, or tabernacle. It was to be a place to recognize and worship God. A sanctuary for God so he could dwell among the people. We’ve called our churches today the “house of God.” Yet we realize that God is everywhere. He doesn’t need to be contained to do his work. It’s for us. We want to be able to imagine him in our midst. Having a place for God helps us.
God was very clear in his instructions to Moses. There were very particular things he felt important to be part of his “house” or tabernacle. Of utmost importance was “The Ark.” Not to be confused with the big boat that Noah made to save his family and the animals from destruction. This was a chest to hold the Testimony or law God would give. This would be a holy box. Its design was to be magnificent.
I was amazed by the extreme detail written here – weren’t you? I can just close my eyes and picture what God is describing to Moses. Moses had to have a great memory. I read recently that our brains in the 21st century have a hard time remembering things because we don’t “practice” or need to remember. We have cell phones, we have Google, we have books and resources. Moses had his memory. Stories were passed down from generation to generation in this way. As the years have passed, we have lost the ability to remember. Good thing Moses had a good memory!
Of all the directions, what stood out to me was the offering. God wanted the people to bring him an offering. He said, “from each man whose heart prompts him to give.” God wasn’t referring to animals and sacrifices here. It wasn’t that kind of offering in exchange for forgiveness or being right with God. He was referring to riches like gold, silver, fine linen, olive oil, and spices, etc. It was an offering to honor God.
Do we feel a prompting to give back to God? After all, everything belongs to God. He has given us all that we have, and it is up to us to be good stewards. To give him our best and finest is to show him the respect he deserves.
As I write this, we have just moved from one house to another. That is a process I don’t want to do anytime soon. But I was reminded we have a lot of “stuff”. Some of that stuff may be keeping me from focusing on God. All of it has been provided by God, and I want to take good care of it. Since we are downsizing, I have found great delight in sharing with our domestic help things we would have otherwise taken to donate to charity or even thrown in the trash. The resourcefulness of those around me has been a blessing. Being able to give and share from our abundance with others and watch their faces light up with their new “treasures” has been so refreshing.
How have you given of yourself this week? Are you holding on to something that is keeping you from seeing God clearly?
Let’s pray. Lord, I thank you for every encounter you provide for me. I look forward to helping other people in my writing, in my speaking, and especially in my giving. Use me and the gifts you have given me to make a difference in this world. Prompt my heart to be even more giving. Bring the people to me who I can help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
