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Acts 20
From Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders: what most speaks to you and how will you put it into practice today? Paul was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem, even though he knew he would face prison and hardships there. I can’t remember the last time I was in a hurry to rush into hardship. Possibly because such a time never existed! But Paul knew it was his mission because he was compelled by the Spirit to go, and so he pursued his task with passion regardless of the consequences. “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24).
Life is complicated these days. It is full of so many cares, concerns, and distractions. There are so many things to pursue and desire. I could use a lot more of Paul’s tunnel vision. Even his tent making work he did to help the weak and to keep from burdening those whom he served. I have to ask myself, what is my objective in life? How does that objective guide my decisions and my actions? Those are tough questions because if I am being totally honest with myself, I have to say that my own purposes show up in the answers a lot more than they should.
Ex. 37-38
What do you think is the purpose of this detailed account of the materials and making of the tabernacle? What does it say about what is important? A few random thoughts and observations about God’s tabernacle and its construction:
- It still amazes me how the Israelites were able to construct all of this in the middle of the wilderness! This was no small feat!
- The tabernacle was constructed using the finest materials and the most skilled workers. Why would we even consider bringing anything but our very best to God?
- God gave Moses very detailed instructions for the making of everything associated with the tabernacle. I am wondering at the significance of repeating so many of those details for its actual construction. Why not simply say that they built it exactly according to the instructions God gave?
- The entrance to God’s dwelling always faces east. The direction is important. I don’t really know the reason for or significance of that. But I like the possibilities derived from Exodus 38:13. “The east end, toward the sunrise…”. The sunrise signifies something new and the hope that goes with that. The sun is also the source of light and warmth and can bring both life and death. And there is also the perhaps not so coincidental word play of “toward the Son rise”. I don’t know if such word play exists in other languages, but either way it is not difficult to associate the rising of the sun with God’s coming to us.