The Intentionality of God
Over the last few weeks, we have been journeying through a study about the Tabernacle. I have found this topic in the Bible to be incredibly interesting as I've studied it over the last few years, and this message series has really stirred up new faith and joy in my heart. One idea that has stuck out to me is the intentionality of God when it comes to the Tabernacle. We see this intentionality in every single facet of the building and how God’s children were supposed to use it. This intentionality goes from the very beginning, with the building of the tabernacle, all the way through to the specific purposes and ways to approach the sacrifices made before Him.
In Exodus 25, we read “The Lord said to Moses, "Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them. Here is a list of sacred offerings you may accept from them: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood; olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; onyx stones, and other gemstones to be set in the ephod and the priest's chestpiece. "Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.”
Here we see an exact list of the offerings that God desired from them. We continue reading, "Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood-a sacred chest inches long, inches wide, and inches high. Overlay it inside and outside with pure gold, and run a molding of gold all around it. Cast four gold rings and attach them to its four feet, two rings on each side…”
Here God’s intentionality went down to the very inches of what He was asking them to build.
So my question for you, and for myself, is this: What is God asking us to be intentional about in our own lives?
I fully believe that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that means that the same God that asked Moses to be intentional in the building of the Tabernacle is the One who wants us to be intentional with what He asks of us. My challenge to myself is to have eyes open to see what God is doing, ears open to hear what He is saying, and a heart to know Him and all of His ways. I encourage you to ask the Lord what He wants you to bring some intentionality to and then listen and obey what He says! He is the Good Shepherd and will lead you and guide you in all that He is asking of you.
Let’s live intentional lives in service of God, following Him for all of our days!
ACTIVATION/PRAYER: Take a few moments to ask God to highlight a few things in your life that you could be more intentional about. Really listen; He loves speaking to His children! Write down what He says and then pray this prayer:
“God, you are the One who knows me best. You’re the One who sees me and who is holding my life. I thank You for all that You’re doing! I pray that You would help me be intentional in all of the ways that You’re calling me to be, and I ask that You would help me have eyes to see You, ears to hear You, and a heart to know You. You are so wonderful; You are greatly to be praised, and I love You. Amen.”
In Exodus 25, we read “The Lord said to Moses, "Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them. Here is a list of sacred offerings you may accept from them: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood; olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; onyx stones, and other gemstones to be set in the ephod and the priest's chestpiece. "Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.”
Here we see an exact list of the offerings that God desired from them. We continue reading, "Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood-a sacred chest inches long, inches wide, and inches high. Overlay it inside and outside with pure gold, and run a molding of gold all around it. Cast four gold rings and attach them to its four feet, two rings on each side…”
Here God’s intentionality went down to the very inches of what He was asking them to build.
So my question for you, and for myself, is this: What is God asking us to be intentional about in our own lives?
I fully believe that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that means that the same God that asked Moses to be intentional in the building of the Tabernacle is the One who wants us to be intentional with what He asks of us. My challenge to myself is to have eyes open to see what God is doing, ears open to hear what He is saying, and a heart to know Him and all of His ways. I encourage you to ask the Lord what He wants you to bring some intentionality to and then listen and obey what He says! He is the Good Shepherd and will lead you and guide you in all that He is asking of you.
Let’s live intentional lives in service of God, following Him for all of our days!
ACTIVATION/PRAYER: Take a few moments to ask God to highlight a few things in your life that you could be more intentional about. Really listen; He loves speaking to His children! Write down what He says and then pray this prayer:
“God, you are the One who knows me best. You’re the One who sees me and who is holding my life. I thank You for all that You’re doing! I pray that You would help me be intentional in all of the ways that You’re calling me to be, and I ask that You would help me have eyes to see You, ears to hear You, and a heart to know You. You are so wonderful; You are greatly to be praised, and I love You. Amen.”
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