📖 EXODUS CHAPTER 35 : 8 Yahweh needs Spices🌈 ⛲
Moses received the first hand instructions from the Lord to bring ” SPICES for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense “. ✒Exodus 25:6. Now Moses , as a mediator, passes on the same instructions to the Israelites ( Exodus 35:8 ) . As a result the Israelites obeyed by bringing spices…for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense.( Exodus 35:28 ).
THEY HEARD THE INSTRUCTIONS and THEY OBEYED. 🙌
📝 James writes , ” Do not merely listen to the word , and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS. ” ✒ 1:22

📌 WHAT ARE THESE SPICES ❓
The Lord required special spices i.e. myrrh, cinnamon, cane, cassia and olive ( Exodus 30:23-25) . The anointing oil are to be used to anoint the Tent of Meeting , the ark of the Testimony and other furnishings in the sanctuary, and upon those who are serving in the sanctuary. ✒ Exodus 30:26-33.

📌 FROM WHERE THEY BROUGHT THE SPICES ❓
The Israelites brought the spices from Egypt on their way to Canaan. It needs perseverance and care to carry them in the wilderness.
✅ The Egyptians never knew the real value of the spices , because they used them for earthly purposes. Now the Israelites are to use them for a heavenly purpose in God’s Sanctuary. 🙌
✅ Yes , we are precious people bought with a price , and we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.

📌 WHO ARE THESE SPICES ❓
In Song of Songs 4:12-16 , the church of Christ is compared to a garden where all kinds of spices grows– calamus, cinnamon , myrrh..and all the finest spices ( v 14 ). When they begin to blossom, the sweet fragrance of mingled spices flows out, giving great joy to the ONE WHO WALKS IN THE GARDEN 👣
” Let my BELOVED come into the garden – sings the BRIDE ” ( v 16b)

Can we sing :
🎼 Into my heart , Into my heart ;
Come into my heart Lord Jesus .
Come in to stay , come in today :
Come into my heart Lord Jesus 🎼

💕 Beloved , our heart is His Garden , and if we are living a life pleasing to Him then like that GARDEN OF SPICES , we can give Him joy. Paul in his second letter to the church at Corinth writes , ” For we are to God the aroma of Christ..” ( 2:15).

🙏 May the good Lord lead us how to gather the SPICES and how to serve Him in His Sanctuary 🛐

📖 Exodus 35 , 36 & 39
Partnership in God’s Missions

The Lord God had commanded Moses and the people to build a sanctuary complex called the TABERNACLE. This sanctuary will move with them and will enable the presence of the Lord to dwell in the midst of the community . Moses was given the plan ( specifications, materials requirements etc )

📌 THE STRATEGY ( Exodus 35-36 )
( A ) Moses gathered the whole Israelites and calls for freewill offerings for the tabernacle and priestly garments ( Exodus 35: 4-9)
( B ) Moses then calls for skilled labourers to make the tabernacle and other items ( Exodus 35:10,25 ; 36:2)

📌 THE POSITIVE RESPONSE
All the Israelites , who were willing , brought their offerings for building the tabernacle, for the garments and for the on going services (35:20-29)

📌 COMPLETION AND INSPECTION ( Exodus 39: 32-42)
The Israelites finished everything exactly according to the Lord’s plan and direction ( 39:32,42 ) :
✅ The Tent of Meeting ( v 33-34)
✅ The ark of the covenant (v 35)
✅ The table with its articles ( v 36)
✅ The Lampstand ( v 37)
✅ The altar of incense (v 38)
✅ The altar of burnt offering and wash basin ( v 38-39)
✅ The courtyard curtains ( v 40)
✅ The priestly garments v 41)
📌 Moses inspects the work and finds that the work was perfectly done , and he blessed the Israelites for their obedience and hard work ( v 43).

💕 Beloved, today’s passages reveals that everyone had a role to play in building the tabernacle. 👣 🙌
Paul while writing to the church at Corinth writes , “For we are God’s fellow workers; .. God’s field , God’s building ” ✒ 1Cor 3: 9.
Yes , we need each other because We are the body of Jesus Christ ( 1Cor 12:27 ) . Our partnership in GOD’S MISSIONS ( through participation and prayers ) is the need of the hour 🙌

Glory to God 🙏
✍🏽 Mark Boje, ArP 🇮🇳