Wednesday 19 December 2012

THE GIFTS OF MEN / THE NEW TEMPLE

The first temple, having been a shadow of things that would later come, it is important to learn the ways of the new as previously represented by the first laws.

The first offering was of the days. The Sabbath(Ex 35:2). This would be of pure, unadulterated rest, signalling the rest awaited at the end of this age.  Christ would later say that His coming was a fulfillment of this day. He was an answer to this continuous prophetic declaration by the law. We too await His coming, and never are we to Give God rest till He establishes this peace. He is the prince of peace, And His father is the King of the same principality. Christ was a Passover Lamb, His acceptance therefore, a declaration of His Kingdom.


The Temple was an offering in itself, having come from the gifts required of the people - precious metal(Ex 35:5), Precious clothing/garments(Ex 35:6), specified animal skin(Ex 35:7), oil for light, spices for the annointing oil and incense(Ex 35:8), and precious stone that would be representative of the twelve tribes(Ex 35:9). All these materials would later make up the temple complete with vessels. They had gotten all the wealth over a triumphant spoiling of the Egyptians. This is the glory of the supply/gifts of the Lord that should always be given to God. Withholding the glory of God from Him can lead to idolatry, self gratification, which Israel had previously found themselves in(Ex 32:2-5). Our temple is our body, in which the Spirit of God lives, through which we honour/ glorify God. Giving glory to God is offering the same gifts He gives, back to Him. How? By saying/ commanding all glory and honor to Him(which is what His angels did as recorded in the revalation), and by living a life that brings Him glory.

The precious metal would represent the Gift of righteousness that represents Gods gift that gives us worth before God, and the work of the spirit of God that purifies as precious metal is. This is the gift of grace. The garments and skin are the coverings of the temple, including the wooden boards are the protective armour and hedge that surrounds every one of His. They are as divers as the manifold graces, the gifts and powers of God.

The oil is the supply of the Spirit which brings forth fruits and gifts that give on. This is the light that the sons of God are. By the power of the fire of the Holy Spirit (God is a consuming fire) the flesh is consumed to produce the light that is important to the world.This is also the concept of the body being a living sacrifice.

Self too was required as an offering. willing wisemen should give themselves for the service of the temple, now the saints as individuals and the entire church as a whole. Paul refers this as a drink offering on occasion(Phil 2:17, 2 Tim 4:16). This is also the workmanship of weaving together the garments, according to specification, ensuring the vessels were to the order. These represent not just the apostles, teachers, prophets, evangelists and pastors but also anyone lending a helping hand to the build-up of the saints. They are the new temple. These had to be wise.

God would honor then temple by His presence and so is the function of sacrifice. After receipt of the gifts of men, God gives even more of Himself. This is the principle of increase in the manifold glory of God as presented by His gifts.The subsequent use of the temple would be daily sacrifice. Hence the phrase of the taking of the cross, just like Christ, daily. This is important in maintaining a strong relationship with God and for maintaining His power. Next we look at Animal offerings and what they foreshadowed.
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