Grow! Pray! Study! The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection's Daily Guide "They should make me a sanctuary"

Grow! Pray! Study! The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection's Daily Guide "They should make me a sanctuary"
Daily Scripture:  Exodus 25:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they take an offering for me. From everyone whose heart makes him willing you shall take my offering. 3 This is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, brass, 4 blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, 5 rams’ skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, 6 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense, 7 onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate. 8 Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. 9 According to all that I show you, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all of its furniture, even so you shall make it.
Reflection Questions:
The Bible makes it clear that God's mission for God's people is about human beings, not about building buildings. That said, God also knows that buildings shape and affect the ways in which we human beings perceive and interact with God. Even in the desolate setting of the Sinai desert, God had Israel build the Tabernacle, a lovely symbol that God was with them.
On Mount Sinai, Moses experienced God's glory and received important directions for leading the people. Has there been a particular time in your life when you sensed a clear prompting or direction from God? What memories do you have of that time? How might you become more open to God's presence and prompting?
Moses told the Israelites to bring the finest possible gifts (including gold, silver, copper, incense and gemstones) for the tabernacle. But the gifts were to come from "everyone who freely wants to give." How can you discern what gifts you should make to any of various good causes? How can you decide whether a gift properly reflects what is freely in your heart?
Today's Prayer:
God, prepare me to offer my very best, through my words, deeds and generosity, for your sake. Strengthen me to live into the best promptings of my heart, as you shape it for your purposes. Amen.
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Insight from Dan Entwistle
Dan Entwistle is Resurrection’s Managing Executive Director for Programs and Ministries.
Read and Reflect:
(Head)
Today’s reading was set when Moses led Israel out of Egypt, through the wilderness and toward the land God promised them. Just before these verses, Moses separated himself from the rest of the camp to spend time with God on Mount Sinai. God’s presence, described as a “blazing fire,” was veiled by a cloud enveloping the mountain’s summit. Moses entered that cloud and spent forty days and nights (a time symbol signifying completeness) with God. We can’t know the details of Moses’ experience, but can you imagine what that might have been like? He returned bringing the community instructions from God.
Starting with today’s reading, Moses shares God’s detailed directions for the tabernacle—the tent of God’s dwelling among the Israelite people. The instructions fill Exodus 25-31, and we’re supposed to see a pattern in them. Each section starts with the phrase, “ The Lord spoke to Moses ,” the phrase occurring seven times, once before each section. These seven sections intentionally echo the seven days of creation. In fact, the seventh section told Israel how to keep the Sabbath, following the pattern of the creation story.
So even the delivery of building instructions reminded Israel of God’s creation. The building would represent the presence of the creator God among the people. This rhythm also points toward the final seven days of Jesus’ life. That week ended tragically, but took a surprising, triumphant twist with the dawn of an unexpected eighth day—Easter, the day of Resurrection. (Not coincidentally, this will be the main architectural narrative of our permanent sanctuary, which will beautifully capture our defining stories—creation, hope and Resurrection!)
The instructions called Israel to bring God the finest offerings according to
the “prompting in their hearts.” Before giving details about the building’s
design, God starts with the heart. Remember: under Pharaoh, the Israelites
had been slaves harshly forced to work on a building project. They would
have felt a sharp contrast between the freedom of gift offerings for this
project compared to their history of slavery. This clearly shows the message
that they are called to become a free, generous people.
This mobile sanctuary would serve as a tangible sign of God’s presence in the trek toward the Promised Land. As John Wesley wrote in his Notes on the Bible , the tabernacle “was intended for a sign or token of his presence, that while they had that in the midst of them they might never again ask, Is the Lord among us or not?”
Prayer and Meditation
(Heart)
God, look upon me and hear my prayer today.
As in Moses’ day, surely you are present with me in this moment. Open my eyes, that I might become ever more aware of you and your creative work around me. And I will be grateful, for you are my life and hope.
Today, I will respond to you and others with love. I seek to represent your goodness and your ways. Help my heart to respond to your presence, in this moment, with availability. Prepare me to offer my very best, through my words, deeds and generosity, for your sake. And strengthen me to live into the best promptings of my heart, a heart that I offer now to be shaped by you.
Amen.
Be, Do & Go
(Hands)
Today’s passage highlights the importance of God’s presence, first with Moses on the mountaintop, and later with the Israelites through the tabernacle.
As you think about the importance of presence, pause and think of someone you haven’t seen recently, for whatever reason. Take a moment to “experience” that person. If possible, you may want to find a picture or a note that reminds you of the feelings you have about this special person. Pause to say a prayer of gratitude for him or her.
Now consider God’s presence. For the Israelites, their place of worship was a clear “token,” a reminder so they would not forget that God was indeed in their midst. Locate a symbol in your home or a small token you can carry with you today that will remind you that God is also in your midst. Every time you see that symbol today, pause and offer another prayer of gratitude.
For Discussion:
Use this section to help prompt discussion with your spouse, children, small group, etc.
1. On Mount Sinai, Moses experienced God’s glory and received important directions for
how he should lead the people. Has there been a particular time in your life when
you sensed a clear prompting from God? What memories do you have of that time?
2. How might you become more open to God’s presence and prompting?
3. The Israelites were instructed to bring the finest possible gifts (including gold,
silver, copper, incense and gemstones) for the construction of the tabernacle. But
they were to bring their gifts “according to their hearts.” How can you explore the
question of what gifts you should make to our current capital campaign? How can
someone determine whether a gift is a proper reflection of his/her heart?
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