LINK: Exodus 35
BACKGROUND
Moses assembled all of Israel to hear the stipulations for the Sabbath. Sabbath was the sign of the covenant between God and Israel (31:16-17). So it was very important that they obey. Do you take a sabbath day of rest once a week?
The people willingly committed themselves to the Tabernacle's construction and workers were appointed (this section is similar to 31:1-11).
The work starts tomorrow!
REFLECTION
I am not big on church buildings and especially "building programs." I have been through some pretty lame building program "sales pitches" that were manipulative and unnecessary. People never gave to them, and they never happened.
When I was meditating on the Tabernacle chapters three years ago, our pastor preached about it in the context of building a larger facility for our growing church. I know many people are anti-building projects, but the spirit and way that our leadership handled the building of it were so wonderful! People gave willingly and many workers who are skilled craftsmen came out to lend a hand. It was a beautiful process. Three years later, we have a new facility that has really blessed the community as it is used for many activities throughout the week. It was nice to have a positive experience in this sometimes dreaded endeavor of expansion.
APPLICATION
What have you done to improve the place where you worship lately?
PRAYER
Lord, we love the place where Your glory dwells. Thank You for giving us roofs over our heads as we worship You. Bless those who are skilled craftsmen for their labors of love in improving those places in which we worship. Amen.
3 comments:
HE IS RISEN INDEED!
Have a blessed day, everyone!
I noted all the times in chap 35 that it says that someone's heart was stirred/moved to do some aspect of the task, or they were skilled for a task.
Men and women were both moved by the Spirit and given skills by the Spirit to work on the tabernacle. and Everyone DID what God moved them to do. It looks like the entire community contributed in some way, either by donations or skilled work.
I can imagine how it must have felt to be involved in something like this! It's exciting to be a part of a big project, and a project assigned by God must have been even more exciting! It would have been fun to watch it all come together.
Here we are 15 years later, and that new facility has been such a blessing to the community. We host a Foster Parent Night Out when any foster parent can drop their foster children off and get care and great fun for them while the parents get a much-needed break!
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