Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 38:1-8.

“Then he made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood, five cubits long, and five cubits wide, square, and three cubits high. He made its horns on its four corners, its horns being of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze. He made all the utensils of the altar, the pails and the shovels and the basins, the flesh hooks and the firepans; he made all its utensils of bronze. He made for the altar a grating of bronze network beneath, under its ledge, reaching halfway up. He cast four rings on the four ends of the bronze grating as holders for the poles. He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze. He inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, with which to carry it. He made it hollow with planks.

Moreover, he made the laver of bronze with its base of bronze, from the mirrors of the serving women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting.” Exodus 38:1-8.

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Today’s Scripture details the construction of the altar of burnt offering, the utensils of the altar, its grating, and poles. All were either made of bronze or overlaid with bronze.

We read of the strength of bronze in Scripture. It was used to make shields, helmets, and other armor. It was used to make wheels and axels. It was used to make platforms and pillars. If you want, you can check out more uses of bronze in Scripture. Here is a link to verses containing the word “bronze”. http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=bronze+&version=NASB&searchtype=all&startnumber=1

But, as strong as bronze is, God girds us with strength “… So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” Psalm 18:34.

“34 He trains my hands for battle,

So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation,

And Your right hand upholds me;

And Your gentleness makes me great.

36 You enlarge my steps under me,

And my feet have not slipped.” Psalm 18:34-36.

We all may not be sent out to battle and need physical arms that can bend a bow of bronze. But, we all will be sent into spiritual battle and need spiritual armor and spiritual strength, stronger than bronze, which God indeed gives us.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-17.