Striking Gold

Based on Exodus 36-38, Matthew 23:1-22

Imagine digging around your yard one day and striking gold! What an exhilarating feeling! There are many things you can do with gold here in this life on earth, because in the here & now, it's worth so much. But what about the Creator of gold? Of every mineral, particle and person? JESUS CHRIST! He is the Pearl of Great Price and is the true treasure! Gold may be strikingly beautiful, but we really strike gold when we find Jesus!

"And he made the vessels which were upon the table, his dishes, and his spoons, and his bowls, and his covers to cover withal, of pure gold." Exodus 37:16.

Pure gold was used throughout the building of the tabernacle. In fact, the people brought so much of every item to build the tabernacle that they had to stop bringing it because it was TOO MUCH! Imagine too much gold, plus other beautiful items! It all seems so majestic and royal...but the most beautiful part about the whole tabernacle was God! His presence swelled there. Sacrifices were made. It was a holy & humbling place. It was not just a work of art!

"And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same. And he overlaid it with pure gold, both the top of it, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns of it: also he made unto it a crown of gold round about."
Exodus 37:25‭-‬26.

The incense altar was another example of a golden masterpiece. But remember, the most beautiful part of it all was its purpose! Sending sweet incense up in a connection to God! The gold and the altar itself are great, but GOD IS GLORIOUS! Jesus put it this way:

"Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?" Matthew 23:17‭-‬19.

We can't miss the meaning! God did want the tabernacle made that way, but over time into the New Testament until now, He wanted to be sure that He was carried on in everyone's hearts. If we follow rituals but do not have a relationship with The One who refines US as pure gold, then we are poor and do not understand true treasure, or the riches found in God's Word! Be striking and shine as gold when you strike a relationship with Jesus, and let Him shine through!