Wonder Of Wonders

It’s been quite some timesince I have attempted to read the Bible through in a year. Oh, I have been successful a few times, and when it’s happened I felt a real spirit of accomplishment. And so, with that in mind I have resolved to try it again.

Recently I waded through Exodus. The deliverance from Egypt’s Pharaoh; the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea; and the month and a half journey to the Wilderness of Sin, where the children of Israel began their murmuring. They blamed Moses for taking them away from the “security” of Egypt to die in the wilderness with no food or water. The water they found was bitter and the Lord sweetened it. He sent them bread from heaven and provided additional water from a Rock. After three months, they arrived in the Wilderness of Sinai, where Moses went up on the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments and God’s Covenant with the people of Israel.

Included in the Covenant were detailed plans for the construction of a portable Tabernacle to accompany the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. God would accompany them and be present in the Tabernacle. He would be their God and they would be His people.

God gave instructions to Moses regarding every detail for the construction of the Tabernacle, the order of the sacrifices to be offered during the journey, even the fashioning of Aaron’s priestly clothing. I was stunned by the complex, intricate details. I was caught in the clutches of a wonderment. Now you know what a wonderment is, don’t you? Webster’s Dictionary defines wonder as “A state of astonished admiration, a fact or circumstance creating surprise.” And wonderment is described as “The feeling of wonder.” Makes sense to me.

In addition, God gave Moses verbal blueprints for every conceivable item to be constructed in exact order and measurement. The frame for the tabernacle was to be a specified length, width and height in cubits and spans. The curtains surrounding the structure were to be woven and sewn to exact dimensions, using blue, purple and scarlet thread. No deviation. The furniture likewise was to conform to God’s exact specifications, as was the construction of the ark of the testimony and the mercy seat on top. They were to be of acacia wood and covered inside and out in pure gold. Even .the poles for carrying the furniture were to be of acacia wood and covered with pure gold, and were to remain at all times in the gold loops on the sides. All of the other items of furniture were to be covered or trimmed in pure gold or silver. The pans for the collection of the blood of the sacrifices were to be of bronze. Even Aaron’s robe was to be sewn in a certain way with gold and blue and purple and scarlet thread, and the hem was to alternate with gold bells and pomegranates. Only he, as the high priest, could enter the Holy of Holies, and then only once a year. On and on it goes, from Exodus chapters 23 to 40. I was overwhelmed with the complexities of God’s initial Covenant with the people of Israel. How difficult, indeed impossible, to completely conform to.such meticulous demands.

And I am reminded again for the first time, that God has provided another far greater wonderment for us by sending His Son to be born of a woman, to live a sinless life, to minister and teach among us, and to ultimately give His life, joyfully as Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us, and rise again as our Savior and Lord. The New Covenant in His blood far surpasses the sacrificial blood of bulls and goats so necessary for the routine covering of the sin of the ancient Israelites, with their endless Feast Days and animal sacrifices. In one marvelous sweep, Jesus died on the cross for sinners like us and has created an open door to the Throne of God. No longer is it necessary to conform to all the rituals and sacraments of the Old Covenant; no longer is it necessary for a priest to intercede for us. But through the death and resurrection of our High Priest, Jesus, we can have fellowship with Him and the Father eternally. What a marvelous gift. Thank you Jesus!

So my resolution to read through the Bible again may well be one of the best decisions I could make to start off this New Year. And it occurs to me, that too is a wonderment.