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Menorah, Only a Model

September 19, 2011 by Fritz

And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick — Numbers 8:3-5

One symbol for Israel is the Menorah — seven lamps, or candlesticks, for a perpetual light in the Old Testament Tabernacle’s holy place.

But the Bible says it was made from a pattern, or model, shown to Moses when he met God on Mount Sinai — A model represents something bigger, like the model cars I made when I was a child. So what’s the real thing?

We see candlesticks before God’s throne in another place

I saw a gold menorah
with seven branches,
And in the center, the Son of Man,
in a robe and gold breastplate,
hair a blizzard of white,
Eyes pouring fire-blaze,
both feet furnace-fired bronze,
— Revelation 1:12-13 (Message Bible)

Jesus, wanting us to know what this really represents, told John,:

“Now write down everything you see: things that are, things about to be. [T]he seven-branched gold menorah—do you want to know what’s behind them? … the menorah’s seven branches are the seven churches.” – Revelation 1:20 (Message Bible)

Seven represents completeness. Long ago in that Old Testament Tabernacle those seven lamps were standing in for the Church in this world, shining light in a dark sanctuary, letting people see to sacrifice their offerings and burn their incense.

We, the holy Church of God, corporately and individually have a holy calling and a wonderful purpose.

fritz@langgang.com

Posted in Bible, Christ's Body, Church, Explanations | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

Pointing Patterns

September 18, 2011 by Fritz

“[M]ake me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, … make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount” – Exodus 25:8-9, 40

God reveals himself throughout history — some even call “History”, “His-Story”. When God revealed himself to Israel he commanded a tabernacle be built from a pattern, or template, which Moses saw when he met with God. The instructions were very detailed.

Why would God do that unless he desires we see the “pattern” and understand the reality it represents? Hebrews, in the Bible, picks up on this, calling them “Shadows” of the reality (Hebrews 8:5) — the tabernacle, the laws, the dishes, the colors, all patterns.

I remember my mother making my clothes and her own dresses when I was little; she had shelves full of patterns — she kept them and re-used them. She would change some of the minor details but following the pattern made sure it fit right. There’s a way God does things and it’s not quite so arbitrary when we let the pattern point to what God reality had in mind. Example: Paul writes about paying teaching elders a living wage saying:

“For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.” — 1st Corinthians 9:8-10

In the bible there is an event where the risen Jesus walked and talked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:27), pointing to himself in all the Scriptures from Genesis to Malachi.

Read the Old Testament asking him to “walk” that same walk with you.

fritz@langgang.com
— See Also “2 Birds, 1 Stick, Red Thread, and a Branch” – February 25, 2011

Posted in Bible, Christ, Explanations, Jesus, Moses | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Serving In Obscurity

September 17, 2011 by Fritz

“[T]hey watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.” — Acts 9:24-25

What were the names of those disciples who saved the apostle Paul by lowering him over the wall one dangerous night in Damascus. Only God knows, but were it not for them much of the Bible would be missing!

What if that was their sole purpose in life, would it have been enough? What if you were holding that rope, would it be enough?

Jim Martin, Church-Of-Christ pastor with a broader vision of ministry, has a blog post1 that brought back my own memories. Quoting Lance Witt’s new book2 Jim writes

“One of the spiritual health questions every ministry leader must answer is, ‘Am I willing to serve in obscurity?’” (p. 88)

And again,

“The disciples find him and say, ‘Everyone is looking for you.’ Music to the ears of codependent ministry leaders. The feeling of being in demand can be intoxicating.” (p. 133)

I think back to 1976 in Ferguson, Kentucky, pastoring a small Methodist church while going to Asbury seminary and seeking to fulfill what I believed with all my heart was God’s grand call on my life. God whispered, “What if I want you to just teach the Bible in some out-of-the-way place your whole ministry?”

When I relunctantly said, “yes”, my whole life changed. Gone was my effort to fulfill “My” calling. In its place was a fresh sense of purpose and dedication to Christ whether or not anyone but God knew my name.

Sound Bite: When you are with Jesus it doesn’t matter where.
Prayer:Jesus, as long as you are with me it doesn’t matter to me where I am. As long as I know am doing your will it doesn’t matter to me what I do. Amen.

fritz@langgang.com
— Also see “The Most Important Man” – March 20, 2011
— Also see “Grow Where Planted” – September 21, 2010
Reference:
1 – Read Jim Martin’s Post here.
2 – Replenish by Lance Witt.

Posted in Explanations, Jim Martin, Lance Witt, Ministry, Quotes | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

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