Hope Fulfilled

Reading:

John 14:1–3 ESV

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Introduction:

Exodus started with the lineage of Israel’s (Jacob’s) children, who were slaves in Egypt.

The first thing we are told about them is that a new king, who didn’t know Joseph, had been given the Egyptian kingdom.

He took action to set taskmasters over the slaves.

He also noticed the potential problem with the population growth among the Hebrews, which would out populate the Egyptians.

His solution: Institute population control and eugenics.

When an Hebrew woman birthed a child there would only allow the little girls to live and murder the boys.

Another point at the beginning of Exodus:

The Hebrews were leaderless and were stunted from living a life that worshiped Yahweh and upheld the promise given to Abraham (that God would make his children numbered as the sands of the sea or stars in the sky).

We find in chapter 40 the people are still Hebrew; but are re-named as a whole nation:

Israel!

They are given a name as a nation and also received a King and His name is “I Am that I Am”.

The King revealed His power and authority through the way He brought out almost 3 million people from slavery.

He lead them through the desert, provided for them and desired to be among them, for all nations to see.

Chapter 40 is the culmination of the nation without a leader who plundered the wealth of Egypt, embarrassed the authorities of Egypt, and proclaimed that He is the one who fights on behalf of His nation.

He provided their daily needs; Water, and food while in the dessert.

He instructed with wisdom laws to govern themselves as a society that reflects their leader.

The nation is now independent who’s King is God!

In this chapter we get the erecting of the long awaited tabernacle, and the anticipation of His presence is what people longed for.

The final chapter begins with:

Obedience and Sanctification (1-15)

Exodus 40:1–2 ESV

1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “On the first day of the first month you shall erect the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

The Lord provides the “next steps”, which is to set up all of the tabernacle and it’s furniture.

The obedience expected here passes from the mental and spiritual right into the physical actions.

Verses 1-5 tell Moses the order for system for setting up the tent of the Lord.

He says to start with God first!

Begin with the tabernacle, then set the ark and place the “ten words” in the ark; seal it with the mercy seat on top.

Place the screen and the veil between that and the Holy of Holies and the holy place.

Furnish the holy place with the lampstand, incense altar, and the table of showbread.

Place the screen up between the outer court entrance into the holy place.

What we find in these passages is the proper sequence and system for pitching the Lord’s tent.

Illustration:

Every job requires you to follow the system.

This typically is the system that is set up by either the person in charge or the person who designed

There are some people who understand systems and there are those who do not.

Explain the positional differences from lumber guy to foreman; explain their job duties in comparison.

The laborers who understood the system realized that even though they were the lowest in the pecking order because they knew the least were there to learn.

The laborer didn’t have to stay in that position.

The better they understood the system, the better builder they would be in the long run.

God was teaching Moses best system for setting up the Lord’s dwelling.

As he constructed the Tabernacle he would be passing down to Aaron and his family.

In a sense Moses would be discipling the priests in God’s instructions for His tent.

Connection:

Maybe you haven’t heard this before but there is a system God has given to us in order that we continue as He commanded.

When Paul finished instructing the church in Corinth about the details for a “church service” or orderly worship He gives us something about our system:

1 Corinthians 14:40 ESV

40 But all things should be done decently and in order.

We are to have order to what we do; because chaos creates confusion and God isn’t the author of confusion, Satan is.

If you ever visit a so called church and it is chaos; beware!

So that meets the system of our gathering together in worship; but what for our lives?

We are given the opportunity to follow the system there too.

One of the key points, similar to what Moses would pass on to the priests is just like the process we call discipleship.

A Discipler is to:

“To teach; to train, or bring up.” -Noah Webster

The one who is being discipled:

“A learner; a scholar; one who receives or professes to receive instruction from another; as the disciples of Plato. A follower; an adherent to the doctrines of another. Hence the constant attendants of Christ were called his disciples; and hence all Christians are called his disciples, as they profess to learn and receive his doctrines and precepts.” -Noah Webster

We are supposed to pass on the proper system to those who are learning from us.

Pastor Dave, I’m not qualified to disciple someone in their faith.

I disagree; That is you making that statement from fear?

Fear of failure, fear of not being equipped?

Hogwash-We already know and hopefully believe that those whom God calls He also equips.

If He has placed someone in your path who is more immature in their faith than you....I guess He has called you.

God forward by faith believing He will equip you.

With Moses He didn’t stop at what to do, He continued with verses 9-15 the process of consecration!

Exodus 40:9 ESV

9 “Then you shall take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and consecrate it and all its furniture, so that it may become holy.

The process is an “dedication” of sorts.

Consecration means:

“The act or ceremony of separating from a common to a sacred use, or of devoting and dedicating a person or thing to the service and worship of God, by certain rites or solemnities. consecration does not make a person or thing really holy, but declares it to be sacred, that is, devoted to God or to divine service; as the consecration of the priests among the Israelites; the consecration of the vessels used in the temple;” -Noah Webster

When you read verses 9-15 you hear all that God is telling Moses to consecrate to the duty of being used in proper worship of Him!

We know that there are other moments when God instructs Oil to be used in a consecration ceremony.

Saul, then he messed up and God sent Samuel to David.

So the process of Oil consecrating things focuses less on the oil and is specific and more focused on what God is doing!

It is a public proclamation of God’s plan for that person.

Bible hub says this about the consecration:

“The anointing oil in the Old Testament is a significant ritual that symbolizes sanctification, consecration, and the impartation of divine favor. The anointing oil, often made from precious spices and olive oil, represents the costliness and significance of what is being consecrated. This ritual underscores the importance of holiness and dedication in the life of God's people, both in the Old and New Testaments.” -Biblehub.com

Connection:

In the New Testament we find the shadow of the anointing Oil filled in with the Holy Spirit.

God called and consecrated those in the Old Testament through the anointing Oil to be dedicated to Him!

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 ESV

21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Each and every person at the moment they are forgiven their sins since they believe and trust Jesus is anointed by the Holy Spirit.

He is God’s seal of approval on Jesus’ payment made!

Yes...that means each and every one who calls upon the Lord and is saved is consecrated to serving Him.

The baptism being the public proclamation to live your life for, and according to, His will!

Moses having these instructions and the expectation to consecrate all furniture to the Lord’s service must do it!

Verses 16-33 tells us about:

The Labor of Moses (16-33)

Exodus 40:16–17 ESV

16 This Moses did; according to all that the Lord commanded him, so he did. 17 In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was erected.

The bible records that Moses didn’t waste any time getting to the discipleship process and erecting all of it.

Small detail; but important point:

Moses did it according to all the Lord commanded!

Connection:

How often do we mutter around doubting, being afraid of getting out of our comfort zone.

We all know it very well, looking and hoping God will call someone else.

Illustration:

There was a man who heard floodwaters were coming and it would engulf everything up to 30’.

All his neighbors began preparing sealing up their homes, packing the important things and driving away.

He said to neighbors, God will protect me and all my things.

The floodwaters came and he had to get to his 2nd floor, a boat came by and asked him to get in; but he replied God will take care of it all.

He finally was on his roof and a helicopter came lowered the ladder and he told them God will take care of Him, he isn’t worried.

He dies, gets in front of God and asks God why didn’t you protect me, care for me, and help me?

God told him, I gave you neighbors, a boat, and a helicopter and you denied each one of my opportunities.

Point:

Each and every one of us can find ourselves responding to God’s calling procrastination hoping He find’s someone else.

Thankfully Moses already learned that lesson back at the bush when he was asking God to send someone else and he gave all those excuses.

What excuse are you trusting in today to avoid what God has called to do?

Go out by faith letting Him proclaim Himself through your weaknesses.

Often when we are at then end of our abilities God reveals Himself through powerful ways.

I believe that He does that on purpose; because there was no way we could claim the glory for what was being done, we can only glorify Him for doing the work.

It isn’t something that will be easy or happen right away, it will take time to exercise your faith and live according to it.

It took a while for the Tabernacle to be built and erected; but it was done.

For the first day of the second year when the work was finished and handed over to Moses, the building and all the work for inspection, wasn’t quite half a year.

So about 6 months from start to finish of the constructing the whole Tabernacle.

How long did it take Moses to single handedly erect the Tabernacle?

It is supposed about 9 Months.

Moses’ labor wasn’t short, and it wasn’t easy.

According to scripture Moses didn’t have any help setting it all up.

Exodus 40:18 ESV

18 Moses erected the tabernacle. He laid its bases, and set up its frames, and put in its poles, and raised up its pillars.

The passages continue from 18 all the way through until 33 describing each piece.

Exodus 40:33 ESV

33 And he erected the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.

Moses labored as the Lord commanded him.

He started from God’s dwelling and moved outward as the Lord instructed Him.

In a few moments we’ll understand why God wanted Him to start at the Holy of Holies and move outward to the outer court.

He did it obediently for 9 months.

I bet the suspense and hope of the people continued to be fueled like a fire each day as they saw more and more progress on the Tabernacle.

Until the day finally came when:

He arrives (34-38)

Exodus 40:34 ESV

34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

Finally the Lord had arrived.

The work was all done God kept His promise.

He immediately came to fill the Holy of Holies.

Almost like He couldn’t wait to finally be able to come near the creation that He loved the most.

Remember the last time He was in fellowship with those in His image was in the garden.

This is definitely similar to the moment Jesus spoke the parable of the prodigal son’s return.

The father saw the son from far off and ran to Him, and gave Him forgiveness and a renewed heritage!

Connection:

Jesus loves you and I so much that to be in fellowship He gave it all on the cross thinking of you!

Finally here God is among His creation once again.

Notice what Exodus 40:35 teaches about Moses’ process to follow.

Exodus 40:35 ESV

35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

Moses wasn’t the called to be the priests or intermediary between God and the people.

Aaron and his lineage were.

The teacher finished His 9 month class on the proper way to set up the tabernacle.

They have all seen it, been trained and will continue doing it as God commanded.

Moses was called to lead them from Egypt to the promised land.

Moses wasn’t allowed back into the Holy of Holies.

Connection:

A famous statement may help connect this moment to our lives.

When one door closes another door opens.

God wasn’t finished with Moses, just like He isn’t finished with you after the moment you lead someone to Christ.

He opens another door to obediently and faithfully walk through.

For Moses he would now see his discipleship return dividends.

Exodus 40:36 ESV

36 Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out.

Aaron and the priests accepted and faithfully obeyed the Lord.

following obediently what the Lord directed through His presence.

Exodus 40:37–38 ESV

37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

God never let people wonder what His will was.

The gigantic pillar was a dead giveaway.

Connection:

Which isn’t any different for any of us sitting here.

When you see God move, follow Him!

As His sheep you know His voice and when the Holy Spirit is prompting you to say something, do something, or go somewhere...Do it.

You want to be near Him and in His will instead of outside of it, that’s a dangerous place.

Conclusion:

The Israelites were in God’s will.

They were taken from 430 years of slavery,

Without a leader

Not a people

Now they were the nation Israel who’s King is “I Am, that I Am”, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Hopefully you have a deeper understanding today that you didn’t have when we began Exodus about the Lord who loves you.

He is mighty, powerful, and accessible

He keeps His promises, provides in miraculous ways, and hates any type of worship that isn’t in spirit and truth!

He calls many, and those He calls He equips; so don’t be afraid of concerned with how it will work out; believe He will make it happen.

Make Him known to all nations, all peoples, through your testimony and testifying.

Make disciples, and reconcile souls back to Him.

Know that your hope is secure in Him for all eternity!

-Pray!