Month: April 2010

Leviticus 5

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Guilt and Sin

“When you are guilty, immediately confess the sin that you’ve committed. and bring to the LORD as their penalty a female from the flock, either a sheep or a goat. This will be a sin offering to remove their sin, and the priest will make atonement for them.“ – Leviticus 5:5-6 NLT

Guilt and sin. In our society, we try to ignore both. But in God’s view, both are a daily reality and a constant source of the separation from Him that we endure. In the verses above we see that guilt is tied to sin and sin must be confessed. In that day, the guilt and sin required a sin offering in order for the sin to be removed. In verse 15 of the same chapter we read, “If any of the people sin by unintentionally defiling the LORD’s sacred property, they must bring to the LORD a ram from the flock as their guilt offering.” In this case a person has sinned – unintentionally – not willfully. But irregardless, they were to bring a guilt offering to the Lord. They were to confess their guilt. Guilt and sin. They go hand in hand. Yet in our day and age, we try to justify sin and ignore guilt.

In God’s economy, sin and guilt are inseparable. Look back at these two passages again. They tell us that if a person is guilty he is required to bring a sin offering. And if a person sins, he will need to bring a guilt offering. In God’s mind guilt and sin go hand in hand. You can’t sin and not experience guilt. And the presence of guilt is usually closely associated with sin. Sin leaves you guilty – legally. But it can also leave you guilty – emotionally. We have learned to ignore emotional guilt. We have learned to ignore the conviction that comes from the presence of sin in our lives. We rationalize, justify, excuse, and refuse to acknowledge our guilt – even though any sin in our lives makes us “surely guilty before the Lord” (Leviticus 5:19 NET).

But as Christians, what are we to do with guilt. Aren’t we forgiven? Haven’t all our sins been taken care of on the cross by Jesus? Doesn’t the Bible teach us that there is now no condemnation for those of us in Christ? (Romans 8:1). It sounds like there is no place for guilt in the life of the believer. For the Christian, restitution and the death of Jesus Christ, our guilt offering (Isaiah 53:10) also absolves us of legal and moral debt. This statement is important because one of the reasons we carry our guilt is that we refuse to recognize that the debt has been paid.

But the truth is, you and I are guilty of violating the Lord’s holy things. We are guilty of unknown sins, and we regularly wrong our neighbors by both acts of commission and omission. But the prophet Isaiah reminds us:

Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many and he will bear their iniquities (Isaiah 53:10-11 NASB).

Here Isaiah is prophesying that Jesus will be our guilt offering. He will justify us, which means to declare us “not guilty.” He will pay the moral and legal debt. The debt owed for our sin will be canceled. The author of Hebrews wrote:

And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts; and I will write them on their minds.” Then He adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:10-18 NASB).

Jesus Christ, our sin offering, is the eternal solution to our guilt. He offered Himself for your guilt, but you must acknowledge your guilt and accept this guilt offering He made for you. We must still acknowledge the guilt that comes from our sins. But we must remember that “if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong” (1 John 1:9 NLT). We still have sin natures. We will sin, and when we do, it will bring guilt. But because of what Jesus did on the cross, all we have to do is confess our sin, and He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Why? Because He has already paid the penalty for our sin. He has made it possible for us to to live without guilt. God still takes sin seriously. Sin still brings about guilt – guiltiness. But the penalty has been paid. The sins have been atoned for once and for all. All I have to do is confess my sin, own up to my guilt, and accept the forgiveness of God.

Father, thank You for forgiveness. But never let me become so comfortable with my forgiveness that I learn to live with my sinfulness. Help me to learn from the book of Leviticus just how serious You take sin. May I understand that sin in my life still leaves me guilty. As Your Holy Spirit makes me aware of it, help me to confess my sins immediately and gladly, because You offer complete forgiveness when I do. All because of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Leviticus 3-4

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Forgiveness of Sin

“…and he shall be forgiven.“ – Leviticus 4:35 NASB

Reading through these chapters is always somewhat disconcerting to our western minds. We have a hard time relating to all the talk of animals being sacrificed, blood being poured out, fat and entrails being burned, and atonement being made. But the one thing we can all relate to is the need for forgiveness of sin – because we are all sinners. We were each born that way. We come out of the womb with sin natures, and we are born into a world filled with others just like us. Sin is a part of our natural habitat. It comes naturally to us – even at the earliest age. And no one knows that better than God. And when He called the descendants of Israel to be His chosen people, He called them to a life of holiness. They were to be set apart and distinct from the nations around them. They were to live lives marked by sin-less-ness, not sin-full-ness. But God knew that was an impossible task for them. He gave them rules and regulations to follow, fully knowing that they would not be able to do it in their own strength. So God devised a plan. Long before He had chosen them, God had a plan for their forgiveness in mind. Because God desires relationship. But sin makes fellowship with God impossible. Sin must be payed for. God wants to forgive sin, but He cannot simply overlook it. Sin is an affront to Him as a holy God and it must be either punished or paid for. What we read in chapter four of Leviticus is God’s plan for the unintentional sins committed by the people of Israel. Sin, even unintentional sins committed in weakness or carelessness, must be atoned for. So God came up with an elaborate system of offerings and sacrifices to make forgiveness possible.

The altar of burnt offering played a major role in this process. It was one of the most well-used, highly-significant vessels in the Tabernacle. Morning and evening, every day of the year, sacrifices were made there. Burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings and guilt offerings were all made there. “No sin could be atoned for, no praise or thanksgiving could ascend to God, without the intervention of this all-important vessel” (Henry W. Soltau, The Holy Vessels and Furniture of the Tabernacle). Each week the Sabbath was ushered in at this altar. Every feast and festival was begun at this altar with a sacrifice to God. “In fact, the very existence of Israel as a nation, and the life and history of each individual amongst them were in a certain sense linked on with this holy vessel…” (Henry W. Soltau, The Holy Vessels and Furniture of the Tabernacle).

But while the altar of burnt offering was the place where thanksgiving and gratitude was expressed to God, it’s greatest significance was as the place where forgiveness of sin was received. Through the blood of an innocent, unblemished animal, the peoples’ sins were paid for and forgiven by God. The life of a substitute was accepted as payment for their sins. But this sacrifice was an ongoing, perpetual one, because they were going to sin again and again. Tens of thousands of animals would be slaughtered in order to pay for the sins of the people. Thousands upon thousands of gallons of blood would be poured out as payment for their sins. Because while their sins could be forgiven, their hearts remained unchanged. They remained slaves to sin. Their forgiveness was temporary.

But God had another plan. The day would come when the need for ongoing sacrifice would end. He would send His Son as the final sacrifice for sin. The innocent Lamb of God would offer His own life as payment for our sin – once for all. “And what God wants is for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time” (Hebrews 10:10 NLT). Jesus paid for our sins. He was both the sacrifice and the High Priest – offering the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. “He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has now been set apart from sinners, and he has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. He does not need to offer sacrifices every day like the other high priests. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he sacrificed himself on the cross” (Hebrews 7:26-27 NLT).

Because of what Christ has done, we have forgiveness of sin – permanently and completely. But more than that, we have a new capacity NOT to sin. We have been set free from slavery to sin. It is no longer our master (Romans 6:6). Rather than a list of laws written on tablets of stone, God has placed His law on our hearts and in our minds.

This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts so they will understand them, and I will write them on their minds so they will obey them. Then he adds, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” Now when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices. And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. This is the new, life–giving way that Christ has opened up for us through the sacred curtain, by means of his death for us. – Hebrews 10:16-20 NLT

We have forgiveness for our sins. But we also have the capacity to live free from sin. There is no longer a need for sacrifice to be made. My sins have been paid for in full. No more blood must flow. No more fires must be stoked. No more innocents must die. “For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins” (Colossians 1:13-14 NLT).

Father, sin is serious to You. It always has been. Leviticus gives me a glimpse into the tremendous cost of sin and the price necessary for men to have a restored relationship with You. But the greatest price was the one Your Son paid. He gave His life as payment for the sins of all men – once and for all. He exchanged His righteousness for my sinfulness. He paid the price I could not pay. He experienced death so that I might have life. And forgiveness of all my sins – for all time. Thank You. Amen.

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Leviticus 1-2

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An aroma pleasing to God!

“…it is a burnt offering, a gift of a soothing aroma to the Lord..“ – Leviticus 1:17 NET

OK, here we go. We’re now launching into the book of Leviticus. This is the point at which many of us begin to waver in our determination to read through the Old Testament. As we attempt to read through all the details and descriptions related to the various sacrifices, we will be tempted to give up and give in to the idea that this book is unnecessary for us as 21st Century believers. But let me encourage us to stay determined and to wrestle with these texts. God inspired Moses to write down these words, not only for the benefit of the priests, but for ours as well. Paul reminds us that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right” (2 Timothy 3:16 NLT). This book is about holiness, the holiness of God. It is about sacrifice and, more importantly, atonement. It offers a picture of the requirements necessary for the people of God to remain in a right relationship with Him. That is what atonement is all about.  The NET Bible study notes describe atonement in this way:

“To make atonement” is the standard translation of the Hebrew term כִּפֶּר, (kipper). The English word derives from a combination of “at” plus Middle English “one[ment],” referring primarily to reconciliation or reparation that is made in order to accomplish reconciliation. The primary meaning of the Hebrew verb, however, is “to wipe [something off (or on)]”, but in some cases it refers metaphorically to “wiping away” anything that might stand in the way of good relations by bringing a gift, “to appease; to pacify.” The translation “make atonement” has been retained here because, ultimately, the goal of either purging or appeasing was to maintain a proper relationship between the Lord (who dwelt in the tabernacle) and Israelites in whose midst the tabernacle was pitched.

The book of Leviticus is all about how the people of God could maintain a right relationship with Him. Within the book are found all kinds of sacrifices – from the burnt offering designed to atone for the sins of the people to the peace offering, an expression of gratitude and desire for fellowship with God. As we read through these pages, may we be reminded that God still desires sacrifice today. But the sacrifice required to stand before Him as forgiven and cleansed from sin has been made once and for all. Our sins have been atoned for by Jesus. I no longer have to pay for my sins. They have been paid for in full on the cross of Calvary. But God does expect a sacrifice from me. David reminds us, “The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit – O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject” (Psalms 57:10 NLT). Paul echos those words when he says, “I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice––the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?” (Romans 12:1 NLT). And Peter gives us our job description as priests of God. “And now God is building you, as living stones, into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are God’s holy priests, who offer the spiritual sacrifices that please him because of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5 NLT).

God is still interested in sacrifice. He still enjoys and finds pleasure in acts of sacrifice performed by His people. He finds them acceptable. He finds them a soothing aroma to His senses. They don’t earn us favor with Him. They don’t get us brownie points with Him. They don’t buy our way into His good graces. Jesus did that with His death on the cross. Any sacrifices we make are simply expressions of our gratitude, love, and worship to Him. We are to daily present our bodies as living sacrifices to God. We are to give Him all that we have – out of love and a desire to serve Him. As we grow in our relationship with God, we grow in our understanding that this world is not all there is. Materialism and money are not the goal. Being in fellowship with Him is the goal. Living a life that is pleasing to Him is our goal. Paul tells us, “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God. And other people will approve of you, too” (Romans 14:17-18 NLT). Leviticus is all about God’s holiness and man’s sinfulness. It is about what God required of His people to remain in His good graces as His people. Just reading the first two chapters makes me eternally grateful that I am not held to those standards. I have a Great High Priest who has made the final sacrifice for my sins. But God is still asking me to live a life of sacrifice – as an offering to Him – and as an expression of my love and gratitude for all He has done for me. Is that too much to ask?

Father, may my life be a soothing aroma to You. May I live a life of sacrifice, gladly giving all that I have because of all that You have done for me through the death of Your Son. Help me to learn to live a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, so that I might bring pleasure to You. Amen.

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Exodus 40

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The awesome glory of God!

“…the Tabernacle was filled with the awesome glory of the LORD.“ – Exodus 40:35 NLT

We have reached the end of the book of Exodus, and what better way to conclude this amazing story than with a picture of the glory of God? As Moses completes the erection of the Tabernacle, an amazing thing happens – the glory of God filled it. Up until that moment it was just another tent – a beautiful and elaborate one – but it was still just a tent. But when the glory of the Lord filled it, it became something new and significant. The cloud that had been leading them all the days since they had left Egypt, now hovered over the Tabernacle, and whenever it moved, it was a clear sign that it was time for the people to move. But as long as it stayed above the Tabernacle, God’s glory was filling the Tabernacle and the people stayed put. Moses writes, “The cloud of the LORD rested on the Tabernacle during the day, and at night there was fire in the cloud so all the people of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys” (Exodus 40:38 NLT). God’s presence was visible and real. And His presence had transformed what was once ordinary into something extraordinary – the Tabernacle.

And that is exactly what God has done for those of us who are in Christ. He has placed His Spirit within us and transformed what was once ordinary into something extraordinary. In speaking of the Light of Christ that now lives in us, Paul said, “But this precious treasure––this light and power that now shine within us––is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own” (2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT). These tents, our bodies, are nothing special. They are simply flesh and blood. They are not significant in and of themselves. And there is nothing special that makes them appropriate dwelling places for the Spirit of God. But God has set us apart and chosen to fill us with His Spirit. In doing so, we become the very temple of God – His dwelling place. Again, Paul asks us, “Or don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT). The very glory of God fills those of us who are believers in Christ. We are filled with the Light of Life. His presence lives within us. We take Him with us wherever we go. He wants to lead and direct us. He wants to transform us. He wants to empower us. But we must honor His presence. We must acknowledge that He is there. We cannot live our lives the way we want to live. We cannot treat as ordinary what He has made extraordinary. That is what it means to desecrate something. It is what it means to profane something. When we live our lives according to our will and in our own way, we profane the dwelling place of God. We treat as unholy what God has made holy by His presence. Our eyes, feet, hands, voices, and minds all belong to Him. They are part of the tabernacle or temple of our body. He indwells it all. Each of the parts of our earthly body are to be used for His glory. They belong to Him. May we learn to live with that reality in mind. May we learn to desire more and more that our bodies are His dwelling place today, and live like it.

Father, it amazes me that Your Spirit lives within me. I don’t always feel like it. I don’t always act like it. But it is a promise You have made to me and I believe it. Now I want to live like it it is true. Show me how to live in such a way that my life, and my body, bring glory and honor to You. Amen.

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Exodus 39

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Holy to the Lord

“Finally, they made the sacred medallion of pure gold to be worn on the front of the turban. Using the techniques of an engraver, they inscribed it with these words: SET APART AS HOLY TO THE LORD.“ – Exodus 39:30 NLT

In this chapter we have the detailed descriptions of the making of the priestly garments. They were made of the finest hand-woven fabrics and decorated with precious stones and gold. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia describes it this way: “A sacred vestment originally designed for the high priest (Exodus 28:4; Exodus 39:2), and made “of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen,” held together by two shoulder-pieces and a skillfully woven band which served as a girdle for the ephod. On the shoulderpieces were two onyx stones on which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. It is not known whether the ephod extended below the hips or only to the waist. Attached to the ephod by chains of pure gold was a breastplate containing twelve precious stones in four rows. Underneath the ephod was the blue robe of the ephod extending to the feet of the priest. The robe of the ephod was thus a garment comprising, in addition to the long robe proper, the ephod with its shoulderpieces and the breastplate of judgment.”

This was a one-of-a-kind garment that was to be used by the high priest alone for service to God alone. This was clearly expressed on the golden plate that was permanently affixed to the turban which the high priest wore. On the gold plate were the words, “Holy to the Lord.” It could also be translated as “Set apart as holy to the Lord.” These words signified that the high priest and all the duties associated with his role were to be for the Lord alone. He was set apart for God. He belonged to God. His garments signified his new role and responsibilities. But while the Aaronic priesthood no longer exists, God is still setting apart men and women for himself. Just take a look at these verses:

“for you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, his very own possession.” – 1 Peter 2:9 NLT

“And now God is building you, as living stones, into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are God’s holy priests, who offer the spiritual sacrifices that please him because of Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 2:5 NLT

“He has made us his Kingdom and his priests who serve before God his Father.” – Revelation 1:6 NLT

We are His chosen people. Not only that, we are His royal and holy priests. We are to daily offer up spiritual sacrifices that please Him. That is our role. That is our duty. And like the high priest, we have been clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Galatians 3:27 tells us this: “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” We have been set apart by God for His service. We are His. We belong to Him. And that fact should thrill us beyond belief. So much so, that we would exclaim as the prophet Isaiah did so long ago: “I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels“ (Isaiah 61:10 NLT).

Paul reminds us, “Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:9-10 NLT). The High Priest had duties to perform. He had responsibilities to take care of on behalf of God the Father. So do we. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 that “What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun! All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did. And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.”

The High Priest was responsible for reconciling the people to God. He made the sacrifices demanded by God in order that the people’s sins might be forgiven. Our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, has made that final sacrifice once and for all, but we have the responsibility of pointing people to God by introducing them to Christ. We can be agents of reconciliation, helping them understand that there is a sacrifice that has been made for their sins. They do not have to save themselves. They can be reconciled to God through the finished work of Jesus Christ. We have been set apart for that duty. It is why we are here. So how are we doing?

Father, I’ll be honest. I get off target very easily. I have not been doing my job like I should. I do not see myself as a priest. I do not remind myself daily that I have been set apart as holy to You. I am no longer mine, but I live as if I am. I do what I want to do more than I do what You have called me to do. Help me remember my role and responsibility. I want to live a life that is set apart unto You. Amen.

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Exodus 37-38

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Bezalel and Oholiab

“Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, was in charge of the whole project, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. He was assisted by Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, a craftsman expert at engraving, designing, and embroidering blue, purple, and scarlet yarn on fine linen cloth.“ – Exodus 38:22-23 NLT

Have you ever made anything you were really proud of? I remember in high school the time I made a Colonial-style hutch in wood shop. It was the biggest and most ambitious project I had ever taken on. Tongue-and-groove joints, scroll work, beaded paneling, beautiful antique staining – it was gorgeous and I could not have been prouder. Especially because my dad was a man who loved to work with wood and I knew he would be proud of me. They still have it in their house to this day. Well, can you imagine how proud Bezalel and Oholiab must have been as they began the construction of the various pieces of the Tabernacle. They were making these things for God and according to His plans! What a privilege, but what a responsibility. God had handpicked these two men for this job. “The LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. The LORD has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. In fact, he has every necessary skill. And the LORD has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others. The LORD has given them special skills as jewelers, designers, weavers, and embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn on fine linen cloth. They excel in all the crafts needed for the work” (Exodus 35:30-35 NLT).

These two men were chosen by God, equipped by God, and given the responsibility of teaching their God-given skills to others. They were filled with the Spirit of God and were endowed with wisdom, intelligence, and skills. But that is exactly what has happened to every one of us as Christ-followers. We have His Spirit living within us and we have each been given a gift by God for use within His body. We are uniquely equipped to serve God in special ways. We are to serve one another with the abilities and gifts He has given us. Paul reminds us, “A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church” (1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT). We are to use our gifts to build up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). We are to minister, using our gifts and abilities, teaching others how to do the same. The result will be a unified body of Christ that is pleasing to God. It is His plan and His will. Bezalel and Oholiab knew what they were supposed to build, so do we. They were equipped for the job, so are we. But are we doing our job? We have no excuse. We have work to do. Let’s get busy doing it for the Lord.

Father, You’ve called us and equipped us. Now give us the strength to do what we have been set aside to do. To build up the body of Christ, so that You might be honored here on earth through us. Amen.

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Exodus 36

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Gifted by God

“Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other craftsmen whom the LORD has gifted with wisdom, skill, and intelligence will construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the LORD has commanded.“ – Exodus 36:1 NLT

God designed the Tabernacle, but men were going to build it. This was a partnership. God’s design. Man’s ability. But God would even equip them with the skills, talents, wisdom, and intelligence to accomplish the task set before them. Not only that, He would instill in them a desire to give all the materials needed for the structure to be completed. In fact, they gave so much that they had to be asked to STOP giving. “So Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: ‘Bring no more materials! You have already given more than enough.’ So the people stopped bringing their offerings” (Exodus 36:6 NLT). These people had been moved by God to give to the project … “everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments” (Exodus 35:21 NIV). This entire project was God’s idea, but He chose to use men and women to accomplish it. He gifted the, guided them, and prompted them to give of their talents and treasures in order that His plan could be accomplished. Even the materials they gave were a gift from God. When they had fled from Egypt, God had prompted the Egyptians to shower the people with treasures. “And the people of Israel did as Moses had instructed and asked the Egyptians for clothing and articles of silver and gold. The LORD caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So, like a victorious army, they plundered the Egyptians!” (Exodus 12:35-36 NLT). So even what they gave to complete the Tabernacle had been given to them by God. Their talents and abilities were gifts from God. Their treasures were gifts from God. The plans for the Tabernacle were a gift from God. This was a God-inspired, God-provided venture from start to finish.

But what is amazing is that God bothered to use them at all. He could have done it all Himself. He didn’t NEED their help. They needed His. And if the truth be told, He didn’t really need a place for His presence to dwell. “This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you ever build me a temple as good as that? Could you build a dwelling place for me?” (Isaiah 66:1 NLT). God didn’t need a dwelling place. This was all about Him giving a lesson to the people of God. Every detail of the plans for the Tabernacle are a lesson on God and His holiness. The gold and precious jewels all speak of His infinite value. The layout of the Tabernacle speaks volumes about His holiness and unapproachability. His detailed instructions speak of His expectation that His people obey His Word to the smallest detail. This place was going to be a constant, daily reminder of His presence, power, and provision.

And God is still giving us lessons today. He is still equipping, empowering, gifting, and directing His people today. He is still using people like you and me today. Not because He has to, but because it is how He teaches us about Him. He is accomplishing great things and He chooses to include us in His plans. He wants to reveal Himself to us as we work alongside Him. He could do all that He does without us, but He doesn’t. We have the opportunity to give, work, and watch as God uses His people to accomplish His will in the world around us. And as we watch we are reminded of His power. We see His handiwork. He gets the glory and we get reminded of just who it is we worship. The Almighty God of the universe. The creator of all things. The holy, righteous, all-powerful God.

Father, it always amazes me that You use me in any way. You have gifted me and You have equipped me to serve You. And I am surrounded by people whom You have done the same thing for. You want to accomplish great things through us as You work in us. May we be as faithful to give and serve as the people of Israel were. Show us what You are getting ready to build in our day. Not buildings, but Your kingdom. May we be willing servants for You. Amen.

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Exodus 34-35

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Lord, go with us!

“O Lord, then please go with us. Yes, this is an unruly and stubborn people, but please pardon our iniquity and our sins. Accept us as your own special possession.“ – Exodus 34:9 NLT

Moses knew something we all need to learn. He knew that this journey through the wilderness was going to be impossible without the constant presence of the Lord. A Tabernacle wasn’t going to be enough – if the Lord was not in it. Tablets of stone would not be adequate, if the living God was not there to remind them of His holiness. Moses knew he was going to have his hands full trying to lead “an unruly and stubborn people.”  They were hard-headed and even more hard-hearted. Moses understood that he was going to need God to get these people to their final destination. God had just told Moses, “I am the LORD, I am the LORD, the merciful and gracious God. I am slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness. I show this unfailing love to many thousands by forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. Even so I do not leave sin unpunished, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations” (Exodus 34:6-7 NLT). He reminded Moses of His boundless grace and mercy. He reminded Moses that He was long-suffering, loving, and faithful. But He was also holy and just, and willing to deal with sin. This was the God who Moses pleaded with that He would go with them. He wanted this God on the trip with him. He wanted all of God. He knew he needed all of God.

Yet how often do I attempt to live my life, to go on my journey, without the presence of God. I can go through entire days and not ask God to be a part of them. I can do all the things I think I need to do – many of them for God – and not even include Him in the process. Moses knew better. He knew his own inadequacies. He knew the challenges that were out there. He knew he couldn’t do this without help from God. And his greatest fear was the thought of having to make this journey without God. But he also knew that God had already threatened to let them make their journey alone. “Theirs is a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not travel along with you, for you are a stubborn, unruly people. If I did, I would be tempted to destroy you along the way” (Exodus 33:3 NLT). That idea was unacceptable to Moses, and he told God so. “If you don’t go with us personally, don’t let us move a step from this place” (Exodus 33:15 NLT). No, Moses wanted God present every step of the way. And so should we. Why wouldn’t we? The idea of trying to live this life without the constant presence of God should send chills up our spines and send us to our knees where we cry out “O Lord, then please go with us!”

God’s presence is what sets us apart from all other people. Without Him we are nothing. That’s why Moses said, “How else will it be known that you’re with me in this, with me and your people? Are you traveling with us or not? How else will we know that we’re special, I and your people, among all other people on this planet Earth?” (Exodus 33:16 MSG). God with us. That is what Emmanuel means – the very name given to Jesus at His birth. He is God with us. He is with us and walks beside us every step of the way. We cannot live this life without Him. And we only enter into eternal life because of Him.

Father, thank You that You are always with me. Your Spirit lives within me. Your Son intercedes daily on my behalf. I have daily access into Your presence. I do not have to walk this journey alone. I sometimes try, but You always lovingly remind me just how much I need You. And for that I am grateful.  Amen.

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Exodus 32-33

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Let me see You!

“Then Moses had one more request. ‘Please let me see your glorious presence,’ he said.“ – Exodus 33:18 NLT

Moses and God had a unique relationship. God told Moses, “you have found favor with me, and you are my friend” (Exodus 33:17 NLT). They had been through a lot together. Moses had spent a lot of time alone with God. They talked together regularly at the tent of meeting. God had chosen Moses to lead His people out of slavery. He had given Moses the Ten Commandments. He had listened to Moses when he interceded on behalf of the people and begged God not to destroy them for their having made the golden calf. Moses knew how important the presence of God was to their future. He had come to rely on God’s presence and direction. He knew that it was the very presence of God that set them apart as a people. When God assured Moses “I will personally go with you, Moses. I will give you rest – everything will be fine for you” (Exodus 33:14 NLT), Moses responded, “If you don’t go with us personally, don’t let us move a step from this place” (Exodus 33:15 NLT). It was the presence of God in their midst that set them apart. “If you don’t go with us, how will anyone ever know that your people and I have found favor with you? How else will they know we are special and distinct from all other people on the earth?” (Exodus 33:16 NLT). Without the presence of God, they would have been just another people group. Without the presence of God, a local church is just another gathering of people. It is God’s presence that sets us apart.

And Moses couldn’t get enough of God. He didn’t want to move a muscle without God. In fact, he wanted even MORE of God. Here is a man who had spent countless days and hours alone with God, and what does he request? “Please let me see Your glorious presence!” He wanted to see God’s glory. And God grants His request. God tells Moses, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, ‘the LORD,’ to you. I will show kindness to anyone I choose, and I will show mercy to anyone I choose” (Exodus 33:19 NLT). The glory of God Himself passed before Moses in the form of His goodness. But Moses would not be the only one to enjoy this unique privilege. God would also reveal His glory and His goodness to men hundreds of years later in the form of His Son Jesus Christ. John tells us, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14 NIV). We have seen the glory of God through Jesus Christ. He has given us a glimpse of God Himself. “No one has ever seen God. But his only Son, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart; he has told us about him” (John 1:18 NLT). Jesus is God. He has revealed Himself to man. What Moses experienced that day, we can experience every day. And when God told Moses, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14 NASB), it is just what Jesus invited us to experience, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29 NLT). We can enjoy the presence of God and the rest that comes from knowing God through our relationship with Jesus Christ. We can see the glory of God each and every day.

Father, I can enjoy Your glory and Your rest through Your Son – every day of my life. May that become a reality each and every day of my life.  Amen.

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Exodus 30-31

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Rest or Die

“Yes, keep the Sabbath day, for it is holy. Anyone who desecrates it must die; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community.“ – Exodus 31:14 NLT

Rest. It’s a foreign word to most of us today. We don’t know how to rest. We know we need it because we feel exhausted most of the time. We don’t get enough sleep, and when we do, we wake up just as tired as when we went to bed. We take vacations but come back just as stressed as when we left. The problem is that the kind of rest God offers is soul rest, not physical rest. Jesus offered us this kind of rest when He said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30 NASB). This isn’t about a cessation of activity, but about learning to rely on God for all our needs. It is about dependence. It is about relationship. It is the reason God created the sabbath. He knew we needed rest and He also knew we would do everything to violate and ignore it. Rather than depend on Him, we would start depending on ourselves. Even in our efforts done on His behalf, we can end up leaning on our own strength and abilities. We can find ourselves doing things for God, but not in the strength of God.

It’s interesting that God decides to reiterate His sabbath command just at the time the people were about to begin construction on the Tabernacle. God had given them all His instructions and had anointed various craftsmen with the abilities they would need to accomplish the work. But God seemed to know that the people, in their zeal to accomplish this great task for God, would be tempted to work seven days a week to get it done. But God knew they needed soul rest. And He was so serious about it that He threatened the with death if they violated it. Think about it, God is so serious about soul rest that He threatens His people with death if they don’t take advantage of it. In the Jamieson Faussett Brown Complete Commentary on the Bible, they say that this renewing of the sabbath command was done for the following reason, “The reason for the fresh inculcation of the fourth commandment at this particular period was, that the great ardor and eagerness, with which all classes betook themselves to the construction of the tabernacle, exposed them to the temptation of encroaching on the sanctity of the appointed day of rest. They might suppose that the erection of the tabernacle was a sacred work, and that it would be a high merit, an acceptable tribute, to prosecute the undertaking without the interruption of a day’s repose; and therefore the caution here given, at the commencement of the undertaking, was a seasonable admonition.”

God knew how prone we are to do His work our way – even if it means violating His will. If God had put so much thought into the design of the Tabernacle and its construction plans, don’t you think He had give some thought as to how long it might take. He knew this work could only be done in His strength, according to His plan, and on His time line. Sabbath rest was a non-optional necessity if they were going to pull this off. But how easy it is for us to ignore God’s command to rest and think we can accomplish His work without it. God threatened the Israelites with death if they violated or literally, treated as common, that day.

In our day, rest is a luxury most of us can’t afford. Or at least we think so. We work around the clock. We have our kids involved in anything and everything. We find ourselves, financially tapped out, emotionally stressed out, physically worn out, and spiritually burned out. And some of our rest-lessness is due to all the things we are trying to do for God. But God wants us to learn to rest in Him, not wear ourselves out for Him. He wants to restore us, reprioritize us, redirect us, and reveal Himself to us. But we must learn to rest. Saint Augustine expressed it best when he prayed, “Our hearts are restless, Lord, until they rest in Thee.”

Father, You are serious about rest, but we aren’t. We think we don’t need it. Or we think we can achieve it on our own. But experience teaches us otherwise. Only You can provide soul rest – the kind of rest we desperately need. I can’t find rest for my soul on my own. It always ends up in failure and exhaustion. So show me how to rest in You. Forgive me for trying to do Your work my way and in my own strength. It only results in weariness and a lack of joy. Open my eyes to see that resting in You is the key to serving You. Amen.

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org