Giving God Our Best

February 11, 2013            Exod 37:1–39:21, Matt 25:31–26:13, Ps 22:1–7, Prov 4:12–14

Exodus 37:1-39:21

Counting the mercy seat with its guardian cherubim as one distinct piece, seven articles of furniture adorned the Tabernacle and its court.

1.              The ark (37:1–5) was made of acacia wood overlaid inside and out with pure gold. The ark was small, forty-five inches long and twenty-seven inches wide.

2.              The mercy seat (KJV) or atonement (NIV) was constructed atop the ark. This sacred spot was overshadowed by the wings of two cherubim of hammered gold. The cherubim faced each other with faces turned downward toward the mercy seat (37:6–9).

3.              The table (37:10–16) was positioned in the Holy Place. It was made of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold. All the vessels associated with the table—plates, bowls, ladles and pitchers—were also made of pure gold.

4.              The lampstand (37:17–23) which adorned the Holy Place was one solid piece of hammered gold.

5.              The altar of incense (37:25–29) was also a furnishing of the Holy Place. It was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold.

6.              The altar of burnt offering was made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze.

7.              The second piece of furniture in the courtyard was the bronze laver (35:8).

We are also told of the amount of precious metals used:

Gold—twenty-nine talents and 730 shekels, or about 1,900 pounds.

Silver—a hundred talents and 1,775 shekels, or 6,437 pounds.

Bronze—seventy talents, 2,400 shekels, or about 4,522 pounds.

Last in this section we are told of the sacred garments:

1. The ephod (39:2–7) was a sleeveless garment made of linen and various colored yarn.

2. The breastplate (39:8–21) was made of the same cloth combination as the ephod.

What is the purpose of all these lists?

Does God deserve our best? Do we give it to Him or only our leftovers?

Matthew 25:31-26:13

Throughout time people have longed for true, lasting, fair judgment. We believe that God will set all things right at the end of the time. The scene we see here is God setting all things right. In the Middle East, to this day, sheep and goats regularly graze together, but need to be separated at night so that the goats, being less hardy, can be kept warm. So what is the scene about?

At one level it is about the ‘last judgment’. The scene is the climax of a long sermon in which Jesus has criticized his own people, especially the religious leaders, for their failure to live as God’s people should.

What is key point of this text?

How do you treat others?

Chapter 26

We see an act of selfless love here. Why were some of the disciples upset with what she had done? Would you be upset?

True love is costly. What have you given to the Lord?

Psalm 22:1-7

The New Testament makes it clear that this is talking about Jesus. Where do you see the Lord Jesus in these verses?

Proverbs 4:12-14

What does it mean to walk the way of the wicked?

Are you holding onto wisdom or walking the way of the wicked?

Pray about what you have and will give to the Lord.

Pray about how you treat others and how that will be seen by the Lord at Judgment.

Pray through Psalm 22:1-7 and praise God for His sacrifice.