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I trust you had a good Valentine's Day yesterday. I was blessed with a wife that doesn't place much emphasis on this holiday, so a $60 bouquet of flowers is not something she wanted. A teddy bear is also something she would avoid, as it would likely become little more than a toy for our dog, anyway. I got her and my son a card from a shop near where I work and that was enough for me to fulfill my romantic duty for this day.
I even got to spend some time alone with Tina! Ben can be a little clingy, so when a friend asked if Ben could come and dig in the snow at the church parking lot, I didn't have to think about it for too long. "Heck, Yeah!" was my response. Well, not my response verbatim, but you get the idea. I drove Ben out there, got him suited up and returned to Tina, and we ran a few errands, including a trip to the Family Christian Bookstore in town to look for a book to help our church's budding Children's church.
I've heard other viewpoints about such a separation in the service, and some of these helped me decide to get a lesson plan before we got there. I want this time to be more than just a chance for the parents to not have to worry about what the kids are doing or how well their coloring books are looking. This book has quite a few lesson plans in there. All of them encourage the kids to speak out about different topics and all of them require some sort of a prop, but it's never anything big or expensive. The one we'll be doing tomorrow involves a bottle with glitter-water inside it, heart-shaped beads, and a Bible wrapped up like a gift. Well be discussing that the presence of God in our life is a present to us from a loving God. With the topic of birthdays and presents to begin our discussion, it should be easy to keep them going. If we end early, we can sing a few songs and the small snack we are bringing will take a little time off the clock as well.
And why do I mention the clock? Because I've never done something like this. I'm not a teacher or youth minister and I'm no great public speaker. Frankly, I'm a bit nervous. But with a plan of action, I have a good chance of reaching the kids with the message prepared in this book. If you read this before you go to church, I'd appreciate a quick prayer!
Moses relayed the instructions given by God and the Israelites set out to make the items needed for the tabernacle and other items. As a matter of fact, they brought more than enough and had to be asked to stop giving! That is a spirit of giving that so many churches could use. Not just the matter of getting more money, but the sense that the people gave so willingly and lovingly! This little-known story should be an inspiration to us all.
I've heard people complain about being expected to give money to the church, then grudgingly give their "fair share." Take note that the Israelites were giving their offerings in a joyful manner that was meant to be a way to worship God. I believe that's all God expects of us. To contribute is good, but to do so in a worshipful manner is the true effect He's wanting of us. So the next time you're at church and the offering comes around, try whispering a word of thanks to the Lord when you give the offering you are presenting. I believe God would rather you gave a penny with a glad heart than a fortune begrudgingly.
OK, the work is under way and some famous items are built in this day's reading. I just had a thought, though. Do you know who Deborah Lynn Scott is? Any ideas? OK, I won't keep you guessing. She was the Costume Designer for E.T., Titanic, and a few other movies you've probably heard of and she was found in the credits at the end of the movie. But I'll bet you a nickel you had no idea of that. That's because nobody reads the credits.
A movie is one thing, and I'd be proud to see my name in the credits as they streak up the screen at the speed of light. The Ark of the Covenant is another thing altogether, though. Bezalel and Oholiab are two of the craftsmen mentioned in the Bible. Their names aren't famous, but their work is more famous than any blockbuster ever seen in the theater. I warned you before that I may come up with a random thought here and there, didn't I?
Here's a few links for more information about the Tabernacle:
So how did the Israelites know if their work was done to God's expectations? God came down in a cloud and filled the tabernacle. Now how's that for an "attaboy?" I would have loved to have seen the artistry in the work. These were a people blessed by God, with specific instructions and who had generations of experience making many of the wonders of the Egyptians. I mentioned last week that if I could travel back in time it would be to this period of time, and this is one reason for this.
God's instructions on the building of this temporary structure were incredibly detailed. These people who were on the move for much of their 40 years of wandering found materials and worked them into a very specific arrangement that would contain the most holy of Israel's items and be incredibly holy in itself, and it had to be just so. These meticulous instructions tell us that His way is the only way to come to God. If you think your way will work just as well, you've already lost. God won't take some half-hearted attempt and any improvisation is futile when it comes to the Way to Him. That's powerful!
The Holy of Holies in the back of the Tabernacle was the place where God physically was when the people stopped on their journeys. This tells us that God is with us at all times. Also, for about 37 of the 40 years the people were wandering along with a heavy punishment for their sins. Only a few of them would ever step foot in the Promised Land because of their lack of faith and their sins never stopped throughout. But God remained with them anyway. Their sins included idolatry, witchcraft, sexual blasphemies, and numerous other deplorable sins and yet God was with them. The next time you feel so alone because you really messed up, think about this. God stayed with these people long after I would have abandoned them, and I'm not even holy!
The alter was anointed and gifts from all twelve tribes were given to dedicate it. And what gifts they were! When the gifts were fully collected on the twelfth day Moses once again spoke with God. This time the voice came from the cover of the Ark of the Covenant. Even though he had spoken with God for all of this time, it's a wonder he wasn't overwhelmed by it all!
Do you recall the Levites that killed the idol-worshiping Israelites? Here's where you see how they were fully set apart from the rest of the population. They are declared the property of God. Of course, everything belongs to Him, but they were set apart to a higher degree. Similar to naming, when God declares you His, he'll watch out for you. That's true even today and knowing that God is watching your steps is a blessed thing indeed!
Another point in this is goes back to the Passover of the firstborn of the Israelites while the firstborn sons of the Egyptians were killed. This is mentioned by God in this reading. The firstborn were (are) God's, but the Levites became the atonement for this. That doesn't sound like such a blessing at a first glance, but who made the largest atonement in history? Jesus Christ. Perhaps accepting the punishment of others isn't as much of a burden as it is a blessing. Of course, try telling that to the animals who were to be sacrificed in the prescribed methods!
The sin and guilt offerings are described in detail here. Note that only an offering without a blemish may be used. God doesn't want our second-best. Only the best will do. That is why Jesus had to live a sin-free life and why our sins must be atoned for. Who do you know anyone who is blameless? I can't think of anyone, either.
Next came other versions of offering. I've been wondering about something. Why doesn't God seem to like yeast? Was it around before sin entered our nature or did it come about with the thistles and weeds?
More sacrifices are mentioned here as well as the reminder not to drink blood or eat fat. Hmm. I like my steak a little bit red in the middle. I don't like fat, but a little marbling in the meat is good. Also, many children go through a stage where they like to eat fat. I did once upon a time. Hmm.
Aaron and his sons are ordained to be priests of the Lord then in quite a ceremony, in just the manner that God had commanded. That spirit of submitting to God is really where the glory of these days' readings is coming from. The Israelites have done everything (after the golden calf incident) just as God commanded. In this period, beautiful works were made and the groundwork for a nation's culture was laid. The items that were made are legendary thousands of years later and the nation remains today.
Weekly LinkWarning: Heady Stuff Ahead. If you haven't attended seminary and haven't studied any advanced theological issues regarding doctrine, this week's link may not be one to click. Monergism is a belief that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed in the Scripture alone to the glory of God alone. Pretty simple stuff, right? But what about the fact that we were all dead in our sins? Can a dead person change his or her status? No, some sort of regeneration must first occur, and that is done through the power of the Holy Spirit. By the sinful nature of humanity, we all will make the decision to remain dead in our sinful acts, but an act of regeneration will open our eyes and place the desire to choose God within us. This is not the same thing as salvation, though. Salvation requires an act of faith for the justification to be given. Regeneration only allows us the freedom to make this decision with our eyes open to both options. Today's link has many articles about Christianity and explores some faulty theology as well, with Biblical references for everything. I haven't explored the entire site, and what I have explored, I don't fully grasp. What that means is that your mileage may vary. For any burning questions this may put on you, I recommend prayer followed by a call to your pastor to see what he has to say about whatever the issue may be. |
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Thanks for sharing my goal of reading the Bible in its entirety this year!