Chasing History: The Women of Exodus - Working Together for God's Glory

What is it about the Chasing History link up that keeps pulling me back? I adore the link up post host – Kaitlyn, the college girl in Birmingham. I love her story and what I’ve learned about her giving heart and generous spirit. I love that she’s designed this, not necessarily as a Bible study, but as a place to share what we’re learning in the Word – stories for His glory as we’re reading them and diving in. I admire that she’s still keeping it going even though she’s back to school and with a more-than-full plate of studies, internships, projects, and more. It’s just good stuff and it keeps me digging in.

Today, I’m going back to Exodus again. The same storyline of Miriam and Shiprah and Puah, just a little further down the road.

The Israelites have made it out of Egypt. They’re out of bondage and across the Red Sea. They’ve made it far under the keeping of God’s hand. All the way to Mount Sinai.  There was some trouble there – these impatient people (we know what that’s like, right?) waited for Moses to come down from the mountain top with God. And waited. And waited. Then decided he just wasn’t coming and needed to make their own way. We know what that’s like, right?

God’s judgment fell, followed by His mercy. Then Moses came down with the commandments again, and this time, the people were ready to listen. As Moses spoke of the new Tabernacle that was to be built – the house of God – he let the people know that they had been invited to participate in the making.

Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the Lord. And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats' hair or tanned rams' skins or goatskins brought them. Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the Lord’s contribution.
Exodus 35: 20-24

“Everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought…”

This was not demanded of them in the way that it was with foreign idols. This was an invitation that they responded to. And not only in goods, but in the working as well. All of this was done as a freewill offering to the God of their salvation who had brought the out of Egypt and through the desert.

And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats' hair.
Exodus 35: 25-26

photo by Seeman

The women came together; joining their resources and talents to spin, and weave, and create the beautiful coverings and tapestries that would make up the exterior and interior coverings of the house of God. Can you imagine the excitement as they worked together over these beautiful materials? Can you imagine the joy as they saw their work spring to life under their hands and then multiply as they worked together with their sisters?

More hearts were stirred and more materials were brought to the point that Moses had to call a halt to the giving. It says, “for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.” (Ex 35:7)

Something miraculous happens when we work together in God’s name and for His purpose. He is able to take our willing hearts and the gifts He has placed in us and multiply the outcome to accomplish His will. When working with other’s towards a goal that God has in mind, watch how you’ll discover something you didn’t you could do blossom and flourish. You may find that you’ve been preparing for this work your entire life and you didn’t even realize you were being prepared. You may discover joy in something you never thought you’d want to do – all because you’re doing it for God’s purpose and with His people.

Want to see what this looks like in real life now? Check out the (in)mercy project - a collaboration between the (in)courage community and Mercy House Kenya. Click on the (in)mercy link in the sidebar and learn more.

My prayer for you is that you will find the area that God is calling you to and that you will be able to use your gifts and talents to the glory of His name and to help further His purposes on this earth. You will be blessed.

I'd love to connect with you some more - stop on by the Three Bees Facebook Page or connect with me on Twitter @3BeesBlueBonnet. Let's continue the conversation!