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!

_{© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved.}

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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# 30 2025 Dev. Isa.22:4. Grieving! Read all of chapter twenty-two 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.22:4 “Therefore I said, ‘Turn away from me; let me weep bitterly. Do not try to console me over the destruction of my people.’”

Grieving for his people, that is what the prophet does at his own prophecy. Grieving, in order to deal with loss, with change, and because people refused to listen to what is right and good! Sounds very familiar, does it not?

Isaiah 22 is a prophecy against Jerusalem, “the Valley of Vision.”

Vs1-7 This prophecy is about the time Sannacherib, King of Assyria, surrounded Jerusalem. The news of the army approaching threw the city into chaos and confusion. Apparently, the leaders fled at the news. They have been or will be captured. It is a day of the Lord; “The Lord, the Lord Almighty, has a day of tumult and trampling and terror in the Valley of Vision…”

Vs.12-14 God called for repentance, but there was no remorse, only partying, “Let us eat and drink,” you say, ‘for tomorrow we die! The Lord Almighty has revealed this in my hearing: ‘Till your dying day this sin will not be atoned for, says the Lord, the Lord Almighty.’” These were God’s people, like Christians are today, are we listening?

Vs.8-11 “The Lord stripped away the defenses of Judah, and you looked in that day to the weapons…” It appears that there was panic, not calling on the Lord. That is a situation that still exists today, we look to do all we can do on our own about a situation, but in the end, we find that God is in control. God dealt with Sennacherib. Amen!

Vs.15-25 Is a long section about Shebna who seems to be the top administrator in King Hezekiah’s government. He is the source of what is happening in Jerusalem, lack of faith, no remorse, not seeking God’s will. He will be replaced, Shebna’s authority will be given to Eliakim. “He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the people of Judah. I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” Eliakim here is a type of Christ; the authority of Christ, He alone has the authority to save and to judge. (Rev.3:7) God intervened and during one night He threw the solders into confusion and they killed each other, sending Sannacherib back to Assyria.

Alas, it will be only temporary, see v.23 referring to Eliakim, “I will drive him like a peg into a firm place”, everything depends on him.

V.25 “In that day, ‘declares the Lord Almighty, ‘the peg driven into the firm place will give way; it will be sheared off and will fall, and the load hanging on it will be cut down. ‘The Lord has spoken.’” God did not allow the Assyrians to destroy Jerusalem in 701 BC. But He did allow the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem in 586 BC. They had not learned their lesson, nor practiced what God had commanded.

“The Lord, the has spoken.” Today, God still speaks, through nature, through His Word, the Bible and through His church the body of Christ. Are we listening? May Jesus, by His Spirit, open our minds and our hearts!

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# 29 2025 Dev. Ex. 35 “An Offering to God!” Read all of chapter thirty-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.

Ex. 35:1-3 “For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbathrest to the Lord.”

Exodus.35 An offering of time and goods. Moses said to the whole Israelite community, “This is what the Lord has commanded: From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood; olive oilfor the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; ⁹ and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.”

Vs.1-9 An offering! What is God expecting from us today? I mean everybody “to whom much is given, much is expected.”

Vs.10-19 “All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded”, all that is needed to worship the Lord during that time. What do you think is needed for worship today besides what is needed to maintain the Pastor and the building?

Vs.20-29 “All the Israelite men and women who were willingbrought to the Lord freewill offeringsfor all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do.” Today, what are we doing today? Think about out-reach at home and abroad. Abraham and his offspring were chosen to be a blessing to all the families on the earth! Are Christians the children of Abraham? Yes!

Vs.30-35 God empowers two men in the community, not only does God give them the ability to do all manner of crafts but also the ability to teach others. But women were also involved; “Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. ²⁶ And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. I believe that every one born in a Christian family, even if only one parent believes, have the Spirit of God at conception, “the children of believers are holy.” You ask, it does not always look that way? True, but people are able to resist the Holy Spirit. The world is too much with us! We praise God for His Grace in Christ!

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# 28 2025 Dev. Isa.21:10. God Speaks! Read all of chapter twenty-one 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.21:10I “I tell you what I have heard from the Lord Almighty, from the God of Israel.” Does God still speak today?

Isaiah 21 is a prophecy against Babylon, Edom and Arabia.  He uses metaphors and similes, “the desert by the sea.”  Babylon, a place of rivers and lakes. What is left of the night? The heat of battle.

Vs1-10 A dire vision has been shown to me, Elam, (Persia) attack! Media, lay siege! The prophet experiences the destruction vicariously; I am “racked with pain… I am staggered by what I hear… I am bewildered… My heart falters…fear makes me tremble…” Next, Isaiah seems to describe the feasting of Belshazzar.  “This is what the Lord says to me: ‘Go, post a lookout… when he sees chariots… and riders on donkeys or riders on camels, let him be alert, fully alert… Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower…” Finally, he gets an answer, ‘Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!’” Going back to v.2 “I will bring to an end all the groaning she caused” referring to v.10 “My people who are crushed on the threshing floor…”

Does this prophecy have something to say about Israel and Iran today?

Vs.11-12. A prophecy against Dumah, a wordplay on Edom, meaning silence. “Someone calls to me from Seir, ‘Watchman, what is left of the night?’” He is urgent, asking it twice. The answer, “Morning Is coming but also the night” referring to silence. The watchmen, the prophets of those days, the pastors are watchmen of today, if not, they should be.

Vs.13-15. “A prophecy against Arabia. Dedanites, descendants from Dedan, Abraham’s son by Keturah. Bring water… bring food for the fugitives. They flee from the sword…from the drawn bow… from the heat of battle.” In one year “all the splendor of Kedar, (descendants   from Ishmael) will come to an end.” The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken. Today, God still speaks, through nature, through His Word, the Bible and through His church the body of Christ. Are we listening? May Jesus, by His Spirit, open our ears, our minds and our hearts!

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