Redundant:  See Redundant

Exodus 37:25-29

When Robin Williams wrote that joke, he may have been reading Exodus.  I'm looking forward to Leviticus- you don't hear that sentence very often.  This passage talks about the building of the altar of incense.  If you'd like a refresher on our previous discussion the first time Moses went through these details (and why wouldn't you?) you can look here:  http://chiphall.blogspot.com/2008/08/days-before-deodorant-exodus-30-1-10-so.html

I wonder when these craftsmen were plying their trade if they realized just what they were doing. Granted they knew the construction side of things, but did they get why God was having them create the various altars and edifices?  

And what must it have been like for the perfumer to work for God?  Did he feel a fulfillment in his job that he never had before?  Was it a great marketing tool?  Smell like God's official altar...yes, I'm that perfumer!  Was it just another day at the office?

Those are moments to savor- when the work you do every day is obviously praising God.  A doctor saves a life, a musician creates a work of majestic beauty, a libraian inspires literacy, or a dj comforts a distraught soul with a request played.  Some moments ring of importance, some are subtle, but when our work touches others in life changing ways, then maybe we become that perfumer seeing the value in the beauty we create.

Shine a Light

Exodus 37:17-24

It's passages like these that give the Old Testament a bad name.  It really is beyond me why we need so much repetition here at the end of Exodus... but like it or not, we're getting it.  So, the lampstand and lamps are built.  We discussed plans for them here:  http://chiphall.blogspot.com/2007/11/hide-it-under-bushel-no-exodus-2531-40.html

My reaction to all of this gold is one of curiosity.  I kind of feel like Judas claimed to when the woman poured the ointment on Jesus' feet... it seems like 75 pounds of gold could feed lots of people and wouldn't that glorify God more than a golden lampstand?  Maybe it says a lot about how already took care of the poor, maybe it says a lot about the lack of material "necessity" in that culture, maybe it speaks to a greater equality in wealth-sharing, maybe it shows that at times God likes extravegance in His honor- but for whatever reason... 75 pounds of gold goes to create this lampstand.

Litle by little, God's plans for his "house" are coming together.