Painstaking Obedience

The Israelites had done everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses.   Exodus 39:32

God had already given precise instructions for building the Tabernacle (see Exodus 25–30). Then as we read the details of the actual workmanship—the making of the Ark, the table, the lampstand, the altar, the courtyard, and the priestly garments—it is exactly the same (see 35–39). We are told both the detailed instructions and the details of all their work to make a single point: the people did exactly what God told them to do, down to the tiniest detail.

Many people have the idea that a serious commitment to obeying God’s commands will make up for their sins. Some of the people of Israel may have thought, If we are sincere in our obedience, God’s blessing will return. Imagine a woman sewing embroidery on the curtains for the Tabernacle, and as she follows God’s exact instructions, she thinks, I’ve got to be obedient to God. Perhaps this will bring back his presence. Picture a man working with bronze, thinking, If my hands can do what God has commanded, his blessing might return to us.

For seven months, the people gave themselves to a daily, detailed obedience of the law of God, but at the end of it all, there was still no sign of God’s presence. By this point they must have been wondering, How is it possible to bring back the presence of God? How can we take what is wrong and put it right?

This is a key issue to grasp if we are to understand the story of the Bible. Many people feel that if they are sorry enough, things will become right with God. There are others who think that if they shape up to a more detailed obedience to God’s laws by attending church, saying prayers, or reading the Bible, this will make things right with God. But right here, God is teaching us that although these things are good, they are not enough. What we need is an atonement.

For further reading, see Romans 3