April 27 -- "The Cloud of Glory"

Today's Reading: Exodus 40 

"The Cloud of Glory"

The Tabernacle has just been completed and consecrated. And then something remarkable happens: the glory of the Lord fills it! The presence of God is so powerful that Moses is not able to even enter the tent of meeting, which is the area of the Tabernacle where God's presence was believed to be most concentrated. The cloud that settled on the tent of meeting was a visible manifestation of God's presence.

When the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle, it was a sign to the Israelites that God was with them and that He had accepted their obedience in constructing the Tabernacle and consecrating the priests. The cloud was a reminder of the Israelites' need to reverence and respect Him.

In other instances, the cloud symbolized God's judgment. In Isaiah 19:1, for example, it says, "Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence." This verse suggests that the cloud is a symbol of God's wrath and judgment against those who oppose Him.

In the New Testament, the cloud appears again at the transfiguration of Jesus, where a bright cloud overshadowed Peter, James, and John, and a voice from the cloud declared, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" (Matthew 17:5). This event emphasized the divinity of Jesus and His connection to God the Father.

The fact that Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting due to the presence of God's glory highlights the importance of holiness and purity in approaching God. It emphasizes that God is not to be taken lightly, and that His holy presence deserves our reverence.

April 26 -- "Recognizing a Job Well Done"

 Today's Reading: Exodus 39

"Recognizing a Job Well Done"

Today’s verse comes at the end of the section that describes the construction of the Tabernacle, the tent of meeting that served as a place of worship for the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness. The verse indicates that Moses, the leader of the Israelites, inspected all the work that had been done on the construction of the Tabernacle, and was pleased with what he saw. He recognized that the work had been done in accordance with the instructions that God had given to him, and he blessed the people who had carried out the work.

The principles illustrated in Exodus 39:43 are still relevant and applicable for you and I as followers of Christ.

Firstly, the importance of following God's commands and doing His will remains a fundamental principle for believers in any era. As Christians, we are called to live lives of obedience to God's commands and to fulfill the purposes for which He has created us.

Secondly, the value of hard work and diligence is a timeless principle that is just as important today as it was in ancient times. Christians are called to be diligent in their work, whether in their secular jobs or in serving God and His people. Diligence, hard work, and attention to detail are not only important for achieving success in our endeavors but also for demonstrating our faithfulness to God.

Finally, the importance of leaders who are willing to inspect and evaluate the work of those under their authority, and to offer recognition and blessings for a job well done, remains critical in modern times. In Christian leadership, it is essential to recognize and acknowledge the contributions of those who serve faithfully, and to bless them for their hard work and dedication to God's purposes.

One day, each of us who have chosen to faithfully follow Jesus will be recognized by Him as we are invited into His kingdom with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21)

April 25 -- "Mirrors of Bronze"

 Today's Reading: Exodus 38

"Mirrors of Bronze"

This verse describes the making of the basin and its stand. The basin (also known as the "bronze basin" or "laver") was a large bowl made of bronze or brass that was used for washing by the priests in the Tabernacle. It was filled with water and used for washing the hands and feet of the priests before performing certain duties, such as offering sacrifices or entering the holy place. The basin measured 7½ feet in diameter and was 4½ feet high.  This practice emphasized the importance of spiritual cleanliness and purity in approaching God.

What is particularly interesting about this verse is that it mentions the source of the material used for making the basin and its stand: mirrors donated by the ministering women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting.

In ancient times, mirrors were typically made from highly reflective and polished metals, as the technology to create glass mirrors did not exist. These mirrors would have provided a dimmer and less clear reflection than modern mirrors, but would still have been useful for personal grooming and other purposes. It is likely that the mirrors donated by the ministering women were highly valued possessions, as mirrors were considered a luxury item in ancient times.

The fact that the ministering women were willing to donate their mirrors for the construction of the Tabernacle suggests that they placed a high value on their worship of God and on contributing to the construction of the holy place. It also demonstrates their generosity and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good.

Are you willing to give up your “mirror” (any highly valued possession) for the greater cause of worshiping and serving your Creator? He is looking for men and women willing to demonstrate the same generosity and readiness to sacrifice for His kingdom.

April 24 -- "The Seat of Mercy"

Today's Reading: Exodus 37 

"The Seat of Mercy"

As construction of the Tabernacle progressed, the work became increasingly intricate and sacred. Going from the outer courtyard to the framing of the tent, to the curtains and draperies, and then progressing inward to The Holy Place and then to the Most Holy Place, known as the “Holy of Holies.” This name emphasizes the sacredness and purity of this special section of the Tent of Meeting which was set aside for the worship of Yahweh.

The Holy Place contained the table of showbread, the golden lampstand, and the altar of incense, while the Most Holy Place contained the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was designed to contain the tablets of the Ten Commandments that Moses had received from God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:16), as well as other important items such as Aaron's staff and a jar of manna (Exodus 16:33-34, Numbers 17:10). The Ark was considered to be the most holy object in the Most Holy Place, as it was a symbol of God's presence among His people.

Exodus 37:9 describes the construction of the mercy seat, which was a sacred object that was placed on top of the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle. The mercy seat was made of pure gold, and two cherubim (angelic beings) made of gold were placed on top of it, with their wings outstretched and facing each other. This was the place where humans would meet with and commune with their God and where they could receive mercy, grace, and forgiveness of their sins.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate expression of God's mercy and grace. Jesus' death on the cross is seen as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity, providing a way for people to receive forgiveness and salvation through faith in Him. This is referred to as the "mercy seat" or "throne of grace" as it represents God's gracious and merciful provision for humanity's redemption.

In Hebrews 4:16, it says, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." This verse emphasizes that through Jesus Christ, (our “Mercy Seat”) believers can approach God with confidence and find mercy and grace in their time of need.

April 23 -- "The Skilled Craftsmen"

 Today's Reading: Exodus 36

"The Skilled Craftsmen"

In Exodus 31, God specifically chose Bezalel and Oholiab to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle, and He gifted them with the necessary skills to complete the work. This was not a matter of natural ability or talent, but rather a special endowment of God's grace. In Exodus 36:2, we see Moses calling together not just Bezalel and Oholiab, but also every other craftsman who had been similarly gifted with the necessary skills.

The phrase "in whose mind the Lord had put skill" emphasizes the idea that the ability to do this work was not just a matter of human effort, but rather a divine gift. The craftsmen were not self-taught or naturally talented, but rather they had received a special endowment of skill from God Himself. This recognition of divine gifting is an important theme throughout the Bible, as it highlights the fact that all of our talents and abilities ultimately come from God.

The phrase "everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work" emphasizes the idea that the craftsmen were not just hired hands, but rather were responding to a call from God to use their talents for His purposes. Their hearts were stirred by the Holy Spirit to respond to God's call, and they willingly gave of their time, energy, and skills to complete the work.

The New Testament affirms the idea that our talents and abilities ultimately come from God, and that there is a difference between natural ability and spiritual gifts.

In 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul discusses the concept of spiritual gifts, which are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to believers in order to build up the Church. Paul emphasizes that these gifts are given by the Holy Spirit according to His own will and are not something that can be earned or acquired through human effort. They are given for the common good of the Church and are meant to be used to glorify God.

It is an amazing and beautiful thing to behold when a job needs to be done and the person(s) chosen for the work are gifted supernaturally by God and have hearts that stir them to do the work.

April 22 -- "A Freewill Offering"

Today's Reading: Exodus 35 

"A Freewill Offering"

In today’s passage, we see that the people of Israel generously gave of their own resources to provide the materials and supplies needed for the construction of the Tabernacle.

The phrase "whose heart moved them" is particularly significant in this verse. It suggests that the Israelites were motivated not by obligation or duty, nor by routine or tradition, but by a genuine desire to participate in the work of the Lord. They recognized the significance of what they were doing and were eager to contribute in any way they could.

The term "free will" generally refers to the ability of an individual to make choices that are not predetermined or coerced by external factors. It is the capacity of a person to make decisions that are not solely determined by biological, environmental, or psychological factors, but rather by their own conscious choice and agency.

Free will generosity is the type of generosity God desires from His people, and the type He will reward and bless. What a joy it is to give of ourselves and our resources in this manner.

This passage is a powerful reminder of the importance of generosity and voluntary giving in the life of faith. It shows that true worship and devotion to God are not just about fulfilling obligations or following rules, but about giving of ourselves freely and joyfully to participate in His work. When we give with a willing heart, we not only support the work of the Lord, but we also experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from participating in His kingdom.

April 21 -- "The Merciful and Gracious God"

 Today's Reading: Exodus 34

"The Merciful and Gracious God"

Exodus 34:6 is a powerful reminder that God is not distant or aloof, but rather intimately involved in the lives of His people. He is a God who loves us deeply and desires to be in relationship with us, despite our sin and imperfection.

Earlier in Exodus 33, God had promised to show Moses His glory, and in response, Moses asked God to reveal Himself to him. Here, God grants Moses this request by descending upon Mount Sinai in a cloud and proclaiming His Name and attributes to him. The phrase "passed before him" implies that God appeared before Moses in a visible form, perhaps in a way that Moses could perceive with his senses.

As God passed before Moses, He proclaimed Himself as "the LORD, the LORD" - a repetition that emphasizes the importance of what God is about to say. The four attributes that God then reveals about Himself are:

Merciful: God is compassionate and forgiving, even when we don't deserve it. He shows us mercy instead of punishing us as we deserve.

Gracious: God is kind and generous, bestowing blessings on us that we do not deserve. He gives us good things that we could never earn or repay.

Slow to anger: God is patient and forbearing, not quick to become angry or wrathful. He gives us time and space to repent and turn back to Him.

Abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness: God's love for us is unchanging and enduring, and He always keeps His promises. He is faithful to His covenant with His people, even when they are faithless.

Taken together, these attributes paint a picture of a God who is both just and loving, holy and merciful. God's mercy and grace do not come at the expense of His justice and holiness, but are rather expressions of His character and nature.