Ex 36-38 Gold Rush

January 30th, Exodus 36-38

       Imagine a building program for a church where leaders had to say thanks for your generosity, but we have so much gold, silver, and building material we don't need anymore. That's a good day.
       Imagine craftsman. Now imagine craftsman inspired by God. "Every craftsman in whom the Lord had put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work..." Exodus 36 If you could imagine the most spectacular painting, building, carving... these were the people to build God's dwelling. If you have some time take a look at some artist's rendition of the Tabernacle.
       Remember where all this building material came from. As they were leaving Egypt households were giving away their gold, silver to the Israelites. God has a way of providing for his people. How could a group of slaves possess such an incredible amount. Did you read the list of building materials at the end.

Gold: 29 Talents(talent equals 75 pounds) 29x75=2175 pounds x 16oz in a pound =34,800oz +292 more ounces(Shekels) =35092 x$1663(today's spot price for gold) = $58,357,996
Silver: I'll spare you the details, however over $3.1 million in current value
Bronze: Not a dream car, but a pretty nice one

Lessons for today: Make your pastor ask the congregation to hold back on the giving...offering God our very best is best, becoming a craftsman with what God has provided us...God's provides for you and I in unexpected ways. When your slave owner throws you gold, God must be up to something.    

Ex 25-27 A Sanctuary: Details That Create Beauty

January 26th, Exodus 25-27

       Exodus 25:8 "Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst." In the following details, this details might be missed by us. God seeks out His people. You and I and everyone else. 

       This passage also bears witness to the same thing we see in creation. God cares about the details. I think of orchids and and many details have been carefully thought out out. The beauty that resides in flecks and stripes and contrast of colors. It says in Genesis that God made the trees beautiful. God could have just made things functional, but he went to the finest of details to make things spectacular.

       As God is laying out the specifics on His home here on earth there are a lot of details. To be honest it's easy for me to gloss over them. I don't plan on building this, I can excuse myself from being immersed in the details. But then I think of all the craftsman who might find the wood, pound the gold, pour the mold, carve the details, make a dish, bowl, spoon or ring. I imagine an attempt on their part to create beautiful carvings. A ring is not just a ring, it's a work of art as it should be.

       I think of the spectacular nature of this building made for God. Purple and blue curtains, with brass, silver, and gold everywhere.It's a place of awe, a place of beauty, a place where each details adds to the layer of wonder.

       I think of our day. I think that God now finds a dwelling place in our hearts. Like the craftsman in days gone by, I pray that my life would grow more and more to be filled with the treasures that only a Craftsman can create. That this temple, even as it gets older and begins to crack and crumble, that the sum of my thoughts and actions would reveal a beauty, majesty of Christ alive inside. Not just a couple of pieces of nice furniture, but each detail, as an honor to the builder of all good things.