The Exodus and Matthew Accounts - In Preparation for Fellowship with Holy God - In the Exodus account from today's readings, God continues with His very specific directions for the building of His temple on the earth - His habitation. It is about His glory, beauty, holiness, our anointing, consecration, sanctification unto the LORD (28:36, 40, 41). It is about preparing sinful man for fellowship with Holy God. I have always believed there is much more import in the details and repetitions of these Divine building orders in this and in other Biblical accounts regarding the construction of the temple - from the specific materials to be used, to the delineation of precious and semi-precious stones and their placements, the skilled artisans within whom God says He put His spirit, and more. Of course, there are many correlations between the NT and OT in this construction that are revealed to us directly in the Bible. We - as believers - are now His temple - He resides within us - not in a building made of stone (1 Cor. 3:16 and Eph. 2:19.) As He prepared the earthly building for fellowship and meeting with Him with such great detail, He also prepares us for eternal fellowship with Him through very intimate knowledge and involvement in our lives. ("Every hair numbered..." (Luke 12:7 and "all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account" Heb. 4:14.) Here Aaron is the High Priest bearing "the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart into the holy place as a memorial before the LORD continually." Now, our High Priest, Jesus Christ, bears our names as believers before God in heaven - continually making intercession for us. (Heb. 4:14-15, Heb. 7:25, Rom. 8:34)
My Lesson and Application: God gives me very specific directions and revelations in His Word and through His Holy Spirit within me of His character, His purpose, His plan and how I am to live in response to this knowledge. The temple veil that separated the Holy of Holies - God from man - has now been removed by Jesus' death and resurrection. I have the sacred and holy privilege to come directly to my Father - not just Holy God - as a high priest (1 Peter 2:9-10). Am I studying and applying His Divine instructions to my life to bring Him glory? He has anointed me as a believer and consecrated me to His service. Am I submissive to His ongoing sanctification work in my life? Has the enormous impact and consequence - eternally - of this holy privilege and responsibility manifested itself in my life?
Preparing for His Second Coming - Matthew 24: 29-51. Jesus Christ is coming again. There will be signs, but none of us knows the day or hour. We are told to be prepared, be ready, to watch...to not be mistreating others or "eating and drinking with drunkards." Here is the fig tree symbolism again as a sign. (see Blog Post Day 32) Here also is more of the doctrine of election: "He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect...one will be taken and the other left." (Matt 24:31, 40)
My Lessons and Application - Again, this is not "easy believism". God's justice is not the same as earthly justice. I must make my election sure (1 Peter 1:10-11) and do my part in the Great Commission as commanded by Jesus. (Matthew 28:16-20).
My Prayer for You - for many years I have prayed today's Psalm reading over many people - especially those serving in our military. This is my prayer today for each of you reading this, for all believers around the world, and for our military men and women in harm's way:
May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifices. Selah
May He grant you according to your heart's desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
Psalm 20:1-5
Amen
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