Midas Touch

Exodus 37:10-16

We're still in reruns...or maybe in this section it would be appropriate to say we're revisiting golden oldies. You can find our original discussion on the golden table here: http://chiphall.blogspot.com/2007/11/tabled-discussion-exodus-25-23-30.html . It wasn't too interesting the first time.


Not much new to add. God gave them specifications...and it looks like they did it.

Now this is all being made from items freely donated by the Israelites. I wonder if this gave them an added connection to the finished product. Look Jimmy, grandpa's gold watch went into this table, you can still hear it ticking. Well, I can't chew my food because I don't have any fillings left, but that table is majestic.

And if so, maybe we should have that same connection to what's done with our "golden offerings." Instead of a blind sense of satisfaction, maybe we should take more specific interests in the lives of those who are impacted by what we give.

Author Shane Claiborne downplays the role of charity because it separates the classes of people involved. If I have money, I give, I get rid of my guilt, but I never become involved in the lives of the needy. He advocates becoming one of the needy- being connected with where our help goes.

I still think charity is important. But I think that the idea of becoming involved in the lives of those who you impact is powerful and important. I've strayed a bit from the golden table here - but maybe in the same way an Israelite might feel more connected to a table made for God because of the role they played in it being built, I might feel more connected to people all over the world if I not only help them...but am invested in the finished product.

Arkane Discussion

Exodus 37:1-9

Really short section without much new. If you recall, we earlier discussed detail about the construction of the ark. If you don't recall, you can find it here: http://chiphall.blogspot.com/2007/10/real-reason-jesus-became-carpenter.html

So, it seems that Bezalel took on the task of building the ark to God's specifications. The end.

Almost. So, he builds these poles to carry the ark... but I wonder at what point these poles became necessary for carrying it. Bezalel obviously had to touch the ark to build it... at some point this will become off-limits. But how does that happen- and how does he know?

More interestingly, how does that change affect Bezalel? An artist would surely feel some sense of ownership for the art he created. When a composer hears her song on the radio- there's a sense of pride that comes with it. When a playwright sees his play performed- he still feels a part of the process, even if he wasn't directly involved with that specific production.

What would it be like for Belazel to have worked so hard and created this beautiful artifice and do it with the spirit of worship only to know that once it's done- you've got to keep your hands off? Maybe the lesson is to understand what it means to truly turn things over to God- to release them- to let them go.

Once you've invested time, money, energy, love, and/or sweat- if it's really not for you... maybe it's ok to not have ownership any more. Maybe, as difficult as it may be, it isn't until we've released it, when we've agreed to keep our hands off, that it's really a gift for God and not just a gift from God.

Hard Hat Area

Exodus 36:8-38

And you thought it was boring the first time.

If you've keeping score at home, you may remember talking about God's instructions for the tabernacle. We heard great detail about curtains and frames and inlaid cherubims. We shared a laugh, maybe a tear...it was a grand time. If you want to relive it, look here: http://chiphall.blogspot.com/2007/11/put-it-on-my-tab.html


In this equally riveting passage, we see the tabernacle actually being built. The blueprint becomes action. They work with linen, they make rings, crossbars of acacia wood. It may have made for a beautiful edifice, it doesn't make for an interesting narrative.

But I wonder about what these workers are feeling as construction goes on. Are they paranoid that a beam isn't exactly the length God commanded? Are they pounding with pride knowing they're doing God's work? Are they thrilled to finally be connected with the other Israelite followers... finally a shared experience of importance? Are they tired of it all and resentful? Or maybe a mixture of them all?

I feel all of these emotions at times doing my own taberbacle building (not a power tool in sight). Sometimes elation at feeling like I'm finally a part of the club, sometimes skepticism that what I'm doing matters or makes a difference, sometimes burnout if the load isn't shared, sometimes self-importance, forgetting what the focus of it all should be.

Many of these emotions aren't things to be proud of... but they happen. I think especially when we focus on the "what" at the expense of the "why".

It might be easier to keep your eye on God when the commands are coming audibly, but it's no less important for us view our work as God's work- and do it for Him even when we're fighting feelings of being burdened.