Tues.’s Devo - The Making of the Tabernacle

Read: Exodus 26:1-27:21; Matthew 25:1-30; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 8:1-11 God had told the children of Israel to spoil the Egyptians so that they would have the materials needed to make the Tabernacle. Their offerings would be totally voluntary but they gave freely. From the linen threads, they wove cloth with red, blue and purple embroidered cherubim. With it they made eleven curtains 45’ x 6’ long and attached five of them together to make one piece and seed together the other six to make another piece. These would be coverings for the sides of the Tabernacle. They would be joined in the back with loops and hooks. They were to do the exact thing with goat hair cloth three feet longer for a covering over the top. The extra feet were for a hang over. They would be joined with the same loops and hooks. The framework was made of wood that could be easily taken apart and moved. Inside the Tabernacle was to have a linen curtain decorated with the embroidered cherubim hung on gold hooks. Its posts were to be covered with gold and set in silver bases. The Ark of the Covenant would be behind this curtain which would separate the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. The Ark and its cover would be placed in the Holy of Holies which would be the place of atonement. The table of shewbread would be placed on the north side of the Holy Place and the Menorah on the south side of the same room. A curtain would be hung in front of them also with gold hooks and bronze bases. Next, the bronze altar where all the sacrifices would be made was constructed. It was made of wood and bronze. It would have four bronze horns on the corners and a grate for burning the sacrifices. It was like a huge Bar-B-Q pit. It was placed in the courtyard and was enclosed with curtains made of linen. The courtyard would be 150’ long by 75’ long. A 30’ opening for the entrance would be at the east side. The whole courtyard would be encased in curtains. The people were asked to bring olive oil for the lamps that were to burn continually. God’s light was to never go out. Speaking of oil, that leads us right into the next story in Matthew about the ten bridesmaids. They were to meet with bridegroom in the night with their lamps. They waited and waited for him to come and five of the bridesmaids got lazy and stopped filling their lamps. When the bridegroom came they had not oil and ran to find some. He came while they were gone and it was too late for them. Oil represents the Holy Spirit which is the anointing of God in our lives. Another parable was about a man who left for a long trip. He gave his servants money according to their abilities and left. To one he gave five bags of silver, to one two bags and to the last one he gave one bag of silver. The one who received the five invested and earned five more. The one with two went to work and earned two more. But the one with one hid his in the ground. When the master returned they gave account and the master praised the first two and exalted them to new positions. The one who hid his was rebuked was stripped of the money he was given and it was given to the first man. The story’s conclusion was: “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” The last man was thrown into outer darkness, there there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Lord, help us to use our time wisely on earth and be about your business. May we freely give of the talents you have blessed us with.