Faithfulness in God's Journey: The Tabernacle and Legacy
Summary
As we conclude our study of the book of Exodus, we reflect on the journey of the Israelites and the significance of the tabernacle as a dwelling place for God's presence. The meticulous documentation of the tabernacle's construction underscores its importance as a home for God on earth. This repetition in the text serves to emphasize the obedience and dedication of the Israelites in following God's instructions. The completion of the tabernacle, marked by the cloud of God's glory filling it, signifies God's presence with His people as they journeyed through the wilderness towards the Promised Land.
Moses, a faithful servant of God, led the Israelites through this journey, yet he did not enter the Promised Land himself. His story reminds us that our roles in God's plan may not always culminate in seeing the final outcome, but our faithfulness in our part is what truly matters. This theme resonates with the story of Robert Moore, whose vision for the Disciple House—a place for men transitioning from prison to be discipled and transformed—continues to unfold even after his passing. Robert's life and vision exemplify the kingdom of God at work, where each person contributes to the greater mission of restoration and transformation.
The kingdom of God is a continuous journey, where each generation builds upon the faithfulness of those who came before. Just as Moses and Robert glimpsed the promises of God, we too are called to be faithful in our journey, contributing to the work of God's kingdom on earth. As we move forward, let us be inspired by their examples to remain steadfast in our faith and committed to the mission of bringing hope and transformation to the world around us.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Significance of the Tabernacle: The detailed repetition of the tabernacle's construction in Exodus highlights the importance of obedience and dedication in following God's instructions. It serves as a reminder that God's presence dwells among His people when they faithfully adhere to His guidance. [04:43]
2. Moses' Faithful Journey: Moses' journey, though it did not end in the Promised Land, exemplifies the importance of faithfulness in our roles within God's plan. Our contributions, no matter how small, are significant in the grand narrative of God's kingdom. [04:43]
3. Robert Moore's Vision: Robert Moore's vision for the Disciple House illustrates the transformative power of community and discipleship. His life and legacy continue to impact lives, demonstrating that God's work transcends our earthly existence. [08:21]
4. The Kingdom of God is a Continuous Journey: The work of God's kingdom is ongoing, with each generation building upon the faithfulness of those before. We are called to be faithful disciples, contributing to the restoration and transformation of the world. [08:21]
5. Glimpses of God's Promises: Like Moses and Robert, we may only glimpse the promises of God in our lifetime. Yet, these glimpses inspire us to remain committed to the mission of bringing God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. [08:21]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Reflections on 2020
- [01:15] - Completing the Study of Exodus
- [02:00] - The Repetition of the Tabernacle Instructions
- [03:30] - The Significance of the Tabernacle
- [04:43] - Moses' Journey and Legacy
- [05:30] - The Promised Land and Moses' Epilogue
- [06:45] - The Vision of the Disciple House
- [07:30] - Robert Moore's Legacy
- [08:21] - The Continuous Journey of God's Kingdom
- [09:15] - Glimpses of God's Promises
- [10:00] - Conclusion of Exodus Study
- [10:45] - Upcoming Studies and Announcements
- [11:30] - Closing Remarks and Blessings
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 40:33-38
2. Deuteronomy 34:1-5
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of the cloud covering the tent of meeting and the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle? How did this signify God's presence among the Israelites? [04:43]
2. How did the Israelites know when to set out on their journey through the wilderness? What role did the cloud play in their travels? [04:43]
3. What was Moses' role in the completion of the tabernacle, and how is his faithfulness highlighted in the text? [04:43]
4. How does the story of Robert Moore and the Disciple House parallel the journey and vision of Moses? [08:21]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the detailed repetition of the tabernacle's construction in Exodus emphasize the importance of obedience and dedication to God's instructions? [04:43]
2. How does Moses' inability to enter the Promised Land, despite his faithfulness, reflect on the nature of our roles in God's plan? What does this teach us about the significance of our contributions? [04:43]
3. How does Robert Moore's vision for the Disciple House illustrate the transformative power of community and discipleship? What does this say about the ongoing work of God's kingdom? [08:21]
4. How can the concept of glimpsing God's promises, as seen in the lives of Moses and Robert Moore, inspire us to remain committed to God's mission on earth? [08:21]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in your life. How did it guide you, similar to how the cloud guided the Israelites? [04:43]
2. Moses was faithful in his role, even though he didn't see the final outcome. How can you remain faithful in your current role, trusting that your contributions are significant in God's plan? [04:43]
3. Robert Moore's vision for the Disciple House continues to impact lives even after his passing. What legacy do you hope to leave behind, and how can you start building it today? [08:21]
4. The kingdom of God is a continuous journey. How can you contribute to the restoration and transformation of the world in your daily life? [08:21]
5. Like Moses and Robert, we may only glimpse God's promises in our lifetime. How can these glimpses motivate you to stay committed to bringing God's kingdom on earth? [08:21]
6. Consider the role of community and discipleship in your spiritual journey. How can you actively participate in or support a community that fosters transformation and growth? [08:21]
7. How can you apply the lessons from the tabernacle's construction to your own life, ensuring that you are obedient and dedicated to following God's instructions? [04:43]
Devotional
Day 1: The Tabernacle as a Symbol of Obedience
The construction of the tabernacle in Exodus is meticulously detailed, emphasizing the importance of obedience and dedication to God's instructions. This repetition serves as a reminder that God's presence dwells among His people when they faithfully adhere to His guidance. The tabernacle was not just a physical structure but a spiritual symbol of God's dwelling among His people, highlighting the significance of following divine instructions with precision and reverence. The Israelites' commitment to building the tabernacle as instructed reflects their devotion and willingness to create a sacred space for God's presence. [04:43]
Exodus 40:34-35 (ESV): "Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle."
Reflection: In what areas of your life is God calling you to greater obedience and dedication? How can you create a "sacred space" in your daily routine to invite His presence?
Day 2: Faithfulness in the Journey
Moses' journey, though it did not end in the Promised Land, exemplifies the importance of faithfulness in our roles within God's plan. His story reminds us that our contributions, no matter how small, are significant in the grand narrative of God's kingdom. Moses led the Israelites with unwavering faith, even though he did not see the fulfillment of the promise. This teaches us that our faithfulness in our part of God's plan is what truly matters, and we may not always witness the final outcome of our efforts. [04:43]
Hebrews 11:13 (ESV): "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you were faithful in a task but did not see the outcome. How can you trust God with the results of your current efforts?
Day 3: Vision Beyond Life
Robert Moore's vision for the Disciple House illustrates the transformative power of community and discipleship. His life and legacy continue to impact lives, demonstrating that God's work transcends our earthly existence. Robert's vision for a place where men transitioning from prison could be discipled and transformed is a testament to the enduring impact of a life lived for God's kingdom. Even after his passing, his vision continues to unfold, showing that our contributions to God's work can have lasting effects beyond our lifetime. [08:21]
2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV): "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."
Reflection: What vision or legacy do you want to leave behind that will continue to impact others for God's kingdom? How can you start working towards it today?
Day 4: Building on the Faithfulness of Others
The kingdom of God is a continuous journey, with each generation building upon the faithfulness of those before. We are called to be faithful disciples, contributing to the restoration and transformation of the world. Just as Moses and Robert glimpsed the promises of God, we too are called to be faithful in our journey, contributing to the work of God's kingdom on earth. Our actions today lay the foundation for future generations to continue the mission of bringing hope and transformation to the world. [08:21]
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (ESV): "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Who in your life has laid a foundation of faithfulness that you are building upon? How can you honor their legacy by continuing their work in your own life?
Day 5: Glimpses of God's Promises
Like Moses and Robert, we may only glimpse the promises of God in our lifetime. Yet, these glimpses inspire us to remain committed to the mission of bringing God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. The journey of faith is often marked by moments where we see only a part of what God has promised, but these glimpses are enough to fuel our hope and perseverance. We are encouraged to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that God's promises will be fulfilled in His perfect timing. [08:21]
Hebrews 11:39-40 (ESV): "And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect."
Reflection: What glimpses of God's promises have you seen in your life? How do these glimpses encourage you to remain faithful and hopeful in your journey?
Quotes
One is that building the tabernacle, a home for God on earth, that was a really big deal, right? And so it was important that they were quite meticulous in documenting what God's instructions were about building it and how Israel did on their quest to implement God's directions. And of course, it's just about always significant when there's a deviation from the usual pattern or someone didn't follow through exactly correctly. [00:01:36]
Then Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and altar and put on the curtain at the entrance up to the courtyard and so Moses finished the work then the cloud covered the tent of meeting and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. [00:03:09]
And notice also how it says, the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle two times. I mean, that's really significant because God's presence in the cloud is descending on this tent. It is this manifestation of God's presence. And so as the story continues after Exodus, God continues to call the tabernacle his home as God's presence goes with Israel until they arrive in the promised lands after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. [00:04:11]
He climbed up to the top of Mount Nebo, and there God showed it to him. Verse 4 there says, Then the Lord said to him, This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. when I said, I will give it to your descendants. I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it. And then Moses dies. [00:04:59]
Moses was God's faithful servant who had done the part that God had called him to do. And now it was time for someone else to take the baton, in this case Joshua, but there would be others that would follow as well. [00:05:28]
So this exciting ministry will have a home, and this place of housing a place where men getting out of prison can come and live and experience community where they will be discipled, and their lives will be transformed by the grace of God. [00:05:51]
Now, as many of you know, the Disciple House was the vision of Robert Moore, who was a member of Conyers First. Robert, spending most of his life, first of all in juvenile centers and later in prison, years of drug addiction, Robert experienced this kind of transformation and grace when Bucky and Vanessa Wright took a risk and graciously opened their home to him. [00:06:48]
He was discipled by many men of the church, and he eventually grew to be a leader in Conyers Church. And also, he was a leader with men who were incarcerated as well, as he would go back to jail and lead Bible studies, and he started a recovery group for those with addiction problems who had been released from prison. [00:07:49]
But unfortunately, he died of cancer a few years ago. And so as I sat there last night, I was thinking how I wish Robert could have been there to see all that. All the people who are wearing their green disciple t-shirts like I've got on this morning who had come to support this ministry. I wish Robert could have been there to have heard the testimonies of those who had been changed by his faithfulness and to see this next step in the disciple house becoming a reality. [00:08:56]
But you know, like Moses did, I think Robert got a glimpse of this thing that was promised. And that is the way of the kingdom of God. Each doing their part for as long as their journey in this world takes them, and then passing it on to the next in line to continue the work of the kingdom of God. [00:09:56]
This is God's plan of the restoration of all things, beginning with faithful men and women like Abraham and Sarah and Jacob and Joseph and Shipra and Purah and Moses and the Israelites, and then the tabernacle. But it didn't stop because God said his house would be a house for all nations, to all people. [00:10:12]
And you may remember that I did an earlier episode of how Jesus was the tabernacle. As God's glory, God's presence came to dwell among us in Jesus Christ. And now through his Holy Spirit, this work continues worldwide as the work of bringing God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven continues. [00:10:55]
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