Originally posted: 03/21/2019
Explicit directions had been given; the details for every article of the tabernacle, sacrifices, offerings and the priests’ garments had been meticulously defined. And now, finally, the LORD explains His How.
I wonder if Moses hadn’t been anxiously awaiting these specifics, the “How” that would accomplish this gigantic task looming ahead. With each new instruction given, did that one word continually assault his thoughts…How?
Perhaps after the ten plagues, the Red Sea, the manna and the water from a rock, Moses wasn’t dogged by doubt. But it is interesting that His How was not explained until after His comprehensive directives had been fully described. Perhaps the LORD was still strengthening the faith of His faithful servant, Moses, with each subsequent detailed assignment.
Consider His How
His How: He would call by name those to complete His assignment. “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,” (31:2).
His How: He would provide all wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and craftsmanship needed by His Holy Spirit. “I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, 4 to make artistic designs…” (31:3-4).
His How: He would provide the assistance of others through their desire to use the skills He had given. “And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you:” (31:6)
His How: He would establish the Sabbath, a rest from the call of labor, as a sign of faith in Him and His sanctifying work. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘You shall surely observe My sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you,‘” (31:12-13).
His How: He gave His written Word. When He had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God, (31:18).
How do we respond to His How?
His call often comes before His How. Let us apply our hearts to learn from Him as He daily teaches and strengthens us to walk with Him by faith.
- How can we be without purpose? Let us respond in faith to His How.
- He has called us by name and set us apart for His purposes.
- “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day,” (John 6:44).
- “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you;” (Jeremiah 1:5).
- He has called us by name and set us apart for His purposes.
- How can we be deficient in His wisdom? Let us depend by faith in His How.
- He has given us His Holy Spirit Who abides in us forever.
- “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come,” (John 16:13).
- “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come,” (John 16:13).
- He has given us His Holy Spirit Who abides in us forever.
- How can we be self-serving? Let us submit in faith to His How.
- He gives us His gifts to use in assisting His body.
- But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills, (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11).
- He gives us His gifts to use in assisting His body.
- How can we rely on ourselves? Let us rest by faith in His How.
- He calls us to rest in Him for our sanctification.
- This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Galatians 3:2-3).
- He calls us to rest in Him for our sanctification.
- How can we lack understanding? Let us seek His wisdom through faith in His written Word.
- We can trust His Word to train and equip us in His righteousness.
- All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work, (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- We can trust His Word to train and equip us in His righteousness.