Day 7

I hope you all had a wonderful day of rest in the Lord. Today we read about Israel building the tabernacle, clothing, and furniture as they were commanded. It seems a bit redundant for God to give such detail on how to build it just to have it repeated like a checklist a few chapters later. But what this demonstrates to me is the integrity and sincerity Israel met this challenge with. They wanted to follow God's word, every bit of it. They wanted to get it right and so we see them follow the instructions step by step. I think it's best illustrated at the end, "And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them." (Exodus 39:43).

Imagine if we were to make a report on our Christian life. Would we report in a level of detail that demonstrates our devotion to following God? Do we really want to live as Christ commanded us? Or is there some area we try to skip? Is there an area you'd rather not acknowledge because it seems to tedious, trivial, or undesirable? I find this quote to be very comforting and encouraging, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." (I John 5:3).

I do not believe building the tabernacle was a grievous task. In fact, the people were so eager to obey God that the leaders of Israel had to turn away those who wanted to donate more items to the building of the tabernacle; They had given too much!

In Christ,

Jay Silvas