Bible Pathways - Jan. 31, 2009
January 31
Highlights In Today's Reading:
What thrilling reading as Exodus "ends" with a "new" era, the Tabernacle is completed, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle (40:17-34). Don't miss 40:38.
On Mount Sinai, God instructed Moses: Make Me a Sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee . . . shall ye make it (25:8-9). After nine months, the building of the Tabernacle was completed (39:32; compare 19:1; 40:2). Moses did according to all that the Lord commanded him (40:16). This phrase emphasizes that Moses understood the supreme importance of obedience to the will of God (40:16-32). Moses' obedience was complete in every detail of making about 40 different items, including the tent, altars, vessels, Laver of Brass, garments, pins, sockets, loops, posts, and furniture (25:40; 26:30; 39:42-43). Nothing was left to either Moses' or the worshipers' opinions.
The first thing to be placed within the Tabernacle was the Ark of the Testimony which contained the Ten Commandments of God. The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the Tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. And thou shalt put therein the Ark of the Testimony (Covenant, Commandments). . . . He took and put the Testimony (tables of the Law) into the Ark . . . And he brought the Ark into the Tabernacle . . . as the Lord commanded (40:1-3,20-21).
After the Tabernacle was constructed and the cloud of the Lord's Presence filled it, the cloud (40:34-35; compare 13:21) and the Tabernacle were inseparable throughout the rest of the Israelites' journeys. If the cloud lifted and moved forward, the people then followed, carrying the Tabernacle; if the cloud stopped, the people remained until it moved again (40:36-37). God's Word and His Holy Spirit provide all of the wisdom, spiritual guidance, and strength necessary to live obediently and victoriously for Him. God has revealed: Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are (I Cor. 3:16-17; compare 6:18-19). God never rewards partial obedience. It is vital that we read all of His Word in order to understand all of what He has commanded.
Soon, the glorious Presence of God will again be seen on earth, as the Apostle John revealed while imprisoned on the Island of Patmos when he wrote: I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven. . . . And I heard a great voice . . . saying, Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people (Rev. 21:2-3,22).
Thought for Today:
The Bible teaches us to deny ungodliness and to look for the glorious appearing of . . . our (Lord and) Saviour Jesus Christ. What a blessed hope we have (Titus 2:12-13).
Christ Portrayed:
By Aaron as the high priest (Ex. 40:13). Christ being come an High Priest. . . . to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:7-24).
Word Studies:
40:3 the Testimony =he Ten Commandments; cover the ark with the vail =b> hang a curtain to separate the Most Holy Place; 40:7 laver =b> large basin or bowl used for washing the hands and feet; 40:10 sanctify =b> consecrate to God; 40:11 his foot =b> its stand; 40:20 staves =oles with which to carry; 40:24 over against =pposite.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Rep. C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger (MD) • Country: Albania (3.1 million) in southeastern Europe • Major languages: Albanian and Greek • Newly opened to evangelism • 41.5% Christian; 39% Muslim; 18.5% non-Religious/Other; .2% Baha'i; .01% Jewish • Prayer Suggestion: Confess your sins to the Lord; He is merciful and forgiving (Dan. 9:4-9).
Optional Reading: Mark 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:3-4
