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More than enough…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 36:1 So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.”

The words of the very last verse catch my attention this morning: “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.” The idea of having “more than enough for doing the work” is breathtaking to me. I truly think that’s what God intended. You need something? I’ve got it. Here you go. 

Exodus 36:2 Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. 

So what keeps us from that reality? Scarcity mindset, definitely, and the fear that comes with it. Wanting to be the best or get ahead or keep an advantage may play a role. Folks taking advantage, not doing their part, working the system, probably takes a toll as well. 

Exodus 36:3 They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. 

Precious Savior, I cannot change the world. But I can change myself, my mindset. I know that I struggle with giving and generosity because of a scarcity mindset. Help me to do my part in this world so that we can eventually have “more than enough for doing the work” that You have called us to do. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 36:4-5 So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.”

Have a blessed day. 

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The Body of Christ…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 35:30-31 Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 

Again, today, the parallel to what I’ve seen with giving as a teacher holds true. Just like folks feel compelled to give, to help, in a disaster, there needs to be someone called to organize that giving. Otherwise, you end up with a pile of supplies and no clear plan to get them to those in need.

Exodus 35:32-33 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. 

Again, we are reminded that God calls each of us to give according to our hearts and according to our  talents. I am a phenomenal reminder, encourager, organizer. But I’m not always the one with the clear vision. Sometimes I work much better supporting those with the plan. So it is with all of us.

Exodus 35:34 And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder that we are all part of the Body of Christ, that You gift all of us in different ways and in different seasons to step in and step up to be Your hands and feet. Help us to see, to understand, the role You have equipped us for in every situation. Help us, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 35:35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.

Have a blessed day. 

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On giving and community…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 35:25-26 Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. 

Today’s verses have me thinking about high schools and natural disasters. Any time there was a flood or other natural disaster, at least one club at school would do a drive for cleaning supplies, water, blankets, etc. Folks (teachers, students, parents) brought or sent what they could. 

Exodus 35:27 The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. 

For some, that was one bottle of cleaning wipes. For others, that was ten cases of water. On its own, each donation wasn’t much in the face of the need, but put them all together, and our school was able to help many, many people over the years.

Exodus 35:28 They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense. 

Precious Savior, Once again I see You calling us to community. When we give what we can, what we are called to give, within the context of community, You show up and do amazing things with the offerings. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 35:29 All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do.

Have a blessed day. 

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Giving with a willing heart…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 35:20-21 Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. 

2 Cor 9:7 (God loves a cheerful giver) again comes to mind as I read today’s verses. Repeatedly in today’s verses we have the idea that those who were willing, whose hearts were moved, gave what they had that was needed. 

Exodus 35:22 All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord. 

God does not want grumpy givers, angrily handing over what they have, even though they don’t want to do it. He doesn’t want automatons, giving because they are programmed to give. He wants our hearts. He wants our willingness. He wants us to choose relationship with Him and all that it entails.

Exodus 35:23 Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or the other durable leather brought them. 

Precious Savior, I know that I still have a lot of work to do in this area, giving with a willing heart. That scarcity mindset is deep in me, but with You, I have all that I need. Help me to give freely and with a cheerful heart so that I can more effectively be Your hands and feet in this world. Amen.

Exodus 35:24 Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to the Lord, and everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it.

Have a blessed day. 

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Nothing is wasted…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 35:10-11 “All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded: the tabernacle with its tent and its covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; 

Today’s scripture puts me in mind of 1 Cor 12:12-27, which talks about the fact that while we are all part of the body of Christ, we all have different gifts, skills, and functions. 

Exodus 35:12-14 the ark with its poles and the atonement cover and the curtain that shields it; the table with its poles and all its articles and the bread of the Presence; the lampstand that is for light with its accessories, lamps and oil for the light;

Not only are we all part of the body of Christ, even though we have different gifts, each of us has gifts that are needed to be the hands and feet of Christ, if not now, then later. God can use us all and use all of us. Nothing is wasted.

Exodus 35:15-17 the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; the curtain for the doorway at the entrance to the tabernacle; the altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the bronze basin with its stand; the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; 

Precious Savior, I’ve felt the sting of trying to fill a role that is not mine to fill. I think we all have. Help us to know when we are the skilled who need to jump into action and when we need to play a supporting role to those who have the skills needed to get Your work done. Help us, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 35:18-19 the tent pegs for the tabernacle and for the courtyard, and their ropes; the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary—both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests.”

Have a blessed day. 

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From what you have…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 35:5 From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze; 

The first part of verse 5 catches my attention this morning: “From what you have….” Commentary relates it to 2 Cor 9:7 “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Exodus 35:6-7 blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood; 

The idea that we already have what we need to honor God, that all we need to do is give with a cheerful heart, is quite intriguing to me. What if we all did that? Give to others, not denying ourselves necessarily, but giving whatever it is we “decided in [our] hearts to give”. What a world that would be.

Exodus 35:8 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder that You have given us the tools and the resources to be Your hands and feet to each other. Help us to give of what we have to help others and glorify you. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 35:9 and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

Have a blessed day. 

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I want to understand…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 35:1 Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, “These are the things the Lord has commanded you to do: 

Commentary seems full of equivocations on these verses, spouting things like the difference between general work and business (no business allowed on Sabbath) and that not lighting a fire was talking about fire used for cooking or business purposes, but it was ok to light a fire for heat and light.

Exodus 35:2 For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death. 

When someone interprets the Bible according to their ideas and ideals, that’s problematic for me. “Oh, God meant this or that when He said….” Really? It’s convenient that God meant exactly what you just said and that it supports your philosophies. 

Exodus 35:3 Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.”

Precious Savior, I know I can be jaded, but I have seen the Bible used and abused by so many. I want to understand what You said and what You meant in the cultural and historical context and what that means for me today. Help me to understand Your word without corrupting it with my personal preferences. Help me, Jesus.

Exodus 35:4 Moses said to the whole Israelite community, “This is what the Lord has commanded:

Have a blessed day. 

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So much I don’t understand…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 34:33 When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. 

Reading today’s verses leads me to think that Moses is hiding his face so that the Israelites aren’t afraid to look at him due to the glory shining in his face from being with the Lord. 

Exodus 34:34a But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. 

Commentary says that’s not so, that according to Paul in 2 Cor 3:13, instead of hiding the glory, the veil is actually hiding “the end of what was passing away,” the fading of the Old Covenant. Wait. What?

Exodus 34:34b-35a And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. 

Precious Savior, To me, this commentary sounds like a convenient explanation from an armchair quarterback, long after the play, but I know there is so much I don’t understand. Help me, in my reading and studying, to draw closer to You. Always. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 34:5b Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord.

Have a blessed day. 

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With divine, sovereign clarity…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 34:29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. 

This morning’s verses have me thinking about Isaiah 55:8, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” When Moses came down and saw the golden calf and was so angry that he smashed the first two stone tablets, that felt like utter catastrophe.

Exodus 34:30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. 

It wasn’t ideal, for sure, but, after his second foray up the mountain, now with the two new tablets in hand, Moses has had an experience so holy that “his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord,” and he was completely unaware of it. This experience would never have happened if he hadn’t had to go back up the mountain.

Exodus 34:31 But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. 

Precious Savior, Now “we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror” (1 Cor 13:12), but you see with divine, sovereign clarity.  Thank You that Your ways “are far beyond anything” we could imagine. Help us to trust You, even when we don’t understand. Help us, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 34:32 Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai.

Have a blessed day. 

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Defaulting to love…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 34:25 “Do not offer the blood of a sacrifice to me along with anything containing yeast, and do not let any of the sacrifice from the Passover Festival remain until morning.

I’m still thinking about Aaron and Moses and their failings and shortcomings, about God’s amazing grace and mercy, about the fact that I should not judge because that’s not my job and because I am just as guilty of failings and shortcomings. 

Exodus 34:26 “Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God. “Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

Once again, my thoughts take me back to Matthew 7 and the reminder that, instead of focusing on the speck in my neighbor’s eye, I need to spend my time on the plank in my own. Not ironically, these verses come directly after “Do not judge, lest ye be judged,” which I quoted yesterday. I hear You, Jesus.

Exodus 34:27 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder that You’ve got it under control, You don’t need my help when it comes to judging others. Help me to always default to love, knowing that Your compassion and mercy will take care of everything else. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 34:28 Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.

Have a blessed day.