#234 The Upside Down Leader

From the blue, purple and scarlet yarn they made woven garments for ministering in the sanctuary. They also made sacred garments for Aaron, as the Lord commanded Moses.

2 They made the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 3 They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut strands to be worked into the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen—the work of skilled hands. 4 They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, which were attached to two of its corners, so it could be fastened. 5 Its skillfully woven waistband was like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen, as the Lord commanded Moses.

6 They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings and engraved them like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel. 7 Then they fastened them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, as the Lord commanded Moses. Exodus 39:1-7 NIV

Garments for ministering or as sometimes referred to, "clothes of service", to be warn by those who carry out the Lord's work. These are not the garments of pomp and title such as those warn by popes and cardinals. The priest is set apart not to be served but to serve. His garments reminding him that he is before God always and so always to be sincere, not trusting in title or earthly approval. 

and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

So often I have heard it pushed, "respect the pastor, the position", and so often I have heard the appeal to this without the demand of service. It is always and even more so the same with those who govern. Leader is not just a mere title, respect should go to the respectable, and all else may only receive that respect which is given to all life in general, as one human being made in the image of God respecting another. When my leaders fail, I do not pretend otherwise, and yet it is not for me to gloat but rather to pray. My hope does not rest in any man or political party. My hope is Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, the law is for the lawless, so whatever changes for the person who is already trying to do good? Pray for those who have rule over you, that they will seek to serve, and not stand so futile against the Lord. 

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Love Fulfills the Law

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13: 1-10

Where now is your king That he may save you in all your cities, And your judges of whom you requested, "Give me a king and princes"? Hosea 13:10

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,[a] and his children are believers[b] and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer,[c] as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction insound[d] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Titus 1:5-9

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#233 With Pure Hands

21 These are the amounts of the materials used for the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the covenant law, which were recorded at Moses’ command by the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest. 22 (Bezalelson of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything the Lord commanded Moses; 23 with him was Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan—an engraver and designer, and an embroiderer in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen.) 24 The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuary was 29 talents and 730 shekels,[i]according to the sanctuary shekel.

25 The silver obtained from those of the community who were counted in the census was 100 talents[j] and 1,775 shekels,[k] according to the sanctuary shekel— 26 one beka per person, that is, half a shekel,[l] according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone who had crossed over to those counted, twenty years old or more, a total of 603,550 men. 27 The 100 talents of silver were used to cast the bases for the sanctuary and for the curtain—100 bases from the 100 talents, one talent for each base. 28 They used the 1,775 shekels to make the hooks for the posts, to overlay the tops of the posts, and to make their bands.

29 The bronze from the wave offering was 70 talents and 2,400 shekels.[m]30 They used it to make the bases for the entrance to the tent of meeting, the bronze altar with its bronze grating and all its utensils, 31 the bases for the surrounding courtyard and those for its entrance and all the tent pegs for the tabernacle and those for the surrounding courtyard. Exodus 38:21-29 NIV

Gold and silver are always judged by their purity, valued for their rareness and both taken through the process of refinement to remove impurities. 

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23&24

17 Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler. Isaiah 60:17

9 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. 2 A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, 4 which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory,overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

6 When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularlyinto the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7 But only the high priest enteredthe inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning.9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.

The Blood of Christ

11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here,[a] he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining[b] eternal redemption.13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spiritoffered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,[c] so that we may serve the living God!

15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

16 In the case of a will,[d] it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19 When Moses had proclaimedevery command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves,together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”[e] 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him Hebrews 9

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#232 Enter His Courts

9 Next they made the courtyard. The south side was a hundred cubits[d] long and had curtains of finely twisted linen, 10 with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and with silver hooks and bands on the posts. 11 The north side was also a hundred cubits long and had twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, with silver hooks and bands on the posts.

12 The west end was fifty cubits[e] wide and had curtains, with ten posts and ten bases, with silver hooks and bands on the posts. 13 The east end, toward the sunrise, was also fifty cubits wide. 14 Curtains fifteen cubits[f] long were on one side of the entrance, with three posts and three bases, 15 and curtains fifteen cubits long were on the other side of the entrance to the courtyard, with three posts and three bases. 16 All the curtains around the courtyard were of finely twisted linen. 17 The bases for the posts were bronze. The hooks and bands on the posts were silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver; so all the posts of the courtyard had silver bands.

18 The curtain for the entrance to the courtyard was made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer. It was twenty cubits[g] long and, like the curtains of the courtyard, five cubits[h] high,19 with four posts and four bronze bases. Their hooks and bands were silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver. 20 All the tent pegs of the tabernacle and of the surrounding courtyard were bronze. Exodus 38:9-20 NIV

Within the measure of the tabernacle is even a picture of the church. It's boundaries would not remain forever fixed against the Gentile world. The tabernacle traveled with the people, but once we are home the tent is always folded and put away. 

“Enlarge the place of your tent,

stretch your tent curtains wide,

do not hold back;

lengthen your cords,

strengthen your stakes.

3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left;

your descendants will dispossess nations

and settle in their desolate cities. Isaiah 54:2&3

22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

4 “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

5 “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:1-14

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#231 Exodus 38: 1-7 Reflective Metals

They built the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood, three cubits high; it was square, five cubits long and five cubits wide. 2 They made a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar were of one piece, and they overlaid the altar with bronze. 3 They made all its utensils of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks and fire pans. 4 They made a grating for the altar, a bronze network, to be under its ledge, halfway up the altar. 5 They cast bronze rings to hold the poles for the four corners of the bronze grating. 6 They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze. 7 They inserted the poles into the rings so they would be on the sides of the altar for carrying it. They made it hollow, out of boards. 8 They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Exodus 38: 1-7 NIV

The women, who donated their mirrors, receive mention. It is a polished metal that women stood before, for their reflection. It is also interesting that it becomes the wash basin; there is some dirt that we do not readily see without some measure of reflection. I would say this would be an important item, treasured piece to own, and yet these women found a more divine purpose in donating it to the Lord's work. God's word had much of that same effect on me, like a mirror, revealing a standard much different than my own, and one to which "though seeing, I could not see." 

Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.18Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. 19I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.…Psalm 119:17-19

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;24for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.…James 1:22-24

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#230 Fish and Scorpions

25 They made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide and two cubits high[f]—its horns of one piece with it.26 They overlaid the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it. 27 They made two gold rings below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it. 28 They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

29 They also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense—the work of a perfumer. Exodus 37:25-29 NIV

Though men don't naturally hunger for the truth or such righteousness that comes from God's truth, it is often the first part of their first prayer. "Forgive me", and yet with that we have only begun to see so dimly. The formula of our own incense is tainted, the altar as yet unrefined, and yet we have a High Priest, Jesus, Who alone is righteous. It is often that our emotions lead us to pray, but there is many a time that out emotions, if aloud to lead, will lead us within ourselves. It is not always the place of rest or retreat we hoped, and when we turn out, so often it is to an even darker embrace. Others appear to be strong and without emotion, but I would challenge that it is not the death of feeling that touches most closely to the truth, rather, it is the truth and love that bring self control and the grandest of emotions. What do you want when you seek the face of God, when you talk to the only one that truly understands? It is a merciful seat indeed and the truth of the matter is that someone else carried me from the outer courtyard to this place, and so with that is the feeling that I should ask Him how to pray.

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

2He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“ ‘Father,a

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come.b

3Give us each day our daily bread.

4Forgive us our sins,

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.c

And lead us not into temptation.d ’ ”

5Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacitye he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

9“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

11“Which of you fathers, if your son asks forf a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”  Luke 11:1-11

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#229 Light the Way

17 They made the lampstand of pure gold. They hammered out its base and shaft, and made its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them.18 Six branches extended from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. 19 Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on one branch, three on the next branch and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. 20 And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. 21 One bud was under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in all. 22 The buds and the branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.

23 They made its seven lamps, as well as its wick trimmers and trays, of pure gold. 24 They made the lampstand and all its accessories from one talent[e] of pure gold. Exodus 37:17-24

The Psalmist declares God's Word to be a lamp unto his feet, and that blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, .... but his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law does he meditate day and night. The law doth shed light upon us and reveals to every man, woman and child the contention. God's word does rightly hold that we have each turned to our own way, that no one seeks the truth. We do so love darkness rather than light, and often, like children, we run around with eyes closed and fingers in our ears, not wanting to go further than meme of the day, the one on our facebook feed that agrees with the position we hold in the dark. "I wish to walk with you no further, and I do not want to see anymore, for just over that next peak, in my heart, I have an idea that what I am about to see will tear at things most valuable to me. The truth will attack my pleasure, my measure, my want and even that by which I have come to define myself and those around me." We don't want to be bothered with the facts, or work the problem all the way. Anything we hear that is agreeable to our want and condition goes into our new Bible. If someone questions us, then the factors that decides right or wrong are our feelings and emotions, not the light of the truth. I realized something when I no longer wanted God, I had sold right and wrong, yet still believed that certain things were wrong, but by what measure? If there is no ultimate good, no ultimate authority, then welcome to the jungle. You can say that I am wrong, but it doesn't mean anything. The majority can even say I am wrong, but is the majority always right? Take your best example, human representative of the problem of evil, kill off the God of the law, find the person most capable of any act, and that with or without feeling, this is your new god. He is a politician, a reed blowing in the wind, and unbound by the notion of right or wrong. He is your new lamp stand, and most enlightening, because there is nothing off limits to him, he makes it up as he goes along, and uses the terms right and wrong when they benefit him. In the end, even after you helped him build the tower, defy such archaic principles as good and evil, and in your mind killed the God of creation, or somehow improved upon the model with another Christ, what will keep him from consuming you? Now will that be wrong by your measure, but that is not the same measure as his, or mine, or hers or theirs. There is a light, and I did not make it, nor did you, but it shows us that we are born in darkness, and morally bankrupt. It reveals to us that the heart truly is deceitful above all things. 

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,

refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm,

and all of them are righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the honeycomb.

11 By them your servant is warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

12 But who can discern their own errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Then I will be blameless,

innocent of great transgression.

14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19: 7-14

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#228 The One Way

10 They made the table of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high. 11 Then they overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it. 12 They also made around it a rim a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim. 13 They cast four gold rings for the table and fastened them to the four corners, where the four legs were. 14 The rings were put close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table. 15 The poles for carrying the table were made of acacia wood and were overlaid with gold.16 And they made from pure gold the articles for the table—its plates and dishes and bowls and its pitchers for the pouring out of drink offerings. Exodus 37:10-16 NIV

This was the table for the shewbread, "bread of the presence" or face bread. The priest would lay out 12 loaves, representing the twelve tribes, in two rows of 6. Only those who had passed through the tabernacle from its one entry could eat of this bread, and here this picture is accomplished with the priesthood. 

Then they said to Him, "Lord, always give us this bread." 35Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 36"But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe.…John 6:34-36

Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" 6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 7"If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him."…John 14:5&6

Before ever eating this bread they would have sacrificed at the altar, for without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. They would have moved on, yet further in to the courtyard to the laver, where they would wash their hands and feet. 

Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter." 8 Peter said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." 9 Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head."…John 13:7-9

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. 7Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.8Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Psalm 51:6-8

From the courtyard they, who were priest, would enter the tabernacle, and only they would eat of the bread of the presence at the end of the week. The outer courtyard was accessible to all; it is outside of the presence, and where God first reaches out to us. 

but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,…Phillipians 2:7-9

Surely he took up our pain

and bore our suffering,

yet we considered him punished by God,

stricken by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to our own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6

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#227 And Again

Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.[a] 2 He overlaid it with pure gold,both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. 3 He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 4 Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 5 And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.

6 He made the atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 7 Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 8 He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover. 9 The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover. Exodus 37: 1-9 NIV

This is the same narrative from before, and Moses goes through every detail once again. God said do this, so this is what we will do, this is what we did. The value of God's direction cannot be overstated, and the repetition is never for His sake. In the same places I would have normally run through, cut and pasted, or said, "ditto", I have seen upon inquiry something new and afresh each time. My job requires that I investigate matters on a daily basis, and what never ceases to amaze me, is what people recollect. I listen to their story, write down key points, and then often there is video for me to review. The amazing part is that once someone says with confidence that a thing is this way, or has always been this way, then others chime in and they now recall it the same way. The more confident or passionate the performance, the more people get behind it. I review the video, and it tells a much different story. When I approach them with what actually happened, it is amazing to see how many people, in the face of the truth, still maintain that the lie is actually the truth. The narrative of the ark, the tabernacle, must be shown correctly, for God does not change. We must come to this mercy seat, and in no other place will our souls find rest but under the shadow of His wings. If you want to talk repetition though, this is the same narrator from the garden, when God promises a redeemer. It is the same promise to Abraham, that in Isaac shall this seed be called, and it is with no surprise that it was this same Christ, who was crucified for a world that still needs to repent. Men are still arrogant, still violent, ungrateful and unholy. Moses, take great care in what you tell this people, for faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, our lives depend upon it. 

"And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth."19And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm. Revelation 11:18&19

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#226 He First Love Us

8 All those who were skilled among the workers made the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by expert hands. 9 All the curtains were the same size—twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide.[a] 10 They joined five of the curtains together and did the same with the other five. 11 Then they made loops of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set, and the same was done with the end curtain in the other set. 12 They also made fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the other set, with the loops opposite each other. 13 Then they made fifty gold clasps and used them to fasten the two sets of curtains together so that the tabernacle was a unit.

14 They made curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven altogether. 15 All eleven curtains were the same size—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide.[b] 16 They joined five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another set. 17 Then they made fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in one set and also along the edge of the end curtain in the other set.18 They made fifty bronze clasps to fasten the tent together as a unit. 19 Then they made for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.[c]

20 They made upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. 21 Each frame was ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide,[d] 22 with two projections set parallel to each other. They made all the frames of the tabernacle in this way.23 They made twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle 24 and made forty silver bases to go under them—two bases for each frame, one under each projection. 25 For the other side, the north side of the tabernacle, they made twenty frames 26 and forty silver bases—two under each frame. 27 They made six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of the tabernacle, 28 and two frames were made for the corners of the tabernacle at the far end. 29 At these two corners the frames were double from the bottom all the way to the top and fitted into a single ring; both were made alike. 30 So there were eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame.

31 They also made crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, 32 five for those on the other side, and five for the frames on the west, at the far end of the tabernacle. 33 They made the center crossbar so that it extended from end to end at the middle of the frames. 34 They overlaid the frames with gold and made gold rings to hold the crossbars. They also overlaid the crossbars with gold.

35 They made the curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker. 36 They made four posts of acacia wood for it and overlaid them with gold. They made gold hooks for them and cast their four silver bases. 37 For the entrance to the tent they made a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer; 38 and they made five posts with hooks for them. They overlaid the tops of the posts and their bands with gold and made their five bases of bronze. Exodus 36:8-38 NIV

The fall, whether we acknowledge it or blame God for it, has put us on the other side of an impassible void. He, being infinitely holy, just, and righteous, may not so act against His own nature, pretending that that which He has created is still good. He still opposes the proud; He still hates sin. We ask why He did not just make the world without sin, and yet sin was for the innocent a choice, and yet even now there are no innocent. Some claim that they don't believe God exists, but if He did then He made a flawed creation. God is not slow to act nor unaware of the problem of evil, but is He the author of evil because it exists, or did He create us with a free will? He was not unaware of the potential for the fall because Lucifer had already fallen. It does not appear that God makes mistakes, but those, who by circular reasoning, suggest that it is so, Paul answers in Romans 9. Who is the pot to say to the potter, why hast thou made me this way. It is a stern reproach, but those asking the question were not seeking the reconciliation that God was offering. The tabernacle is reconciliation; it is God dwelling among us. It is His sovereign will, and immense love, the story of His Son, and bringing men back into communion with Him.

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23KJV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life,and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. John 1: 1-18NIV

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#225 Alien Ways

So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.”

2 Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. 3 They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. 4 So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing 5 and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.”

6 Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, 7 because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work. Exodus 36: 1-6 NIV

I knew a man once, and a rare individual he was. It was often that someone would intervene with words to tell him enough, but everywhere he looked he seemed to find some need to which his charity could be employed. Many times the same men who said, "enough", could have well eased the burden by shouldering some of it with him. Many times the same men would later call him, when his services would be to their benefit. As a teenager, it shamed me into helping him, but I dare not say I shared his enthusiasm. Here we witness a whole nation, that with a heart to give and return to God those things that He has given them, must be restrained. It is of their freewill, not under the sword of tax or tyranny, and that can well be felt and known, because those entrusted with the gifts are the ones saying, "enough". We have but rare glimpses of this, men realizing the strength of their company rests mostly on the contributions of others, people concerned more with the emptiness of their neighbor's pantry then the latest celebrity gossip or trends. The rest of us will sit around and talk of such things, pointing out the problems of society, yet those men and women do not have so much time for complaint. There is far too much to be done, they are thankful that there are dishes to do, blessed to mow the neighbor's lawn for her, since her life is far more valuable to them than the inconvenience of her invalid. Those people realize that it is an issue of the heart, that compassion cannot spring forth of legislation, and that while greed may be rampant and the norm, they have somehow yet managed to change a small piece of the world around them. 

The desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath. 24There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. 25The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered.…Proverbs 11:23-25

for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.' 44"Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?'…Matthew 25: 42-44

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. 27Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1: 26&27

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#224 All Kinds

30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 33 to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts.34 And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers. Exodus 35:30-35 NIV

God gives to each of us gifts, and where we might perceive lack, he is yet fully willing to make us capable or send help to complete the work He has set before us. It is interesting, that those chosen are also employed to the actual work, and they will also give the instruction. It's easy to be overwhelmed when we think everything hangs on us, but that is pride, no one is so capable in all things. No one knows all things other than God, who created them. I praise God for the gifts He has bestowed upon others, yet I should not be so thankless as to envy their talent or spurn what God, has in His sovereignty, given to me. 

so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;…Romans 12:5-7

Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1Peter 4:9-11

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#223 Help Me Feel

4 Moses said to the whole Israelite community, “This is what the Lord has commanded: 5 From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze;6 blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; 7 ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather[a]; acacia wood; 8 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 9 and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

10 “All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded: 11 the tabernacle with its tent and its covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; 12 the ark with its poles and the atonement cover and the curtain that shields it; 13 the table with its poles and all its articles and the bread of the Presence; 14 the lamp stand that is for light with its accessories, lamps and oil for the light; 15 the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; the curtain for the doorway at the entrance to the tabernacle; 16 the altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the bronze basin with its stand; 17 the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; 18 the tent pegs for the tabernacle and for the courtyard, and their ropes; 19 the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary—both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests.”

20 Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, 21 and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. 22 All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord. 23 Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or the other durable leather brought them. 24 Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to the Lord, and everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it. 25 Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. 26 And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. 27 The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. 28 They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense. 29 All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do. Exodus 35: 4-29 NIV

All who are willing, and as it unfolds none are left incapable, but all have received either the gold and silver of the monetarily blessed, the animal skins of those blessed with livestock or the abilities of a craft. I have watched men and women for a long time now, and there is a certain sort that still convicts me. It is rare to find them among them men of rank or high position. There is no task that need be done that they do not do, and that with joy, especially if it means serving others. They often work by the hour and for so much less, but yet they give in sweat, legs and back, so much more. It's because of them I have to stop crying, stop pretending and admit that there are men not just my equal as regards our common birth, but my greater as regards their works. One of the hardest things for me to admit is that I do the opposite of what I know. Mentally I can say that right and wrong do not depend upon my feelings or emotions, nor does it rest with the stirring stories of others. If I don't feel like doing the right thing then the problem is not with the thing that must be done, or should be done; the problem is with me. The Bible says that the heart is deceitful above all things, since the fall, we have needed no one to deceive us, we deceive ourselves. Now, with a change of heart, we become willing and moved by a new set of emotions that respond to the truth and grow into the service of the Lord. 

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.” (21:15–17)

"And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, 48but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. Luke 12: 47&48

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;…

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

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#222 Consider the Source

Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, “These are the things the Lord has commanded you to do: 2 For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death. 3 Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.” Exodus 35:1-3 NIV

I have made many excuses over the years for not pursuing those times of quiet, contemplation, worship and reverence of God. Usually I claim to be too busy, yet I seem quite capable of making time for television and other passive pursuits. There is nothing wrong with fishing, work or sports, and every good and wholesome pursuit can be done to the glory of God. It is the neglect of God, of His word, of the spiritual, the denial of such rest and priority that removes our preoccupations from their proper context, and places them before God as our religion. If all my rest is in front of the tv then all my information, my understanding begins to reflect a media that is without God. I soon forget that in six days God created the earth and that on the seventh He rested. My view of Him and His word becomes tied to the religion of the state, the media and created things. The Bible becomes an antiquated book of general ideas, that no longer apply to me in this age of enlightenment, where society has evolved past the need of God. But has it? Can it?

"See!" he said to all the people. "This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God." Joshua 24:7

…11"For the house of Israel and the house of Judah Have dealt very treacherously with Me," declares the LORD. 12They have lied about the LORD And said, "Not He; Misfortune will not come on us, And we will not see sword or famine. 13"The prophets are as wind, And the word is not in them. Thus it will be done to them!" Jeremiah 5:11-13

…7But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:7-9

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#221 Reflections

29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. 32 Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai.

33 When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord. Exodus 34:29-35 NIV

In my life, there were men that I utterly despised, for they carried with them the laws of God, and they pressed, seemingly hard, the point that I was a transgressor. I had never met these men, but I knew the fiends that they must be, antiquated old men with an antiquated reading of Bible. They were not modern, nor did they care, all they seemed to fear was not spending enough time in the Word or not saying what God had said. When I met them in person, and it has been very few people that I can say this of, I was convicted and disarmed. They disagreed with me, but they didn't hate me. They were busy but they made time for me. I expected cigar store Indians, but as I scrutinized them, they did not carry that manufactured stoicism that I have come to know in corporations. Theirs was a love of God and patience for the lost that I had not known. I would much rather go fishing than listen to the bashing that these men so often received. I would much rather be left alone, and yet here it was, they prepared yet again, they humbled themselves once more. They pulled over the veil, hiding anything that may lead to arrogance, they gave without the recipient knowing from whence it came. These men did not run from insults or injury, but returned it with the kindness of the truth. I suspected they would have no emotion, but it was only because my arguments were founded in them. They were not without, but rather blessed with emotions that sprang forth from the truth. There is a counterfeit to this that tells people what they want to hear rather than what they need. It builds up the teller and attempts tear down God's decree. It makes me look great, sound caring and fit in with society as the cool Christian, but it is the exact opposite of what it claims to be. It tries to have a shining face, practices a sincere smile, but it is not the reflection of God, and it is not love as it proclaims. It is a mask with a shiny face painted on it. I have grown to love the other one, the one I hated, the one that reflects the image of Christ.

…17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.18But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17&18

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#220 Nothing, No one

18 “Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. For seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Aviv, for in that month you came out of Egypt.

19 “The first offspring of every womb belongs to me, including all the firstborn males of your livestock, whether from herd or flock. 20 Redeem the firstborn donkey with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem all your firstborn sons.

“No one is to appear before me empty-handed.

21 “Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.

22 “Celebrate the Festival of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Festival of Ingathering at the turn of the year.[b] 23 Three times a year all your men are to appear before the Sovereign Lord, the God of Israel. 24 I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your territory, and no one will covet your land when you go up three times each year to appear before the Lord your God.

25 “Do not offer the blood of a sacrifice to me along with anything containing yeast, and do not let any of the sacrifice from the Passover Festival remain until morning.

26 “Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.

“Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

27 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” 28 Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments. Exodus 34: 18-27 NIV

This repeats the laws that were given before the abomination of the calf. Of special note to me is that this covenant secures the times of Godly pursuit and rest. Three times a year the men would leave home and appear before God. They lived amongst nations that would inevitably find this as a time of weakness, yet the promise was that as long as they were living before God, their enemies would not covet their land while they were away. The time of their own introspection and worship of God, the removing of their own motes, was more critical than their earthly possessions or pursuits. No one could even commit to do to them what God did not allow. You cannot have a relationship with God for another person. God, do not let me forsake my quiet time, lead me always to prayer, and may my light shine before men, as a testimony of your good works in me. 

1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."…Matthew 4:1-3

It is also an interesting contrast that Moses appears before God for 40 days as mediator of the law, and Christ will later be tempted for 40 days as the keeper and fulfillment of the law, which will lead Him to the cross. When we are being tested, when we are most busy, tired or hungry, do not forsake the grateful heart, praise of God, nor the telling of the Truth. 

6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1Peter 5:7

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