About CFC
God in a ‘box’
By Robert Poole
14th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Key Verse
Exodus 37 v1-4
“Now Bezalel made the Ark of acacia wood; its length was two and a half cubits, and its width one and a half cubits, and its height one and a half cubits; and he overlaid it with pure gold inside and out and made a gold moulding for it all around. And he cast four rings of gold for it on its four feet; even two rings on one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. And he made poles….”
Main Content
Central truth: You carry the Lord’s presence today in an incredible place...your heart!
A box of delights
Despite being Valentine’s Day, I guess none of you got your chocolates in a box like this! (Assuming you got some chocolates today??)
Bezalel and his colleague Oholiab were “…. filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding and all kinds of craftsmanship ….”Ex31v3, but despite them being the very embodiment of the teaching “...whatever your hands find to do, do it as onto the Lord ...” I doubt whether they could have foreseen the future for their illustrious creation.
This ‘box’, for basically that is was it was, blazed a trail through Jewish history and still may yet have a future more real than that imagined by Steven Spielberg (Raiders of the Lost Ark!!!).
God’s presence is decisive
As the bearer of the Tablets of Stone (literally God’s Word), and the Mercy Seat (the focus of His Presence in the Israelites minds), His power and authority that went with it were decisive.
From overcoming the obstacles of both Jericho and the Jordan; to troubling the Philistines and their pathetic god, Dagon; and its loss with “Departed Glory” and restoration to, and of Israel, the ‘box’ had been through some adventures.
But this was clearly no ordinary box. It was hugely significant as it was associated with the Lord’s authority and presence and the fulfilment of His purposes.
Though lost to history during the Babylonian Exile, its whereabouts has inspired speculation and hopes of its re-emergence at the end of time; speculation that has placed it anywhere from Tara in County Meath to a secret cave under Golgotha.
Consider:
Whatever your hand finds to do today, do it as onto the Lord. You have no idea what will be the outcome.
“…filled with the Spirit of God…” carrying His living word in your heart and into your world, practising and being sure of His presence, this is what is decisive in life’s struggles.As you enjoy Valentine’s Day today - consider this box’s dimensions; you couldn’t eat that much chocolate!
Robert Poole
My name is Robert, I have a great wife Caroline and 3 teenage daughter’s Erin , Katie and Anna. Most days my hands find something to do with managing suppliers for the engineering company I work for.
