A Foundation for Revelation
(Exodus 39 - 40)
Tent of Meeting
From The Children’s Bible – Illustrated King James Version
Artist Unknown
“Reveal Your glory to us, O Lord.”
“Make Your Manifest Presence known among us, God.”
“Send revival, Lord.”
How often do we pray for such signs from the Lord? We ache for a mighty moving of God among us. What does it take for God to send revival on the earth?
The truth is echoed.
Today’s Bible reading outlines the production of the priestly garments, from the elegant ephod to the regal robe. Included is the gem-inlaid breastplate, with a dozen precious jewels to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. (Talk about family heirlooms! What a treasure for each tribe to have its own symbolic gemstone. If you ask me, that would surely beat a monthly birthstone, a clan tartan or even a family crest.)
High Priest in Robes and Breastplate
Artist Unknown
Wouldn't it be interesting to compare the description of the Old Testament priestly garments with the armor of God in Ephesians 6?
Throughout the wonderful weaving of the priestly garb, a single phrase is repeated. Surely, the Lord deems this truth vitally important, for it is echoed 18 times in Exodus 39 – 40:
“as the Lord commanded Moses”
In some Bible translations, the phrase may read, “as the Lord commanded him,” or a similar phrasing.
Finally, at the end of the entire process the Lord appeared:
“Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle,
and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.
Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle
because the cloud had settled down over it,
and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.”
(Exodus 40:34-35, NLT, emphasis added)
Here’s what strikes me so strongly in this section. Perhaps the Lord has impressed you of the same truth.
We seem to expend plenty of time, energy and enthusiasm in urging the Lord to reveal His glory and power to us. We plead with God to show us His will for our lives. I know I surely have done so. What would happen, if we put the same effort into obeying the instructions the Lord has already given to us?
Today’s Bible reading reveals a nine-to-one ratio of obedience to God and His revelation to man. Could it be that God’s revelation and revival hinges somehow on our willingness to follow His leadership and the guidelines He has clearly outlined for us?
Might God be waiting to show His mighty wonders and pour out revival in our land until our hearts and lives belong wholly to Him?
Will you pray with me?
Majestic Master
And great God,
How we long to learn more of You.
We desire nothing more
Than to see Your face
And behold Your glory.
Purify our hearts.
Teach us to obey You
And to seek You first.
Break our hearts over our sin
And the sins that surround us.
Guide us to Your heart,
Where we may find Your mercy.
Prepare us
For Your revival
For Your glory alone.
Amen.
Powerful prayer and message!
ReplyDeleteThis says it all:
"What would happen, if we put the same effort into obeying the instructions the Lord has already given to us?"
An old friend of mine once said to a group I was with, "walk in what you know".