07/07/2008
Exodus 25:1 - 9 (HCSB) 1The LORD spoke to Moses: 2“Tell the Israelites to take an offering for Me. You are to take My offering from everyone whose heart stirs him [to give]. 3This is the offering you are to receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze; 4blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair; 5ram skins dyed red and manatee skins; acacia wood; 6oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 7and onyx along with [other] gemstones for mounting on the ephod and breastpiece.
8“They are to make a sanctuary for Me so that I may dwell among them. 9You must make [it] according to all that I show you—the design of the tabernacle as well as the design of all its furnishings.”
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The Israelites have left Egypt. Remember that they asked their Egyptian neighbors for items of gold and silver. No doubt, the Egyptians gave generously and said something like: “Here! Take it! Take whatever you want! Just GO!”
Now, in the wilderness, the Egyptian army is destroyed, the Israelites camp at the base of Mount Sinai. God asks them –He does not demand—but He asks them for an offering based on each person’s willingness to give.
Certain things God will demand from us, and certain things He will ask for. Offerings, for instance, are always voluntary and based on the individual’s desire to give. In this case, the tabernacle, which will be God’s dwelling place among the Israelites, is prescribed to be built from offerings. Thus, when it is complete, the Israelites will have the contentment of knowing they have contributed to the tabernacle out of reverence rather than mandate.
How are you serving God? Do you serve God simply because you must? Do you serve God because you fear the consequences? Or do you serve God because it is the desire of your heart?
God could have provided a dwelling place for himself. He could have demanded the people contribute to it. But rather, He asked us to contribute to it.
We need to consider this carefully. God did not create us to be minions under Him (although we are subject to Him). But rather, He created us to participate *with* Him. We are given the choice to honor and revere Him, or to go our own way. He is truly pleased when we choose to participate with Him—and the joy we receive in this is immeasurable.
Consider your relationship with God. Is it a relationship borne of desire or obligation? God is asking you to participate in what He is doing. What is your answer?
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
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