EXODUS 39 THEY HAD DONE IT From the far parts of the camp of Israel the sound of busy industry slowed and then became silent. Then, from the different places where the work had been done, the people of God came, bringing to the middle of the camp the pieces they had made to be inspected by Moses. The pattern had been given to him by the Lord, and he was responsible to the Lord to see that each piece was done right. Perhaps Bezaleel and Aholiab were nearby watching anxiously to see if any piece was rejected. The question now wasn't who did the work or how it was done. The main issue to be considered was, "Is this what God intended each piece to be like?" "Moses did look upon all the work." We do not read of any pieces being rejected because it was done wrong or without due diligence. When we do God's work in God's way, it meets the standard of God's will.
We do not have to spend time evaluating the work for the Lord our brothers and sisters are doing. It is enough that our labor and the work we have been given to accomplish is done in the way God has instructed. Some of God's people have a big project they are responsible for. Those great sheets of leather and cloth for the covering of the Tabernacle would have needed a lot of people to carry them to Moses for inspection. A garment of white linen for a priest could be brought by the woman who made it. A brass pin brought in the hand of the person who made it would not be a big burden and could look small beside the brazen altar. But each piece was important. Each piece was scrutinized by Moses to be sure it was done properly. What a blessing it is when we can find joy and satisfaction in the work of others as well as in the results of our own efforts.
The clasps may seem insignificant compared to a gold-plated board, and the value of a clasp may not be seen until it is missing or is broken. Some truths may seem insignificant and be overlooked when we consider the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, the two words, "Jesus wept," have great meaning as we consider Him. "He bore our sins in His own body on the tree," certainly has a great impact when His Person and work are unfolded to us by the Holy Spirit. In another way, "The Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me," impacts our appreciation of the Savior. No part of the Tabernacle was without reason, and no part of our Lord Jesus Christ can be considered of lesser value than any other part of the "Revelation of Jesus Christ." We will see the importance of it all when we see Him and give account of our part in the great work of God.
As each piece was brought to Moses and he looked over it all, those thousands of laborers would stand by and see the great accumulation of finished pieces put in places where they could be easily identified when the time came to erect the Tabernacle. As Moses passed each piece brought to him by the waiting people, that person would add the work he or she finished to those already inspected. It wouldn't be long before the pin made by an individual could not be differentiated from all the rest of the pins. They didn't have their own initials on the work they did. It was all done for God. Pride in self for a work we think we have done for God, will make it valueless. Each of us does what we are given to do, and give God all the glory. One businessman said to his salesman, "It doesn't matter who gets the credit, as long as the firm shows a profit."
Everything we do, anything accomplished in service for God is for the furtherance of the kingdom of God and the building of the Church. The inspection of a teacher's work will be tested by fire, so each one who teaches should be careful his teaching builds up "the temple of God," not destroys it. Each Sunday School teacher and each Gospel preacher must be careful to make sure the truth of salvation has been clearly and properly presented lest there be those who think they are saved but are not. Each person in the assembly who influences and leads others, needs to be sure their guidance is biblical and does not mislead a follower into a path that will stumble them.
The people of God brought the work they had done to Moses and he inspected each piece. As they left the result of their efforts to be added to all the material to build the Tabernacle, Moses blessed them. The children of Israel did all the work and they experienced the blessing. Each one of us is blessed when we share in the work of the Lord with all of God's people. The faithful service of each will bring blessing to one and all.
It wasn't that the plans were obscure Each task was given in detail. There wasn't a long time to endure If the work was right it would not fail. The inspection was to make sure it was right
Not to exalt the one who labored. Some parts would be hidden from sight There was no one especially favored.
When all the pieces were brought They came to be part of a whole. Each one had a special spot Like people, each had a role To fulfill what the Tabernacle represented The Person and work of our Lord. The building when finished, presented A united whole, built from God's Word.
Each stone in the building today That is being erected by the Spirit of God, Has a place, a task, a word to say That represents obedience to the Lord. Each one may be different in shape - But to the next one it is made to fit. The Great Designer wants us to make Our work to be done as He wants it.
When the Tabernacle was finally complete It became God's dwelling place. The Church built is a marvelous feat Done entirely as a work of God's grace. To look at the outside one might miss The glory that it contains within. The Church is something like this But God sees it perfect and complete in Him.
"Holy Father, to know that the work of God is still progressing encourages us to keep on with our labor. My concern is that what I do is according to Thy divine plans. Lead and guide Thy servant today in thought and word and deed, in ways that please Thee and fulfills Thy righteous expectations. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."