February 28, 2020
If you have been a part of the Hebrews Bible Study, then you know that there has been much discussion about the Tabernacle, and so I’m excited for today’s passage. If you have not been following the Bible Study, you will have no trouble following today’s devotion.
Today’s devotion is on Exodus 35:1-3. Within these three verses we see clear instructions given by the Lord to Moses. These instructions are in preparation for the construction of the Tabernacle. You will notice that Moses calls together the entire community of Israel to receive these instructions, which are to observe the Sabbath. The construction of the Tabernacle will continue throughout 5 chapters until the end of Exodus, and the Lord is very clear that throughout this entire process the Sabbath must be observed, or there would be dire, if not fatal, consequences for anyone violating this very important law. We already know from Exodus 20, where the Lord gave Moses the 10 commandments, that one of those laws was to “remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (20:8) Also, prior to the construction process of the Tabernacle, we learn about its blueprints in Exodus 25 – 31, and the law of observing the Sabbath was outlined at the end of 31 in verses 12 – 17. So, the Lord emphasized the grave importance of observing the Sabbath after giving the blueprints of the Tabernacle and again before the construction process of the Tabernacle began.
Question: Since you and I live under the new covenant of Christ, are the instructions for observing the Sabbath relevant now since these instructions were given to Moses for the Israelites approximately 2,600 years ago in reference to the construction of the Tabernacle?
Note #1: ”1 Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. 2 There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.” (Hebrews 8:1-2)
Note #2: Friends, Jesus is our High Priest. He ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, created by God (not man), and so we now have the privilege to go directly to him. We no longer need an earthly “tabernacle” (place or person), because we have direct access to the tangible presence of God when we “tabernacle” with His Son, Jesus, who is seated at His right hand in heaven.
Answer: YES! We need to set time aside, as our Sabbath, to rest in the holy presence of Jesus. The commandment is 6 to 1…6 days of work, and 1 day to be kept holy and for the Lord. Everything you and I have is thanks be to God…our families, friends, employment, retirement, housing, transportation, luxury items, health, time, etc. If the Lord gives us all of these people, places, things, moments, opportunities, etc…and we can’t even give Him 1 holy day, what are we saying to Him, or what are we not saying to Him? We must give thanks to the Lord, we must set time aside for Him and Him alone, we must honor Him for His holiness.
Exodus 35:1-3 NLT
Instructions for the Sabbath
1 Then Moses called together the whole community of Israel and told them, “These are the instructions the Lord has commanded you to follow. 2 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on that day must be put to death. 3 You must not even light a fire in any of your homes on the Sabbath.”
Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for being my dwelling place. I love being able to come directly to You any time and any place. Help me, Lord, to set aside more time to spend uninterrupted with You. I want my Sabbath time with You to grow. Everything I have and all that I am is because of You. I pray all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.
Written by: Jennifer Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant