The greatest hidden miracle?

Exodus 39:32-43 NIV

So all the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses. Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent and all its furnishings, its clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; the covering of ram skins dyed red and the covering of another durable leather and the shielding curtain; the ark of the covenant law with its poles and the atonement cover; the table with all its articles and the bread of the Presence; the pure gold lampstand with its row of lamps and all its accessories, and the olive oil for the light; the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent; the bronze altar with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the basin with its stand; the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; the ropes and tent pegs for the courtyard; all the furnishings for the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; and the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when serving as priests.  The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses. Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.

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People prize things.

Crossing the Red Sea was quite the miracle. But I'm inclined to see the building of the tabernacle as an even greater miracle.

To be sure there were a lot of people (maybe  more than a million) and since they were facing a wet wide deep sea they had their proverbial backs against the wall. There were ducks, cows, sheep, horses, chickens, and all manner of livestock. Then there was the large load of swag. Everybody had a looters paradise of booty. Wonderful to possess but a pig to transport. And lastly there was an army with horses and chariots in hot pursuit intent on getting back the contents of the of their mattresses, closets and safety deposit boxes. So the Israelites had a big motivation to exit stage left and make like a tree and leave.
The rest of the story is well known rehearsed and sung about for many millenia. Dry crossing was provided by God for the Israelites as a trap to bury Pharaoh's army, horses, chariots and at the bottom of the sea in Davy Jones' locker.

But think about it everyone was highly motivated by survival and treasure! A combination that has kept the laziest focused and active.

Now consider the tabernacle. First miracle is that God's people give so much by way of  building materials the workers have to ask Moses to stop the people. Unbridled generosity is rare in an individual and then to see a band of refugees give up more than a ton of gold, and absolutely train loads of other materials willingly is unprecedented and unparalleled. Take for instance the bronze basin recorded for us and paraphrased by Eugene Peterson in the Message (Exodus 38:8 MSG)

He made the Bronze Washbasin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women's work group who were assigned to serve at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Thier mirrors would have been highly valued items, often used and greatly desirable.

Then there's the fact the tabernacle was finished exactly according to plan, on time and with a budget surplus.

There were no overruns, nothing over budget, all the required skill was procured in house nothing had to be subbed out to another nation.

With so many people working on a project in the middle of no where makes the US Navy sea bees look like complete armatures.
And everything fit. And worked together. Neither the function nor the artistry was compromised. Every detail was finely crafted.

And why? These people complained about food, water, wandering, Moses' extended quiet time and they made the golden calf idol to worship thereby breaking the first simple rule they were given.

The tabernacle didn't feed them, it didn't increase their wealth. Most of them would never see the pretty parts of the tabernacle.

On every level this tabernacle project defies logic and human nature.

Truly this was one of the most extraordinary miracles ever recorded in human history.

Oh and it wasn't completed by taxing the people nor by commanding or coercion.

Exodus 35:29 NLT

So the people of Israel—every man and woman who was eager to help in the work the Lord had given them through Moses—brought their gifts and gave them freely to the Lord .

This could be the greatest miracle in all of Exodus.

Has God done anything like this in your heart, or in your church?

Delmar was right!

Luke 12:15-21 NLT

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.  He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’  Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.  And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

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This test reveals the state of our heart. Do you really trust Jesus to meet your needs?

Talk about countercultural,  seems Everything that has breath in this world is either praising wealth or seeking it. But Delmar's advise to Pete in O Brother Where Art Thou is good advice,  "Do not seek the treasure!"  Unless it is the treasure of having your sins washed away, even if it's knocking over the Piggly Wiggly and then lying about it. See what seeking the world's treasure leads to.

Jesus wants to know if you love and trust him more than wealth. Evaluate your goals, your actions, your time, your pride, your desires or your giving. What does it reveal?

I think it is impossible to trust God for all your needs unless He has worked the miracle of redemption in your soul.

But if you are a real believer I still don't think it will be easy or immediately natural to love God more than money. But I know you'll know it's the right way to live. You'll feel the struggle. You'll want to trust God more than money. And in many ways you'll begin to show it by giving to to others in need. You won't always think you'd be happier if you had a little more.
You will find a way to share. You'll think about others' needs more than you think of your own desires. And you won't keep hoping you hit it big in the lottery, or that a rich relative will leave you a bundle. You won't fall for some insurance scam, law offices advert or class action suit.
Your hope will not be in wealth.

You'll believe that a rich relationship with God is better than anything else.

You'll invest in your relationship with God. You'll read his word. You'll obey out of love. You'll not seek this world's empty treasure.

So how's your heart? What does it reveal?

Here read a bit more of what Jesus said about this :

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Luke 12:22-34 NLT

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.  For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.  Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things.  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

The problem of rust.

Matthew 6:19-21 NLT

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.  Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

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People don't really believe in heaven. Many people do believe in pensions, investment portfolios and savings accounts. Others believe in a good education or hard work and determination. But people don't believe in heaven. Some people believe in global warming, the effects of an eco-friendly life, their carbon footprint or saving the shark from extinction but they don't believe in heaven.

Do you really believe in heaven? Do you believe in God up above? Do you believe he rewards those who desire his kingdom more than the things in this world you can love?

Are you hoping to be comfortable, secure and well off because of your wisdom, your savings and shrewdness? Are you trusting in things of this world? Or have you set your heart upon heaven and believed in the promise of God? Have you put your hope in God's goodness and set your heart on things stored up above?

Be honest with yourself, does heaven fit in your plans?