Even though one of Jesus’s best friends had just died, he did not take the time to mourn until all his work for that day, for the Lord, was finished. He ministered all day and fed over 5,000 people. When that was finished he went to a solitary place to pray. What an incredible example of putting oneself and our feelings aside In order to do what God calls us to do.
I’m curious if anyone knows if the Jewish synagogues or temples include replicas of any of the items described in Exodus …such as the oil lamp that burns from morning to night or the hangings woven from fine linen…to see this in real life may help us to understand and take more interest in it all
I can’t help but humming Hillsong’s Oceans (where feet may fail) in my head everytime I read Peter’s story in Matthew! I just love love love this song! I pray that I’ll be open to step into the great unknown whenever God calls me and that I’ll find Him in the mystery. Peter’s faithfulness amazes me everytime, and even though he starts to sink he doesn’t try to swim on his own but calls out for Jesus to help him. What I also love is that Jesus enters the boat with Peter. He doesn’t say “great, now that you’re here, we can go the whole way”, but He brings Peter back to where he feels save. Yes, God calls us upon the water and He’ll be with us, but He’ll bring us back into the boat too :)
I just went to You Tube and listened to this song again. It’s one of my favorites too Christine, and definitely connected to these verses in Matthew. Thanks for your comments – great insight!
The details in Exodus are a little hard to stay focused on, but God couldn’t be expected to not be specific to details. He is our creator and the creator of all things and look at the specific detail he used there.
I couldn’t agree with you more Nikki! There were a few times I had to reread the verse but it amazing and beautiful how detailed our Creator is, and we should feel honored to be His creation :)
I echo what others have said about Exodus. I’m overwhelmed by the detail but appreciative of it. I’ve also prayed before reading these chapters that God would reveal small parts to me and that I would remain focused enough to see them. Sometimes that’s through comments here (thank you all) and sometimes it’s like this verse: 3 Tell all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest.
I am a “maker,” and I spin, weave, knit, create..and I’ve often wondered why God gives us these gifts and desires and what that can mean for the kingdom. This verse reminded me that for some reason, “he has given us wisdom for these matters” and I feel at peace..there is a plan for makers and artists, and wouldn’t it be amazing to be doing that in Heaven? Love this! :-)
I felt the same way when I read the references to skilled weavers, yarn , etc. I crochet and make other things. Reading this passage makes me want to see how I can use my God given skills in praise of him and his kingdom. I wish I had the answer . I’m sure it will come in time. I just need to be patient and wait.
Mona, one of the ways I have been working on this is to make things for charity auctions, or to do a prayer piece..a gift like a prayer shawl where I pray for the person I am making it for. Not everything fits into these categories but it’s nice to try to make things connect that way.
I’m a maker too :) I’ve been doing a bit of weaving the last few days. The idea of God giving the wisdom to weave a garment for Aaron is so rewarding to me.
Wow Laura, I never thought about it that way , it’s so true though. How easy is it for us to focus on what we don’t have than what we do have. God help me to realize that despite what I lack, I have Jesus and your Holy Spirit and that is all I need.
Lauren, I struggle sometimes when reading this stuff, too. It’s so different from the earlier stories of exodus and genesis when it felt like EVERYTHING applied but now its not so much that way. However, like others have said, I do pray before I read and ask God to reveal something to me. Honestly, reading all of these specifications and details makes me realize just how precious of a gift Jesus Christ on the cross was for us. We are no longer bound by the law. We don’t have to make animal sacrifices. God did that with His Son. We don’t have to measure our temples and wear specific robes and tunics. We are free because of Jesus Christ!
Even though one of Jesus’s best friends had just died, he did not take the time to mourn until all his work for that day, for the Lord, was finished. He ministered all day and fed over 5,000 people. When that was finished he went to a solitary place to pray. What an incredible example of putting oneself and our feelings aside In order to do what God calls us to do.
||in faith my feet walk upon stormy seas||
I’m curious if anyone knows if the Jewish synagogues or temples include replicas of any of the items described in Exodus …such as the oil lamp that burns from morning to night or the hangings woven from fine linen…to see this in real life may help us to understand and take more interest in it all
http://www.bibleplaces.com/tabernacle.htm this isn’t in a synagogue, but it’s a replica of the tabernacle in the wilderness in Israel.
I can’t help but humming Hillsong’s Oceans (where feet may fail) in my head everytime I read Peter’s story in Matthew! I just love love love this song! I pray that I’ll be open to step into the great unknown whenever God calls me and that I’ll find Him in the mystery. Peter’s faithfulness amazes me everytime, and even though he starts to sink he doesn’t try to swim on his own but calls out for Jesus to help him. What I also love is that Jesus enters the boat with Peter. He doesn’t say “great, now that you’re here, we can go the whole way”, but He brings Peter back to where he feels save. Yes, God calls us upon the water and He’ll be with us, but He’ll bring us back into the boat too :)
I just went to You Tube and listened to this song again. It’s one of my favorites too Christine, and definitely connected to these verses in Matthew. Thanks for your comments – great insight!
The details in Exodus are a little hard to stay focused on, but God couldn’t be expected to not be specific to details. He is our creator and the creator of all things and look at the specific detail he used there.
I couldn’t agree with you more Nikki! There were a few times I had to reread the verse but it amazing and beautiful how detailed our Creator is, and we should feel honored to be His creation :)
I echo what others have said about Exodus. I’m overwhelmed by the detail but appreciative of it. I’ve also prayed before reading these chapters that God would reveal small parts to me and that I would remain focused enough to see them. Sometimes that’s through comments here (thank you all) and sometimes it’s like this verse: 3 Tell all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest.
I am a “maker,” and I spin, weave, knit, create..and I’ve often wondered why God gives us these gifts and desires and what that can mean for the kingdom. This verse reminded me that for some reason, “he has given us wisdom for these matters” and I feel at peace..there is a plan for makers and artists, and wouldn’t it be amazing to be doing that in Heaven? Love this! :-)
I felt the same way when I read the references to skilled weavers, yarn , etc. I crochet and make other things. Reading this passage makes me want to see how I can use my God given skills in praise of him and his kingdom. I wish I had the answer . I’m sure it will come in time. I just need to be patient and wait.
Mona, one of the ways I have been working on this is to make things for charity auctions, or to do a prayer piece..a gift like a prayer shawl where I pray for the person I am making it for. Not everything fits into these categories but it’s nice to try to make things connect that way.
I’m a maker too :) I’ve been doing a bit of weaving the last few days. The idea of God giving the wisdom to weave a garment for Aaron is so rewarding to me.
Right?!? :-) I found it very gratifying to read!
what an encouragement to a creative heart! I didn’t even notice that verse, thank you for bringing it to my attention :)
17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
They were focused on what they didn’t have – enough food – instead of seeing what they did have – Jesus – He is all we need.
It’s likeEve in Genesis. She saw the only tree she couldn’t eat from instead of all the others she could.
The Lord doesn’t withhold what we need. He gives us exactly what we need, when we need it.
Wow Laura, I never thought about it that way , it’s so true though. How easy is it for us to focus on what we don’t have than what we do have. God help me to realize that despite what I lack, I have Jesus and your Holy Spirit and that is all I need.
Amen, Laura! May we use and be content with what we already have-Jesus!
What a great connection, thank you for this comment!
Lauren, I struggle sometimes when reading this stuff, too. It’s so different from the earlier stories of exodus and genesis when it felt like EVERYTHING applied but now its not so much that way. However, like others have said, I do pray before I read and ask God to reveal something to me. Honestly, reading all of these specifications and details makes me realize just how precious of a gift Jesus Christ on the cross was for us. We are no longer bound by the law. We don’t have to make animal sacrifices. God did that with His Son. We don’t have to measure our temples and wear specific robes and tunics. We are free because of Jesus Christ!