https://esv.literalword.com/?q=exodus+39
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Tuesday, 11 February 2025:
Exodus 39 repeatedly points out that, as with the work of constructing the tabernacle, the making of the priestly garments was done precisely the way God had shown Moses. Those who seek the Lord must approach Him with attentive and precise obedience, honoring His Sovereignty and holiness. Disobedience is cosmic treason. Carelessness is defamation. To precisely and diligently obey God, Christians must know, understand, and prayerfully follow God’s word. You should be an expert on God’s word, not only in knowledge but also in application which is wisdom (knowledge rightly applied).
There is an old idiom, “The devil is in the details,” which is intended to highlight that though things might seem perfect or simple from a distance or at an initial glance, a closer look reveals imperfections, and it is often the details of a matter where things become complicated and difficult and where problems arise. Most people are familiar with this idiom, but very few are aware that it originates from a German idiom, attributed to an architect, which was, “”Der liebe Gott steckt im Detail,” meaning “God is in the detail.” This suggests that it is attention to detail and the smallest of perfections which makes something great. Architects and artists certainly appreciate this point of view. The famous (or infamous) German philosopher Nietzsche is credited with flipping the original, positive phrase and popularizing the opposite phrase “the devil is in the details.” Of course, Nietzshe also said, “God is dead,” which explains his pessimistic outlook, possibly attributed to dementia associated with syphilis.
The common worldview is that the devil is in the details. Christians should strive to glorify God in the details.
Exodus 39:43 — And Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, so had they done it. Then Moses blessed them.
One theme which jumps out at me from our readings today is ‘accountability’ – being answerable to God with the burden of responsibility for your actions. Eleven times in Exodus it is repeated that the people completed all the work, with excruciating attention to detail, “as the LORD had commanded Moses.” And all of the resources used in the building of the Tabernacle and in the crafting of the instruments for worship were carefully accounted for. (Exodus 28:21-39) God’s commands to Moses, the overseers, and the craftsmen were very detailed and specific, to the point where many readers of the Old Testament have a hard time getting through these chapters.
Far more detail is recounted of the construction of the place of worship than was recounted of the building of the ark, which literally kept mankind afloat on earth. Certainly we can appreciate how important it was for Noah to diligently follow the directions provided to him by God, but we see that God’s expectations for how His people approached Him for worship were even more demanding, detailed and specific. More important than life is the honor of God’s Holiness.
When the work was done, Moses carefully inspected, holding everyone accountable to the commands of God. Obedience was not taken lightly at all but was expected. Perhaps Moses was the first to coin that old Marine Corps adage: “Expect neglect in what you don’t inspect.” God expected obedience and Moses, as a leader, inspected for obedience.
Accountability is an essential attribute of righteousness. The Proverbs speak of the “The fruit of the righteous,” God’s expectation of righteousness from His people. The word righteous is used 13 times in Proverbs 11 alone, and each time it is connected with the consequences of righteousness – reward, life, deliverance, good, flourishing, repayment, etc. The message is that our gracious God, who is quick to forgive, still holds us accountable for our behavior and rewards or disciplines accordingly.
The Bible says that each of us will be held accountable before God, and on the Day of Judgment, we will give an account for “every careless word” we speak. (Romans 14:12, Matthew 12:36) On the Day of Judgment we will all fall short of God’s perfectly Holy standard and will rely solely on salvation through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We will be saved by Grace and not by our works. Nevertheless, all of Creation remains subject to both God’s natural laws and spiritual laws, and “the LORD of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.” (Isaiah 5:16) Though we rely on Grace, God’s demand for love requires obedience, and to obedience (in His love) He holds us accountable and rewards and disciplines accordingly – “he rewards those who seek him…. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” (Hebrews 11:6, Revelation 3:19) Though imperfect, we must strive for perfection, and that is what God expects – “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” (Philippians 3:12) Again, we are only perfected in Christ, but our act of worship on earth is to follow God’s perfect law which begins and ends with love. As we read about how carefully and diligently the craftsmen built the Tabernacle, perhaps we should consider how diligently we honor God in obedience to His word and in love:
– 1 John 2:4-6 — “Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
– 1 John 4:12-21 — No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 11 February 2025: Today, worship the Lord and bring glory to His Name but paying attention to the details, seeking to obey Him in every little way, and doing the very best you can with all you do meticulously, just as He deserves. Make whatever you do intricately wonderful for His glory and for the joy of others.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 