Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Have You Seen The Car Keys?

There are intriguing verses in Exodus 25:13- 15 which caught my eye as I was laboring my way through the details of the earthly Tabernacle. Here they are: "And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them. The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it." [Emphasis added].
I have to admit to being "Tabernacle'y challenged" every time I determine to read through the Bible. But as I read (trying to stay awake) this one verse (in bold face) brought me up short.
I understand that there is a reason God dictated these details; I understand that there is something here that is deeper than my shallow mind; I realize that... all scripture is given for....; and I know that the details in the early books of the Torah were an important part of, all scripture, that the Apostle Paul was talking about when he wrote about the inspired Word. He was speaking of Genesis to Malachi. There was yet no coherent New Testament as such. So for me, in this case, what is the profit of the sixteen words in Exodus 25:15? What is the take-home lesson God has for me?
Here's what I'm thinking: We know the Ark of The Testament was the place where God spoke to Israel from the Mercy Seat. We know the Ten Commandments were kept in the Ark. We know that an omer of manna and Aarons rod that budded were also there. We know that the Ceremonial Laws were stored in a compartment on the side of the Ark. We understand too that the Ark was life to the repentant in Israel on the Day of Atonement for those who respected its holiness and significance. It was holy to all of Israel as the burning bush was to Moses: It was where God met man. Disrespect carried a price.
As the people of God labored their way through the desert God led the way. It was the task of specific men to carry the ark from place to place. I believe that God's instructions to leave the poles in the carrying-rings represented and represents a willingness and readiness to carry God and His commandments with us where ever we go.
Symbolically and in reality, the priests never had to search for the gold covered poles. There was no delay in following God. Everything was ready and orderly. God says, "Go!" and Israel followed. Israel followed the Laws of God.
God says to us, "Follow Me!" and we follow Him. His laws are Personified in Him and we carry them in our minds and on our hearts [Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:10-12; Hebrews 10:16,17].
Conclusion: God's people should be always at the ready to follow Christ and not have to search for the gold covered poles any more than we should have to search for the car keys as we head out the door to do His will and labor for souls for His kingdom.
That's what God gave me from those sixteen words and now I understand more deeply why...."All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man/woman of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work," [II Timothy 3:16].
God Bless. e.c.

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