Thursday, August 6, 2020

Exodus 39

What does it say?
Of the blue and purple and scarlet material they made finally woven priestly garments for ministering in the holy place. They made these with skillful craftsmanship as the Lord had commanded Moses. Memorial stones with the names of the sons of Israel were engraved and set on the shoulder pieces. They made a breast piece, a pocket on a chain of gold and blue and purple and scarlet material with four rows of three stones engraved with the names of the sons of Israel. They made a robe of blue material and put pomegranates and bells alternating the placement around the hem of the robe just as the Lord commanded Moses. They made the caps and the undergarments just as the Lord had commanded Moses. When the craftsmen completed the work they brought the tabernacle, the articles for worship service and the priestly garments to Moses; after examining the work Moses blessed them.

What does it mean?
The Lord God does whatever he wants to do however he wants to do it. If you observe his commandments and work according to his will you shall be blessed. This is not to say that we receive salvation through works. The Lord adopted the sons of Israel as his special position of all the people on the earth before they did any work at all but the Lord commanded them to build the tabernacle, the articles used in worship service and the priestly garments. He also raised up the craftsmen to do the work. Nonetheless, those who did the work just as the Lord commanded received a blessing.

What shall I do?
The Lord has given the church a job. He said to make disciples of all the nations, baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all that Jesus commanded. (Mt.28:18-20) I shall do the work that the Lord has command the church, for the sake of his kingdom, knowing that the Lord is a good Master who in the end blesses his servants. (Mt.25:14-30)