#prepare me

I continue to share about our new series “prepare me”.  Yesterday we talked David and his prayer after being confronted about his sin.  He turned to God in repentance and mercy.

On to Moses and a glimpse of how God led him to prepare to forgive His people and spend time with them.  This preparing was God to spend time with His people.  Much preparation went in to this important time.

Exodus 39:42-43  NLT  

So the people of Israel followed all of the Lord’s instructions to Moses. 43 Then Moses inspected all their work. When he found it had been done just as the Lord had commanded him, he blessed them.

People followed Moses instructions because Moses was following the command from God.  The reason for all this is so important.  Our example really does matter.

Exodus 40:16-17  NLT  

Moses proceeded to do everything just as the Lord had commanded him. 17 So the Tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month of the second year. 

Then Moses helped the people meet God.  That is what God called Moses to do, and God calls us to do the same.  The Tabernacle was the place where God’s presence was seen and sin was atoned for.

Exodus 40:34-38  NLT  

Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 35 Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 36 Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. 37 But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. 38 The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.

Following God is what it is all about.  And in the midst of the Tabernacle was the altar for sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:11-18  NLT  

Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. 14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says, 16 “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds. 17 Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.

Point is this, Moses did what God commanded and the people followed.  Jesus steps on the scene and is the ultimate sacrifice.  No more annual sacrifices.  Now  Jesus is a once for all sacrifice.

Hebrews 7:19  NLT  

For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.