Shopping List
Exodus 25:1-2 (MSG)
"GOD spoke to Moses: Tell the Israelites that they are to set aside offerings for me. Receive the offerings from everyone who is willing to give."
God gave to Moses, a list of all the building materials to use in the construction of His Tabernacle. The Dwelling Place of God had to contain very specific components and no inferior substitutions would be acceptable. This Tabernacle was to be the House of God, a royal palace, during the years the Israelites lived in the desert.
This mandate from God is just what he asks of us today; to give our very best to Him-willingly. Our gifts must come from our heart for them to be used to glorify. The best we can do today when we give and tithe is to skim from the very top, the riches ‘cream of the crop’ offerings.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
This entire chapter is devoted to the gathering of the quality materials for the construction of the tabernacle. A noteworthy parallel to the ingredients list for God’s house is the fact our bodies are tabernacle’s of the Holy Spirit. We should be caring for them in a manner pleasing to God, honoring the Spirit of God who makes His home in us after our baptism.
Exodus 25:31 (MSG)
"Make a Lampstand of pure hammered gold. Make its stem and branches, cups, calyxes, and petals all of one piece.
There are a number of parallels found in Chapter 25, for instance, the candlesticks representing the light of God’s word, in a dark world.
2 Peter 1:19 (NIV)
“And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Nothing was to be left to man’s whim or impulse, everything was to be as God directed. These are words to live by this day and the next.
Read Exodus 25 here
Listen to Exodus 25 here
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