Exodus 31:1-11; 32:11-13, More Potpourri

God directed Moses and the people of Israel to build an earthly tabernacle, a dwelling place for God.  So the chief builder had appropriate gifts given him by the Holy Spirit.  His giftedness even included “all manner of workmanship.”  That makes sense, given the purpose of the building.  The tabernacle was essential to worship for Israel.

I remember years ago, in the 1960’s and 70’s there was a great emphasis on “spiritual gifts.”  Every believer has a gift to use in the Household of God, the Church, the Body of Christ.  So there were lots of books available to help you discover your spiritual gift.  In some of those books there were lists with explanations, and often those lists included not only gifts you find in Rom. 12 or 1 Cor. 12 or Eph. 4, but also gifts found in Exodus 31.  That never sat right with me.  In the body of Christ there is no essential need for a physical building.  Church buildings are convenient and comfortable for meetings.  But they are not necessary.  If you were going to build a building for ministry then you should get a person who is skilled to take the lead.  But he need not have a spiritual gift of “finish work” or “sheet-rocking” or “plumbing.”  If he is going to lead a work party made up of men of the church then perhaps he should have a gift of “leadership” (cf. Rom. 12:8).  But that’s because the church we are building is a spiritual building (Eph. 2:20-22).  It is made up of the believers who are working on the project. 

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If you read on in Ex. 31 (v12-17) you see the significance of Shabbat, the Sabbath we call it.  It is very specifically a sign (v17) between God and Israel forever.  God did not make this with the Church.  Yes, it was the 7^th day, based on the 7^th day of Creation when God rested.  And we, the Church, believers in Christ, are the product of God’s creative work, just like the people of Israel.  But it was never given to the Church as a sign.  And neither was Sunday made a sign for the Church.

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Look at Moses’ prayer in Ex. 32:11-13.  Prayers don’t have to be long to be effective.  Moses reminded God of His amazing work bringing the people out of Egypt.  He reminded God of the loss of glory that would result if He destroyed Israel at Mt. Sinai.  And he reminded God of His covenant with the patriarchs.  The result?  “The LORD relented.”

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Lastly, in the NT (1 Cor. 6:12-20).  This is an important passage on the view we should have of our body.  The body is for the Lord (v13).  The Lord is for the body (v13).  In other words, it is His temple (v19).  The body will be raised as was Christ’s (v14).  As believers, our bodies are “members of Christ” (v15).  It is possible to sin against your body (v18; think about that before you go on).  You can use your body to glorify God (v20).  The body is equal to the spirit in that regard (v20). 

What about v17?  Is it saying the body is not important but the spirit is?  No! Not if you continue to v19-20.  The body is home to the spirit, the home created by and provided for us by God.

The current popularity of “cremation” amongst Christians I think is a problem.  It denies the importance of the physical body in God’s plan.  Cremation is cheaper.  And, as is the popular argument, God can raise a body from the ashes in the rapture.  Money and the rapture are not the issues.  The Bible is consistent, OT and NT: God’s people practiced burial.  Burning corpses was saved for worthless people.  And yes, the idea was that in burial the body deteriorated.  It returned to dust.  That’s exactly the point.  It reminds the living where it began and where it will end.