06/22/2019
We talk about our treasure as being accumulated in heaven, and we also speak of our mansion there, as well as the storehouses, but do we ever stop to think about where all of the hard labor is done in building these structures, mining the gold, or cutting those gems, and how it was accomplished?
“"See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you:”
Exodus 31:2-6 ESV
This scripture is a portion of the details in how to build the the Tabernacle as God instructed Moses. These instructions, the inspiration, and the skills, all came from God.
When I was a young boy I had two toys that were my favorites. I used to enjoy playing with Lincoln Logs, and building more complex things with an Erector Set. These were toys that were comprised of pre-manufactured pieces that children would put together as they built either log houses, or metal machines that (in the case of the erector set) actually moved with battery powered motors. You didn’t need to cut or shape the wooden Lincoln logs, nor any of the pieces in the erector set; all that was required was for you to use your imagination, or the included instructions, as you put the pieces together to create whatever you liked.
These toys were unlike the Tabernacle that was constructed in Moses’s time, and more like Solomon’s temple. It is also like what we are building and accumulating in heaven. The parts included in these two toys were made in factories where workers spent their days operating machinery and doing all of the long, loud, hard, and complex work of creating the many pieces that would later become a child’s absolute joy as they pieced them together. Listen to this scripture concerning Solomon’s temple...
“When the house was built, it was with stone prepared at the quarry, so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard in the house while it was being built.”
1 Kings 6:7 ESV
Solomon’s temple was actually manufactured elsewhere, and the pieces were transported to the building site and pieced quietly together. Can you imagine building a structure like this today? Have you ever walked past a quiet construction site? Does the skill and intricacy required to perfectly manufacture each piece of a building to such tolerances that no adjustment would be necessary once they reached the building amaze you? This is how our mansion, storehouses, and treasures are being built in heaven. God is inspiring all of the construction, but the stones are being cut, the furnishings built, and the gold mined as we live out our lives in Christ. Here we have the noise, so that there our faith fits perfectly together with the will of God.
“"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.”
Luke 12:32-33 ESV
Scriptures such as this tell us that we are to construct in heaven based on our faith, behavior, and actions here in earth. Did you read right past the instruction that tells us to “Provide yourself?” Yes... our actions... our faith.
So all of the labor, sweat, calloused hands, tears, heartbreak, and suffering needed in the manufacturing our faith, and relationship with God is being done here and now so that in heaven their sound will not be heard. We do these things now so that all the tears will be dried, and our joy will know no end.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."”
Revelation 21:3-4 ESV
Are we working on our mansions? Are we placing the cornerstone of Jesus Christ, and then carving out each piece of stone so that it fits perfectly with Him in heaven? Are our heavenly treasures being mined, and our gem stones polished and cut here on earth each day? We should listen as God instructed us in His Word, and be inspired in our work by His love and will. Are we each doing these hard things today, and as we weep, sweat, and toil, are we praising Him in it?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for this quarry, and factory, that I find myself in each day. I thank you for the hardships, and suffering that I endure as I make my way through this life seeking a closer relationship with you. I thank you for sending Jesus Christ to redeem me, and teach me to look to you as my Heavenly Father, and for giving me the Holy Spirit to teach me the skills, and provide the gifts, that I need each day as I work in fear and trembling to do your will, complete my mansion, and store up my treasure. Help me now in my labor, so that there will be no tears, moaning, or crying, when I reach my final reward. Allow me to see what awaits me, and use that to inspire my efforts. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who oversees the construction of my life, my faith, and my heavenly estate. Great are you who can see past my suffering as I work in this earthly quarry, and in whom I trust to make all things work together for my good. Praised be your name amidst the storms of my life, for they perfect me in Christ, and fit me perfectly at His side. Glorious are you Father in your mercy and grace. I worship you, and pray without ceasing so that you will find me worthy of your gentle hand that will one day dry my tears, and will welcome me at your table forevermore.
Rich Forbes