Tuesday: Work and Excellence
Skim over Exodus 25:10-30, Exodus 25:38. How particular was God when He asked Moses to erect a tabernacle of worship? What does this tell us about God’s character?
When God told Moses to build a tent “for Him,” Moses could have said, “No problem, Lord! I have been pitching tents ever since I ran away from Egypt 40 years ago … .
Image © Justinen Creative from GoodSalt.com
Just give me a minute!” For any man living in the seminomadic Midianite culture of the day, putting up a tent was simple stuff. He could have done it blindfolded, reflex-only, with his mind on other, far more important things. What Moses may not have expected was a very detailed set of blueprints (for an otherwise very simple architectural structure) plus a long “how-to-do-it list” regarding every piece of furniture inside, as well as for the priestly garments – nearly 150 point-by-point instructions. To build a simple table, Moses had to follow a seven-step assembly procedure (Exod: 25:23-30).
The attention to detail that God showed in the building of His tent (as well as later on in the instructions for the sacrificial rituals) shows a prevailing spirit of excellence, a desire to produce nothing less than a masterpiece. The materials were of the highest quality, the design was impeccable, the work had to be outstanding – the message was clear: “With God, sloppy work is not accepted!”
However, although the standard appeared to be high, it was God Himself who provided not only the impetus but also the human resources for reaching it. We read in Exodus 31:1-6, Exodus 35:30-36:1 that God Himself gave the people the needed skills. These men were “filled with the Spirit,” giving them ability and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, so that the building of the tabernacle and its furniture would proceed as “the LORD has commanded” (Exod: 36:1, NRSV). Moreover, the same two master designers were also endowed with the “ability to teach” (Exod: 35:34) so that their knowledge and skill would continue to abide within the Israelite community. Although these two individuals are singled out in the story as being the leaders chosen by God, other people received similar gifts and joined the work (Exod: 36:2).
Thus, being fallen, sinful humans is not a valid excuse for treating any task with anything less than utmost dedication. God expects us always to perform at our best, putting our talents, skills, time, and education to good use for great causes.
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Having read what the Lord said and the point being made, it makes me wonder why the author of the lesson directed me to "skim." Should we ever skim Scripture?
He or She some how took it for granted that you have read this in the book of Exodus before! I must have read read this Book of Exodus more than 20 times and I did skim the text no big deal!
If we don’t skim the texts about the building of the Tabernacle and we compare them to the building of the Temple we will see how much bigger the Temple was (see below) and of course it was a permanent structure. The Tabernacle was built so it could be dissembled and carried from place to place.
However both structures taught the Plan of Salvation. One is basic and the other more complex, it brings to mind that when we are sharing the Good News it is better to start with the basics before we go on to the more complex and detailed information that is suitable for a mature mind. However as Paul tells us in Hebrews we should not remain babes in the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation but become mature in understanding.
The Bronze Altar that Moses built for the Tabernacle was 5 cubits long x 5 cubits wide x 3 cubits high (Ex 27:1). (7.5’ x 7.5’ x 4.5’)
Solomon’s altar. 2 Chronicles 4:1 gives us the dimensions: 20 cubits long x 20 cubits wide x 10 cubits high. (30’ x 30’ x 15’)
The Tabernacle was 45’ long x 15’ wide x 15’ high. Solomon’s Temple, as you might imagine, was significantly larger. We get the dimensions in 1 Kings 6:2-3. (60 cubits long x 20 cubits wide x 30 cubits high) (90’ x 30’ x 45’)
In the Tabernacle there was one golden lampstand and one table for the shew bread, in the temple there were ten of each.
Interesting point, Gerald. It appears the lesson authors assume we have previously studied the referenced passage, but there may well be some on this forum who have not. Perhaps they should have said "read through" rather than "skim".
Having said that, I do think there are some times skimming Scripture may be okay. For example, if you are trying to remember which verse of a particular chapter has the reference you are looking for, or as a reminder as today's lesson does. But certainly our study time should be much more in depth.
I thought the same thing. You can’t skim details, and God was detailed for a reason. Everything about that tabernacle was to teach a lesson to all, about God, His character and our salvation.
True Karen. On the other hand we sometimes get bogged down in the details to the extent that we lose sight of the big picture. What was the Tabernacle's big picture?
I remember a sermon where a point was made about the use of the definite article "the" instead of the indefinite article "a" in a particular passage of scripture. That is all I remember about the sermon. The big picture escaped in the focus on the detail.
There is indeed a time to look at detail, but never at the expense of the big picture.
God is wonderful and so much more than we can think of. At the same time He is a God of detail, He is able to forgive us every time we fail. By The Law, we are all doomed to destruction! Fortunately, God still sees good things in us, and point us to His love, the only hope we might have to change our destiny. By truly accepting Jesus as our saviour, and being heart-touched, let us become efficient in every aspect, and use our gifts to witness the miracle He has done for us individually.
We see the concept of work beginning in Genesis with God demonstrating and evaluating His work and in Revelation, the work of the sanctuary is described and finalized. In between the first and last books of the Bible, a work ethic can be found for both good and not so good. God is an excellent and perfect worker. His construction instructions for both the Ark and the Sanctuary contained life-saving elements- one for physical saving and the other spiritual. The Ark is one example of how our work ethic can demonstrate God's gospel in the world and the Sanctuary is an example of work ethic among believers and living the gospel. For me, the take-away from today's lesson is about obedience to God, following His instructions or directions so that my work can glorify Him. Giving Him my best.
Skim. The author most likely meant ; read quickly and pick up the most salient points. When mother said ‘ skim the milk “ the cream was collected to make butter not to be thrown away. Whatever the author meant I believe that is impossible to read the texts without being impressed that direct details were being given. God directs and we should follow . May we ask of HIM forgiveness for failing to be diligent in all we do .
When looking at God’s instructions for building His Tabernacle and His Temple and all things related to it merely from the standpoint of Him displaying a ‘spirit of excellence’, brings this construction effort down to a mere human level. Should we not first and foremost consider God’s mysterious Wisdom and influence when examining the blueprint on which our own hand’s work-excellence should be based on?
I think the construction of the tabernacle and the temple – dimensions and material used -, the maintenance of them and the service of the priests are chosen based on their spiritual aspects and clothed in their physical appearance for the sake of man – Isaiah 55:8-9KJV. After all, are they not fashioned after that which existed in heaven?
David wanted to build a house for his Father to dwell in but was denied – 2Sam.7:1-7KJV; but God allowed His Home to be built during Salomon’s reign. So, even by whom and the time for building the temple was chosen by God.
Why did it matter under who’s reign the House for God was build - 1Chron.28:3KJV? Both, David and Salomon had faults, so why not David? God’s mind works differently and the mysteries of His ways are beyond our understanding – Rom.11:33-34KJV; Deut.29:29KJV.
Ps.90:17KJV – “And let the Beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish Thou the work of our hands upon us: yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it.”
It took 7 years to build the tabernacle. As the lesson says, for people used to "pitching tents" this was a long, detailed,
not-multi-tasking tent pitching.
I'm grateful for this as I think of myself as God's temple (1 Cor 3:16). Tenderly and patiently He's doing His work in me to make me His masterpiece for His glory —a masterpiece that “conform[s] to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). He's been at it 50 years with me on this planet and He'll continue for my whole lifetime here! Wow! Thank You, Lord, for making us new (2 Cor. 5:17) and for never tiring of investing Your energy and effort and undivided attention into our lives!
Praise God!
Thank you Sis. Esther, i needed that today.
What hope!
What encouragement!
What a Gracious God we have!
He's been on the job for 69 years in my life, and though it seems like it has been one step forward, and two steps back, I know He is faithful to His promise to complete the work He himself started in me.
Let us, by His grace, give Him our best.
<3 Sis Norma!
And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.
Exod 25:8.
Work and Excellence
For the building of the sanctuary great and expensive preparations were necessary; a large amount of the most precious and costly material was required; yet the Lord accepted only freewill offerings. “Of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take My offering” was the divine command repeated by Moses to the congregation. Devotion to God and a spirit of sacrifice were the first requisites in preparing a dwelling place for the Most High. {PP 343.3}
A house built for God should not be left in debt, for He is thereby dishonored. {PP 344.5}
In the building of the sanctuary this was specific to a particular time with specific things within/without the sanctuary. Those ornaments represented Christ who would have come to take away the sins of the world. The Lord specifically told Moses who was to be the leaders and he endowed them with specific gifts. The men at that time were paid to do the work on/in the sanctuary. The men did a beautiful and magnificent job. After completion, the temple was a 'talk of the town.' Everything was perfect and exact according to the original.
In building of our churches today, many times despite money is available, many want it to be done from free labor. Some churches/buildings of worship are so large and empty that it is impossible for the members to pay the loan. Those edifices have worship on Sabbath and they rent out the building on Sunday for Sunday worship. Many times I wonder what the Lord thinks of us?
As it was with the building of the physical temple and working, so we as Christians are called to physically work with our hands doing the best with the talents we are given. If we are called to clean a house/floor/streets or anywhere we should clean the place perfectly. If we are called as a builder/carpenter we should do it to the best of our ability. Some have to go back two or three times because the work being paid for was not done satisfactory. That should not be as Christians. Some people even refuses to allow Christians to work for them because some have build a reputation not for good. Some people usually do excellent jobs and is in high demand.
Whether we eat, drink, or whatever we do, do all to glorify God
1 Cor 10:31.
After "skimming" over the selected passage for today's subject, whatever this tells us about the character of God, how does it apply to ME? (Keep in mind the true object/purpose of Education)
God is very specific in His instructions to His people, and it is in our best interest to know His will(Eph 5:17) that we might fulfill it in our lives(Ps 40:8). In doing this we show ourselves to live by faith, and anything less than this is unbelief. God gives great attention to precise detail, and only the most able and dedicated workmen were to be employed in order to accomplish what was appointed.
In doing the Lord's work, we must be enabled to be diligent and faithful in all things Christ has commanded us.