THE LORD SPOKE (February 08)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Exodus 39-40

“So all the work on the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, was completed.” (Ex. 39:32). It sounds very much like the conclusion of Creation (Gen. 2:1-3) and, indeed, it was a new beginning for Israel. With the entrance of the glory of the Lord into the tabernacle, a new phase was begun. “From now on, the Israelites would march through the desert, and through history, with the Lord tenting among them and leading them to the land of fulfilled promises.” (NIV Study Bible, p. 144).

Through the whole process of constructing and setting up the tabernacle, great emphasis is placed on doing it “according to pattern”, especially on Moses’ faithfulness to the instructions he received. Six times in chapter 40 the phrase “as the Lord commanded him” is repeated (vs. 19,21,23,25,27,29). Is it any wonder that when it came to the work of Aaron and his sons, they did it “as the Lord commanded Moses” (40:32)? They had a good example to follow.

There must have been great excitement as each part was assembled and the furniture was placed in its proper position. Explanations similar to those found in the book of Hebrews must have been given to the curious onlookers. No doubt the descriptions of Bezalel’s magnificent artwork were only eclipsed by the priest’s explanations of the function and significance of each piece and the symbolism behind each metal, each color, each quantity.

But the greatest moment was when the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Not even Moses could enter at that moment, and he’d been in the midst of that cloud for the better part of the last several weeks. The focal point of God’s omnipresence (that’s not an oxymoron) was represented in that moment. Though He is everywhere or, better yet, there is nothing that is outside of His presence, there are certain times and certain places where His presence is specially focused. This visible expression of His presence among His people, physically guiding them through every vicissitude of the desert, was an apt illustration of His loving care and guidance through any and all of the trials of life.

It was for them and it still is for us. God is no less involved in our lives today. By His Spirit, He guides us in the paths we should take. He is concerned that we too should follow Him, according to the Pattern He gave us. Every article, every action, every moment of our lives matters to Him.


New Testament: Mark 11

“Nothing but leaves.” Leaves are good, but not if you’re a fruit tree and expected to have some nice big fruit hanging from your branches. Then “nothing but leaves” is a disappointment. Worse, you’ve failed in your mission if all you produce is some pretty leaves. If fruit is expected of you but all your energy is expended in pretty foliage, you’ve failed Someone who expects more of you.

Guess what Jesus was thinking about all night after His triumphal entry? You wouldn’t expect Him to have prideful thoughts, thinking about the crowds of people that thronged the way as He entered Jerusalem. But what did He think about? Mark tells us that once in Jerusalem, He went up to the Temple Mount. The hour was late (Mk. 11:11) so He only had time to look around at everything. What did He see? It was the troubling sight of money-changers and merchandise in what was designed to be a house of prayer. It looked more like a den of thieves (Mk. 11:17) and it troubled Him.

It troubled Him all night long. The next morning as He returned the short 45-minute walk from Bethany, He saw an opportunity to teach His disciples about what He was planning to do at the Temple that day. Enter the fig tree.

Moments later He entered the Temple Mount and began driving out the hucksters and knocking over all the tables at the hippy fair. What a scene that must have been and in the midst of all the tumult, He stopped to teach! He had their attention and “the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching” (Mk. 11:18)

Some didn’t like it. They got the point because it was intended primarily as a jab at them. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were the very ones responsible for the state of affairs on the Temple Mount and they knew better. It was they that should have been teaching the people about proper conduct in the House of the Lord. Instead, they’d found a way to line their own pockets. It was more convenient to stay quiet and look the other way.

In other words, they thought some pretty leaves might hide the fact that there was no fruit on the branches. That is... until Jesus goes fruit picking.