SCRIPTURE: Exodus 39
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. [Matthew 6:28-29] What a lot of attention is given in Exodus 38-39 to the temple furnishings and the priestly garments. It makes you wonder why God makes a big deal of clothes here, and yet Jesus seems to have a different spin.
It makes me think of discussions I have had with people about how we dress when we ‘go to church’. The quotes reveal that the whole idea of ‘going to church’ is problematic to me, a reflection of old covenant thinking. Yes, the old covenant had a sacred building with sacred furniture and sacred priests offering sacred offerings. But that was before Jesus came and fulfilled these symbols. The purity and perfection of these symbols pointed to the purity and perfection of Jesus, and the renewed fellowship we have with God through His death and resurrection.
We no longer go to a temple. We no longer set apart sacred priests. We no longer have sacred furniture. I say this somewhat tongue in cheek, because in actual fact, we do. The way we treat our ‘sanctuaries’, the way we handle the communion dishes, the way we protect the furnishings from use and abuse, and the way we expect people to dress – this shows that we still live in old covenant mode.
God is not concerned about our clothes, He is concerned about our hearts. Of course we ought to dress modestly and respectfully, but this is for everywhere, not just for church. God is not just present in the church building, He is also present in Your bedroom… do you sleep in your ‘Sunday best’? We live in a time today when everything and everywhere is holy to the Lord [Exodus 39:30, Zechariah 14:20-21].
As followers of Jesus, we can remember and give thanks for the old covenant symbols that pointed toward the perfection and purity of Jesus. But we live in the new covenant, and the things that Jesus urges us to be concerned about are the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This means hearts devoted to what is morally right, lives devoted to demonstrating the love and grace of God, people committed to living like Jesus, clothing themselves with His kind of life [Romans 13:14]. If we focus on this, He will take care of the rest. No worries!
PRAYER:
Lord, I want to live like You, I want to live for You!
All was completed just as the Lord had told them. Following God’s instructions for life is needed. God tells His people often, Do this and live, but all too often we go our own way. Moses blessed them for following God’s instructions and they were a blessing to the people. God had shown His presence by the cloud and fiery pillar during their travels and now He would be with them in His new dwelling place. We all need to experience Christ in our lives and sense/see His presence to increase our faith. Like Thomas, unless I see, I will not believe! Our God requires the best/the first fruits of our lives also today. And if I don’t experience Him in what I do and say everyday, I too will be like Thomas, like the people of Israel – following gods like the ones I can see. As God dwelt among His people then, He still dwells among His people today. But do I have the eyes to see Him? Do I have the ears to hear Him speaking? Do I have the heart to serve Him wholeheartedly? As the people prepared a place to have their talks with God, where do I meet my Saviour to talk with Him – in the mornings, in my daily walk, in my work, seeing Him in other people, in the gifts received, in daily safety, in my health – He is my ALL in all. I am always in His presence.
All that I am I owe to Thee,
Thy wisdom, Lord, has fashioned me;
I give my Maker thankful praise,
Whose wondrous works my soul amaze.
Ere into being I was brought,
Thine eye did see, and in Thy thought
My life in all its perfect plan
Was ordered ere my days began.
Thy thoughts, O God, how manifold,
More precious unto me than gold!
I muse on their infinity,
Awaking I am still with Thee.