God Blesses His Tabernacle
Our text:
Exodus Chapters 35-40
We have come to the end of this study of the Book of Exodus. It has now become one of my most favorite books of the Bible. It seems that after a study of God's Word, I find that every passage, every verse, every chapter of every book becomes my favorite. God said He gave us His Complete Word and I believe Him. God said His Word is approved in Heaven and that's all I need to know.
Psa 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
And my hope of "salvation" is in God's Word:
Col 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, [whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel];
Col 1:6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
Though this world will not agree in the day we live in, this world has been changed because the Nation of Israel exist. It is God's Word that tells us the beginnings of this nation and God's Word also tells us of the end of this nation!
In "typology" just as the world was changed by Israel, every human being can be changed by Our Lord Jesus Christ.
We have seen in this Holy Book that only God had the plans for the Tabernacle and He gave these plans to man to build. This Tabernacle did not descend out of Heaven But the true "Pattern" of this Tabernacle did descend out of Heaven and we call Him Jesus.
He has added His presence to the life of the believer and we can work because of Him.
1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
Just as the Tabernacle in Exodus was God's meeting place, the Born Again child of God has Our Lord living within him.
As the earlier chapters of this book dealt with the commands of God, these last chapters deal with actual construction.
We will find that Israel was camped at Mount Sinai at the third month of their escape from Egypt.
Exo 19:1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.
We find that ten months later they had assembled this Tabernacle.
Exo 40:2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
We know that Moses had spent 80 of those days communing with God. We can see that there were many of God's people dedicated to the the work of following God's plan to construct this meeting place and the Earthly Throne of God.
We as God's children must be dedicated, and put our whole heart into the work God has given for us to do.
The Greatest "type" of all we seen in this book is that "ALL OF GOD'S HEAVENLY PLAN WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED ON THIS EARTH".
We will see that all the materials were assembled and the Tabernacle was assembled.
*****Our Text:
Exo 35:1 And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them.
Exo 35:2 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
Exo 35:3 Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.
The first thing told to these children of Israel was they could work only six days in a row and rest every seventh day. We should not be confused. There was no daily calendar to go by. A "Sabbath" was not on Saturday because there was no Saturday at this time. These people counted days. Work six days and rest on the seventh as commanded of God. We of the church honor Sunday as our day of rest but do we work on all the other days?
In the "Spiritual" sense we know that we cannot go to the work of the Lord unless we first have come to rest in Jesus.
If we keep the true "Sabbath" then we must not be occupied with the things of this world, but we must "Honor" and be occupied with the things of God.
Isa 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, [not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words]:
Isa 58:14 [Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD]; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
To not kindle a fire on our day of rest means 'we must set aside every desire of the flesh and honor God". This is the only way to find our own sabbath day of rest.
Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Col 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Col 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
To "mortify" means to subdue all our bodily lusts and cravings.
To work six days means that we cannot neglect our natural responsibilities as God's servants and to that of our families.
*****Our text:
Exo 35:4 And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying,
Exo 35:21 [And they came], every one whose heart stirred him up, and [every one whom his spirit made willing], and they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.
Exo 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD.
Did everyone come? We can be sure that there were those that were unwilling to be involved with the things of God.
These that came did not have to be begged or enticed to God's Work. They came freely and joyfully and considered it a privilege to serve Jehovah God.
Everything that is offered to God must come from a "willing heart"! This is the Law of freewill giving. This is the means of eternal blessings.
Moses simply announced that the Lord was willing to receive and then left it in the Holy Spirits hands to prick the hearts of God's people. He had no special enticement to offer. There is only a special joy of knowing you are giving to the work of the Lord.
We can see that there was no lack of "freewill giving" because the people brought more than enough.
*****Our Text:
Exo 36:4 And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;
Exo 36:5 And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.
Exo 36:6 And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.
Exo 36:7 For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.
We can see that God's "craftsmen" had no thought of hoarding any extra or saving it. When enough was enough they said so.
In these days of what we call "hard times" it cannot be said that the church has more than enough as many cannot even pay the bills to keep the doors open. Most of the time it is because God's people simply do not freely give of themselves and their abundance, and their tithe.
1.) When God has a specific task to undertake, He does not hold the church responsible for the means to do this task.
2.) When the Lord gives to His own work, He will lay in on the "Hearts" of His people to contribute to that work.
3.) It is when God's people refuse to honor the work of the Holy Spirit in their own hearts.
4.) When we insist on taking on a project where God has not provided we are doing so on our own thoughts.
5.) It is seldom that it can be said that God has blessed a project when He is not in it.
6.) Anything done outside the will of God is doomed to failure.
It takes a "redeemed" people, who know the "glory" of God, that are "devoted" to the "cause" of Our Lord Jesus Christ and think of it as a "privilege" to serve with Him.
God wants wise hearted people to be involved in His work. "every wise hearted man"
These are the ones that God supplies with His Wisdom. "in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom"
Spiritually we first have a people that have rested in Jesus(the Sabbath) and then we these same people freely giving of themselves and now we have the acceptable service of Our Lord of those that have passed from death to life.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
That Godly wisdom will bring forth a renewing of our minds!
Things must be done in this order in order to serve the Lord Jesus Christ!
*****Our text:
Exo 35:25 And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.
Exo 35:26 And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.
We should not skip over this from chapter 35:
There will cooperation in the work of the Lord from all sexes. The "Sisters" have their place and their part in God's Work. It does not say they provided any material but that they labored "spun". They did the things that they would normally do at home. This would include instructing children in the ways of God.
*****Our text:
Exo 35:27 And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
Exo 35:28 And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
We can see that the leaders of this new nation set an example for all others in that they also freely gave.
Spiritually, God is saying to all Church leaders including the Pastor to set the example before the flock. Stewardship is an obvious way to show others where our heart is.
1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; [but be thou an example of the believer], in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Tit 2:7 [In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works]: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Tit 2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
We need only look in our own community and we can see how our church leaders fail us.
*****Our text:
Exo 38:24 All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
Exo 38:25 And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
The "lesson" for the church. Every gift to the Lord was kept in a complete record. Every penny in the work of the Lord should be accountable.
*****Chapter 39:
Eight times in this chapter the phrase "as the Lord commanded". The construction of the Tabernacle was completed in exact detail. There was no room for the errors of man. All things must be completed just as the Word of God demands for Our Lord to Tabernacle with us.
These children of God completed the work of God just as they wee told. They added nothing more and they did nothing less. This is a lesson to observe for every Christian.
In God's Work we are to do it just as He instructs us to do, we will "grieve" His Holy Spirit.
In the words of Peter:
Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Joh 6:68 [Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.]
Joh 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
We can surely see that man can have man has only "One" work in Salvation and that is to "Believe" the Word the God has given to us.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 [That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works].
If we desire God's "blessing" and God's "reward" we must do all things just as God has instructed us in His Word and we Do Have His Complete Word if we have His Bible.
I prefer the truth of the King James Bible!
Our Lord requires "Faithfulness" it is He that provides "Success".
Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
*****Our text:
Exo 39:43 And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
As Moses was "Mediator" for his people, we must remember that Our Mediator, Jesus Christ, will also inspect every work of every saint of God. It is from this work that we will face Our Lord at His Bema Seat that probably takes place at the Rapture of the Church.
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
God tells us to not come to Him empty handed! God will judge "quality" not "quantity", that which is of the "Spirit" and that which is of the "flesh".
*****Our Text
Chapter 40
Exo 40:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 40:2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
This would be almost a year from the day that Israel had left Egypt. In this chapter we see that is Moses who completes the work of the Tabernacle.
Exo 40:33 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.
The Bible itself says that this Moses is a "type of Christ".
Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Heb 3:2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
Heb 3:3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
Heb 3:4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
Heb 3:5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
*****Our text:
Exo 40:34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Only when Moses had completed the work of rearing the Tabernacle, only then did the "Glory of the Lord" fill the Tabernacle.
What does this remind us of?
Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
You see it is only after the completed work of Our Lord Jesus on that cross that the Holy Spirit can fill the House.
*****Our text:
Exo 40:36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
Exo 40:37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
Exo 40:38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
All Israel had to do was stay focused on that cloud and it would lead them to the promised land!
To think back on what we have seen:
1.) When Moses descended the first time from the Mount "Judgment" came to this Jewish nation.
When Christ descends to call out His Church:
1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Then the "Time of Jacobs Trouble" will begin:
Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
Jer 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
Jer 30:9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
2.) When Moses descended this second time from the Mount:
a.) Moses appeared with a "radiant face".
A type of Christ:
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
b.) The tablets of stone were not broken this time.
Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people
c.) The reference to the Sabbath:
Telling us that peace will come during the "Millennial Kingdom".
d.) The reference to the freewill offerings:
Zep 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
Zep 3:10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
e.) Israel begins the work of the Tabernacle:
Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Eze 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
f.) The Tabernacle is set up:
Zec 6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
Zec 6:13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
g.) The Lord then dwelt in the "Midst" of His People:
Zec 2:10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
Zec 2:11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
h.) The "Glory of the Lord" was visibly displayed:
Isa 4:5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
Isa 4:6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
Don't you just love the Word of God, where every passage will lead us to the truth of His Word. Just as the Tabernacle was built and assembled exactly like God instructed. God will complete every work He has started in this world until the day when He says "it is done".
Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, [It is done]. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
And this day comes to all God's Children:
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
*****A Few Things About Moses
Moses was born at the time of Pharaoh's order to abort all the male children of Israel. This was an attempt by Satan to keep the Nation of Israel from ever existing thus stopping God's plan of Salvation. Moses was saved alive to become a royal prince. Likewise Christ Jesus Our Lord also lived in the time that Herod attempted to slay all the children around Bethlehem but God intervened. This was another attempt by Satan to destroy God's plan of "Salvation".
Moses was adopted into royalty but Christ Jesus is of "Royal Blood" born a King and the King. Moses fled Egypt and became a "shepherd". Jesus was born in a stable and remained a shepherd of His Father's flock all the days of His life.
Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Through Moses at the hand of God, Israel was released from the bondage of slavery. But Through Jesus at the hand of God, all believers are released from Satan's bondage of "Sin".
Moses was the great "Intercessor" for Israel But Christ Jesus is the "Great Intercessor" for all God's children.
It is God Himself that said Moses was a "type" of Christ:
Deu 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, [like unto thee], and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
Deu 18:19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
When we study the life of Moses we will see many things that resemble Our Lord but we must remember these words:
Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Heb 3:2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
Heb 3:3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
Heb 3:4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
Heb 3:5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
It is Our Lord Jesus Christ that has the means of our Salvation:
Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Let's Pray!
Our text:
Exodus Chapters 35-40
We have come to the end of this study of the Book of Exodus. It has now become one of my most favorite books of the Bible. It seems that after a study of God's Word, I find that every passage, every verse, every chapter of every book becomes my favorite. God said He gave us His Complete Word and I believe Him. God said His Word is approved in Heaven and that's all I need to know.
Psa 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
And my hope of "salvation" is in God's Word:
Col 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, [whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel];
Col 1:6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
Though this world will not agree in the day we live in, this world has been changed because the Nation of Israel exist. It is God's Word that tells us the beginnings of this nation and God's Word also tells us of the end of this nation!
In "typology" just as the world was changed by Israel, every human being can be changed by Our Lord Jesus Christ.
We have seen in this Holy Book that only God had the plans for the Tabernacle and He gave these plans to man to build. This Tabernacle did not descend out of Heaven But the true "Pattern" of this Tabernacle did descend out of Heaven and we call Him Jesus.
He has added His presence to the life of the believer and we can work because of Him.
1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
Just as the Tabernacle in Exodus was God's meeting place, the Born Again child of God has Our Lord living within him.
As the earlier chapters of this book dealt with the commands of God, these last chapters deal with actual construction.
We will find that Israel was camped at Mount Sinai at the third month of their escape from Egypt.
Exo 19:1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.
We find that ten months later they had assembled this Tabernacle.
Exo 40:2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
We know that Moses had spent 80 of those days communing with God. We can see that there were many of God's people dedicated to the the work of following God's plan to construct this meeting place and the Earthly Throne of God.
We as God's children must be dedicated, and put our whole heart into the work God has given for us to do.
The Greatest "type" of all we seen in this book is that "ALL OF GOD'S HEAVENLY PLAN WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED ON THIS EARTH".
We will see that all the materials were assembled and the Tabernacle was assembled.
*****Our Text:
Exo 35:1 And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them.
Exo 35:2 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
Exo 35:3 Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.
The first thing told to these children of Israel was they could work only six days in a row and rest every seventh day. We should not be confused. There was no daily calendar to go by. A "Sabbath" was not on Saturday because there was no Saturday at this time. These people counted days. Work six days and rest on the seventh as commanded of God. We of the church honor Sunday as our day of rest but do we work on all the other days?
In the "Spiritual" sense we know that we cannot go to the work of the Lord unless we first have come to rest in Jesus.
If we keep the true "Sabbath" then we must not be occupied with the things of this world, but we must "Honor" and be occupied with the things of God.
Isa 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, [not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words]:
Isa 58:14 [Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD]; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
To not kindle a fire on our day of rest means 'we must set aside every desire of the flesh and honor God". This is the only way to find our own sabbath day of rest.
Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Col 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Col 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
To "mortify" means to subdue all our bodily lusts and cravings.
To work six days means that we cannot neglect our natural responsibilities as God's servants and to that of our families.
*****Our text:
Exo 35:4 And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying,
Exo 35:21 [And they came], every one whose heart stirred him up, and [every one whom his spirit made willing], and they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.
Exo 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD.
Did everyone come? We can be sure that there were those that were unwilling to be involved with the things of God.
These that came did not have to be begged or enticed to God's Work. They came freely and joyfully and considered it a privilege to serve Jehovah God.
Everything that is offered to God must come from a "willing heart"! This is the Law of freewill giving. This is the means of eternal blessings.
Moses simply announced that the Lord was willing to receive and then left it in the Holy Spirits hands to prick the hearts of God's people. He had no special enticement to offer. There is only a special joy of knowing you are giving to the work of the Lord.
We can see that there was no lack of "freewill giving" because the people brought more than enough.
*****Our Text:
Exo 36:4 And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;
Exo 36:5 And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.
Exo 36:6 And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.
Exo 36:7 For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.
We can see that God's "craftsmen" had no thought of hoarding any extra or saving it. When enough was enough they said so.
In these days of what we call "hard times" it cannot be said that the church has more than enough as many cannot even pay the bills to keep the doors open. Most of the time it is because God's people simply do not freely give of themselves and their abundance, and their tithe.
1.) When God has a specific task to undertake, He does not hold the church responsible for the means to do this task.
2.) When the Lord gives to His own work, He will lay in on the "Hearts" of His people to contribute to that work.
3.) It is when God's people refuse to honor the work of the Holy Spirit in their own hearts.
4.) When we insist on taking on a project where God has not provided we are doing so on our own thoughts.
5.) It is seldom that it can be said that God has blessed a project when He is not in it.
6.) Anything done outside the will of God is doomed to failure.
It takes a "redeemed" people, who know the "glory" of God, that are "devoted" to the "cause" of Our Lord Jesus Christ and think of it as a "privilege" to serve with Him.
God wants wise hearted people to be involved in His work. "every wise hearted man"
These are the ones that God supplies with His Wisdom. "in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom"
Spiritually we first have a people that have rested in Jesus(the Sabbath) and then we these same people freely giving of themselves and now we have the acceptable service of Our Lord of those that have passed from death to life.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
That Godly wisdom will bring forth a renewing of our minds!
Things must be done in this order in order to serve the Lord Jesus Christ!
*****Our text:
Exo 35:25 And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.
Exo 35:26 And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.
We should not skip over this from chapter 35:
There will cooperation in the work of the Lord from all sexes. The "Sisters" have their place and their part in God's Work. It does not say they provided any material but that they labored "spun". They did the things that they would normally do at home. This would include instructing children in the ways of God.
*****Our text:
Exo 35:27 And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
Exo 35:28 And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
We can see that the leaders of this new nation set an example for all others in that they also freely gave.
Spiritually, God is saying to all Church leaders including the Pastor to set the example before the flock. Stewardship is an obvious way to show others where our heart is.
1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; [but be thou an example of the believer], in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Tit 2:7 [In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works]: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Tit 2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
We need only look in our own community and we can see how our church leaders fail us.
*****Our text:
Exo 38:24 All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
Exo 38:25 And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
The "lesson" for the church. Every gift to the Lord was kept in a complete record. Every penny in the work of the Lord should be accountable.
*****Chapter 39:
Eight times in this chapter the phrase "as the Lord commanded". The construction of the Tabernacle was completed in exact detail. There was no room for the errors of man. All things must be completed just as the Word of God demands for Our Lord to Tabernacle with us.
These children of God completed the work of God just as they wee told. They added nothing more and they did nothing less. This is a lesson to observe for every Christian.
In God's Work we are to do it just as He instructs us to do, we will "grieve" His Holy Spirit.
In the words of Peter:
Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Joh 6:68 [Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.]
Joh 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
We can surely see that man can have man has only "One" work in Salvation and that is to "Believe" the Word the God has given to us.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 [That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works].
If we desire God's "blessing" and God's "reward" we must do all things just as God has instructed us in His Word and we Do Have His Complete Word if we have His Bible.
I prefer the truth of the King James Bible!
Our Lord requires "Faithfulness" it is He that provides "Success".
Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
*****Our text:
Exo 39:43 And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
As Moses was "Mediator" for his people, we must remember that Our Mediator, Jesus Christ, will also inspect every work of every saint of God. It is from this work that we will face Our Lord at His Bema Seat that probably takes place at the Rapture of the Church.
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
God tells us to not come to Him empty handed! God will judge "quality" not "quantity", that which is of the "Spirit" and that which is of the "flesh".
*****Our Text
Chapter 40
Exo 40:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 40:2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
This would be almost a year from the day that Israel had left Egypt. In this chapter we see that is Moses who completes the work of the Tabernacle.
Exo 40:33 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.
The Bible itself says that this Moses is a "type of Christ".
Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Heb 3:2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
Heb 3:3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
Heb 3:4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
Heb 3:5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
*****Our text:
Exo 40:34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Only when Moses had completed the work of rearing the Tabernacle, only then did the "Glory of the Lord" fill the Tabernacle.
What does this remind us of?
Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
You see it is only after the completed work of Our Lord Jesus on that cross that the Holy Spirit can fill the House.
*****Our text:
Exo 40:36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
Exo 40:37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
Exo 40:38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
All Israel had to do was stay focused on that cloud and it would lead them to the promised land!
To think back on what we have seen:
1.) When Moses descended the first time from the Mount "Judgment" came to this Jewish nation.
When Christ descends to call out His Church:
1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Then the "Time of Jacobs Trouble" will begin:
Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
Jer 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
Jer 30:9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
2.) When Moses descended this second time from the Mount:
a.) Moses appeared with a "radiant face".
A type of Christ:
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
b.) The tablets of stone were not broken this time.
Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people
c.) The reference to the Sabbath:
Telling us that peace will come during the "Millennial Kingdom".
d.) The reference to the freewill offerings:
Zep 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
Zep 3:10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
e.) Israel begins the work of the Tabernacle:
Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Eze 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
f.) The Tabernacle is set up:
Zec 6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
Zec 6:13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
g.) The Lord then dwelt in the "Midst" of His People:
Zec 2:10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
Zec 2:11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
h.) The "Glory of the Lord" was visibly displayed:
Isa 4:5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
Isa 4:6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
Don't you just love the Word of God, where every passage will lead us to the truth of His Word. Just as the Tabernacle was built and assembled exactly like God instructed. God will complete every work He has started in this world until the day when He says "it is done".
Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, [It is done]. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
And this day comes to all God's Children:
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
*****A Few Things About Moses
Moses was born at the time of Pharaoh's order to abort all the male children of Israel. This was an attempt by Satan to keep the Nation of Israel from ever existing thus stopping God's plan of Salvation. Moses was saved alive to become a royal prince. Likewise Christ Jesus Our Lord also lived in the time that Herod attempted to slay all the children around Bethlehem but God intervened. This was another attempt by Satan to destroy God's plan of "Salvation".
Moses was adopted into royalty but Christ Jesus is of "Royal Blood" born a King and the King. Moses fled Egypt and became a "shepherd". Jesus was born in a stable and remained a shepherd of His Father's flock all the days of His life.
Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Through Moses at the hand of God, Israel was released from the bondage of slavery. But Through Jesus at the hand of God, all believers are released from Satan's bondage of "Sin".
Moses was the great "Intercessor" for Israel But Christ Jesus is the "Great Intercessor" for all God's children.
It is God Himself that said Moses was a "type" of Christ:
Deu 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, [like unto thee], and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
Deu 18:19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
When we study the life of Moses we will see many things that resemble Our Lord but we must remember these words:
Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Heb 3:2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
Heb 3:3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
Heb 3:4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
Heb 3:5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
It is Our Lord Jesus Christ that has the means of our Salvation:
Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Let's Pray!
