Gift of Abundant Grace

After God gave His people the design of the tabernacle, the wise-hearted among them gave of their goods to provide the materials to build it.  I was intrigued by a verse that revealed the source of the brass for the laver crafted by Bezaleel in Exodus 38:8:  "He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the bronze mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting."  Peering through the door of the tabernacle, immediately one saw the altar for sacrifices that likely obscured the view of the laver--the vessel for priests to ceremonially wash their hands and feet--because it was located between the altar and door to the holy place.

It is ironic the women gave brass mirrors they used to see themselves with to construct a laver they could not touch or see.  They were not permitted to enter the inner court of the tabernacle, yet their generous gifts made the work of the ministry possible.  Every time the priests used the laver to wash, these women literally helped facilitate obedience and sanctification before the LORD by their gift.  It was to their benefit this ministry was accomplished, and it seems they understood the value of the laver and worship of God because they parted with something personally prized and precious.  It is not vain to observe your reflection, to wear makeup, style hair and attend to personal hygiene, but many women who served were willing to forgo this luxury (and some might say essential) to give unto the LORD as He had given freely to them.

The women who were no longer able to view their faces in brass gave them to the God Who saw them and loved what He saw:  people who joyfully and willingly gave in service unto Him.  Brass mirrors were of no use to clean their faces of smudges of dirt, yet when melted down together it made one laver that was filled with clean water needed by priests to minister unto the LORD and bless the people.  Mirrors of brass needed to be buffed and polished to provide an adequate reflection, and it was God who made a way for sanctified priests to offer sacrifices to cover and cleanse the sins of the people.  Water from the laver made this essential task possible, and it must have been a thrill for the women to see their combined gifts serve a necessary and wonderous purpose that benefitted everyone.

This passage hits me personally because I have been the recipient of generous giving by people near and far who have provided financially for me and my family to serve as a pastor, immigrate to Australia and preach the word of God.  Many who have gladly given have never been to Australia:  they were like the women who gave their prized mirrors without even seeing the finished product.  Those who give so another can go will receive rewards from the LORD even as those who go, and God loves such givers.  Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7-8:  "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."  What can we give that compares with all the grace God causes to abound towards us today that always has all sufficiency in all things?  Praise the LORD for the gift of His grace He makes abundant toward us.