February 7, 2010, Exodus 26:1-27:21, Matthew 25:1-30, Psalm 31:1-8, Proverbs 8:1-11

Dear Father; Thank you for your word. bless our thoughts and words as we share your Love with one another

Response to Exodus 26:1-27:21

I Tabernacle instructions given to Moses on the Mountain:

   A.  Curtains of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen. with cherubim worked into them and gold  clasps to fasten them together to make the inside of the tabernacle.
   B.  Curtains made of goat hair for a covering over the tabernacle with coverings for the tent made of red ram skins and hides of sea cows.
   C.  Framing and crossbars of acacia wood covered with gold with silver bases and secured with gold rings
   D.  The most Holy place, for placing the ark of the covenant is separated with a similar curtain as those mentioned in A above. There is a table outside the curtain on the north side and a lampstand on the south side. The lamps will be kept burning from evening until morning with olive oil.
   E.  The altar is hollow, made from acacia boards. (~7.5' wide and ~4.5' high) or (~1.3 meter high  and ~2.3 meters wide) is covered in bronze with bronze utensils (pots & pans, shovels, bowls, forks) not unlike a barbecue. The priests meat often came from the sacrifices.
   F.  The courtyard; All curtain heights; (about 7.5' high or 2.3 meters). The North and South side (~150' or ~46 meters), East and west sides (~75' or 23 meters). Linen curtains with bronze bases and silver hooks and bands are used on the North, South, and West.
   G. The entrance is centered on the east side of the courtyard. It is a linen curtain with blue purple and scarlet yarn (~30' or ~9 meters). Linen curtains without the yarn extend from the entrance to the north and south.
   H. Miscellanious articles for the tent including the tent pegs are made of bronze.

Although I am sure this place of worship needed repairs from time to time, it was used for the people of Israel as their holy place and most holy place (behind the curtain) through the reign of King David, about 300 years.  "The Tabernacle Experience" travels around the United States. Here is a video from their website giving some idea of what the Tabernacle looked like: http://tabernacleexperience.com/video.html

With all the curtains and such, it sounds a bit like the Kabah in Mecca, Holy to the Muslims.

Yesterday we spoke of the importance of gathering to worship God. A couple thoughts rambled through my head since then.  Our worship styles vary between individuals, generations, and cultures. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus says "where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them. I recently heard of a group of men who met to play cards and talk about the love of God. I wonder, what does your worship experience look like? Does a study like this help? Share your thoughts.

Worship styles change over time. I find it is wonderful to hear the word together and then share our individual insights and experiences. Isn't it strange that as people attend less worship gatherings, more go to see psychiatrists fighting depression than in years past? If you're going to spend the money anyway, get together with friends and help each other out. Talk about Love.

Response to Matthew 25:1-30

Matthew 25 begins "At that time..." thus, Jesus discourse on end times from chapter 24 continues in chapter 25. We have just left the servant of the master who is beating his fellow servant and getting drunk as the master is delayed.

Remember this then as we enter chapter 25 and consider the 10 maidens (RSV). All of them are virtuous and ready to meet the bridegroom yet five have extra oil and five do not. When the bridegroom comes, the foolish virgins are out of oil and the wise virgins are not willing to share. (some lights are shining, some are not) The wise virgins go into the feast, but the foolish virgins go to buy oil and arrive late - and are not allowed into the party.

This story bothers me.  Against the morals of the surrounding stories, it seems to praise the wise virgins who are not willing to share - or perhaps, if this is being filled with the Spirit, that is not something that can be given to another like material items. Also, there is concern regarding the love of the bridegroom who would not accept these virgins who had also anticipated his arrival and desired to enjoy the party.  If nothing else, this story should make all of us question our views of theology and remember to be always be prepared, always serving our Creator, however we understand that call in our lives. Again, considering ourselves children of God carries with it a responsibility to our Father, we can't get around that. So, how do we know if we are doing His will? "By this we shall know that we are of the truth, and reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us" I John 3:19-20.

Remember Matthew 9:15? "Jesus said to them, 'Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast'" He goes on in Matthew 9:16-17 to discuss how new wine in old wineskins will burst the old fabric.

Perhaps the message of salvation or spirituality cannot be rushed. God must first prepare the heart to accept the good news. If the bridegroom comes and you say - wait, there is something else I need to do first, you may not be invited to the party.  The fact is, we're reading this and we're still here. Get ready for the party! It's already here, the invitation arrived again today!

Chapter 25:14-30 continues with the parable of the talents.  If God gave you talents which you can use to build up the kingdom - sharing the love with the community, use them or they will be taken away from you. You were blessed to be a blessing. This has to do with our churches also. If you are not productive - just paying for the building and isolating yourself from the community, chances are the Spirit will come and remove what little you have. If the individual or body of believers will invest in the community, the community will generally invest in the body of believers, or the individual.

Response to Psalm 31:1-8

Verse 2-3: "Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me."

Have you ever considered that there is more to life than praying these words to God? Have you ever considered that it is also your responsibility to be God's ears, that rock, a strong fortress to save, a guide for someone else who is praying that prayer? Who needs you to act on their behalf? Perhaps God has led them to you to be the answer to their prayer. Too often, the problems we face in this life cannot be dealt with alone with a God we cannot feel, touch, or hear. We need the help of a brother or sister. In fact, that is what we've been talking about. We are to be the Love of God on this earth. We can be that strong fortress. We have gone through our struggles and we can mentor. There has been a reason for our pain and we can turn it around to offer good in someone else's life. Again, where two or three are gathered in His name, there is He in the midst of them.

Verse 8 "You have not handed me over to the enemy", no perhaps He has handed them over to you.

Verse 5: "Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth." the prayer of Jesus on the Cross and what should be the prayer of every one of us today.

Response to Proverbs 8:1-11

Now we begin my favorite Proverb! Wisdom speaks! Read it and see if it is nothing less than the Word of God. More on that when we hit verse 22! (go ahead, read ahead)

Who can say that there is folly in Wisdom and Knowledge? The only folly is if we allow our wisdom and knowledge to puff ourselves up and become the "pride of life." But to defy knowledge and wisdom would also be a mistake. If we truly seek to know God through wisdom and knowledge instead of trying to run from Him, He will show us the way! Verse 7-9; "My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge." Verse 11 "for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." Excellent!

Experience His Love today!

Rick