Live the Word Bible Studies

Purpose Study Bible 103: Pomegranates and Bells

We have spent considerable time examining the tabernacle furnishings but let's look at the priests' clothing in this week's study. We read

They made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth—the work of a weaver—with an opening i n the center of the robe like the opening of a collar, and a band around this opening, so that it would not tear. They made pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen around the hem of the robe. And they made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates. The bells and pomegranates alternated around the hem of the robe to be worn for ministering, as the Lord commanded Moses (Exodus 39:22-26).

If you are familiar with a pomegranate, you know it has many edibles seeds surrounded by juicy pulp. It is said to have 613 seeds which correspond to the 613 commands of the Torah. Yet that is not the main purpose of that fruit being chosen for the priests garments. It is a reminder that anyone who is clothed in righteous garments is to bear fruit. How should that fruit be defined? It is any action you perform in the power of the Spirit according to your gifts in the service of others.

What about the bells? The traditional interpretation is that if the bells were to stop tinkling while the priest was in the Holy of Holies, then those outside would know the priest was struck down due to some violation of protocol in his service. That may be true, but could it also be that those dressed in holy garments are to be in motion serving the Lord and are to let others know they are doing so to encourage them in their own purposeful activities, stimulating them to good deeds as the writer of Hebrews described it. In essence, the priests were to attract attention to themselves as they went about their purpose duties. Are you afraid to "make noise" while you serve Him? Are you bearing fruit? Are you busy making a gentle sound as you move about serving the Lord and others?

Purpose Study Bible 102: A Heavy Load

Did you ever think about how much the tabernacle and all its furnishings weighed? What's more, did you consider that the leaders had to carry it all through the Wilderness for decades? Here is the amount of the metal used according to the offering that was given:

The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuary was 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. The silver obtained from those of the community who were counted in the census was 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. . . . The bronze from the wave offering was 70 talents and 2,400 shekels. (Exodus 38:24-25, 29).

In addition to the metal, there was a lot of wood and curtains that were also part of the tabernacle experience. Here is an estimate of the weight of it all:

The total weight of the wood employed in the manufacturing of the Tabernacle has been evaluated in no more than 1,500 kgs (3,300 pounds), while that total weight of the metals was at the most of 700 kgs (1,540 pounds). These weights are comprehensive of the objects that had to be carried on by shoulders by the family of Keat, more or less 200 kgs (440 pounds).

Part of being purposeful and creative is being a leader for God's presence in what you do will always contribute to you being given more responsibility. That means you must be in shape, both physically, mentally, and spiritually to carry some heavy burdens and loads the Lord will designate for you. Are you in shape? Are you strong and fit in body and mind so the Lord and others can count on you? Are you willing to take on more responsibility as you grow in your ability to handle it?

Study Bible 101: Organize the Work

There are some people who believe that creativity is inconsistent with organization and attention to administrative detail. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the more organized you are, the more organized you need to be—or at least the more organized you need to be to get through your creative work. Consider this passage in support of this fact:

They built the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood, three cubits high; it was square, five cubits long and five cubits wide. They made a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar were of one piece, and they overlaid the altar with bronze. They made all its utensils of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks and firepans. They made a grating for the altar, a bronze network, to be under its ledge, halfway up the altar. They cast bronze rings to hold the poles for the four corners of the bronze grating. They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze. They inserted the poles into the rings so they would be on the sides of the altar for carrying it. They made it hollow, out of boards (Exodus 38:1-7).

The workers could not simply jump into their work but had to have a plan, not only for what this altar was going to look like but also a plan for how they were going to construct it. There were no shortcuts and each part of the work depended on the previous part for it to be successfully completed.

Do you use the excuse for your disorganization that you just aren't good with structure and discipline? Have you ever considered that your disorganization could actually be a defense you use to excuse yourself from failure? ("How can I be expected to create? I have so many ideas? The days just go by so quickly and I get lost in my own thoughts.") If you do, that is not cute, it is a debilitating weakness that will keep you from being as productive as God wants you to be. If you struggle with organization, find help but stop using it as an excuse and find ways to organize your work so your disorganization will no longer cover your fear of inadequacy.

Purpose Study Bible 100: Only the Skilled

A few weeks ago, we looked at the fact that only those who were able and willing were to work on constructing the tabernacle and only those who were willing were to contribute toward its completion as described in Exodus 35. Yet that was not the end of the story for that theme continued in the next chapter: only the skilled were to do the work:

• So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded (Exodus 36:1).
  
• Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work (Exodus 36:2).
  
• So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing  . . . (Exodus 36:4).
  
• All those who were skilled among the workers made the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by expert hands (Exodus 36:8).
  
• They made the curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker (Exodus 36:35).
  

Webster's defines skill as "the ability to use one's knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance."In this context, there seems to be one way to become a skilled worker. First, the Lord must deposit the ability to understand and do the work.  Then the recipient must work to perfect their skill. Finally, the person with the skill must express it every chance they get in God-honoring ways. In what areas do you have skill that you and others recognize? Does it bring you joy? Are you working to develop and perfect it? Are you then expressing it under God's direction or as you have opportunity to express it for the good and enjoyment of others?

Study Bible 99: An Extravagant Spirit

Once the Lord had given instructions for how to build the tabernacle and directed the people to give toward its construction, the people went to work:

 So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.” Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.” Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work (Exodus 36:1-7).

The skilled workers went about their work with enthusiasm and precision. And the people went about the task of giving what they had so the workers had what they needed to get the job done. What a great picture this creates. Everyone had an extravagant spirit, offering all they had in the way of creative gifts and wealth to ensure that the work of the Lord was completed.

This is the same way God's people today should approach their lives and work. We should all give of our gifts freely and without reservation. Some who have financial or other resources of value should offer them with no trace of greed or selfishness. If we all flowed in extravagance, then perhaps it would be said of us what was said of the early church:

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all  that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need (Acts 4:32-35).

Do you have an extravagant spirit where your gifts and possessions are concerned? Do you give freely, so much so that others have to say "Enough!"? Do you deploy your skills at least some of the time to do the work of the Lord for no pay, just for the joy of singing your song and being who you are? Keep in mind you don't have to serve the Lord, you get to do so and therefore should give as extravagantly as He has given to you.

Purpose Study Bible 97: Able AND Willing

After He communicated all the plans, God then made provision for the tabernacle building supplies:

Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord. Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or the other durable leather brought them. Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to the Lord, and everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it. Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense. All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do (Exodus 35:20-29, emphasis added).

There were two requirements for anyone who was going to make a donation to the Moses' Tabernacle Building Fund. First, they had to be willing, which is stated four times in these ten verses. Then where it was not a donation of raw materials, they had to be skilled for not just any donation was to be accepted. Only those things that were produced with excellence were to be given and received. In other words, the people did not have to give, they had to see it as a wonderful opportunity to give—and do so with a glad heart.

What is your attitude when it comes to giving of who God made you to be? What does your vocabulary say when you speak of serving the Lord? Do you say you have to do or give something or do you choose to do it? Are you coerced out of fear or motivated by love and gratitude? Do you offer the gifts that God gave you willingly or grudgingly? This distinction is important for it will determine the quality of what you do and the spirit in which you did it will go along with your gift, and where God is concerned only the best given with a right heart will do.

Purpose Study Bible 96: Your Anointing

In the last study, we saw that the people were to create anointing oil according to the recipe the Lord gave Moses. This oil was to be used to anoint the tabernacle and the furnishings therein. It was also for those who worked in the tabernacle:

“Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. Say to the Israelites, ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred. Whoever makes perfume like it and puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from their people'" (Exodus 30:30-33).

The priests were to have a distinctive odor that was not to be replicated for anyone else or for any other purpose. The same is true for you. You have an anointing that is unique to who you are, to who God created you to be. God wants to smell that aroma, which means He wants you to function in your anointed activity as often as possible. You are neither to try and imitate someone else's fragrance nor use your anointing for selfish or idolatrous purposes. It is a unique connection between you and Your Maker.

In older movies, there was a common scene of a prisoner escaping and the guards deploying bloodhounds to follow the trail. They would allow the dogs to smell something that was part of the escapee's world and off the dogs would go. That is how unique God has made you to be—down to the very identifying factor that other creatures can detect. Are you being true to your anointing? How often can God detect the odor of your presence? What more can you to do to release your fragrance? Are you using your fragrant anointing according to the purpose for which God gave it to you?

Purpose Study Bible 95: A Fragrant Blend

God gave specific instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and everything to be used in it as well. One of those things was the oil to anoint the furnishings and the priests:

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. Then use it to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy" (Exodus 30:22-29).

Notice that the oil was to be a "fragrant blend" so that whatever it anointed would also have a pleasant aroma--and probably a lasting one. Oil is symbolic of the Spirit's presence and one's anointing is what the Spirit is present to empower someone to accomplish in life and ministry. This work is therefore to have a pleasant aroma to God as did Jesus' work: "Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2). Paul described the aroma of the good works the Philippians did: "I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God" (Philippians 4:18).

When do you smell the best to God? What do you do or where do you do it that you know God anoints you with His presence? Did you realize that when you do it, you send off a fragrance that is certainly pleasing to Him and probably noticeable by others? "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing" (2 Corinthians 2:15). Do you see that what you are anointed to do is to make a positive, pleasant difference in the world around you as well as being a pleasing act to the Lord?

Purpose Study Bible 94: Wayward Creativity

You are a creative being by God's design, created in the image of the Creator to be a little-c creator. You cannot help but be creative. How you plan your day, how you do your job, how you raise your children, and even how you structure your spoken sentences are just a few expressions of your creativity. If you are not aware of this fact and take measures to properly express it, it will come out in ways the Lord did not intend. Consider this story of Aaron, Moses' brother, whose creativity went off the rails while Moses was away on business:

When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt" (Exodus 32:-4).

What expressions of creativity are present in these few verses? Consider these:

1. The people created a plan for worship.
2. Aaron then devised a plan to gather the necessary resources.
3. Aaron shaped a golden calf from their donated precious metals, which required a blueprint and the skill to do so.
4. The people were creative in their theology when they saw the calf.

As you can see, the people's creativity did not go dormant or stagnate, but instead found a way to express itself. What's more, they enthusiastically embraced strategies to carry it out in the wrong way.Perhaps we should consider that if we do not acknowledge our creativity, we will tend to apply it in ways that are at least not meaningful and at worst idolatrous and wayward. How are you using the creativity God gave you? To further His Kingdom or to build your own? To comfort you in times of stress or as a means to be fruitful in the work God has assigned you to do?

Purpose Study Bible 93: Collaboration

In the last study, we learned that God had filled a man named Bezalel with His Spirit to do all kinds of creative things. He was not alone, however, as we learn in this week's lesson:

"Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent—the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand—and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place" (Exodus 31:6-11).

God empowered and equipped others to work on Bezalel's team so that together they would make all that was needed for Tabernacle worship.

Your creative gifts are meant to be expressed in a team setting as well. We read, "What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up" (1 Corinthians 14:26). We also know that "to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (1 Corinthians 12:7). And finally, we are taught that we are to use our creativity to build up others: "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18-19).

Are you using your creative gifts for the good of others? Do you express those gifts as a member of a team or do you prefer to work alone because working with others causes you to lose control of exactly how you would like to create? Do you know how to collaborate with others on creative projects so that together you may do more than any of you could do individually? Pray that God will open your eyes to see where and how you can work with others to take advantage of Jesus' promise that He will be in the midst whenever and wherever two or three are gathered—even if it's for a creative project outside the setting of the church.