><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Exodus) CHAPTER 32 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) How does Aaron illustrate the dangers of compromising when essentials are at stake? What did compromise lead to? Why was God's anger kindled against the people? 2) What features of Moses' character stand out in this chapter? What may we learn from his example? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Exodus) Chapter 32 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Exodus 32 Moses' Christ Like Heart During the 40 days while Moses was on mount Sinai to receive instruction from God concerning worshipping Him, Israelites at the foot of the mountain started to worship the calf - the great god of the Egyptians. To me, it confirms the fact that why God called Moses, not Aaron, to lead His people. "There is no IF in God's plan." This chapter shows the lack of discipline caused Aaron to fall into the mistake that caused 3,000 lives, 32:28. On the other hand, this chapter reiterates the qualification of leadership. Moses and Paul are the typical examples to demonstrate that they are tough men and yet they have tender, Christ like, hearts, 32:32-33. Moses has a fatherhood loving heart to God's people. When a child offends the social laws, how often do we hear that the regretful father would accept the responsibility to confess that he did not teach his child the right way to live?! If you have the "fatherhood" heart, someday the Lord would call you to serve Him. Usually, I search my way of what I want to do; however, in the mean time, God searches His way to carry out His plan with the right individuals. In Exodus Chapter 32, God used Aaron to teach us a costly lesson to show the weakness in faith of His people (actually, in general, Aaron was not a bad leader at all). ---- "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? -----." Matthew 17:17. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Aaron yielded to the people's outcry. He caved in to their demands for guidance and leadership when Moses did not return. Moses was gone 40 days. This caused the people to doubt, wonder, and question. So often, we are impatient to wait for God's timing, we want immediate results, we are a generation of the here and now, and what have you done for me lately. We too often forget the wonderful things God has done in our past, and look to what He is doing now, or what He will do tomorrow. God's anger kindled against the people because they were unfaithful to Him. They were looking for the next great thing, and lost sight of God and wanted a feel good religion. May we each one guard our hearts against the satisfaction of the here and now and wait for the Lord's perfect timing in our lives. 2) Moses' temper stands out in this chapter. In v19, Moses gets so angery with the people he shatters the tablets. He gets frustrated with their wavering faith and burns the golden calf. We too must guard against those who would turn to perverted forms of the gospel, a watered down gospel and a feel good religion. We must take heed lest we succumb to this easy believism. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Exodus) CHAPTER 33 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) What was God's attitude at this time a) towards the people, and b) towards Moses? What were Moses' three petitions? What answers did God give? 2) How do the prayers and answers of this chapter show a) the growth of Moses' desire and faith, and b) the richness of God's grace? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Exodus) Chapter 33 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Exodus 33 He Hideth MY Soul in the Cleft of the Rock; He Hiedth MY LIFE in the Depth of His Love At this point, Moses was confused. God called him to lead these "stiff necked" (NIV), "stubborn, unruly" (Life Application), obstinate (NAS) people to be a chosen nation to serve God. So he asked "Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have favor in Thy sight, let me know Thy ways, that I may find favor in Thy sight. Consider too, that this nation is Thy people."33:13. The answer was "MY PRESENCE shall be with you, and I will give you REST." 33:14. "Then, the Lord said, 'Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by." 33:21-22. Moses was hidden and protected in the Rock to review His glory and rest in His peace. "For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5 Let us hear how this chapter inspired Fanny Crosby, a hymn writer, 1820-1915, with the title of "He Hideth My Soul": A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, a wonderful Savior to me; He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock, where rivers of pleasure I see. HE HIDETH MY SOUL IN THE CLEFT OF THE ROCK THAT SHADOWS A DRY, THIRSTY LAND; HE HIDETH MY LIFE IN THE DEPTHS OF HIS LOVE, AND COVERS ME THERE WITH HIS HAND, AND COVERS ME THERE WITH HIS HAND. ---- REMARKS: A good spiritual song as this has been sung for about 150 years and is still so refreshing with lasting echoes. Dear sister Fanny suffered so much to be a refined and matured servant of God. Without a close walk with God, she would not be able to generate those spiritual songs. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) God's attitude towards the people was one of guarded mercy. Just when you think that they might totally have blown their chance at seeing the promised land, the Lord God has mercy once again on His people. The Lord was upset, but still loved His people. All He wants is for us to love Him in return. He is a jealous God, and cannot tolerate the least bit of wavering towards other objects of our affection. God was pleased with Moses, and found favor with Him. Moses made requests of God. 2) Moses' petition God's reply ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - What was God's plan was for the people My presence shall go with you and I will give you rest. v14 - If your presence is with us, how will we know? 'I will also do this thing...' - Show me your glory Moses was bold to come with this statement to the Lord, God's reply to Moses' last request is equally as powerful - v19-22 19 And He said, "I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion." 20 But He said, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!" 21 Then the LORD said, "Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; 22 and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 "Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen." ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Exodus) CHAPTER 34 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Show how fully God answered Moses' request, fulfilling the promise of 33:19. Against what things was Moses, as representative of the people, sternly warned? 2) As a result of his communion with God the skin of Moses' face shone. What, in the case of Christians, issues from the contemplation of the glory of Christ? Cf 2 Cor 3:18, Lk 11:36. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Exodus) Chapter 34 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- God forgave the people and passed before Moses. Another covenant was made, but required obedience. The Lord would cut off all their enemies, but they could not make a treaty with foreigners or worship any other gods or make idols. More specific guidelines of dedication to the Lord are given in ch 34. As Christians, we glory in Christ and reflect His glory, with unveiled faces. This is a work of the Spirit. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Exodus 34 Moses Went Up to Mount Sinai Again Moses was in the Mount 40 days and nights the first time as mentioned in 24:12 'Now the Lord said to Moses, 'Come up to Me on the mountain and REMAIN there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commandment which I have written for their instruction.'" In addition, God gave him the instruction of building the Tabernacle, etc. Exodus 25-31. Moses came down from the mountain with two tablets of the Testimony, 32:15. He cast the tablets and broke them because of the foolish people made a gold image and worshipped it. Now, God instructed him to go up to Mount Sinai again. This time, the difference is that people witnessed that he brought two blank tablets up and took the same ones back with the words written by God - "He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments." 34:28. This time, they reviewed the evidence of this divine action. The passage in this chapter which touches me the most is "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation." 34:6-7. CLARIFICATION: "'Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?' Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live.---" Ezekiel 18:19 "Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin." Deuteronomy 24:16. REMARKS: The clarification verses are not contradictory to Exodus 34:7. They are different in application. It is important to bring this issue into discussion so that there will be no confusions. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In this chapter, we see the renewing of the covenant with the Israelites. God restores the Israelites after their unfaithfulness, and reestablishes the covenant between Him and them. God fulfills Moses' request to see His glory in the way He promised in this chapter. Moses was warned that no man was to come up with Him or be anywhere on the mountain, no flocks were to graze even on the mountain. 2) After Moses' encounter on the mountain top, his face shone from the reflection of the glory of God. We too need to look for 'mountaintop' experiences in our lives. Ours however are encounters with Christ and His glory. This is reflected from us in Love. May each one of us go up to the mountain top alone and seek Him, that we may reflect His light to a dark world. 2 Cor 3:18 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. Lk 11:36 36 "If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays." Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Exodus) CHAPTER 35:1-36:7 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) What illustration do we find in this passage of the way in which the service of God in His church calls for the contributions of all His people, whatever may be their talents, rank or age? Cf 1 Cor 15:58. 2) What examples for ourselves may be found in the spirit in which the people wrought or brought gifts, and in the value and abundance of their giving? Cf 2 Cor 8:1-7 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Exodus) Chapter 35:1-36:7 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- The people who offered their talents had to be willing. All the skilled workers (the women, and Bezalel and Oholiab, who were also teachers) gave their talents to be used by the Lord for His Tabernacle. The areas we are skilled in should be offered to the Lord. God wants our skills and talents, but also must be with a willing heart to serve Him. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Exodus 35 - 36:7 Motivation of Offering Today's reading gives us a picture that after Israelites heard what God instructed Moses about the details of how the Tabernacle will be built, they gave willingly. The Tabernacle introduced and illustrated the salvation concept. They understood the message and were excited about the fact that the almighty God would live among them. Moses told them to set aside a day for worshipping. Then, told them the specifications about how this worshipping place should be built. These people got excited of how to approach God. They dedicated themselves to accomplish the task. "Then all the craftsmen who were doing all the work of the sanctuary came, EACH FROM THE WORK HE WAS DOING." 36:4. This was the action taken for the called ones to serve the Lord. They were led by the Holy Spirit, not by personal emotions. When people hear the call of God, they will demonstrate their faith by responding to God - "for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done - indeed too much." On the other hand, when people do not feel the impact, no action will be taken. However, it took Moses 40 days and nights not having food and WATER to make it happen. In this high tech. age, may God has mercy on us and send another "Moses" to lead His people. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In this chapter, we see the heart of a cheerful giver. This is demonstrated by the people in two ways, material giving of wealth and money, and giving of their talents, time and service. The people gave SO willingly that there was an excess of giving. It is wonderful to see the people so willing to give to the building up of the house of the Lord. One caveat to this willing service is that although you may be blessed with the gift for a particular area, the Lord may not be calling you to service in that area, but instead may be asking you to serve in a capacity that you do not feel equipped for service in. We must remember that it is not of BY US that the Lord's work is accomplished, it is THROUGH US that His work is done. God can get the work done, He invites us to join Him in accomplishing it, and rejoices in our faithful answer to His call to service. May we joyfully and cheerfully respond where the Lord has called us to serve and give with a cheerful heart. And May our service be of the Lord, and not of our own skill and talent, lest we be puffing ourselves up in vain... May 1Cor 15:58 be our call to service in the Lord's work. 58 ¶ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. 2) 2 Cor 8:1-7 gives us another wonderful example of giving and the proper motivation and heart. May we constantly check our heart to insure we are giving not for selfish recognition, but for the execution of God's will. 1 ¶ Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well. 7 ¶ But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Exodus) CHAPTER 36:8-37:9 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) 36:8-38 Try to picture the holy place, as seen from within. What would the sides, the roof, the ends, and the floor consist of? Of what were these a symbol? 2) 37:1-9. In what way do the ark and the mercy seat speak of Christ? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Exodus) Chapter 36:8-37:9 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- We get a picture of God's royalty and perfection, with a perfect plan. One website (www.sevenseals.com/cover.html) says that Seraphim are females with six wings, while Cherubim are males with four wings. (Ref. Isa 6:2, Eze 10:1) They represent Saints of God who are no longer in the flesh - neat, huh? -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Exodus 36:8 - 37:9 Tabernacle vs. Spiritual Worship The first time when Moses came down from Mount Sinia, the people were worshipping the gold calf. "----- the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play." Exo. 32:6b. They worshiped the idol to please themselves. God accepted Moses prayer and asked him to go up to the mount again. This time, the people waited upon the Lord and listened to Moses announcement about God's design of the Tabernacle. They made the Tabernacle for the Lord God to live in. God seeks and looks for our worship. It is our proper response to God. Today, God lives within and among us. Our worship is in spirit and truth. John 4;24. The purpose of worship is to please God, not to please our soul. There are different forms of music in the worship service. When we sing psalms and play music in the service, it is important to realize that our music and songs are sung and pleasing to the Lord, not to our souls. Then, it would not be a matter whether it is old fashioned or contemporary music, as long as it pleases God. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The holy place see from within would be veils and skins. It would be surrounded in veils of multiple colors and skins of animals. The holy place was covered with the skins of animals. This symbolizes the sacrifice necessary to enter into the holy place. 2) The ark and the mercy seat are speak of Christ in that they represent God's dwelling / presence amongst men. For us, our conduit and vehicle to God is Christ. Christ is our mediator and advocate(paraklete in Greek) One who speaks on our behalf. He is our spokesperson to God the Father. Taking our request to Him, and speaking to Him on our behalf that we might approach the Almighty. When we approach God we must do so in Jesus name, for in Jesus name, we have received cleansing and the ability to communicate with and to God the Father. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Exodus) CHAPTER 37:10-38:31 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) The Tabernacle signified both God's approach to man and also man's way of drawing near to God. In view of this, what is the significance of the table of shewbread, the candlestick or lamp-stand, and the altar of incense? Cf Jn 6:57; 8:12;Heb 4:16. 2) Whence came the brass for the laver? Consider the part played by women in the making of the sacntuary. Whence came the silver sockets of the sanctuary? Cf also 30:11-16. Is the fact that the Tabernacle was founded on atonement money significant? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Exodus) Chapter 37:10-38:31 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- The Christian life should have all these - sweet aroma of a life sacrificed and yielded to Christ, being an uncovered light in this dark world, and to entrust our needs and give our service to the Lord. These seem to be represented in the altar, the lampstand, and the table of shewbread. The born-again Christian will manifest all these in his/her life. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Exodus 37:10 - 38:31 Vast Wealth Poured Into Tabernacle There were 15 kinds of materials used in the Tabernacle. It took almost a year to build. It has been estimated that the value of the gold used in the Tabernacle was over $850,000 (1979). The estimate of silver contributed is over $193,000. It was built about 1470 B.C. [Salem Kirban Reference Bible] The center piece of the Tabernacle is the Mercy Seat, where the Ten Commandments are there to identify our sin and requires God's mercy and grace. Today, we live through salvation and come to the kingdom life to live a life that "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The implements in the tabernacle were all snapshots of Christ. Each represented a different aspect of the fulfillment of the better covenant. John 6:57 "As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. The table of shewbread symbolized the communion between God and man. The Bread of Life equivalent of the Old Testament. John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." The lampstand symbolized the Light of the World. God illuminating Himself to us. Heb 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. The altar of incense represents the sweet incense and savor that is our worship to God. All are necessary to be in true fellowship with God. Each, our communion, our worship, and our service are visible indicators of our faith in God. 2) The brass for the laver came from the mirrors of the women who attended the doorway of the Tent of Meeting. This showed the sacrifice of their vanity and giving their offering of beauty to the Lord. THe silver sockets for the santuary came from a flat tax of all of the people. This was an equal amount no matter from whom the tithe was collected. It is the atonement money from all the people. Thus, the Tabernacle was provided for by the atonement of all. Just as our conduit to God(Jesus Christ) was given as atonement for all. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Exodus) CHAPTER 39-40 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Try to picture the Tabernacle and its furniture as here described. What New Testament truths does it foreshadow? Cf Heb 9:8-12. 2) What phrase occurs repeatedly in this passage concerning the making of the Tabernacle? What does this teach us about our own service for God? Cf Jn 15:14. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Exodus) Chapter 39-40 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- Jesus as our High Priest is foreshadowed here. He gained an eternal redemption for us, once for all, by His own blood. Obedience shows our love for God. The repeated phrase here is, "...as the Lord commanded Moses." Everything was done according to exact plans, as detailed by the Lord. I John 5:3, "This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome." May this idea penetrate our hearts and spur us to obey Him in all areas of our Christian walk. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Exodus 39-40 "Let My People Go, That They May Serve Me ---" Ex. 7:16; 8:1; 8:20; 9:1;10:3;--- Throughout the book of Exodus, the key word is "Let My People Go, That They May Serve Me". God wants separate His people from this world; not under the control of this world and free to serve and worship the Creator. The contents in the Holy Place are Seven Lamps, 12 Showbread and Altar of Incense. The seven lamps are lit by the same oil connecting to one another on one stand. Behind the veil there are the ark of the testimony and the mercy seat on top of the ark. The Lord leads them with pillar of cloud and fire, 40:38. People come through the Gate with burnt offering for the atonement of their sin to cover their sin and worship Him as He instructed them. That is the general concept of the Old Testimony life. Today, Lamb of God took away the sin of the world, John 1:29. Our sin is forgiven. "--- the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His GLORY, glory as of the one begotten from the Father, full of GRACE and TRUTH." John 1:14. Haggai prophesied about Christ and the glory of His church - "The latter glory of his house will be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts, and in the place I shall give peace, declares the Lord of host." Haggai 2:9. "Jesus answered and said to them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.' ---- He was speaking of the temple of His body (church)" John 2:19-22. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Heb 9:8-12 8 ¶ The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation. 11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. This section of Hebrews shows us the final end of what the Tabernacle was all about. The Tabernacle was the embodiment of the Old covenant with Israel that would set them free from their sin through blood offerings of lambs and calves. However, it was never enough, nor was it intended to be an ongoing thing. It need to be repeated because it was not sufficient. It was only a model of the better covenant we receive today through Christ and belief in Him. His sacrifice is the all sufficient, perfect sacrifice which was done once for all. 2) The phrase 'Just as the Lord had commanded Moses' is repeated throughout the construction process. There is the constant reminder that this work was of the Lord. If our service is 'as the Lord commands' then we are performing work that He has ordained, and blessed. John 15:14 14 "You are My friends if you do what I command you. God invites us to join Him in the work He is doing all around us. It is our choice whether or not we choose to receive the blessing that He has in store for us if we are obedient to His will and accept the invitation to join Him in that work. May each of choose daily to help our friend Jesus with the work He has asked us to join Him in performing: 'Just as the Lord commanded _____(Your name Here)____'.