Set Apart

Exodus chapters 25 - 40 (6 days in my http://www.bibleinayear.org/ reading plan). Yikes, has it really been a week since I last posted?!?! Work has been crazy - some unforseen complications has had me stressing out and working late. AND... The NUS Biathlon is in only 2 weeks! This is when I usually go through the "maybe I shouldn't do this" kinda thoughts, but it'll pass. :-)

So these 16 chapters are primarily about the Tabernacle - God's very detailed instructions about how to build and sanctify it, and the people's detailed obedience to build and sanctify it. I have always found it hard to visualise the Tabernacle and this time I decided to jump on the 'Net and goggle it. :-) Praise God for websites like http://www.the-tabernacle-place.com/ - I would encourage you to check it out if you have also had difficulty visualising the very detailed instructions on the Tabernacle and it's many furnishings.

As I read these chapters, the one thing that kept speaking to me was how the entire Tabernable and furnishings were set apart for God and God alone. Each and every instrument/furnishing served a special purpose and they were only to be used for worshipping God. Even the incense and annointing oil were specially prepared, and are only to be used for worship. We are now God's Tabernacle on earth - His dwelling place on earth (1 Corinthians 6:19), and in a similar way, we are to be set apart for God. It doesn't mean that we are to be so "holy" as to live apart from society (God does not call us to be hermits - not all of us anyway), but it means that even as we live and function in this world, we need to be conscious that we live, breathe, think and act for Him. A preacher once said that it is impossible to be so holy that we are of no earthly use. Reason being that if we are indeed holy (i.e. set apart for God), we would set apart our hearts for Him, and God's heart is with his people. We cannot be set apart for God if we do not share His love for His creations.

My prayer is that God will protect us and minister to us even as we are set apart for Him in this fallen world. Because we are different from the world, and we can only find peace and joy in our purpose - which is to be set apart for worshipping Him. Amen!