Exodus 39 Devotional

Work That Ends in Blessing

“And Moses inspected all the work and saw that they had accomplished it just as the LORD had commanded. So Moses blessed them.”Exodus 39:43 (BSB)

The priestly garments described in chapter 28 are now made: the ephod, the breastpiece with its twelve engraved stones, the blue robe with bells and pomegranates, and the gold plate for Aaron's turban (39:1-31). One refrain keeps returning, that everything was made the way the LORD had told Moses (39:1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31). Then the finished pieces are brought to Moses (39:33-41).

Moses inspects all of it, sees that it was done exactly as the LORD commanded, and blesses the people (39:43). This is the same community that had danced around a calf not long before. Their careful work did not earn God's return; he had already promised his presence would go with them (33:14). But having been forgiven, they now work with care. Paul says it is God who works in believers both the desire and the ability to do what pleases him (Philippians 2:13). The obedience God asks of you is something he also works in you, and he is glad to bless it.

To think about: Where are you trying to obey God in your own strength, rather than asking him to work in you the desire and ability to do it?