Required vs Actual

In one of our Bible studies, a sister asked, ‘Could you please clarify Exodus chapters 26-35?’ They are so confusing, and I don’t understand”. Why all the measurements of everything in cubits and cubits? Couldn’t they have been made simpler in just one chapter?

 Now, let’s be nice, Thumbs up or down!! How many of us have found those chapters easy or patient to read through without flipping over?

I was thrilled with the question and commended her. Not many will ask this question. I said to her that there are many, but not exhaustive, answers to this question. Let’s take a few.

1.  God is the ultimate Architect, Engineer and Project Manager. We only have a little bit of Him in our professions.

2.  God does things to perfection and pays attention to detail.

3.  He doesn’t want any error or mistake, so He appointed Bezaleel to do it.

4.  When we yield ourselves to be used of God, He does three things: Exodus 35:31-35

• He filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.
• And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
• He filled them with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work.

5. God warned Moses to ensure that everything is done according to the pattern He showed Him on the Mount.

God was so particular about the physical sanctuary, then. Imagine how much more our body, which is His Spiritual temple, as He no longer lives in a temple made with hands. We are expected to be built up in all goodness and grace, not missing one. If we are required to have mercy 100 by 100 cubits, and what we have is 50 by 40, will it fit? Now imagine us as the temple, and the table below specifies what we should build with. If we do otherwise, will it be a strong structure?

Some of us think we can lower the standard of God and get away with it. It simply means that the structure of our Christian faith will be wobbly. If any material is short, there will be a gap. Satan is an expert at finding the weak areas in the structure, and he will hit them, causing the building to collapse. Some people see this gap and try to fill it with foam or cloth, but it is not the same as the building material.

We need Pastors and Teachers like Bezaleel and Aholiab to build us up in the word of God. This should be done line upon line, precept upon precept. The sister who asked the question screamed out, ‘I got it!’ On the flip side, in Colossians 3:5,8; Galatians 5:19-21

 Some people think it doesn’t matter to keep some. The temple would be built with hay and stubble. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15.