“And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they have done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.” Instructions on exactly how to build the tabernacle in the chapters just preceding this verse are amazingly complex. Each of the details are necessary to communicate something about Israel’s magnificent and merciful God. It would not have been acceptable, or indeed permissible, to leave things out or refuse to comply. The Lord was using these people to teach all of His children, at that moment and in future generations, about His son. We should be thankful for the obedience displayed here, knowing by experience the joy of salvation. The thought that would not escape my mind as I read this is my own lack of attention to detail in regard to God’s commands. Do I return to His guide book day after day, night after night to be sure I have overlooked nothing? Am I concerned with compliance in all aspects of Biblical instruction, no matter how difficult or inconveniencing? I imagine I am not alone in admitting massive shortfalls and major omissions. Notice please that the blessing came after detailed and diligent obedience. This is the Lord’s pattern in every age and with every people. God wants the best for us, and He leads accordingly. We need to follow His strict instructions to the letter, not for their own sake, but for the purpose of showing forth the wonder and beauty of Christ, as the tabernacle did in that day.
“And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.” This is a wonderful and almost unprecedented passage of scripture. As you read through the Old Testament it is a hard verse to skip over without reading again and again to be sure you understand correctly. Could God have been speaking to Moses face to face? Well, apparently not literally, because a few verses later God says no man can see Him and live. Remember that God is not limited by any physical boundaries. He was speaking to Moses “as though” they were face to face. I think that means that every level of intimacy that is present in a face to face conversation was present here. We attempt to have a face-to-face-style conversations via phone or internet with friends and family but can’t quite succeed. God achieved this with no difficulty. It is a magnificent thought, but is it really different than the opportunity we have in the new covenant, while every believer is brought close to God by completed cleansing of sin and the constant indwelling of the Holy Spirit? It’s hard to say, because it is hard to compare. This we know; saved men today may have maximum communion with the Lord through the Written Word and prayer. The real question is whether or not we are choosing to take advantage of it.
“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’s side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.” Is it too simplistic to say that the question in this verse is the one we should be asking ourselves today? Is removing a quote from a comlicated context and applying it freely even appropriate? I have pondered the implications and believe I have the answers. Simplistic? Yes. Inappropriate? No. The children of Israel were engaged in active and gross sin. I hope none of us are in the same situation, but cannot rule it out. Indeed any sin is an offense to God, a stench in his nostrils, so every man and woman must decide where they stand. The question is what we plan to do after the sin is pointed out, as it was in this passage. Are we on the Lord’s side? Do we plan to make a habit of this disobedience? Are we ready to face the consequences if we do? In a way, every act of rebellion should be followed up with a re-commitment. It sounds almost too simple to say we ought to confess our sin and get back on the right path, but that’s basically the point, right?
“And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.” Aaron was perfectly accurate in his description of the people. It seems from their behavior that they were indeed set on mischief. The problem with his statement is that it shifts the blame. Aaron chose immediately to give in to the requests of the people. He expressed no hesitation, gave no commentary, and only contributed to the activity by insisting that his molten calf had been responsible for the deliverance of Israel! All indications are that Aaron was equally set on mischief, holding even more responsibility as the leader in Moses’ stead. He had a typical human problem; recognizing the sin of others, while failing to acknowledge or offering justification for his own. Those trusted with the responsibility of leading others should be the first to take note of Aaron’s folly. Our prayer ought to be for strength to follow Christ even when we are pressured by one or many to do otherwise.
The title of a book I have never read prompted some thinking and study of God’s word that ultimately led to the outline of this message. God called upon Moses to “do hard things” for His name’s sake, and thanks to his obedience we have a wonderful example today. This message from Exodus chapter 3 was presented at our church in Fairbanks several months ago.
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“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.” The people of Israel were primarily showing a lack of faith in God by issuing this request, however several other sinful characteristics show through in the verse. How many times have we at least considered turning to other sources of “blessing” when God has delayed? Have we also believed someone other than our Lord has led us through a time of difficulty? The people, in their impatience, jump to the conclusion 1) that God has abandoned them and 2) that new gods would be capable of providing better leadership. They also make the false assertion that Moses had led them out of Egypt. Had they not internalized the constant refrain: “the Lord thy God, which brought thee up out of the land Egypt?” It is clear that these sinful thought patterns had not come upon them suddenly. This episode was a revelation of heart attitude and true belief. It is important always to examine both in our own lives. The path that leads to the worship of “other gods” begins with a heart affection for wrong things and a belief in something other than our precious Savior.
“And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.” As I read this chapter and contemplated the details of each ritual and offering required for the priests of Israel, I began to be thankful for life after the law’s fulfillment. It was not until I arrived at this verse that I started to put things into perspective. Certainly this age of law was somewhat more burdensome than our age of grace, in that the rules were plentiful, full of specifics, and (one more thing) totally impossible. Still, God did not intend for His people to be weighed-down to do His will. All of the great men of the Old Testament spoke of their love for His law, not for the rules in and of themselves, but for the remembrance it gave them of their wonderful and faithful God. The list of rules in this chapter end on exactly that note, reminding Aaron and his sons (and indeed all Israel) of their Mighty Deliverer. As we live by the rule of scripture, even in this age of grace, we must view our obedience in the very same way. Christ wants us to know that He is “the Lord our God”. Any believer’s righteous action is a testimony of allegiance to a Lord that seeks only their own good. Let us do the Lord’s will not out of duty, but out of devotion to a great Savior.
“And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.” In the detail of the previous passage outlining every square inch of the tabernacle, we see example and representation of God. Bible scholars could show us line upon line revealing the character and nature of Jehovah by these earthly means. I believe the revelation was far from stopping there. Even the priestly garments testify of our Lord. His ministers were to present in their clothing the glory and beauty of the One True God. We understand that a bit of fabric is nothing of itself. Apart from the choosing of God nothing on this cursed earth does Him justice. Even these priests, as fine a men as they no doubt were, could never have hoped to reveal a glimpse of their Creator without His own specific intervention. These garments had no holiness because of earthly cost. They were common garments, selected by the King to evidence His greatness. We are equally common, offering our Savior no value, and we can give Him nothing except a willingness to be used “for glory and for beauty” in a world of dishonor and ugliness.
“And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.” A person that knows the story of Israel may read a verse such as this one and laugh out loud! The record of God’s people is one of often disobedience and a regular pattern of rebellion, restoration, and more rebellion. The Hebrew people were eye-witness to the power and miraculous glory of God. They were also the first to receive His written word. Yet, God often described them as a stubborn and sinful people. I don’t believe, even after this commitment, that God expected perfection. He had provided a host of means within the law to cover failure and defeat. His concern then and now is that His people confess sin, forsake it, and look to Him for strength to proceed on a better path. Christians ought to make a similar verbal commitment to their Savior today. In fact, we have already made it in a non-verbal way if we have chosen to place our faith in Christ for salvation. A component of our calling out for redemption is always a commitment to follow. We should not fear declarative statements of intention to serve. They are not fool-hearty if we will only mean them from our hearts and rely on the Lord to help us fulfill them.
“And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.” A few sheep, goats or even pieces of silver make insignificant restitution for the purity of a young woman. While modern feminism would chastise us for saying it; girls are often silly, immature, and quick to give their affection for romantic words. The man who would offer this deceitful enticement is a rogue, certainly unworthy of the one he woos. Still, if he has one ounce of shame, one shred of honor, and the permission of her father, he may lawfully make amends. Both participants in this act display faults that are common to man. Every observer of their sin should identify, but never make excuse. Young or old, men must not be slave to every whim of fleshly desire. Today the world makes every justification, even boldly declaring these passions “cannot be tamed”. Of course, this is a ridiculous and shameful lie that succeeds only in reminding us how far we have fallen as a culture. The principle of this law is more than applicable today. Followers of Christ found sinning in this way would do well to examine God’s law for Israel, finding in it righteous advice to restore themselves to Him.
Devotions | Chris | 
August 12, 2009 10:00 pm | 
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