Meditation

Meditation: Exodus 36 & 37

Reading: Exodus 36:8-18; 37:1,2.

In Exodus 26-28 God commands Israel to build the holy tabernacle, furniture and the priests’ garments, according to His design. God’s instructions are very detailed and precise, including measurements, materials, colours, technical items (26:17).

God fills Bezalel with the Holy Spirit’s wisdom, understanding and knowledge to build and supervise the construction of the tabernacle (35:31). God also gives Bezalel and Aholiab ability to teach others.

In Exodus 36 to 39 Moses repeats the instructions of Exodus 26-28, showing that the work was done exactly according to those instructions. Moses repeats himself for a very good reason.  By comparing God’s instructions and the actual work we can see that Bezalel, Aholiab and all the skilled workers carried out everything according to God’s design. This is a commendation of their obedience. Furthermore it is important that there should be nothing human in the design of the tabernacle. Even though the people work very hard and skillfully, God does not want them to include their own inventions. In order to preserve the holiness of the tabernacle the people had to follow God’s design step by step.  It is also a lesson for the future so that in everything they would follow God’s will rather than their own.

Israel and we do not understand the meaning behind every detail; but we know that God commands all things according to His divine purpose. This helps us to reverently accept the mysteries of faith until all is revealed in life eternal. The tabernacle is made of expensive and splendid materials and is a most holy place; it is a small foretaste of what is coming in life eternal which will be infinitely more glorious. 1 Corinthians 2:9 assures us:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Key text: Exodus 36:1 “And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the LORD has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the LORD has commanded.”

Question: There are many mysteries of faith. For example, why does God allow so much suffering in this life? Why does God reveal so little about life eternal? When you consider these mysteries, what do you think?