Vol II: #81 Faithful, Good, and Pleased
After BSSM, I decided to read through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation which is always a hoot. Much of scripture is never taught or mentioned in church or Bible class. Several times a week I’ll have a “that’s in the Bible?!” moment. These hidden stories and people help add to the wonder of the exercise.
This week, I finished Exodus, which ends with the Lord’s instructions for the Tabernacle. Then, a few people are selected to build the thing, and it’s gets done. The verses read like “so-and-so built the Glory seat as the Lord commanded, according to what the the Lord commanded Moses.” This portion of the Bible like reading a cell phone bill or the fine print on the warranty for your microwave. (We don’t like to call our sacred scripture “boring” but it could be applied to the end of Exodus…by a less careful person.)
Right at the end of Chapter 39, pinned onto the end of another chapter dedicated to the meticulous instructions and build of the Tabernacle, was this:
And Moses examined all the work and behold, they had done it; just as the Lord had commanded, this they had done. So Moses blessed them.
- Exodus 39:43
I’m amazed. Here we have this intricate undertaking to house the presence of God, and it went off without a hitch. If you read every verse from Genesis 1 to Exodus 39:43, you’ll know how rare it is to build something without a delay or disagreement, but not Moses and his construction crew. They bossed the assignment. Good for them.
This one line sentence gave me as hope this week because I think about pleasing God, a lot. It’ not fun because I judge myself- my effort, motivation, and results. And, perhaps all that matters to the Lord. But really, I believe He’s interested in the effort and the doing. “Good enough” exists for the Lord. Perfection isn’t what He wants and it’s not a word the Lord uses when He talks to us. He uses words like faithful, good, and pleased.
Just something to think about.
