Many times God seems far away. Statistics from George Barna show that less than one percent of those between the ages of 18 and 23 have a biblical worldview. Barna suggested that “parents are not focused on guiding their children to have a biblical worldview. One of the challenges for parents, though, is that you cannot give what you do not have, and most parents do not possess such a perspective on life.” Paul instructed Timothy to take things he heard from him and entrust to faithful men so they could teach others (2 Tim. 2:2). Furthermore, he was to suffer hardship as a soldier by not getting entangled in the affairs of everyday life (2 Tim. 2:3-4). God inspired Moses to take the soldier mentality and live in spiritual intimacy while making no provision for the flesh.
They made finely woven garment that Aaron used for ministering in the holy place. They made a ephod and attaching shoulder pieces of fine twisted linen and gold sheets woven together, the work of a skillful workman just as the Lord commanded Moses (Ex. 39:1-5). God prepares you for spiritual intimacy with Christ.
They made onyx stones set in gold filigree settings engraved like signet with the names of the sons of Israel. They were placed on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones just as the Lord commanded Moses (Ex. 39:6-7). God engraves your name like precious stones near His heart.
He made a breastpiece like the workmanship of the ephod of gold, blue, purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. They mounted four rows of precious stones set in gold filigree setting engraved with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. They made on the breastpiece chains like twisted cordage in pure gold and placed two gold rings on the two ends of the breastpiece just as the Lord commanded Moses (Ex. 39:8-21). God protects your heart to remain pure.
They made the robe of the ephod of blue woven work and pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet material and twisted linen on the hem of the robe. They made bells of pure gold between the pomegranates for the service just as the Lord commanded Moses (Ex. 39:22-26). God clothes you with Christ to make no provision for the flesh.
They made tunics, turban, decorated caps, linen breeches, sash of finely woven or twisted linen for Aaron and his sons. It was blue, purple and scarlet material, the work of the weaver, just as the Lord commanded Moses (Ex. 39:27-29). God renews your mind to know and do His will.
They used pure gold to make the plate of the holy crown, which was inscribed like engravings of a signet, “Holy to the Lord.” They fastened a blue cord so all of it could be attached on the turban above, just as the Lord commanded Moses (Ex. 39:30-31). God crowns you with ultimate worth more precious than gold.
Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was completed. They brought the tabernacle to Moses, the tent and all its furnishings, covering of rams’ skins dyed red and porpoise skins, screening veil, ark of the testimony with its poles, mercy seat, table, utensils, bread of Presence, pure gold lampstand with its arrangements of lamps, utensils and oil for the light, gold altar, anointing oil and fragrant incense, veil for the doorway of the tent, laver, hangings for the court, equipment for the service of the tabernacle and tent of meeting, holy garments for Aaron and his sons to minister as priests. Moses examined and blessed all the work they had done just as the Lord commanded (Ex. 39:32-43). God sees and blesses works done in His name.
To learn how to make no provision for the flesh, use a chiastic structure beginning with the first paragraph: A, B, C, D, C’, B’ A’. We group together the content in A & A’, B & B’, etc.:
1. God prepares you for spiritual intimacy by seeing and blessing your works
2. God engraves your name like precious stones upon His heart and crowns you with ultimate worth more precious than gold
3. God protects your heart to remain pure and renews your mind to know and do His will
