Out From Egypt: Freedom In The WildernessSample

Out from Egypt: Freedom in the Wilderness

A Kingdom Builder

Yahweh rescued the Hebrews by astounding, miraculous means. He split the sea in two and brought them through on dry land. He provided daily bread from the sky to sustain his people in the wilderness. So why did he not just provide an already-prepared Tabernacle? He was certainly able to do such a thing. It would have been a perfect holy sanctuary, designed to his specifications, without any chance for human mistakes or shoddy craftsmanship.

After being utilized as forced labor to build cities and monuments to the glory of Pharaoh, Yahweh gave them the opportunity to come together and build a sanctuary for his glory instead. But although he gave them the instructions and dimensions he asked for their participation and offerings of materials, he does not treat them like slaves. He doesn’t ever force our obedience, but desires that our “hearts be moved” (v. 20) to do so.

He gave the people the opportunity to be a part of this wondrous new endeavor, a building project that would bring together the people, their materials, their talents and skills, and be a reflection of the heavenly Holy Temple (Heb. 8:5) itself. What an honor it was to be joined together, as a new nation—with Yahweh—in building something that would have eternal significance.

We, too, are called to come together with Yahweh and be a part of building the Kingdom, by sharing and displaying Truth to this lost world, using the unique talents and skills that he imagined for you, long before the foundations of the earth (Psalm 139:16).

We have the choice, just as the Hebrews did, to offer our material goods, our time, and our talents for building our own earthly kingdoms, or we can use such things for Yahweh’s glory and reap eternal rewards instead.

When we are willing to offer up our talents, skills, time, and effort for the Lord, like Bezalel did as he fashioned the different implements for holy worship and the Ark, the Spirit always seems to use us in ways we never expected, ways that will echo in eternity, even if we see little earthly reward.

If we slough off the old identity of “slave” to an earthly taskmaster, and instead freely offer up ourselves for the glory of the One who designed us all with those unique talents and skills, he will undoubtedly use us to help build his Kingdom in ways we cannot even begin to imagine.

Questions to Consider:

What skills or talents did the Creator design into you? In what ways have you used these skills and talents to glorify God? In what ways have you chosen instead to use them for your own benefit or glory? What steps can you take to offer these gifts to the Lord instead of keeping them to yourself?

We are commanded to be in fellowship with others in the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27, Heb. 10:25). Are you connected with other believers on a regular basis and building community together? If so, what blessings have you seen from working together to build the Kingdom?

If not, what keeps you from doing so? Ask the Lord to reveal ways to connect with believers in your community and how you might be used to encourage others and glorify Yahweh together.