Exodus 38-40; Glory of the LORD

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We made it through Exodus! Oh I pray that you stay with it. Most people who set out to read through the Bible only make it through Exodus. So, push through. We can do it together.

I love the final segment of chapter 40. This one part just captivated my imagination:

34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

The glory of the LORD. What does that mean? I am honestly not sure that I can even explain it. In this instance, the glory of the LORD was His presence in the tabernacle. He filled the tabernacle up and nothing else could occupy that space. I imagine there was something about the area that no one could put their finger on but they could feel energy and excitement and the power of God.

We too can be filled abundantly by the glory of the LORD. When we allow Him to occupy our heart completely, there is something about us that others can see, but they can’t always put their finger on what it is that makes us different. It is this occupation of the LORD that is often the best way we bring people to Christ. They simply see Him in us and want it for themselves.

Do you allow the Glory to fill your heart completely? Or is there something else that fills that space. It could be other passions and obsessions. It could be love for work, love for money, love for success, or even love for a hobby. When these things take precedent over God, they make empty space in our heart that blocks the Glory of God from really shining through us.

When we enjoy the glory of the LORD, we are taking part in the blessing of knowing Him, creating a meaningful relationship, and benefiting from His abounding love. Don’t let other things make a home in your heart. Move them out and open the doors for God’s glory.

Exodus 35-37, Prized Posessions

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Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE jewelry. I love fun, funky costume jewelry and I expecially love the real stuff too!! Oh how I just enjoy window shopping (notice how I said window shopping) at Tiffany’s and I am mesmerized by the sparkles. I once ventured in just to look for fun and upon trying on a georgeous diamond ring, I had to immediately take it off because I got a case of the vapors. That’s right, I got a little vaklemped!

So, when Exodus 35 mentioned brooches, earrings, signant rings and armlets of gold, you just know this got my attention!

Moses was setting out to start the building of the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle and he needed supplies. Because the Lord required only the best materials, Moses needed gold, silver and bronze. Upon asking for donations, the Isrealites came in droves to provide the materials. That’s right, they actually took off their jewelry and gave it up for the Lord. Oh my…

Exodus 35:21-22
21And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. 22So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD.

Their hearts stirred and their spirits were moved to bring this offering to the LORD.

This passaged challenged me to think about if I would be willing to give an offering of this magnitude. Now, your vice might not be jewelry like mine is, but you might have somthing else that you cherish. Would you be willing to give it up for the LORD?

Please hear me when I say that these items in and of themselves are not bad at all. In fact, God often blesses us with things we enjoy. It is when we are not willing to give them up for the LORD that creates the problem. This means that we are putting some earthly object that won’t accompany us to heaven before our God.

Let us all be like the Israelites and let our hearts be stirred and spirits moved to offer up daily what we cherish to the LORD. Most importantly, let us offer up our lives to be used by Him and glorify Him.

Here is a representation of the Ark of the Covenant-just FYI:

Exodus 32-34; Pleading to God

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Poor Moses, his fellow Israelites were always disappointing him. First they whined and complained before he parted the Red Sea, saying they were better off back in Egypt. Now, the moment he leaves them to be with God on Mount Sinai, they loose their minds and make a golden calf to worship as their god.

How crazy is this?! I mean, honestly, how could they possible forget all the awesome things the one and only God had already done for them. Just to go and worship some inanimate object? Well, actually this isn’t too far from where we are in our present culture. But, we have already discussed this in previous blog postings.

What I am getting at right now is that Moses had to go and stand in the gap for the people of Israel. Because God is a jealous God and demands all of our allegiance, you can only imagine how angry He was at the people. In fact Exodus 32:10 said that the LORD’s wrath burned hot and He was ready to consume every one of them!! Oh man, Moses must have been freaking out at this point.

What is so cool is that, instead of freaking out, Moses immediately went to bat for his people. He pleaded with God on behalf of these wayward Israelites.

Exodus 34:9 (New International Version)
9 “O Lord, if I have found favor in your eyes,” he said, “then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.”

Moses sets a great example for what we need to be constantly doing for our very own wayward nation. We must be on our knees in prayer, pleading to God for forgiveness and mercy. Just as He heard Moses’ prayers, God hears our prayers as well. Think about how many evil things could turn around in this country if every Christian pleaded to God in this manner on a daily basis.

We need God on an individual basis. But, let us not forget that our nation as a whole needs God desperately, too!