Bob Briner, author of Roaring Lambs wrote, “We have created a phenomenal subculture with our own media, entertainment, educational system, and political hierarchy so that we have the sense that we’re doing a lot. But what we’ve really done is create a ghetto that is easily dismissed by the rest of society.” It’s about stories and not lectures, engagement and not boycotts. Previous chapters in Ex. 24-25 demonstrated the priority of a mentoring ministry to younger adults. The passage in Ex. 26-27 provide guidelines in its construction and focus. Media that teach God’s word should reflect the creativity, handiwork and beauty of God.
Skillful workman made the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted, blue, purple and scarlet linen and cherubim. They joined five curtains each to one another using 50 loops and 50 clasps so the tabernacle could be a unit. They made 11 curtains of goats’ hair for a tent over the tabernacle with length of 30 cubits and width, 4 cubits. Five curtains were joined with the other six by themselves. A covering was made for the tent of rams’ skin dyed red and a covering of porpoise skins above (Ex. 26:1-14). Skillful workmen demonstrate God’s creativity in media to teach His word.
The boards of acacia wood were overlaid with gold and silver for the tabernacle. They made rings of gold as holders for the bars and erected the tabernacle according to its plan shown in the mountain. A skillful workman made a veil of blue, purple, scarlet material and fine twisted linen with cherubim. The ark of testimony was brought within the veil and the veil served as a partition between the holy place and the holy of holies. They put the mercy seat on the ark of testimony in the holy of holies. They set the table outside the veil and the lampstand opposite the table on south side and table on the north side (Ex. 26:15-37). Christ’s sacrificial blood allows you to break through the veil of sin so you can draw near to God and experience His forgiveness.
They made the altar of acacia wood that was five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high. They made all the utensils bronze. They made poles of acacia wood to be inserted in rings and hollow with planks as shown on the mountain. They made the court of the tabernacle with hangings of fine twisted linen 100 cubits long and 50 cubits wide. For the gate of that court consisted of a 20 cubit screen with blue, purple and scarlet material of fine twisted linen, the work of a weaver . Pillars around the court would be furnished with silver bands (Ex. 27:1-19). Craftsmen working with brilliant colors reflect God’s beauty and handiwork.
“Charge the sons of Israel to bring you clear oil of beaten olives for light to make the lamp burn continually. In the tent of meetings outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before the Lord as perpetual statute throughout their generations (Ex. 27:20-21). Continuous and sacrificial prayer before God allow His light to shine brightly throughout all generations forever.
How does creative and beautiful media draw you closer to God? Pray continually and sacrificially to His light can shine brightly in our dark world.
