As The Lord Commanded

Reading: Exodus 39-40; Psalm 15; Acts 12 42 So the people of Israel followed all of the Lord’s instructions to Moses. 43 Then Moses inspected all their work. When he found it had been done just as the Lord had commanded him, he blessed them. (Exodus 39:42-43 NLT) The phrase “as the Lord commanded” is used fifteen times in Exodus 39 and 40. When God met with Moses on a mountain-top, he showed him the Tabernacle, all its furnishings and equipment, and the priestly garments. God then instructed Moses in all the prescribed practices of service and rituals of worship. It was Moses’ responsibility to communicate the vision clearly to the skilled craftsmen, and it was their job to explain to the rest of the workers exactly how to make what God had commanded. This is teamwork on a grand scale! Here are some things that stood out to me from the “Tabernacle Story:”
• God’s plans are way too big for one person to accomplish alone. It takes teamwork! What part do I play on the team?
• God uses resources he has already placed in the hands of his people to provide for his work. What do I have to give?
• God uses skills his people have developed in the “real world” to accomplish his plans. What am I good at? How can I help?
• There’s a great deal of trust involved in doing God’s work. God trusted Moses to communicate diligently and clearly. Moses trusted the skilled workers to follow the instructions precisely. Am I trustworthy? Am I trusting others?
• Some things God is very specific about, and the only right way to do them is exactly as God has commanded. Other things God gives general instructions for and lets us figure out the best way to do them. We must be clear about the things God is specific about. We’re free to be creative about the things God is not specific about. When the work is done, it all must fit together and it must be “As The Lord Commanded” if we expect God to inhabit it! Prayer: Father, Please help me not to compromise on faithfully obeying your commandments. I want to be both trustworthy and trusting. May I be simply obedient to the things you have specifically commanded and passionately creative on the things you leave up to me. I just want to do my part in your plan and I want to make it count! Amen.