So, all the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.
Exodus 39:32 NIV
The exodus of the Israelites from Egypt into the promised land reveals God’s high standard of obedience. Unlike humans, who often focus on the results, God pays attention to the process and the details. God, throughout this journey, emphasized meticulous adherence to His instructions. Every task was assigned a specific order of completion, and for God, failing to obey promptly or completely constituted disobedience. For example, God gave Moses a detailed blueprint for the construction of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, where His presence would dwell among His people. He warned Moses to follow the pattern precisely, without any improvisation or deviation.
The priests on earth serve in a temple that is but a copy modelled after the heavenly sanctuary; a shadow of the reality. For when Moses began to construct the tabernacle God warned him and said, “You must precisely follow the pattern I revealed to you on Mount Sinai.”
Hebrews 8:5 TPT
Why was God so particular about His instructions? Because He wanted His people to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). He wanted them to understand His holiness, His glory, and His grace. He wanted them to experience His power, His protection, and His provision. Furthermore, God wanted them to trust Him, love Him, and obey Him.
God’s instructions are not arbitrary or optional. They are for our good and His glory. When we obey God, we demonstrate our faith in Him and our love for Him. As Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15 ESV). Likewise, when we obey God, we also enjoy His blessings and His presence in our lives.
However, when we disobey God, we show our lack of faith and our rebellion against Him. We also miss out on His best for us and incur His discipline. As Samuel told Saul, who disobeyed God’s command to destroy the Amalekites.
But Samuel answered, “Which pleases the LORD more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obeying his commands? It is better to obey the LORD than to offer sacrifices to him. It is better to listen to him than to offer the fat from rams. Refusing to obey is as bad as the sin of sorcery. Being stubborn and doing what you want is like the sin of worshiping idols. You refused to obey the LORD’S command, so he now refuses to accept you as king.”
1 Samuel 15:22-23 ERV
What has God called you to do? How are you doing it? Are you obeying Him fully and promptly, or are you delaying and compromising? Are you trying to please Him with your sacrifices, or are you listening to His voice? Don’t you know that you cannot replace your obedience with sacrifice? Are you following His pattern, or are you making your own?
Let us learn from the example of the Israelites, who completed the work on the tabernacle exactly as the Lord commanded Moses. Let us also learn from the example of Jesus, who said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:34 ESV)
Therefore, let us obey God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let us worship Him in spirit and in truth. Let us glorify Him with our lives. For He is worthy of our obedience, and our worship.
In conclusion, we have seen that God values obedience more than sacrifice, and that He expects us to follow His instructions precisely and promptly. We have also learned that God has a perfect blueprint for everything He wants us to do, and that we should not improvise or compromise on His will. By obeying God, we can enjoy His presence, His blessing, and His favour in our lives. May we always love God and obey Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.
