Fri.’s Devo - The Tabernacle

Read: Exodus 26:1-27:21; Matthew 25:1-30; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 8:1-11 Moses told them to make ten curtains to go all around the area for the Tabernacle to sit. The curtains were to be made of fine linen and they were to embroider angels with blue, purple and scarlet thread. The people were to know that they were not alone in this journey but surrounded by God’s army of angels. *** The people would enter into that area through a gateway. Then in the middle of the area would sit the Tabernacle. It’s walls were curtains also. The Tabernacle was to be covered with eleven curtains made of goat-hair. The covering was to cover the top and hang down 18 inches all around. Over it was placed a layer of tanned ram skins and a layer or fine goatskin leather. *** The framework was made of wood with hooks to hold the curtains and bases to keep it stable. The frames were 15 feet long and 27 “ wide. They had to carry these through the wilderness for 40 years. God had shown Moses just how to construct them so that it would be easy to assemble and easy to take down. Once constructed, the wood was overlayed with gold. *** A curtain was to be on the doorway into the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. Inside these rooms the curtains on the wall depicted cherubim. The whole tabernacle was to give the appearance of the heavenly realm. *** The Ark was to be covered because it was the place of atonement. It is the blood of Christ that covers our sins. The Ark of the Covenant was placed in the Most Holy Place. In the Holy Place the table of incense was set on the north side with the lamp stand on the south. *** The bronze altar where they would sacrifice all the animals was constructed of wood and overlaid with bronze. Everything needed for that altar was made of bronze. It was placed in the courtyard. *** Notice that the Tabernacle was constructed from the inside out. This was a gift from God’s heart to the people. He was making a way for them to find him. *** The people were commanded to bring pure oil to for the lamp stand , to keep it lit permanently. This is our command to keep our light shining. *** Speaking of oil… in Matthew, Jesus gives a parable about the Kingdom of Heaven concerning oil. There were ten bridesmaids awaiting the bridegroom. Five were foolish and five were wise. The foolish didn’t take enough oil and ran out. The wise brought extra. When the bridegroom came, the foolish tried to get the wise to let them have some of their oil, but they told them to go buy their own. They missed the bridegroom. That is the thing about the anointing, you must pay the price for your own anointing. *** They didn’t have oil so they were locked out of the wedding feast. These five virgins were the counterfeits. They had done all the things to look good. They were virgins and they were watching, but they weren’t prepared in their hearts. They didn’t have the Holy Spirit which is the seal that seals us to God. *** Jesus gave them another illustration about the man who went on a long trip. He called his servants together and entrusted his money to them. He gave five bags of silver to one person, two bags of silver to another and one bag to another. He gave the amounts in proportion to their abilities. Then he left. The one who was given five invested his money and earned five more. The one who got two, went to work and earned two more, but the servant who was given the one, hid it in the ground. *** When the master returned he called them all in to give an account and the ones who had invested and worked presented their earnings to him with joy. He praised them for being good and faithful. They had won his trust, so they would be given more responsibility. But, the one who hid his explained that he knew the master was harsh and wanted the harvest of crops he didn’t plant so he hid his money and gave it back to him. *** Notice the three levels of ability. The one with the most invested his and let his money work for him. The next level down worked for his money, and the last hoarded his. We want our money working for us, so to invest is the highest level. The way we do this is to invest, most of all, into the kingdom of God by giving tithes and offerings to ministries doing God’s work. Also, we invest wisely in what God puts on our heart to invest in like gold, silver, etc. *** The master called him wicked and lazy. He told him he could have at least put it in the bank to be getting interest. He took his money and gave it to the one with ten bags of silver. He explained that to those who use their talents, money, time, etc, well, would be given more in return, but those who do nothing with their lives, what they have will be taken away. The servant went to the place of suffering and death. *** God is doing this today, as we see the great transfer of wealth. Those who have been faithful with little will be rewarded with much. God knows these people will use it for the right reasons. *** Lord, may we do well in investing in your kingdom. Show us how to be good stewards of your earth, our time and our resources realizing that it all came from You. It is all for your glory.