September 17, 2014
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

The Gift that Gives

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Opening Prayer

Eternal God, I live beneath Your rule and in Your grace I stand. Refresh me in Your Spirit today.

Read Exodus 25:1-22

[1] The LORD said to Moses, [2] “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give. [3] These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; [4] blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; [5] ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood; [6] olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; [7] and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. [8] “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. [9] Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you. [10] “Have them make an ark of acacia wood-two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. [11] Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. [12] Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. [13] Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. [14] Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it. [15] The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed. [16] Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law, which I will give you. [17] “Make an atonement cover of pure gold-two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. [18] And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. [19] Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. [20] The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. [21] Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law that I will give you. [22] There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

Sing or meditate on the hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (Isaac Watts, 1674-1748). Go to www.hymnlyrics.org for the lyrics. Focus on this line: “That were an offering far too small.”

When God calls on us to serve him with our time, talents, talk and treasures, what do we have to offer? Here the Israelites offer a list of valuable items, including precious stones and what are probably dolphin or sea-cow skins (5). The list divides into seven categories: metals, dyed materials, fabrics, timber, oils, spices and gems. This perfect number indicates the pattern that the skilled craftsmen will combine to make “something beautiful for God” (book title by Malcolm Muggeridge on the life of Mother Teresa). Similarly our lives, with all their complexity of character, skills, knowledge, attitudes and temperament can, under God the master-craftsman’s hand, become a living temple for the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19).

The Hebrew word terumah (“offering”) which begins this section (2) is not the usual word for a gift or offering. It refers to a specially consecrated donation that is set aside by its owner for a particular and holy use. Nothing less than the best will do, and a motivation of total heartfelt dedication is necessary (2). The act of such total giving, not just of the object itself but from such a wholehearted motivation, is then met with an astounding counter-gift from God. He will not only give them the plans for the construction of the Tabernacle, but he will use it as his residence and become their neighbor.

The details that follow are for the fittings and features of a palace fit for a king. His wardrobe (the ark), servants (cherubim), lights (lamp stand), and larder (table for showbread) roughly parallel a king’s need for food, light, comfort, decoration and a way to allow his courtiers and servants to have access into his presence.

Apply

Imagine your life as a house, with different rooms and features designed for God to inhabit. Does he have access to every area? What is still to be developed?

Closing prayer

Loving Lord, thanks for the reminder that You own me and nothing but the best from me will do. I will strive for excellence and in Your strength I will prevail.

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