Kingdom Contributors

I have been reading through Exodus during my evening Bible reading.  Every day there is the opportunity to learn more about God and His grace towards all people throughout the scripture.  No matter how many times we go to the well of scripture, it is always abundant with refreshment for a weary soul.

Something that clicked for me last night was how the half-shekel of silver tax exacted from the people was actually used for the construction of the tabernacle.  God gave Bezaleel wisdom to oversee the fabrication of the articles and structure used in the tabernacle.  The silver given was melted down to make the sockets of the sanctuary and hooks for pillars to hold the curtains (Exodus 38:27-28).  Brass offered by the people was melted to make sockets for the door, the brasen altar, sockets of the court and pins (Exodus 38:29-31).  It is a great feeling to look upon a job well done knowing you personally contributed, and the offerings of the people were combined to make the dwelling place of God.

The children of Israel were guests in God's world, and their gifts and efforts combined to make a place for the Spirit of God to reside in their midst.  But God isn't greedy, nor does He require a tabernacle or temple made with hands, seeing the heavens cannot contain Him (2 Chron. 2:6)!  The elaborate tabernacle and the service of it was not so much for God:  it was for man to be able to have fellowship with God.  God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, enabled them to plunder the Egyptians upon their departure, and the generous contributions of the Hebrews provided the materials so the tabernacle could be built, priests could be sanctified and serve, the sins of the people atoned for, and the presence of God sought.  How great are the blessings God lavishes upon His people, that He would call them and desire to be with them.

As cool as it would be to have your silver and brass accepted and used in building the tabernacle, how much more awesome it is God has chosen those who trust in Christ to be living stones He uses for His holy habitation in the church.  For all who have believed in Christ 1 Peter 2:4-5 says, "Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, ⁵ you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."  Having been established on our rock of salvation by faith in Jesus 1 Peter 2:9-10 goes on to say, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."

What a privilege we are accepted into the beloved through Christ, and having been redeemed we are enabled to offer ourselves as living sacrifices unto God.  We exist for God's good pleasure, and having obtained mercy we abide in Him now and forever.  All glory and honour be unto Jesus!