We took a 30 minute walk in the neighbourhood yesterday - New Year's Day for those countries like Vietnam that follow the Lunar calendar. As expected the busy streets of Hanoi were as quiet as the streets of a North American city on Christmas Day. We walked down the narrow street (just two car widths wide) in front of our apartment building. We were able to pause and look down the lanes (two motor bikes wide) running off the street. We stopped to examine a couple of buildings. We could never do that on a normal day without being jostled or bumped by a pedestrian or motor bike. It was nice to be outside and able to walk in a straight line (not dodging a parked motorbike, a sidewalk fruit stand, a minor construction site, a muddy pothole, etc.) The streets and sidewalks in this bustling, crowded city were, for at least one day, very peaceful.
I was reminded in my reading today of God's concern for what comes from inside of us. The verse is found in the midst of the detailed description of how the Tabernacle was to be constructed. It is almost startling to read how specific all of the instructions are, not only regarding this center of worship but also regarding the priests clothing, etc. As you probably know, many Christian books, lectures and sermons have been devoted to exploring the spiritual significance of these directions and guidelines given by God.
However my attention was captured by the first words I read this morning.
God gave the law (many laws) to help the nation of Israel understand Him and his expectations. But God never wanted simply outward obedience. This was true long before the OT prophets, long before the Incarnation. From the very first with Adam and Eve, God has wanted his human creations to live and love with Him. He wants our hearts to respond to Him.
The example from Exodus 25 and II Corinthians 9, is heart response demonstrated in giving. But of course what God wants from each of us is a heart response that affects every hour and every aspect of our living. Most important to Him is that we respond to his love for us by loving Him with all of our being. This wonderful truth flows throughout the pages of our Bibles and should flow into every corner of our lives.
I was reminded in my reading today of God's concern for what comes from inside of us. The verse is found in the midst of the detailed description of how the Tabernacle was to be constructed. It is almost startling to read how specific all of the instructions are, not only regarding this center of worship but also regarding the priests clothing, etc. As you probably know, many Christian books, lectures and sermons have been devoted to exploring the spiritual significance of these directions and guidelines given by God.
However my attention was captured by the first words I read this morning.
“Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give." Exodus 25:2
The phrase "everyone whose heart prompts them to give" seems so "unlegalistic". It is so "relational". It is so New Testament. It is so similar to "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion". II Corinthians 9:7
God gave the law (many laws) to help the nation of Israel understand Him and his expectations. But God never wanted simply outward obedience. This was true long before the OT prophets, long before the Incarnation. From the very first with Adam and Eve, God has wanted his human creations to live and love with Him. He wants our hearts to respond to Him.
The example from Exodus 25 and II Corinthians 9, is heart response demonstrated in giving. But of course what God wants from each of us is a heart response that affects every hour and every aspect of our living. Most important to Him is that we respond to his love for us by loving Him with all of our being. This wonderful truth flows throughout the pages of our Bibles and should flow into every corner of our lives.
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