Woven

What a trip! These Israelites are on the journey of a lifetime. Their hardships and detours certainly make any vacation disaster you and I have experienced seem like a simple change of plans. I don’t know everyone’s stories, but I would venture to guess we’ve not experienced anything like this Israelite adventure. And, yet their story is our story. We get to experience the joys, the teachings, and the strengthening their journey afforded without having to endure their specific hardship.

So that we are all clear, I want to point out some of the passages Angie referenced in Exodus,

• Exodus 16 – What a chapter! It’s full of stories you’ve heard of but may not have studied (manna, more complaining, description of Sabbath in freedom)

• Exodus 17 & 18 – These chapters lead up to Moses visiting with God on Mt. Sinai. Didn’t you appreciate Angie referencing chapter 2 of Exodus when God called Moses from the bush? I love seeing examples of God’s faithfulness in every story we read. He told Moses they’d return to that mountain to worship in freedom. Now, we see that promise kept. Won’t He always do it, ladies!

• Exodus 19-24 – These chapters describe Moses’ visit up the mountain and the writing of the 10 Commandments. There are also descriptions of the various laws that would govern God’s chosen people in their freedom.

In Exodus 24, the Israelite nation answered Moses' description of Law. In verse 3, they said, “All the words which the LORD has spoken we will do.”

Oh, bless their hearts. You know they meant it in that moment. They meant it so much that they said it again in verse 7 with a seemingly repetitive addition, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.”

Listen, there’s not even one piece of me that is criticizing or mocking. I have been there and will continue to be there until the day that I die. My heart wants to be obedient in all things, but I just can’t do it. On page 110 of Woven, Angie wrote a sentence that explains a truth that I feel overwhelming gratitude for,

He knows we cannot do this without him. But Christ sacrificed himself on our behalf. And in his fulfillment of the law – in our place – we become free to follow, not forced to follow.

There are many studies out there that could teach you everything you want to know about the tabernacle. They are fascinating, and I wish we could camp right here for a few weeks and research. I’ve done a tabernacle study, and it changed my life, my understanding of who I am in Christ, and my determination to live daily in His presence. In other words, if you discover that you want to know more about this mobile dwelling place of God among His people, I say GO FOR IT! You won’t regret it.

I’ll add just a couple of points that I don’t want us to miss. I invite you to consider these truths during your time of journaling today. Write out any scripture, or prayer, or commitment the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

In chapter 25:8, God said to Moses, “And let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them.” If you’ve really been following along in our study, you may be asking WHY God issued this order. Wouldn’t God be sick and tired of meeting with these people?

If He were human, YES! But, He’s not. He’s our Creator God. He formed us, and He knows us. He desires meeting with us. Someone here needs to read that again…. He desires meeting with you. From the foundation of the world, He’s been initiating ways to meet with us. Here, in Exodus 25, we've read about another provision for being together, the tabernacle. God chose to dwell among His people in the desert, and He’s still choosing to dwell with us today.

In Exodus 25 through 31, you’ll read about the very specific design issued for the tabernacle. God listed exact measurements and placement of each board, curtain, and piece of furniture. Not only did He plan to meet with His people, but He told them exactly how to construct the meeting place. Their brains were a little foggy, so I think we can all agree His specific instruction wasn't overbearing. It was a grace to them.

If you glance through these chapters, you’ll see that the tabernacle was going to be completely mobile. As the Israelites moved through the wilderness, they’d be able to pack up the tabernacle and move it to the next stop.

You’ll also notice that they needed a ton of building supplies to build a meeting place with God; acacia wood (lots), gold, various linens, and bronze to name a few. If you’re new to studying this portion of the Bible, I pray you have asked, “where in the world did these people get all of these supplies.” It’s a good question because they’d recently escaped slavery in Egypt by way of the Red Sea. It’s difficult to imagine they have access to anything, much less expensive supplies.

Please read the following verses that will be a review from the beginning of Exodus. I’m including them in the Message Version because it just seems to be clearer,

I know that the king of Egypt won’t let you go unless forced to, so I’ll intervene and hit Egypt where it hurts – oh, my miracles will send them reeling! – after which they’ll be glad to send you off. I’ll see to it that this people get a hearty send-off by the Egyptians – when you leave, you won’t leave empty-handed! Each woman will ask her neighbor and any guests in her house for objects of silver and gold, for jewelry and extra clothes; you’ll put them on your sons and daughters. Oh, you’ll clean the Egyptians out!”

We have so much to praise God for today! Journal. The dark places of bondage, abuse, or disobedience will be used as provision for our next steps with the Lord. If we’ll stick close to Him, sisters, He will cause us to plunder the Enemy. In our hurt, it will feel like the Enemy is stealing from us. He does! But, your Covenant God won’t allow it for long. It gives me so much joy to know that our places of darkness and despair will be used for good. When we break free, we will not leave empty-handed.

Plunder the Enemy, ladies! It’s our calling as daughters of the Most High God.

Provider God, What an awesome lesson You’ve given us! Our lives will be full of difficulties that we’d prefer not to endure. It always feels like You shouldn’t allow them if You are truly for us. Today, though, we’ve seen that we have treasures to receive in the difficult places. We can’t fly over the obstacles, because we will miss the blessings You’ve planned for us there. Oh, I find it so satisfying that cooperation with You means I’ll plunder the Enemy – I’ll take back what he thought he stole. Victory is Yours, and we want to be part of it. Thank you for your blessings, the biggest blessing being that we get to enjoy Your Holy Presence. Amen.