Daily Devotions
Exodus
"Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem." Ezra 7:27
Text: Exodus 26 : 1
FROM THE INSIDE TO THE OUTSIDE
It was not without significance that God first gave instructions to Moses concerning the Ark, the Table for the Showbread and the Lampstand. These represent the internal furnishings of the Tabernacle. It is right that attention be given to these things first for they represent the heart of Israel’s faith.
Then came instructions for the external furnishings of the Tabernacle. The external was not unimportant, for just as much attention was given to the details for the making of the exterior. Together, the Tabernacle would be complete and beautiful.
THE EXTERNAL FURNISHINGS
The Tabernacle being a tent essentially would of necessity utilize linen and skins. As was the case for the construction of the Ark, where gold was used lavishly, only the very best of material would be utilized to make the Tabernacle. The concept was all too obvious. The house of the Lord must be as beautiful as possible.
“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains
of fine woven linen,
and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of
cherubim you shall weave them.”
EXODUS 26:1
1. “Fine woven linen”
Only needle and thread were used in the ancient days! The kind of weaving needed to produce the curtains that would form the “walls” of the Tabernacle would require people of great skill!
2. “Blue, purple and scarlet thread”
These colours were not the usual ones that people wore as daily clothing. These colours would be derived from dyeing. Only the wealthy would be able to afford to wear clothing of such colours! Yet these “rich colours” were to be used for the Tabernacle curtains. They would make the Tabernacle look very beautiful and grand.
3. “Artistic designs of cherubim”
The motif of cherubim would be woven as designs for the curtains! That would make the creation of these curtains most challenging, to say the least.
NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR THE LORD!
Many were the lessons that the children of Israel would learn from this experience of constructing the Tabernacle. One of the chief lessons that they would learn must be that they must offer “nothing but the best for the Lord”.
But of course that is as it should be! Had not the Lord been very good to them? Had He not blessed them with so much already? Was He not also leading them to a land of “milk and honey”? If God always gave the best, then it is logical that His children learn to give the best to the One they owned as LORD!