Exodus 26:15-25 "Then you shall make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright. Ten cubits shall be the length of each board and one and a half cubits the width of each board. There shall be two tenons for each board, fitted to one another; thus you shall do for all the boards of the tabernacle. You shall make the boards for the tabernacle: twenty boards for the south side. You shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards, two sockets under one board for its two tenons and two sockets under another board for its two tenons; and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, twenty boards, and their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board and two sockets under another board. For the rear of the tabernacle, to the west, you shall make six boards. You shall make two boards for the corners of the tabernacle at the rear. They shall be double beneath, and together they shall be complete to its top to the first ring; thus it shall be with both of them: they shall form the two corners. There shall be eight boards with their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board and two sockets under another board.” (NASB)
This week I am taking some vacation time off of work but as many are these days – this is a “Staycation”. So, I needed a project. We’ve had a covered area by our pool with slotted wood since it was built more than 15 years ago and I’ve wanted to make that a solid all weather roof for some time. This is the time. Construction, or shall I say – destruction started on Monday.
Right off the bat I met with the unexpected as I brought out my trusty wrecking bar to pop off the 2x2 redwood that was simply nailed up there. Oops! Not nailed, it had been screwed down. Every piece had been screwed in place which of course made for good construction but made my job of taking it apart a challenge. Out comes the electric drill with Phillips head screw driver attachment and away we go. What I discovered of course was that I did not know what I was getting into as I began even the demolition phase.
By Tuesday morning I was ready to go shopping for materials having a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do from a construction standpoint. Well, I didn’t have an inventory of the hardware store in mind as I put the thoughts in my head so there was quite a process of wandering and pondering as I pieced the project together mentally gathering the necessary materials.
It worked out that the measurements would provide for a two foot spacing. So, I put the first hanger up and measured out two more feet to the next position. Two more feet and – TROUBLE. A light fixture and conduit was exactly in that position so I couldn’t put it there. I had to deviate and go with two and a half feet on that one. Then back to two feet for the remainder.
I’m not done with the project but I will just guarantee there will be unexpected challenges as I design as I build. And that is the point of the passage I chose today from Exodus which is a portion of the detailed instructions given to Moses by God to the people of Israel for building the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was the precursor of the Temple and housed the Arc of the Covenant. It was the portable version carried by Israel as they wandered through the desert on their way to the Promised Land.
So what is the significance?
God did not simply say, Moses – run down to Lowes and pick up a few rugs and some lumber and build me a tent. He gave very detailed instructions. This was the Lord’s house and He wanted it made a particular way. He gave detailed instructions to Moses to have the Tabernacle materials prepared and ultimately constructed. As they moved through the desert for decades, the Tabernacle went with them. It was taken apart and then put back together in each new location.
God also provided the artisans with the skills to prepare the various pieces of silverwork, tapestries and woodwork. None of this should be lost on us as we observe what God did in providing for the building of His Tabernacle.
So what? How does this matter to me?
Well, our God does not change. The God that provided that detail to Moses in building that Tabernacle is the same God that is living and active today. He is at work with His plan and we know by observing His ways that His method is not to get into a project and decide what happens next on the fly. His plan has been established from the beginning. And His plan is detailed down to the finest point, we don’t need to wonder whether that is true. Thankfully, we have passages like this to see a glimpse of the detail our Lord considers.
It is unlikely that any one of us will be asked by God to build Him a tent. But we do know that every Christian is considered a part of the body of Christ (see 1 Cor 12) and as such has a function to fulfill. In context our function is not a haphazard unplanned effort that we make up on the fly. Our Lord has a design in mind.
OK – so, I’m supposed to be working on some project. What? How?
I cannot tell you what your project for God is but I know He has something in mind for you. I do know that doing nothing is NOT it. Discerning God’s will for your life is an ongoing process and it involves time in His word, time under Biblical teaching, time in prayer and time in fellowship with believers to gain godly counsel. This passage comes to mind, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (NASB)
Our steps are laid before us – we simply need to walk in them. AMEN!
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