Thurs.’s Devo - The Tabernacle is Complete

Read: Exodus 39:1-40:38; Mark 1:1-28; Psalm 35:1-16; Proverbs 9:11-12 The garments for the priests were finished. The ephod had the onyx stones on the shoulders that had the names of the tribes of Israel engraved. When God looked down from heaven he saw the named of his people. This was to show that God’s government rested on his shoulders. *** The breastplate had the stones for each of the tribes of Israel across the chest to show that Jesus, our high priest carried his people near to his heart. *** The linen tunics, sashes, miters (hats) and trousers for Aaron and his sons were woven of blue, purple and scarlet thread. A gold plate was inscribed with HOLINESS TO THE LORD and tied to a blue cord and fastened on the turban. This was to show that their minds and thoughts were righteous. *** The furniture was completed. God told Moses to set the tabernacle up on the first day of the first month of the second year. The ark of the covenant was put in first, then covered with curtains. Then the table for the shewbread, the menorah. The altar of incense was put outside the veil for entering into the Holy of Holies. All the utensils they would need for these pieces were put in place. Then the tent was erected around them. Everything was anointed with oil to consecrate it. ***The altar of burnt offering and the aver were in place and anointed. Then Aaron and his sons were brought out and washed with the water from the laver. They were clothed in their holy garments and anointed. *** The rest of the tabernacle was set up with its curtains around the area. The coverings were put over the top of the tent. Moses took the Testimony and put it into the ark and inserted the poles through its rings and put the mercy seat on top of the ark. He brought the ark into the tabernacle and hung the veil in front of the opening. Everything else was ceremonially brought into the tabernacle and put in its place. When he had finished putting everything in place the glory of God in a cloud filled the tabernacle. Mose was not able to enter because of the glory of the Lord. Whenever the cloud lifted, they would move with it. It stayed above the tabernacle during the day and became a fire by night. *** Today we begin the book of Mark. Mark was written to the Romans and the theme of Mark is “Jesus is the Servant”. It opens with The prophecy of Isaiah who said that God would sent his messenger before the Messiah to prepare the way. He would be a voice crying in the wilderness. John the Baptist was this messenger and voice. He preached a baptism of repentance of sins. He spoke of one coming after him who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. *** Jesus came to John to be baptized and when he came out of the water the Spirit descended upon him like a dove. A voice from heaven said, “you are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Then Jesus was driven into the wilderness where he was there 40 days, tempted by Satan. Angels ministered to him there. *** Meanwhile, John was put in prison and Jesus continued his ministry. He preached the kingdom of God was at hand. Repent and believe in His gospel. *** Jesus called the brothers Peter and Andrew who were fishing to come and follow him. Then he met the brothers,James and John and called them also. *** They traveled to Capernaum and went to the synagogue because it was the Sabbath. Jesus began teaching and taught with authority. A man with an unclean spirit was there and cried out for Jesus to leave them alone. Jesus rebuked the spirit and told it to come out of the man. It came out of the man and the people were amazed. *** Lord, may we wear the garments of praise and righteousness. May our thoughts be holy unto you and may we move with the spirit wherever it goes.