Exodus 39:32–43 “Just as the LORD Commanded”

Family/Children’s Resources will resume on Monday, July 28 (due to limited internet access at Youth Short-Term Outreach Trip.)

Explanation:

Thus, the tabernacle, along with all its furnishings and utensils and even the priestly garments, was completed exactly as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they brought it to Moses (verses 32–41). Here, the author does not hesitate to once again list each item that was made. The author emphasizes that the workers did everything just as the LORD had commanded (v. 42). Moses inspected all the work, confirmed that it had been made according to the LORD’s instructions, and then blessed them (v. 43).

Meditation:

In describing the process of making the priestly garments, the author repeatedly uses the phrase, “just as the LORD had commanded Moses” (verses 1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31, 42). This repetition is clearly intentional, like a refrain. Furthermore, the author writes that after Moses inspected everything that had been made, “he blessed them because they had done it just as the LORD had commanded” (v. 43). This highlights that the focus throughout the entire process was not human creativity or artistry, but faithful obedience to the LORD’s instructions. The reason the tabernacle construction was deemed successful was that it was done exactly as God had commanded.

Just as Bezalel and Oholiab made everything not according to their own ideas but according to God’s instructions, we too must build our lives and our world not on human ideologies or philosophies, but on the Word of God. This is easy to say, but hard to live out. Few phrases are more ambiguous or misused than “I will live according to God’s Word.” Throughout Christian history, many terrible acts have been committed by those who claimed they were simply obeying God’s Word. Even today, we often see people who, in the name of strictly following God’s Word, end up clouding God’s glory and distorting God’s will. They select only parts of Scripture that support their own views, define God’s will according to their personal opinions, and insist that they are submitting to God. But that is not obedience to God—it is obedience to self.

Speaking about God’s will requires utmost caution. It is not something to proclaim loudly or use as a slogan. It must be spoken with a humble voice, gently and carefully. Obeying God’s will is not about leading crowds or showcasing power—it is about walking quietly yet firmly in the place where one is called. It is about daily examining one’s own steps. We must constantly and thoroughly reflect on whether we are following our own desires under the pretense of following God’s will. Only then can God’s will truly be fulfilled through us. That is the most beautiful, most natural, and most blessed way to live.

Prayer:

Lord, You have said that the one You seek is “the one with clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false” (Psalm 24:4). Lord, please make our hearts clear as crystal so we may discern Your will, and cleanse our hands so we may serve Your purpose. Let us not live according to our own ambitions, but in submission to Your will. Amen.