Kingdom Manna

Found

Hebrews 12:28, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire.”

An acceptable worship. Levitical priests were well schooled in the forms of acceptable worship. They performed their mediation with committed precision. The offerings, the oil, the grain, the washing, the clothes: everything aligned towards reverence and awe, acknowledgment of God’s power. They trembled before the altar—hoping, praying for sin’s removal.

A burnt offering.

Questions lingered. Was it sufficient? Would God stop listening? Was it correct? Limited in reach. Liable to repetition. Then came Jesus to the altar. An acceptable worship that cannot be shaken or changed or corrupted. Crucifixion.

A consumed fire.

An acceptable worship. A heart of thanksgiving. A will set to serve. A mind focused. Welled deep in scripture. Committed to prayer and fellowship. In reverence and awe acknowledging God’s grace. Trembling before Your altar Lord, I come. Asking to be accepted as a living sacrifice.

A love kindled.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 136:26

O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Tabernacle

Table

In the Lord’s presence

on the table always

a commitment of the people

as a covenant forever,

twelve’s loaves of bread

pure frankincense

offering as by fire.

In the presence of our enemies

the Lord sets a table

His covenant to anoint

uphold, sustain always.

In the presence of all people

a table of witness

proclaims His death

until His return,

breaking the bread

of one body

broken in commitment, always.

Leviticus 24:8, “Every Sabbath day he shall set it in order before the Lord continually;”

Tabernacle

Offerings

Five Levitical offerings

precise details

marked each

ritual of sacrifice.

No errors

no excuses

or restoration

null—void.

One fragrant offering

Christ’s love

took our sin

one gift sacrifice.

His substitution

His redemption

reconciliation

freed.

Ephesians 5: 2, “… and gave Himself up for us, as an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

Tabernacle

Loaves

Two loaves the offering

day of proclamation

thanksgiving witness

to the Lord’s bounty

first fruits of each harvest.

Confession of praise

to His heritage

ongoing sacrifice

church body, broken bread

shared in remembrance.

1 Corinthians 10:16, “...Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?”

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 36:6-7, Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more. For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it.

Restrained from offering. Israel overflowed with generosity for the Lord’s tabernacle. Freely they gave. Filled to the brim. There was enough for all the work, to perform it. More than enough.

They returned to God from the bounty He had given them.

Resources unlimited.

“That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man;” an inheritance beyond our understanding. More than enough for all the work he asks us to do. Sufficient supply.

Replicated offerings. As Jesus fed the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish, with leftovers twelve baskets full. If we just offer, You will provide.

Reveal to me Lord the stinginess in me. Forgive me my miserly attitude toward time and talent and tithe. Replace it with a giving heart that Your Spirit may pour through and expand my meager mites into bounty. All that I have is Your gift to me, just as You gave to Israel. All that You ask me to do, to give, You will multiply from Your storehouse.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 96:8

Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name;

Bring an offering, and come into His courts.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 28:3, And you shall speak to all the skillful persons whom I have endowed with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister as priest to Me.

Service for the Lord starts with the Spirit of the Lord. Endowed skills. Endowed wisdom.

Aaron required consecrated garments to serve God and to serve his people. Accomplished craftsmen responded in ministry. They prepared their high priest, who, in turn, would act for them. A concert of abilities, gifts of the spirit of wisdom, selflessly given.

Spirit guided that their work would meet God’s standards. Spirit filled that God would be honored. “Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.”

Anchor my work in Your Spirit that it does not become self-seeking. May I faithfully serve whatever work You assign me, and do it unto You. Make my life, Lord, an offering of service to You.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 116:12

What shall I render to the Lord

For all His benefits toward me?