
God cares about excellence. About detail. Why do we offer anything less?
Exodus 25-31 is all about the details. The high quality. The exacting precision.
In Exodus 11:2 and in 12:35 we were told that as Israel was leaving Egypt they were told to ‘borrow’ or ‘lent’ jewels of silver, gold, and raiment (or linens). The English here is really not appropriate. The Hebrew word is ‘shaal shael’ which means to inquire, to request, by extension demand, ask. They weren’t ‘borrowing’ in how we understand it. In 12:36 we’re told ‘The Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians’.
So, in other words, they took ownership of the riches as they left.
But – was it just for them to live a good life now? To build their own houses?
No.
Exodus 25 – 31, the excellence
Link to Online Bible to read Exodus 25-31 is here
By the time we get to Exodus 25, and God is giving instructions, with specific, excellent detail, of the ark, the mercy seat, the anointing oil, the veil and more. We can see the beauty he was after – in relation to these people relating to him.
It reminds me of how Muslims come together as a community and build beautiful mosques. They go all out. There are some other religious groups that do the same thing. Invest in buildings, and grandeur, for their worship to God. So much of Western Christianity fall woefully behind in this area. In fact, most barely even give anything – and I’ve heard them say we don’t even have to give now. God just wants to bless us. Dear God forgive us. Absurd.
But the key is here:
‘that everyone gives it (their offering) willingly with their heart’. (25:2)
Your Offering Matters
Exodus reveals the requirement for the silver, the gold and the linens. They were going to build the specular place of God in the heart of their people; Where the priesthood would serve God, where atonement would be made, where the blood, the bread, the anointing oil, would be activated for the redemption and relationship of Israel. Where the 12 tribes of Israel were written on the Priests heart – and these same 12 tribes are spoken of in the book of Revelation – so they are going to count til the end of time!
In the New Covenant, Jesus fulfilled the law. His blood, his body, became that offering. He is the High Priest. He is the anointed one – that is what Messiah means. He brought atonement and redemption. Without the anointing, what do you have? You only have yourself ‘trying’ to serve God, ‘trying’ to be a good Christian.
The Offering Jesus made
What an absolute joy that not only does Jesus save, he ensures a human can be born again so they can see the kingdom of God (John 3), but he has given his Holy Spirit so that he can be demonstrated, alive and well, calling as many as will hear and believe.
So we don’t have to fulfil all those laws as if under scrutiny and fear of death, but we serve God with our hearts, in love. We can’t create our own righteousness through our actions.
It’s weird to me how a lot of Christians hold onto the Sabbath as if that’s still applicable. They take one of the laws but don’t want the rest? Paul said ‘if you fail one, you fail them all – but in Christ, he fulfilled them all’ – (that’s my summation of his words).
Jesus is our rest. And my friends, we will rest in heaven. In the meantime, souls are perishing without salvation being preached in their ears. We are waiting for them to come to church, or stumble over our livestream. While the public proclamation of Jesus Christ has become unpopular.
God, that heavenly courtroom is going to be something isn’t it.
Have we served God?
Do we approach him with excellence and give our best?
Have we obeyed the Scriptures?
What can we say when Jesus asks ‘did you go into all the world and preach the gospel with signs following?
‘And they shall know that I am the Lord their God….that I may dwell among them; I am the Lord their God’ (Exodus 29:46)
‘Now we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us’ (2 Corinthians 4:7).
Thank God for Jesus Christ.
This gospel requires all the silver, gold, and fine linens, so it can go to the ends of the world in excellence.
Let God build your eternal house. Invest in Him and his purposes in this life.
Take cities for God. Think about nations. there’s a lot to do, and we need to do it well.