Give that the Light may Shine

Daily Reading: Exodus 27

Scripture Focus: You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn. (Exodus 27:20)

Devotional Thought: Through Moses, God instructed the Israelites to bring pure beaten olive oil for the light that was positioned in front of the veil and that was to be tended by Aaron and his sons 24/7 – the light that never went out.

This would have taken much oil! Notice the Lord’s command is addressed to the Israelite people as a whole. This seems to be a risky command, almost certain to fall to “everyone else.” Oil was very costly and not easily obtained in these days. Relating this to our own experience, pretend you have a friend in need of a large sum of money. Would you not be more likely to respond to the friend’s plea for help if the request came directly and specifically to you, rather than a mass email to everyone on their contact list? And yet the Lord chose to place this burden on the people as a whole, rather than on specific tribes or clans.

The Israelites miraculously responded with incredible generosity! We see in Exodus 36, how generous they were feeling at this point in time: the men who were collecting the necessary items for the Tabernacle came to Moses and said, “The people are bringing much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do,” (Ex. 36:5). They had to be restrained from bringing any more (v6)! Do we give that joyfully or sacrificially? Or do we count on others to pull the weight and give what is needed? Believers, let us give cheerfully and generously, and watch as the glory of the Lord fills His temple!

Jenny

Prayer: Lord, open our eyes to the needs that exist around us. Help us to give from a cheerful heart, knowing that the sacrifice is eternal, because it was done with a heart of love towards you.

Psalm of the Day: 17 Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. 18 They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. 19 They spoke against God, saying, "Can God spread a table in the wilderness? 20 He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?" 21 Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel, 22 because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power. 23 Yet he commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven, 24 and he rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven. 25 Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance. 26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the south wind; 27 he rained meat on them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas; 28 he let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings. 29 And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved. 30 But before they had satisfied their craving, while the food was still in their mouths, 31 the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them and laid low the young men of Israel. (Psalms 78:17-31)