Exodus 25:23-40
The bread of the Presence (verse 30) signified God’s presence to the people, and yet it was an ongoing offering to God. Or, to say it the other way around, it demonstrated dedication to God, at the same time it meant the supply of God’s presence.
Similarly, the light of the oil lamps was a demonstration and sign of God’s lighting the way for the people – even though the oil that enabled the lamps to shine was brought from among the people. The priests tended the lamps, but the oil came from the people.
The number 7 (verse 27) indicates completeness or wholeness. There is beauty of order, completeness, wholeness; in this elegant arrangement of basic spiritual formation for the people: God supplies everything, but the people bring to the life of the tabernacle, from what God has supplied, the means for experiencing God’s expression and for receiving the pledge of his presence.
Prayer:
Thanks for calling us into partnership with you, God. You supply everything, yet you give us meaningful responsibility. Although you are totally in control, things are not the same no matter how we fulfill that responsibility. May my life bring all the oil of service to you I can, that you may burn all the more brightly. Through Christ. Amen.
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