READING: Exodus 39-40
Here’s a basic rule of Bible interpretation: pay attention to repetition. When writers repeat phrases and ideas, that’s usually because they don’t want us to miss something. It’s as if they want to pound it into our head with a kind of “spiritual jackhammer.” In today’s reading is a jackhammer phrase that occurs so many times in two chapters that I don’t know how anyone could miss it.
Indeed, the phrase occurs in the very first verse of Exodus 39: “They made specially woven garments for ministry in the sanctuary, and the holy garments for Aaron from the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.” That phrase just as the Lord commanded occurs 9 times in chapter 39, and a similar phrase occurs 8 times in chapter 40. Do you suppose the writer wants us to hear those words if he wrote them 17 times in 81 verses?
At the end of the Tabernacle preparations, in fact, “Moses inspected all the work they had accomplished. They had done just as the Lord commanded” (Exo. 39:43). On that basis he blessed them, and God would later fill that Tabernacle with His glory (Exo. 40:34-35). Absolute obedience thus prepared the way for God to make Himself known to His people.
You see, God expects us to do whatever He commands us to do — and, that’s the way we defeat the enemy. Writers have written volumes about how to win spiritual warfare. Conference speakers have spent hours preparing and teaching strategies for winning. Many of us have studied as much as we can because we want to live in victory. At the end of the day, though, we win through one simple strategy: obedience.
Choose today to do whatever God has commanded you to do.
ACTION STEPS: Consider these steps today:
- What has God commanded you to do that you’ve not yet done? Do it today.
- Confess any delays you’ve had in being fully obedient to God.
- Determine ahead of time that you will, without exception and delay, do whatever God commands today.
PRAYER: “God, I commit myself to do whatever You command today. Fully. Immediately. Prayerfully.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Leviticus 1-4