Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 39:32-43.

“32 Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was completed; and the sons of Israel did according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses; so they did. 33 They brought the tabernacle to Moses, the tent and all its furnishings: its clasps, its boards, its bars, and its pillars and its sockets; 34 and the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, and the covering of porpoise skins, and the screening veil; 35 the ark of the testimony and its poles and the mercy seat; 36 the table, all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence; 37 the pure gold lampstand, with its arrangement of lamps and all its utensils, and the oil for the light; 38 and the gold altar, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the veil for the doorway of the tent; 39 the bronze altar and its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils, the laver and its stand; 40 the hangings for the court, its pillars and its sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court, its cords and its pegs and all the equipment for the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of meeting; 41 the woven garments for ministering in the holy place and the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests. 42 So the sons of Israel did all the work according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses. 43 And Moses examined all the work and behold, they had done it; just as the Lord had commanded, this they had done. So Moses blessed them.”  Exodus 39:32-43.

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Yes, you will get a blessing if you do all that the Law commands. But, the problem with the Law is that if you do not do all that the Law commands, then you will get a curse instead of a blessing.

“For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:10-14.

“For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17.

“Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:24-27.

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.” Romans 7:4-6.

“You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.” Galatians 5:4-5.

Question 115. Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?

Answer. First, that all our lifetime we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature, and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin, and righteousness in Christ; likewise, that we constantly endeavor and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us, in a life to come. Heidelberg Catechism.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 39:27-31.

“27 They made the tunics of finely woven linen for Aaron and his sons, 28 and the turban of fine linen, and the decorated caps of fine linen, and the linen breeches of fine twisted linen, 29 and the sash of fine twisted linen, and blue and purple and scarlet material, the work of the weaver, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

30 They made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and inscribed it like the engravings of a signet, “Holy to the Lord.” 31 They fastened a blue cord to it, to fasten it on the turban above, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.” Exodus 39:27-31.

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“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

“The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” Deuteronomy 7:6-8.

“… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:25-27.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. …” Ephesians 1:3-4.

“that we would be holy and blameless before Him” is God’s choice of us and God’s work by grace alone. Praise God!!!

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 39:22-26.

“22 Then he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue; 23 and the opening of the robe was at the top in the center, as the opening of a coat of mail, with a binding all around its opening, so that it would not be torn. 24 They made pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material and twisted linen on the hem of the robe. 25 They also made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates all around on the hem of the robe, 26 alternating a bell and a pomegranate all around on the hem of the robe for the service, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.” Exodus 39:22-26.

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Is there significance to the bells and pomegranates that were on the bottom of the robe?

Before searching, I thought that would be verses showing bells to be part of the worship service. But, I did not see any such references.

Regarding pomegranates, there were a few references, mostly in the Song of Solomon to show love. Here a few examples.

“Your lips are like a scarlet thread, And your mouth is lovely. Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate Behind your veil.” Song of Solomon 4:3.

“Let us rise early and go to the vineyards; Let us see whether the vine has budded And its blossoms have opened, And whether the pomegranates have bloomed. There I will give you my love.” Song of Solomon 7:12.

“I would lead you and bring you Into the house of my mother, who used to instruct me; I would give you spiced wine to drink from the juice of my pomegranates.” Song of Solomon 8:12.

10 “How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride!

How much better is your love than wine,

And the fragrance of your oils

Than all kinds of spices!

11 “Your lips, my bride, drip honey;

Honey and milk are under your tongue,

And the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.

12 “A garden locked is my sister, my bride,

A rock garden locked, a spring sealed up.

13 “Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates

With choice fruits, henna with nard plants,

14 Nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon,

With all the trees of frankincense,

Myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices.

15 “You are a garden spring,

A well of fresh water,

And streams flowing from Lebanon.” Song of Solomon 4:10.

After this review and my thought, I now conclude that the bells and pomegranates are symbols of joy and love. Bells represent joy as we usually ring bells to express joy. And, pomegranates represent love as shown above in the Song of Solomon.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2.

“The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5.

“But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You.” Psalm 5:11.

As there were alternating a bell and a pomegranate all around on the hem of the robe, our worship services all around will alternately show the LORD’s joy and love toward us and our joy and love to the LORD.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 39:8-21 which covers the construction of the breastplate. Here is a link to this Scripture – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+39&version=NASB

I quote the following verses.

“8 He made the breastpiece, the work of a skillful workman, like the workmanship of the ephod: of gold and of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. 9 It was square; they made the breastpiece folded double, a span long and a span wide when folded double. 10 And they mounted four rows of stones on it. The first row was a row of ruby, topaz, and emerald; 11 and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire and a diamond; 12 and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 13 and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were set in gold filigree settings when they were mounted. 14 The stones were corresponding to the names of the sons of Israel; they were twelve, corresponding to their names, engraved with the engravings of a signet, each with its name for the twelve tribes.” Exodus 39:8-14.

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“4 “Since you are precious in My sight,

Since you are honored and I love you,

I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.

5 “Do not fear, for I am with you;

I will bring your offspring from the east,

And gather you from the west.

6 “I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’

And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’

Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earth,

7 Everyone who is called by My name,

And whom I have created for My glory,

Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.” Isaiah 43:4-7.

I have a “psycho” dog named Rush. Rush is a German Short-Haired Pointer, full of energy. He is 10 months old, still a puppy, still growing, but big enough to cause havoc.

When I open his cage in the morning after he whines to be let out, he backs up to the back of the cage making me reach in to pull him out. As I pull him out, he nips at me.

He does the same thing when outside, and he jumps against our glass sliding door to be let in. As I open the sliding glass door, he backs up just out of my reach and then he runs away from me. The process continues. Finally, he gets close enough where I can reach him, and he nips at me.

When I take him for a walk, he has a harness and I have a harness. It is like trying to hold on to the tale of a tiger who wants to run everywhere at once.

But, on my computer, I have a cute desktop photo of Rush when we brought him home at 8 weeks old. And, rather than getting rid of Rush, that photo gets me through another day.

I think the principle is the same. When the priest presented himself to make sacrifice for the sins of the people of Israel, God would see the breastplate with all the jewels representing the tribes of Israel.

Israel may be “psycho” like Rush, but they are His chosen people and are precious in His sight, and they would be forgiven.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 39:1-9.

“1 Moreover, from the blue and purple and scarlet material, they made finely woven garments for ministering in the holy place as well as the holy garments which were for Aaron, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

2 He made the ephod of gold, and of blue and purple and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen. 3 Then they hammered out gold sheets and cut them into threads to be woven in with the blue and the purple and the scarlet material, and the fine linen, the work of a skillful workman. 4 They made attaching shoulder pieces for the ephod; it was attached at its two upper ends. 5 The skillfully woven band which was on it was like its workmanship, of the same material: of gold and of blue and purple and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

6 They made the onyx stones, set in gold filigree settings; they were engraved like the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the sons of Israel. 7 And he placed them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.” Exodus 39:1-9.

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“Now Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the Lord had commanded Moses. With him was Oholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and a skillful workman and a weaver in blue and in purple and in scarlet material, and fine linen.” Exodus 38:22-23. They made the priestly garments “just as the Lord had commanded”.

This phrase “just as the Lord had commanded” is repeated 3 times in today’s Scripture (verses 1, 5, and 7).

Our hope is that we too will do “just as the Lord had commanded”.

Our hope is not based on our own alleged free-will nor our own will-power nor our own wisdom nor our own skill.

Our hope that we too will do “just as the Lord had commanded” is based on God’s sovereign power and irresistible grace.

Our hope is based on God causing us to obey Him. “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” Ezekiel 36:27.

Our hope is based on God Who “… is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 38:21-31. Here is a link to this Scripture – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+38&version=NASB

I quote the following verses.

“21 This is the number of the things for the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony, as they were numbered according to the command of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. …

24 All the gold that was used for the work, in all the work of the sanctuary, even the gold of the wave offering, was 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 25 The silver of those of the congregation who were numbered was 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary; 26 a beka a head (that is, half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary), for each one who passed over to those who were numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men. 27 The hundred talents of silver were for casting the sockets of the sanctuary and the sockets of the veil; one hundred sockets for the hundred talents, a talent for a socket. 28 Of the 1,775 shekels, he made hooks for the pillars and overlaid their tops and made bands for them. 29 The bronze of the wave offering was 70 talents and 2,400 shekels.” Exodus Chapter 38: Verses 21 and 24-29.

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Who cares about all these numbers? God cares about all these numbers!

We have a whole book of the Bible devoted to numbers, appropriately called “Numbers”.

We don’t need to memorize these numbers, but we need to know the underlying principle behind these numbers, namely, that God’s understanding is infinite. God is knowledgeable about every detail, every number, and God is in total and absolute control of every detail, every number.

“4 He counts the number of the stars;

He gives names to all of them.

5 Great is our Lord and abundant in strength;

His understanding is infinite.” Psalm 147:4-5.

And, God cares for us. “Numbers” should build our faith.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-30.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 38:9-20. Here is a link to that Scripture – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+38&version=NASB

I quote the following verses.

“Then he made the court: for the south side the hangings of the court were of fine twisted linen, one hundred cubits; their twenty pillars, and their twenty sockets, made of bronze; the hooks of the pillars and their bands were of silver.” Exodus 38:9-20.

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Today’s Scripture details the construction of the curtains (“the hangings of the court”) and all the items needed to hang them. Continuing the focus of the last two devotions on the use of the metals gold and bronze, I note the prominence of the metal silver in today’s Scripture: “the hooks of the pillars and their bands were of silver.”

We experience troubles and tribulations in life. But, God preserves us. God refines us as silver.

“For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined.” Psalm 66:10.

In a sense, like the curtains in today’s Scripture, you could say that we were hung up. But, God gives all the grace that we need to deal with those troubles and tribulations. We are on His precious hooks of silver.

“8 Bless our God, O peoples,

And sound His praise abroad,

9 Who keeps us in life

And does not allow our feet to slip.

10 For You have tried us, O God;

You have refined us as silver is refined.

11 You brought us into the net;

You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins.

12 You made men ride over our heads;

We went through fire and through water,

Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.” Psalm 66:8-12.

“The righteous cry and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, And saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:17-19 (emphasis added).

“O love the Lord, all you His godly ones! The Lord preserves the faithful And fully recompenses the proud doer.” Psalm 31:23.

So, while you are hung up, rest. You are on silver hooks. You are being refined.

“… We went through fire and through water,

Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.” Psalm 66:12.

“7 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him;

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath;

Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.

9 For evildoers will be cut off,

But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.

10 Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more;

And you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there.

11 But the humble will inherit the land

And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.” Psalm 37:7-11.

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.

Today’s Scripture comes from Exodus 37:1-29, the whole chapter. Here is a link to this Scripture – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+37&version=NASB

I quote the following verses.

“Now Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; its length was two and a half cubits, and its width one and a half cubits, and its height one and a half cubits; and he overlaid it with pure gold inside and out, and made a gold molding for it all around. He cast four rings of gold for it on its four feet; even two rings on one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. He made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.” Exodus 37:1-4.

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Exodus Chapter 37 details the construction of the ark, table, lampstand, and altar of incense. All of these items were either made of gold or overlaid with gold. As one example, Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood, and “he overlaid it with pure gold inside and out, and made a gold molding for it all around.” Gold is precious.

But, as desirable as gold is, …

“The law of Your mouth is better to me

Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” Psalm 119:72.

“Therefore I love Your commandments

Above gold, yes, above fine gold.” Psalm 119:127.

“7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.

10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;

In keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-11.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 36:8-38. Here is a link to this Scripture – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+36&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“8 All the skillful men among those who were performing the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet material, with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman, Bezalel made them. …

35 Moreover, he made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen; he made it with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman. …” Exodus Chapter 36: Verse 8 and 35.

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Today’s Scripture details the construction of the tabernacle. We read all of the precise and precious details of building the tabernacle and the need of skillful men to perform the work, most notably “with cherubim (angels), the work of a skillful workman, Bezalel made them.”

Today’s Scripture leads me to think about the building of the church and all the precise and precious details of building the church and the need of skillful men to perform the work, most notably the work of Christ, the skillful builder of the church Who stated: “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Matthew 15:18.

We are “… looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:10.

“But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.” 1 Corinthians 12:18.

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13.

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16.

“you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10.

“… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:25-27.

“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,” Revelation 21-2-3.

“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper.” Revelation 21:10-11.