3.12.26 – Looking Good

I woke up early this morning to Titus 2:11–14, the crux of Paul's letter to the "nobody knows who I am" Titus, and my mind was asking, "How does this fit in with us being God's Tabernacle?" "What does it look like on a day-to-day basis?"

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
(Titus 2:11–14)

A statement that moves us past "Trivial Pursuit Bible Edition" into "what does this look like in my life." During our Shabbat time yesterday, we spent a good amount of time in 2 Corinthians 5:1–11, linking our lives to the Tabernacle structure in Exodus 25–27. Let me encourage you to open up your Bible and read those verses slowly and methodically to get a grasp on how God views you and the importance of living out a "tabernacle life."

In our Torah portion this week, Vayakhel (Ex. 35–38), God's people have been forgiven of their grievous sin against their Husband, and the relationship has, after forty days, been restored. Now God tells Moses to gather (vayakhel) all the people together to build the Mishkan (Tabernacle) for God to dwell within them, according to the pattern in the heavens (Ex. 25:8–9). Within the text there is a list of materials that need to be brought voluntarily for the building. "What is the meaning of all these materials?" The blueprint in Exodus 25 and the revelation in chapter 35 both have the laundry list of materials (Ex. 35:3–9) that would be given by God's restored wife to build Him a house (Ex. 25:8), according to the pattern in the heavens (Ex. 25:9; Heb. 8:5).

Let us see if we can put some "so what" flesh on them there bones, so we can live out the tabernacle life on this fifth day of the week and beyond (2 Cor. 5:1–11):

  • Gold: glory, purity, kingly qualities, character

  • Silver: redemption

  • Brass: judgment

  • Blue: heaven, commandments

  • Purple: royalty

  • Scarlet: blood, suffering

  • Ram's skin dyed red: devotion and dedication

  • Goat's hair felted: covering, atonement, fresh start

  • Badger's skin?: humility

  • Fine twined linen: righteous actions

  • Acacia wood: humanity, incorruptible wood, medicinal salve, crown of thorns

  • Olive oil: Holy Spirit

  • Spices for anointing oil: imparting of gifts to another

  • Incense: prayer

  • Onyx stones: priestly connection to the people

  • Precious stones: God's people over God's heart

Now that we have our laundry list, what do we do now? As His Tabernacle—His dwelling place—should this laundry list, like ingredients to make a delicious meal, be put together, or should we just enjoy them in our spiritual pantry?

What would this look like today if we were to actively live them for others to see? Because we are to live our lives as representatives of the heavenly Tabernacle, our lives should outwardly show righteousness for those around us to see. And with that lifestyle (Deut. 6:23–25; Titus 2:11–14; Rev. 19:7–8), we should make sure that the inside matches with a life that is built on Christ's redemptive work (Matt. 23:26). Woven into those righteous actions are the colors of blue (obedience to the commandments), scarlet (willingness to suffer for His name's sake—Phil. 1:29), with the hope of experiencing purple (ruling and reigning with Him—Rom. 8:17–21).

The boards of the Tabernacle structure are upright and individual, yet all linked together as one unit (Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 12; Eph. 4). They are covered with gold and fine twined linen. The Tabernacle is covered with humility, a devoted life, and one that covers sin (Prov. 10:12).

Each of the vessels, which represent specific aspects of our daily intimacy with God, begins with the brass on the bronze altar and the bronze laver—the willingness to judge ourselves and approach Him on His terms (Matt. 7:1–4). Within the Holy Place—within our heart—we have the opportunity, twice daily, to fill our lamps with oil (Holy Spirit—Eph. 5:16–18) and offer incense (prayer—Ps. 141:2). Each vessel that is made of acacia wood reminds us, like a tree, that we should always be growing in these specific areas, and our covering should be of pure gold, while never forgetting our place over God's heart (precious stones—His people) and the strength of His shoulders (onyx stones—the collective people).

What does this day hold for you? God has declared us to be His witnesses (Isa. 43:10, 12; 44:8). How do we do this? Live who He designed you to be—His will on earth as it is in heaven (Matt. 6:10)—the Tabernacle (2 Cor. 5:1–11).

Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are coming soon. Where will you be celebrating (1 Cor. 5:7–8)?

Shalom,
Alan

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