PASTOR’S NOTES
He also made the lampstand of pure gold; of hammered work he made the lampstand.”
Up to this point in the story, the people of God have been freed, protected, guided, and taught the ways of God. Now as we come to the close of Exodus, it’s time to get to work! The people have heard the 10 commandments, read over the book of the covenant, been given leaders to help them, and have God in their midst. It’s time for the people act on what they have been taught.
It would be easy to read chapters 36-39 and feel as if the text is completely repetitive to the text we just read in previous chapters. If you thought reading all the measurements were challenging, I am sure the second time around doesn’t make them any easier. However, even though the text might seem repetitive, the message is completely different. The people were past the point of directions and now it was time to actually do what God had told them to do.
Hearing and understanding directions are very different than doing the work of the directions we’ve heard. To be given the opportunity to “do” the work of the Lord, not just hear His instructions, is a gift that many of us take for granted. Today, many of us spend an entire lifetime dedicated to hearing and understanding the directions of God without action towards what we have learned. We learn scripture, memorize verses, and even teach others the guiding word of God. All the while, struggling to get our hands dirty in the actual work which He has called us to. So many tell others the directions that we ourselves don’t follow.
The end of Exodus is a monumental point in the story of the former slaves of Egypt. The people have gone from prisoner of the world, to servant of the Creator! To have the calling to serve the kingdom of God, to bless His people with the gifts of the Spirit that lives within, should be a humbling realization. We were lost in our sin, enemies of God and now we are blessed staff in His family. The ability to “do” what we have heard taught should drive us all to a joyful service!
SCRIPTURE TO GO ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE
Read Colossians 3:23-24 on the topic of serving the Lord.
HIGHLIGHT IN YOUR BIBLES
Highlight this week in the text Exodus 37:25-29.