August 10, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in selections from Exodus and Romans? Here’s today’s reading:
Exodus 35 (NIV)
Sabbath Regulations
1 Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, “These are the things the Lord has commanded you to do: 2 For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death.……Continue Reading
Exodus 35
A reminder here of what was mentioned in earlier chapters. That it is being continually reinforced shows us how important it is to God and we should take note. One of these is the seven day week. It is so clear that God made creation in six days and rested on the seventh for our example. Here He is again commanding that it is a six day work week and then rest on the seventh day which was to be a holy day, a sabbath day of rest. vs 2. Also not to kindle fire in their habitations. Probably because of the sacrifices they were to bring on the sabbath. v3. They needed to have their hearts and minds focused on worship and looking to Him. So all the people gave willingly of what they had. They brought gems, materials, and their abilities as a free will offering. The two men leading with their craftsmanship and teaching were Bezaleel of the tribe of Judah, and Aholiab of the tribe of Dan. It says that Bezaleel was filled with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in all manner of workmanship, and to devise curious works, to work in gold, silver, and brass. Also that he was in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. VS 31-33. Then Aholiab was also filled with wisdom by the spirit to teach his skills to the people so they would use it. He was also gifted to work in all manner of work in engraving, embroidery in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver. vs 34-35. Different abilities yet inspired by the Lord. May we always seek to serve Him through the love of Jesus.
Exodus 35
It was interesting to read all the details that would go into the tabernacle and the priests’ garments, but after all that instruction, it was now time to get down to business. It shows once again how God wants to involve us in His plans and even equips us to do so. He just asks us to be willing participants. So whether we are the ones providing the material or funds to make the job happen, or we are the ones with the skill to make it happen, we all have a part to play, and one really isn’t more important than another. We just need to operate in the faith and obedience that God inspires and calls us to.
I think sometimes when we think about things like spiritual gifts and talents God has blessed us with our head immediately goes to preachers, singers, and more public roles, however, this chapter reinforces that God gives us all talents and He wants those talents used for his glory. That means whatever you do you should do it well and you should do it as you are doing it for God Himself. If you sew, sew as if you are mending something for Him. If you clean, clean as if you are cleaning His home. God gives us all talents and abilities and He blesses us with resources and businesses and we are simply stewards of all those things and should always do our best to make an eternal impact through our work.