Bible Pathways 01/31/2003

January 31

Read Exodus 40

In Today's Reading:

Tabernacle completed and erected; furnishings arranged; consecration of Aaron and sons; glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle.

On Mount Sinai, God instructed Moses: Make a sanctuary for Me so that I may dwell among them. . . . according to all that I show you (Exodus 25:8-9). After nine months, the building of the tabernacle was completed (39:32; compare 19:1; 40:2). Moses did just as the LORD had commanded him (40:16). This phrase emphasizes the supreme importance of obedience to the will of God (40:16-32). Moses' obedience was complete in every detail for making about 40 different items, including the tent, altars, vessels, bronze basin, garments, tent pegs, bronze bases, loops, posts, and furniture (25:40; 26:30; 39:42-43).

The first thing to be placed within the tabernacle was the ark of the testimony which contained the Ten Commandments of God: On the first day of the first month you are to erect the tabernacle, the tent of meeting. Put the ark of the testimony there . . . Moses took the testimony and placed it in the ark . . . He brought the ark into the tabernacle . . . just as the LORD had commanded (40:2-3,20-21).

God's word provides all the wisdom, spiritual guidance, and strength necessary to live for Him. It is vital that we, like Moses, do all that the LORD had commanded.

After the tabernacle was constructed, the cloud of His Presence (Exodus 13:21) and the tabernacle were inseparable throughout the Israelites' journeys. If the cloud lifted and moved forward, the tabernacle and the people then followed; if the cloud stopped, the people remained until it moved again (40:36-37).

Soon, the glorious presence of God will again be seen on earth, as the apostle John revealed while imprisoned on Patmos, when he wrote: I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God's dwelling is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God (Revelation 21:2-3).

Christ Revealed:

By Aaron as the high priest (Exodus 40:13). Now the Messiah has appeared, high priest of the good things that have come . . . that He might now appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:7-24).

Prayer Needs:

Government Official: Rep. Richard Gephardt (MO) · Country: Syria (13 million) in southwestern Asia · Major languages: Arabic and Kurdish · Limited religious freedom for Christians · 90% Muslim; 4% Eastern Orthodox; 2% Roman Catholic; .25% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Let your faith in the Word of God overrule all fears (Psalms 18:30).

Optional Reading: Mark 3

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:6