January 31, 2008

Read Exodus 25-26 and Matthew 20:17-34

3 comments:

Chris said...

Exodus 25:2 Offerings to the Lord had to come willingly, from the heart. When we give out of a sense of obligation, God knows; He sees our hearts. I certainly wouldn't want a gift that was given begrudgingly; it would make me feel icky.

25:8 Today we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. I'm thankful that He dwells in us and that our worship doesn't have to be by the letter to be acceptable to Him. I know all that Moses was commanded to make is rich in symbolism and have heard talks on it (which have been pushed behind how to calculate medication doseages in my head) and would love to do a study on what all the aspects of the temple represent. Especially interesting to me is how this imagry corresponds to that in Revelation.

Matthew 20: I think it must have been hard for Jesus to keep on keeping on, knowing what was ahead. I thought about what I'd do if I knew my execution was imminent, and while before I might have told you, oh, I'd skydive, go to Ireland, spend time with good friends, write letters to everyone for after I'm gone telling them how I felt about them, and eat several racks of ribs, that's actually changed. I figure I can do those things in heaven, my stomach would probably be too nervous to eat, and no one should have to be told how special they were after I was gone, so, even though I might be prone to a pity party for myself, and afraid of the pain that was to come, I like to think I would do what Christ did: spend time with my closest friends and do as much with my ministry as I could. Huh. That was deeper than I thought. One aspect of this study that I like is as I'm going deeper into God's Word, it's enabling me to see the changes He has made in me, and I am so humbly grateful to Him. Not that it's all about me, but on days that I feel especially wretched, He reminds me that He is completing a good work in me.

V 28 I used to think this verse meant be a doormat, run yourself ragged, and be all things to all people. There are actually some areas in which God says, "Chris, I don't want you there. I want you here." When I listen, it's cool. When I don't, at best blessings are missed, and at worst, it's a disaster. I used to do a lot to please people, and then I would complain, often just inwardly, but God heard. Just like in Exodus today, if something is not done with a happy heart, a humble and contrite heart, it is not an acceptable sacrafice; you're wasting your time and insulting the Lord.

V 34 I think these blind guys (did you notice Jesus healed a pair of blind guys more than once?) had the right idea: Others went their way after being healed. These two followed Him. It doesn't say they went off and told anyone, or didn't tell anyone, or went to the temple, or anything like that. It simply says they followed Him. He healed. They followed. Praise God for simplicity.

February 1, 2008 at 5:45 AM
Anonymous said...

Years ago I did a Beth Moore study on the tabernacle and it was SOOO insightful as to the meanings and symbolism behind everything in the tabernacle. There are, of course, others but this is the one I know. It's "A Women's Heart-God's Dwelling Place". See a link at http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/product.asp?isbn=1415855811&mscssid=WQV6JPQQGGCT8JX2RNKEQ7TV8E917EB6

Understanding all the symbolism and Jewish history/laws/customs really ties the New Testament to the Old Testament. The things the Christ talks about make so much more sense. I might do it again some time!

blessings,

February 1, 2008 at 8:46 AM
Anonymous said...

Ginny...where are you???

February 1, 2008 at 2:04 PM

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