Gifted Artisans

In my quiet time I have been reading in the book of Exodus (chapters 25 and 26) where God gave very specific instructions to Moses on how to build the tabernacle where His presence would reside.  My interest peaked while reading about the tabernacle curtains since I love to sew!

There were to be 4 layers of 4 different materials (fine linen, goats hair, rams skin dyed red and badger skin.)  From the finest fabric to the most durable of material.  Directions were given for the size of the curtains, how many and how they would be joined.  Even the colors of the thread were picked out by God:  blue, purple and scarlet woven into cherubims in the linen.  Each element of the tabernacle was chosen with care to give God glory and honor.  Each element was for a specific purpose and carried spiritual meaning.  Only  the best of materials were chosen.  Not cheap materials.  Not inferior materials.  We are talking gem stones, precious metals, fine linen, acacia wood and so on.  Items of quality, purity and value.  For this is where His presence would be, where the priests in their holy garments would make sacrifices for their sins.  

God spoke to Moses,

"So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, 

whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom . . ." 

Ex 28:3

Gifted artisans

Filled with the spirit of wisdom.

It mattered to God who built the sanctuary.  Not just anybody could work on  it but only those who were skilled workmen.  People who were knowledgeable, hard-working and exceptionally talented.  People who cared about doing a good job for the Lord.

Which reminded me of this wonderful scripture in the New Testament,

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, 

as to the Lord and not to men, 

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; 

for you serve the Lord Christ." 

Col 3:23-24

There is a striking contrast between someone who does a job with all his heart and someone who does a sloppy job cutting corners wherever it won't be noticed.  But, somewhere down the line someone pays for those mistakes.  Over the weekend my husband spent a great deal of time fixing something in our house that was done all wrong (it's a looooooong story.)  Thankfully, my hubby is a great fixer who has been taking things apart since he was a very young boy.  His wonderful mom gave him the freedom to take apart toasters, hair dryers, etc so he could learn how they were built and therefore how to fix them.  Needless to say, he has fixed countless things in his lifetime: dryers, dishwashers, washing machines, computers, cars and on and on it goes!   A lot of times these repairs were because someone did a poor job or had a poor design..  God knows and sees and he isn't pleased with sloppy workmanship.  He hates dishonest scales.  And frankly, I do to.

I'm counting my blessings  . . .

* my husband was able to fix the problem

*  it didn't cost a dime

BTW, I in no way exhausted the topic of God's sanctuary.  There is so much to learn about it so if you are interested just google the topic and there is a lot of wonderful information about the meaning behind why God chose what he did.  It really is awesome to learn about.

The best BleSsing in this is

* Because of the work of the cross God's presence now resides in the heart of every believer and not in a dwelling!

Now, that is something to sing and shout about!!