How does Moses' action in Exodus 40:20 inspire us to uphold God's law? Setting the scene Exodus 40 brings the wilderness tabernacle to completion. Every piece is positioned exactly “as the LORD had commanded Moses.” The centerpiece is the Ark of the Covenant, the gold-covered chest designed to house the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. A close look at the verse “He took the Testimony and placed it into the ark, attached the poles to the ark, and put the mercy seat on top of the ark.” (Exodus 40:20) Why Moses’ action is so significant - He treats God’s Word as a tangible treasure, physically setting it in the most sacred space on earth. - He obeys down to the smallest detail, mirroring the exact blueprint given in Exodus 25:10-22. - He positions the Testimony beneath the mercy seat, reminding Israel that mercy and obedience are inseparably linked (cf. Psalm 85:10). Timeless principles we can draw - God’s law deserves a protected, honored place in our lives. - Obedience is expressed not only in belief but in careful, practical action. - Reverence for the law must coexist with confidence in God’s mercy. Scripture echoes that reinforce the lesson - Deuteronomy 6:6-8: “These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts.” - Psalm 119:11: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” - Jeremiah 31:33: “I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts.” - John 14:15: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” - James 1:22: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Practical ways to follow Moses’ example - Set God’s Word at the center of daily routines: morning reading, meal-time reflection, evening review. - Memorize key passages so the “Testimony” is stored within, not merely on a shelf. - Guard the integrity of Scripture by resisting distortion or selective obedience. - Balance devotion to the commands with gratitude for the “mercy seat” Christ provides (Hebrews 4:16). - Model careful obedience in small matters: honesty, Sabbath rhythm, honoring parents, fidelity, truth-telling. Living it out When Moses slid the stone tablets into the ark, he showed future generations how to uphold God’s law: protect it, honor it, center life around it, and carry it forward under the covering of mercy. Imitating that pattern today keeps our hearts aligned with the unchanging Word and the gracious God who gave it. |
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