What can we learn about obedience from the craftsmen's work in Exodus 38:1? The Text Itself “Bezalel constructed the altar of burnt offering from acacia wood. It was square, five cubits long and five cubits wide, and three cubits high.” (Exodus 38:1) Following the Blueprint—Exact, Not Approximate • God had already given detailed measurements for this altar in Exodus 27:1–2. • The craftsmen reproduce those dimensions without alteration. • Their precision shows that God’s instructions are not suggestions; they are commands to be kept “just so” (cf. Exodus 25:9; Hebrews 8:5). Obedience that Respects God’s Holiness • The altar is central to atonement; mishandling it would distort the picture of sacrifice fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 9:11–14). • By building it exactly as ordered, the craftsmen demonstrate reverence for God’s holy purpose. • When we obey fully, we likewise acknowledge God’s right to define how He is approached (Leviticus 10:1–3). Spirit-Empowered Skill and Willing Hearts • Bezalel had been “filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and ability” (Exodus 31:2–5). • Obedience here is not drudgery; it is Spirit-enabled craftsmanship. • True obedience today is still empowered by the Spirit (Ezekiel 36:27; Philippians 2:13). Community Obedience—Everyone Plays a Part • Though Bezalel is named, many unnamed artisans helped (Exodus 35:10). • Corporate faithfulness brings God’s plan to completion. • Our own service, however small, fits into the larger body’s obedience (1 Corinthians 12:4–18). Wholeheartedness, Not Partial Compliance • No shortcuts: acacia wood, precise dimensions, bronze overlay—every detail carried out. • James 1:22 warns against hearing without doing; the craftsmen are models of doing. • Colossians 3:23–24 urges us to serve “from the soul,” knowing the Lord rewards such obedience. Practical Takeaways for Today • Treat God’s Word as binding and accurate; resist the urge to edit or soften His commands. • Honor His holiness by obeying even the details that seem small or repetitive. • Rely on the Spirit for both skill and motivation when tasks feel beyond you. • Value the obedience of the whole church; your contribution matters. • Aim for complete, joyful compliance—nothing less reflects the craftsmen’s pattern. In the humble construction of a square altar, God shows that obedience is precise, worshipful, Spirit-driven, communal, and wholehearted—qualities still indispensable for His people. |
    |