# 39 2025 Dev. Ex.40:33. God With Us! Read all of chapter forty first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex. 40:33 “Then Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtainat the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work.”

Ex.40 This last chapter of Exudes is the culmination of God with his people, starting with Abraham until now, all his descendants, God’s physical presence directing their travel and directing their way to the promised land. God is now directing the new Israel, the church, to the New Heaven and the New Earth, that is for-shadowed here in this chapter.

Vs.1-5 Moses assembles the Tabernacle and places the ark of the covenant-restoration and God’s mercy. The table of showbread-God’s presence, and communion, the alter of incense-the prayers of the people and the lampstand-the eternal Light of God in all creation.  

Vs.6-8 Moses sets up the basin, and the alter of burnt offering, with the basin between the tabernacle and the alter. The alter of sacrifice being the first means of access to God. Repentance is first, then baptism, then full fellowship in Jesus. Some commentators see a cross in the arrangement in the furniture of the tabernacle. The alter of burnt offering lines up with the basin and the alter of incense, the table of the presence to the north and the lampstand to the south of the alter of incense and the Ark to the west. A cross? That all seems plausible but it is speculation.

Vs.9-33 God ordered Moses to anoint the tabernacle and everything in it, all the furniture, the basin and the alter of sacrifice, so that all of it would be holy. Also anoint Aaron and his sons to consecrate them for service to God for generations to come. All that God had commanded was accomplished, everything was put into place. “Then Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work.

Vs.34-38 “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the gloryof the Lord filled the tabernacle.” It stayed on the Tabernacle by day and was lit by fire at night. It indicated when to move and when to stop and which way to go. Truly God with them. Also with us by the power of the Holy Spirit in us, thank God!

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# 38 2025 Dev. Isa.26:3. Trust! Read all of chapter twenty-six first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isa.26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Isaiah 26 is a praise song about God’s care and salvation that goes on in Ch. 27. The time line is the time of Sannacherib who laid siege to Jerusalem. And these two chapters cover all the Sannacheribs of history and all evil events to our very day, evil like Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the murder of three Police Officers in York Pa. In light of those events we turn to Scripture for hope and assurance.

Vs.1- 6 “Open the gates that the righteous nation (person) may enter, the nation (person) that keeps faith.” The Lord himself, is the Rock (our Rock) eternal. V.5 shows us the contrast event of the proud, who trample the poor and the oppressed.

Vs.7-11 “The path of the righteous is level;” what follows is an example of the righteous actions and the intimate relation with our God. “When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.” God gives us second chances, even so the wicked do not respond.

Vs.12-15 “Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.” Lord you have increased us.

Vs.16-18 “Lord, they came to you in their distress; when you disciplined them, they could barely whisper a prayer… We have not brought salvation to the earth, and the people of the world have not come to life.” Only Jesus brings life!

Vs.19-21 But your dead will live, Lord; their bodies will rise…” We will rise again, we are protected in that day when Jesus judges the people of the world, we will be the judges. Thanks be to God!

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Reflect God’s Glory and Holiness! “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love,which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Col 3:12-14. This is the bottom line of Ex. 39.

# 37 2025 Dev. Ex.39:8. God’s Glory and Holiness! Read all of chapter thirty-nine first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex. 39:8 “They fashioned the breastpiece—the work of a skilled craftsman. They made it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen.”

Ex.39 tells us about the priestly garments and the sacred garment of the High Priest as well as the work finished, presented to Moses, all made as God had commanded. This is what it looked like.

Vs.1-7 The Ephod was a sacred apron worn by the High Priest. It included the history of Israel, connecting the High Priest to the twelve tribes. Further it reflected God’s glory and holiness. This attire was only used in the sanctuary in worship of God, never worn when dealing with the congregation.

Vs.8-21 “The Breastpiece made like the Ephod, including four rows of precious stones on it. The first row was carnelian, chrysolite and beryl;the second row was turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst; the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings. There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.” The elaborate dress was a physical presence of God’s glory and holiness, much like God’s creation reflects God’s glory and His holiness, but it does not end with creation or with the worship attire of the High Priest; you, “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” and add forgiveness. This is the bottom line, and how God’s glory and holiness is displayed in us! Instead of a physical seal we are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Vs.22-31 “Other Priestly Garments. They made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth—the work of a weaver— with an opening in the center of the robe like the opening of a collar…The bells and pomegranates alternated around the hem of the robe to be worn for ministering, as the Lord commanded Moses. For Aaron and his sons, they made tunics of fine linen.”

Vs. 32-43 “Moses inspects the Tabernacle…The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses. Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So, Moses blessed them.” God blesses all those who listen to God’s commands, even with our imperfections.

What we saw with Charlie Kirk’s assassination this week, is the complete opposite of these commands: “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Charlie lived and died for these commands! God bless his family.

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God Works. “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” Eph. 1:11-12.

# 36 2025 Dev. Isa.25:4. Praise and Assurance! Read all of chapter twenty-five first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isa.25:4 “You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.”

Vs.1-5 “Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” Isaiah, after the devastating prophecy of Ch. 24, begins with praising God in this chapter.

Vs.6-9 “On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples…” Here we have the assurance that salvation is intended for everyone. The separation we see in the Old Testament is removed and in Jesus, we now have God among us by His Spirit. Faith in Jesus and His work is the key to our salvation. “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”                                        

Vs.10-12 “The hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain; but Moab will be trampled in their land…”. Isaiah makes a distinction between the people of God and those who have rejected Him. We saw that distinction in full display, at the recent school shooting. We pray for that community and we pray for those who do not understand faith or prayer. We thank God for faithful people!

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A PRAYER FOR GOD’S GRACE. Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. 1Ch.4:10

# 35 2025 Dev. Ex.38:24-26. Amazing Generosity! Read all of chapter thirty-eight first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex. 38:24-26 “The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuary was 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. The silver obtained from those of the community who were counted in the censuswas 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel— one beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel…”

Ex.38 “They, Bezalel and Oholiaband every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work, built the alter of burnt offering, they made the bronze basin and they made the courtyard.”

Vs.1-7 They built the altar of burnt offering.  They made all its utensils of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks and firepans. They made a grating for the altar, a bronze network, to be under its ledge, halfway up the altar. This is what it looked like.

V.8 “They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the womenwho served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.” Polished brass mirrors have a long history, starting in China. This is what the basin looked like.

Vs.9-20 The Courtyard that enclosed the sanctuary was one hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide. A cubit had two sizes, the common cubit is 18 inches; the royal cubit is 20-21 inches. That was the size, 150 ft by 75ft. or 175 ft by 87.5ft. Because everything was to be symmetrical I think the common cubit was used. The courtyard was orientated West to East with the entrance to the East. The North and South sides was divided into twenty sections with posts and bronze bases. The West side was divided into 10 sections with posts and bronze bases. The East end, the South and North sides had 3 posts with bases, covering 15 cubits each. “The curtain for the entrance to the courtyard was made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer. It was twenty cubits long and, like the curtains of the courtyard, five cubits high, with four posts and four bronze bases.” This is what it looked like.

Vs.21-31 The value of the material used for the Tabernacle: gold, 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. One talent = 3.000 shekels and one shekel weighs 11 grams. To put it in perspective a shekel is worth about 1-2 days work. Gold, 87,730 shekels. Silver, 301,775 shekels. Bronze, 22,400 shekels.
These were free will offerings, yet, men 20 yrs. and older were expected to give. When people are tuned in to Jesus, and willing to serve, generous giving follows. Thanks be to God! _{© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved.}

A PRAYER FOR GOD’S GRACE. Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. 1Ch.4:10

# 35 2025 Dev. Ex.38:24-26. Amazing Generosity! Read all of chapter thirty-eight first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex. 38:24-26 “The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuarywas 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. The silver obtained from those of the community who were counted in the censuswas 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel— one beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel…”

Ex.38 “They, Bezalel and Oholiaband and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work, built the alter of burnt offering, they made the bronze basin and they made the courtyard.”

Vs.1-7 They built the altar of burnt offering.  They made all its utensils of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks and firepans. They made a grating for the altar, a bronze network, to be under its ledge, halfway up the altar. This is what it looked like.

V.8 “They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the womenwho served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.” Polished brass mirrors have a long history, starting in China. This is what the basin looked like.

Vs.9-20 The Courtyard that enclosed the sanctuary was one hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide. A cubit had two sizes, the common cubit is 18 inches; the royal cubit is 20-21 inches. That was the size, 150 ft by 75ft. or 175 ft by 87.5ft. Because everything was to be symmetrical I think the common cubit was used. The courtyard was orientated West to East with the entrance to the East. The North and South sides was divided into twenty sections with posts and bronze bases. The West side was divided into 10 sections with posts and bronze bases. The East end, the South and North sides had 3 posts with bases, covering 15 cubits each. “The curtain for the entrance to the courtyard was made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer. It was twenty cubits long and, like the curtains of the courtyard, five cubits high, with four posts and four bronze bases.” This is what it looked like.

Vs.21-31 The value of the material used for the Tabernacle: gold, 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. One talent = 3.000 shekels and one shekel weighs 11 grams. To put it in perspective a shekel is worth about 1-2 days work. Gold, 87,730 shekels. Silver, 301,775 shekels Bronze, 22,400 shekels.
These were free will offerings, yet, men 20 yrs. and older were expected to give. When people are tuned in to Jesus, and willing to serve, generous giving follows. Thanks be to God!

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Light! “Through him (Jesus) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jn. 1:3-5.

# 34 2025 Dev. Isa.24:3-5. A Light in The Darkness! Read all of chapter twenty-four first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isa.24-27 is a condemnation of the whole world. Ch. 24 sets the tone, “The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant” Isaiah is more than likely prophesying the actions of Sannacherib 705-681 BC. and/or Nebuchadnezzar II 605-562. Further, this section also points to the end of the world.  

Vs.1-12 “See, the Lord is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it…” The prophecy covers everyone regardless of status or position. That is something we all need to pay attention to.  Think about what is going on in the world; the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia. “The joyful timbrels are stilled, the noise of the revelers has stopped, the joyful harp is silent” No more wine and beer.

Vs.13-16a Light. “They raise their voices, they shout for joy;
 from the west they acclaim the Lord’s majesty. Therefore, in the east give glory to the Lord…” A light in the darkness. So, it is today, young people are turning back to Jesus, a light in the current darkness in our country as well as in the world, there is a significant increase of faith on a global scale. Praise the Lord!

Vs.16b-22 “The floodgates of the heavens are opened, the foundations of the earth shake. The earth is broken up, the earth is split asunder, the earth is violently shaken.” God is in control of all events in the earth!

V.23 “the Lord almighty will reign on mount Zion and Jerusalem…”The Light of Jesus’ physical Light, spiritual Light and the Light of God’s justice out shine the sun and the moon. God reigned at that time and still reigns today. Praise Him!

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The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His Hands. Ps 19

# 33 2025 Dev. Ex.37. God Gives Amazing Skill! Read all of chapter thirty-seven first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex. 37:2 “Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiaband every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willingto come and do the work.” Those willing to do the work, it was all voluntary and they also did the work! My wife and I have been in ministry for a long time, you have to be willing through thick and thin.

Exodus.37 They, the men and women God gave ability, made the ark, the table and the utensils needed, all pure gold, they made the lampstand and the alter of incense. 

The size of the Tabernacle, 45ft. long, 15ft. wide and 15ft. tall

Vs.1-9 “Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it.” It was made as God ordered it to Glorify God. The wood, acacia and gold, reflects God’s glory as well.  He made the atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. It was made to be carried. This is what it looked like.

Vs.10-16 They made the table of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high.Then they overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it. “And they made from pure gold the articles for the table—its plates and dishes and bowls and its pitchers for the pouring out of drink offerings.”  Everything was made to reflect God’s glory. It was made to be carried. This what it looked like.

Vs.17-24 “They made the lampstand of pure gold. They hammered out its base and shaft, and made its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them.” It was very ornate and it was the only source of light in the temple, like God is the only light of the world. Like the other pieces of furniture, it reflects God’s glory. But the lampstand also indicates the physical and the spiritual Presence of God, that comes to full expression in the incarnate Christ Jesus, who reaches back into the past, reaches into the future of this world and also into eternity. This is what it looked like.

Vs.25-28 “They made the altar of incenseout of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide and two cubits high—its horns of one piece with it. They overlaid the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it.” It was made to be carried. They also made “anointing oil” and “fragrant incense.”  This is what it looked like.

All this effort was put into this transitional step for God to be with His people, reflecting God desire to redeem the world and to dwell among us. That is what we experience today by God’s Spiritual presence, but we are still in transition, we will physically be present with God in the New Heaven and the New Earth, praise be to God! 

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God is faithful to God’s promises. Before you die, you will find the acceptance and love you crave. It will not come in the way you expect. It will not follow your needs and wishes. But it will fill your heart and satisfy your deepest desire. There nothing to hold onto but this promise.               Henri Nouwen

# 32 2025 Dev.Isa.23:11. The hand of God! Read all of chapter twenty-three first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isa.23:11 “The Lord has stretched out his hand over the sea and made its kingdoms tremble.”

Isaiah 23 “A prophecy against Tyre” This is the last prophecy concerning the nations. Again, it is the hand of God, allowing this to happen. God speaks: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:9)

Vs.1-3 “Tyre, in Lebanon, is one of the oldest cities in the world, having been continuously inhabited for over 4,700 years. Situated in the Levant on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Tyre became the leading city of the Phoenician civilization in 969 BC…”(Wikipedia)

Vs.4-5 Sidon was 20 miles north of Tyre, both were importers of Egyptian grain. Nebuchadnezzar destroyed these cities at the same time he destroyed Jerusalem and sent people to Babylon from the whole area.

Vs.6-9 Tyre and Sidon were in competition in trade, the prophecy covered both of these cities. This affected Egypt as well.

Vs.10-16 Concerning Tarshish, “He (God) has given an order concerning Phoenicia that her fortresses be destroyed.  He said, ‘No more of your reveling…’” 

“The Jewish historian, Josephus, recounts that Cyrus was shown these specific prophecies from Isaiah, which motivated him to issue his decree and fulfill God’s word.” 

Vs.17-18 “At the end of seventy years, the Lord will deal with Tyre. She will return to her lucrative prostitution and will ply her trade with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. ¹⁸ Yet her profit and her earnings will be set apart for the Lord…” The return of the people of Judah we have recorded. It makes sense that Cyrus would also do that for Tyre and others. “Yet her profit will be set apart for the Lord.”  Acts 21:3-6 confirms it; “We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.” (God’s ways are not our ways) Praise Him!

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# 31 2025 Dev. Ex.36:2. Skilled Artisans! Read all of chapter thirty-six first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex. 36:2 “Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiaband every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willingto come and do the work.” Those willing to do the work, it was all voluntary, my wife and I have been in ministry for a long time, you have to be willing though thick and thin.

Exodus.36 portrays the work of the building, making all the parts that go into a Tabernacle that can be packed up and moved

The size of the Tabernacle, 45ft. long, 15ft. wide and 15ft. tall

Vs.1-7 “So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.” Those willing to work, “received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary.” But every morning the people continued to give offerings for the work. The workers said to Moses the offerings are more than we need for the work. Moses told the people we have enough for the work. That reminds me of the church we attend, the offering for the remodeling was twice what was asked for. Praise be to God!  

Vs.8-38 is a description of the construction and the materials used to build the Tabernacle, God with us. 1. The instruction of the parts of the temple reflects God’s order, also reflected in nature. 2. The wood, acacia, gold, silver, and bronze reflect God’s glory, as well as “the curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker”. Also reflected in nature.3. The fact that God wanted to fellowship with people reflects God’s grace. 4. The way people are to approach God, reflects His holiness. 5.The way God continues to receive repentance from us and forgives reflects His love. The next four chapters finishes the construction of the Tabernacle, all the Items and implements to worship. God’s plan for our salvation begins with Abraham and here God moves to the next level, including the Israelite nation, so that all families of the earth will be blessed, culminating in Jesus Christ, God living in us by the power of His Holy Spirit. Christians are God’s Sanctuary, Praise the Lord!

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