I received a treasured gift from my cousin Becky, an ornament for my garden with the most brilliant detail!! Pictured here in a patch of bee balm, the stone is adorned with her intricately painted design. Whenever I catch its glimpse, my mind drifts to the jeweled breastplates crafted for the Israelites’ priests, and I am drawn through Becky’s talent to be dazzled by Lord’s attention to craftsmanship.
— anyone whose heart makes him willing is to bring the offering for Adonai: gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn; fine linen, goat’s hair, tanned ram skins and fine leather; acacia-wood; oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; onyx stones and stones to be set, for the ritual vest and the breastplate.
Exodus 25:5-9 CJB
I love the material crossroads in this passage. Botanicals supply fragrance, fabric, dyes, lumber, and light; and paired with animal hides and earth’s luminescent stones, a rich cache is compiled from which to create God’s dwelling place: The Tabernacle. God’s Spirit moves hearts on both sides—in those who will supply the goods, and in those who will form and shape them into a sheltered enclosure for the living Lord—so attentive is His plan and provision.
The people must make a sacred Tent for me, so that I may live among them.
Exodus 25:8 GNT
Even in temporary circumstances, He goes to great lengths to ensure beauty and artisan attention. Along the journey to greater promises, with God, still the details flourish.
This home of mine shall be a tent pavilion—a Tabernacle. I will give you a drawing of the construction plan and the details of each furnishing.
Exodus 25:9 TLB
May you join me in receiving this refreshing gift! Cousin Becky’s handiwork resounds God’s hands-on, intimate knowing, His particular attention, His promises. Bless us to remember and trust you, O Lord!
…the fulfillment of God’s promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing him and what he does. God’s promise arrives as pure gift.
Romans 4:16 The Message
This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details.
Ephesians 3:7 The Message
Read more about the Sinai Desert in God’s Word for Gardeners Bible with a week’s series of devotions outlined on pages a-14 and a-15.
