Tabernacle Typology Part 5: Fine Linen

Tabernacle Typology Part 5: Fine Linen

by | Aug 15, 2024 | Bible Studies, Christological Reflections, God in the Details, Tabernacle Typology, Typology

Ex. 25:1-9: (KJV)

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair,And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood, Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate. And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.”

Linen, according to modern research, has been used for thousands of years and appears to be one of the oldest textiles known to man. Derived from the ancient Greek word ‘linón’ it referred to fabric woven from the fibres of the Flax plant

The Ancient Egyptians reserved linen for use by the social elite. They made everything from clothing, furnishings, decorations and sails for ships – they even used it as currency in some instances. Most famously it was used to dress their mummies for burial.

It had such a high place in the Egyptian mind that it was often referred to as ‘woven moonlight’.

It would later, in other parts of the world, become a symbol of status and refinement – often being included in the dowry of Mediaeval brides.

‘Linen’ appears more than a hundred times in the English Scriptures and was a sought-after commodity in Bible times. 

We read about the Angels appearing in robes of fine linen – Revelation 15 and 19, Ezekiel Chapters 9 and 10; Daniel Chapters 10 and 12 – representing their service, righteousness and purity.

Jeremiah (in Jeremiah 13) is instructed to purchase a linen belt, and after wearing it for a while to bury it. Many days later the Lord instructs him to dig it up. By this time it is dirty and useless. Here the belt represents the bond between Judah and God – and how that bond had been tarnished by their disobedience and wickedness. The belt of linen represented God’s bond with His people – a bond of Holiness. The linen belt represented the consecrated garb of the priests, and therefore also the priesthood of His people – the girdle of Jehovah – chosen as His Holy People.

In the book of Revelation the Bride – the saints – are clothed in fine linen as well (Revelation 15 and 19). Here it represents a separation from the world and its wickedness – the clothes kept clean and pure. 

Rabbinical tradition holds that whenever a priest’s garment had a stain that could not be removed, or if their garments had reached a point of disrepair, it would be cut into strips and recycled as candle wicks – “for there can be no display of poverty in a place of wealth.” (Klei Hamikdash, chapter 8).

Linen in the Tabernacle was used in the construction of the fence, and the ceremonial garments of the priesthood.

The pure, undecorated white fence around the Tent of Gathering made a separation between what happened within fro the world outside.

To step into the courtyard was to leave the world outside.

The fence was meant to protect and conceal what was happening inside.

Earlier we mentioned the fact that linen was used to wrap the Egyptian mummies – but it was also used in other burial ceremonies in other cultures. Jesus was also buried in fine linen.

There is a definite connection between death and linen – or rather in this case mortality and linen. As a portrait of Jesus the linen represents the humble and mortal flesh that God put on to die upon the cross for us – unblemished and pure, sinless and without blame.

It is through this mortality of Jesus, offered as a sacrifice, that we get to enter in to the courtyard of His presence – stepping out of the world as we know it and into His resurrection – ever closer to the Heart of the Father. All of the promises of the Tabernacle – the forgiveness and remission of sin – was contained within these walls of linen, just like the promise of redemption and reconciliation was hidden in the pure and unblemished linen of His Body broken for us.

For the Christian believer the linen fence represents the boundary between this world of sin and shame and the New Life in Christ.

Stepping out of the world and into His Holiness – separating ourselves from the world and drawing closer to Him. 

Reflect:

  1. In meditating on the above and the construction of the Tabernacle, in what other ways can the use of linen in the Tabernacle represent not only Christ and His Coming (as the Spotless Lamb of God – the Holy and Anointed One), but also the New Life of the believer?
  2. What is your understanding of Holiness? Is it imparted by the Holy Spirit? Is it something you work for or towards? Or is it both a gift of God, the work of the Holy Spirit – as well as a process that we are actively involved in? How would you explain this using the Tabernacle as a sort of metaphor?

Prayer: Lord, let my robes be unblemished and spotless before You. Help me, Jesus, through Your Holy Spirit to keep my garments clean. If there is any wickedness within me, remove it! I thank You Lord for Your mercy and grace! Even though my sins were as scarlet You have washed me white as snow. Show me Lord, if there is anything I have yet to surrender to Your careful, loving Hand – and give me the courage and the wisdom to act. Help me, Lord, to live a life worthy of the One You gave upon the Cross. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

Understanding Step 2: A Power Greater Than Me

Understanding Step 2: A Power Greater Than Me

by | Aug 13, 2024 | 12 Steps, Counselling, Finding Help, Therapeuo

“Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

Step 2, Alcoholics Anonymous

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

In the first step we came to the conclusion that our lives had somehow spun out of control – our addiction, behaviour or circumstances had taken over and chaos had ensued.

We made the brave decision to admit to ourselves that we had become powerless over these things, that there was no way for us to recover without reaching out – that we, in ourselves, did not have the solution and were unable to do it alone – but now what?

If I am unable to do it on my own, if I am powerless and helpless, maybe even hopeless – where will my help come from?

Simply put – we come to believe that a Power Greater Than Ourselves can restore us to sanity.

There are two facets to this statement. 

First of all, we need to realize that there is strength in numbers. Just like 2 is a power greater than 1, 3 is a power greater than 2 and so forth, we need to understand that the group in itself – our twelve step meeting, church fellowship or family support structure – is a power greater than ourselves. A good support structure is going to be vital in your recovery from sex, drug or alcohol addiction, compulsive shopping, gambling or even overwhelming debt.

The group keeps us accountable, offers an ear willing to listen and a shoulder to cry on – and even some good advice if we choose to be open to it.

I found a lot of strength in my early recovery from attending 12 Step Meetings. In these meetings I found a group of people who had weathered many of the same storms, lived the same struggles, went through the same stuff – people who understood where I was coming from. And through the trial and error of experience, experiences we shared, we would find a way forward.

One would share their current struggle and another would relate – and after a while the solutions would present themselves. We cried together, laughed together and learned together – we overcame together through a power greater than 1. There is strength in numbers.

Secondly, it is important that we find, for ourselves, that Great Power of Salvation which is God. 

For me, during my active addiction, I had backslidden – fallen away from the faith I had pre-active. I still believed in God, but my shame and fear had become a wall between me and Him. This was the situation of many I met in recovery. Others still never knew Him at all.

No-one goes to the support group looking to find God, but it has been my experience and the experience of others that it is hard NOT to find Him. It is important that we do – for I have come to realize that you can start your recovery without God, but you cannot sustain it without Him.

Ultimately, when we really look at the ‘power of the group’ we can see God between the lines. The love, the mercy, the grace of Jesus underlines the principles of the Twelve Steps – He is there, even though many never realize it. He is at work in the program. He wants to be at work in us. And all we need is just a little bit of faith – just a mustard seed of faith and the willingness to give Him a chance. I am so grateful that I did.

As I grew in my relationship with Him the walls of sin and shame started breaking down and falling away. Depression and anxiety started lifting. Real change started happening.

I started to understand the words of Paul to the Corinthians: “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Life did not suddenly become easier the moment I chose to turn to God – it was a process. 

Slowly but surely God started working in my life – restoring my sanity, helping me let go of bad habits and bad thinking, leading me to opportunities, turning my grave into a garden.

Slowly but surely God started working in my life – and I have found in Him, a peace, joy and hope that I would not trade for anything. 

And it all started with a prayer – a simple prayer: “Jesus, show me You!”

The Lord promises in the book of Jeremiah: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.“ (Jeremiah 29:13)

If we ask for Him to reveal Himself to us He will – and He can and will restore us to sanity.

If you would like to take this leap of faith today, pray  with me: “Lord, help me today to find you. Reveal Yourself to me and show me You. Show me Your love, mercy and grace! Remove from me my twisted thinking and addictive behaviour – and help me to pursue You instead.  In Jesus Name. Amen.”

If you have chosen to take this leap of faith or have any questions regarding this post, please reach out to me: andre@adlabuschagne.co.za / 0653703806. We would love to journey with you!

 

Walking With Jesus: The Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:3-11)

Walking With Jesus: The Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:3-11)

by | Aug 12, 2024 | Bible Studies, Christological Reflections, God in the Details, Walking With Jesus

“A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.”

Isaiah 40:3, NIV

Mark begins his Gospel account by introducing us to a pretty radical, strange man, called John. 

John the Baptist.

In Mark 1:3: says that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Mark describes John as wearing clothing made of camel’s hair with a belt of leather. This in itself seems wild enough – but when taken in context, we see a definite parallel with the appearance of Elijah (2 Kings 1:7-8:)

In addition to this both preached a message of repentance and turning back to God for forgiveness of their sins.

There are other interesting similarities. For example the fact that both had their lives sought by wicked queens (1 Kings 19, Matthew 14), ate food provided by God in the wilderness (Mark 1:6, 1 Kings 17), confronted idolatry (1 Kings 18, Luke 3),  and both lived in the wilderness and ministered near the Jordan River.

The most important similarity between them, however, is that each in his own right was the only acting prophet of the Lord when the began their ministries.

In 1 Kings 18:22 we read: Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.”

And in Luke 1:76-79: “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him…”

John the Baptist starts his ministry after more or less 400 years of prophetic silence, following the death of Malachi. This silent period is known as the ‘Intertestamental Period’.

Suddenly, after 400 years, God anoints his servant to speak again! God anoints this wild-man prophet to prepare the way for the coming of Christ and His Kingdom.

The water baptism of John was a new thing – a unique thing. David Guzik shares the following thought: “Baptism was already practiced in the Jewish community in the form of ceremonial immersions but typically it was only among Gentiles who wished to become Jews. For a Jew in John’s day to submit to baptism was essentially to say, “I confess that I am as far away from God as a Gentile and I need to get right with Him.” This was a real work of the Holy Spirit.”

The baptism of John in the wilderness was a prophetic reflection of the new movement God was birthing in the world – a preparing of the ground – the preparation of their hearts to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The first purpose of his baptism therefore was to prepare the way for Christ.

The second purpose of the baptism was to reveal Christ. (Mark 1:9-11).

At the Baptism of Jesus we read that the Heavens were torn open. The same verb is used to describe what happens to the Temple Veil when Jesus gives His last breath upon the cross.

The author Don Juel shares his impression: “What does the tearing mean? It may mean, as interpreted in the Letter to the Hebrews (esp. chapters 9-10), that we now have access to God: We can “have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus” (Heb. 10:19).  Viewed from another perspective, the image may suggest that the protecting barriers are gone and that God, unwilling to be confined to sacred spaces, is on the loose in our own realm.  If characters in the story find Jesus’ ministry threatening, then they may have good reason.  The imagery has enormous power to shape imagination and to open readers to the story.  That is, Mark’s narrative is about the intrusion of God into a world that has become alien territory — An intrusion that means both life and death.” (Donald Juel, A Master of Surprise,)

It is here, in verses 9-11, that we see that God has stepped into our realm of flesh and blood. That God Himself has come to work on our behalf – to prepare a way for us towards salvation – God Himself has come to prepare the way of reconciliation – and to show us this way.

God Himself is taking action.

And He wants to take action in your life today.

Reflect:

  1. John came preaching a message of repentance. The Gospel as a whole is focused on repentance – on turning away from the world, and towards Him. Is there any area of your life that requires a turning towards God today?

  2. What do the words “God on the loose” awaken in you? What would it look like to have “God on the loose” in your life? What would it look like to have “God on the loose” through you? How will this affect and reflect in your life today?

Prayer: Lord, I want to invite you today, through Your Holy Spirit, to move in me and through me. If there is anything in my life that is out of order, anything that should be removed – any area of my life that needs to turn towards You, show me and give me the wisdom to act – let no stone be left unturned. And as I turn, wholly and fully towards You, let my life be a reflection of the life You gave – direct me in all my ways and ordain every step I take, so that the world might see You ‘on the loose’ in my life. In Jesus name. Amen.

 

 

Gratitude: A Call to Worship

Gratitude: A Call to Worship

by | Aug 8, 2024 | Kingdom Finance, Kingdom Principles, The Pattern

The American essayist and poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson, once gave the following advice: “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”

In Psalm 23 David makes it clear that even though we may walk through the valley of the shadow of death we need not fear – in all our trials and tribulations Jesus remains our friend.

In the valley low, and on the mountain top – through oceans deep and rivers wide – God remains faithful. He is God in the good times and in the bad times.

Romans 5:1-5: teaches us that even in the storm God is faithful. He is always busy molding us, shaping us – in every situation He is with us. In the good times and the bad times He is faithful, and therefore in both the good times and the bad times we can praise Him for His goodness and His love.

The fact of the matter is that some days are better than others, but every day can be the best of your life when you adopt an attitude of gratitude.

As Christians we realize that through the Spirit of Adoption we have become sons and daughters of the Most High God. We are no longer enslaved by the bondage of fear and sin – but crying ‘Abba Father’. We are justified by faith and at peace with God through Christ. Through Jesus, also, we have access, by faith, to His grace – the marvelous, amazing Grace of God in which we stand, alive and rejoicing, in the hope of glory of God.

We are blessed and highly favored. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. He is our deliverer. He is our healer. He is the provider.

In Psalm 103 David declares aloud: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The word used for soul is the Hebrew ‘nephesh’ which does not just refer to our conventional understanding of a ‘soul’ as some sort of component of being, but rather a word that encapsulates all of his life – consciousness and the whole of life itself.

He is, in essence, saying: Let others praise you with their tongues – with their words – but as for me… Everything I am, all of me will honour you. All that is withing me – physically, emotionally and intellectually – will praise you, glorify you, magnify, bless and exalt you Lord – with everything I have – every faculty and resource I have to my disposal.

In verse 2 David repeats this phrase. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

As a guitarist I have to often tune my instrument before playing. The tuning peg needs to be turned until it is in tune. Often it has to be turned more than once.

David repeats this phrase on purpose. Deliberately and with good reason. It is not vain repetition – how can it be when your pen is guided by the Spirit of God?

David is thirsty. He is hungry. He is seeking the face of God – ardently and in all earnestness. With the repetition of these words he is stirring up a chorus within himself – a chorus in which all his faculties, emotions and capacities are joined in harmonious rapture.

The prince of preachers, Charles Spurgeon, notes the following in his beautiful exposition of this psalm: These first verses are a tuning of the harp, a screwing up of the loosened strings, that not one note may fail in the sacred harmony.

David’s repetition is deliberate – for emphasis. Our praise must never be half-hearted. Our thanksgiving must always be intentional. Although our praise is often spontaneous and emotional, it must also be intentional, and to a degree rational.

Psalm 103:2 encourages us to not forget His benefits. More than wealth or prosperity, God gives His children TRUE benefits.

The theologian, VanGemeren said: Praise is the response of awe for God, while reflecting on what the Lord has done for the people of God – throughout the history of redemption, for creation at large, for the community and for oneself.

If praise is a response to the awe of God, and David is calling his whole soul – all he is – to bless the Lord, it means that our thanksgiving is never just in word but also in deed. Our praise and thanksgiving becomes something tangible.

As author Amy Leigh Mercree said: Thanksgiving is a joyous invitation to shower the world with love and gratitude.

The vanGemeren quote expresses this as well – our praise is not just about what God has done for the individual, but extends outwards.

And as David is led in writing the Psalm, his invitation to praise, starting with himself – the stirring up of his heart and soul – extends outwards to eventually include all of creation. All the earth and even the host of heaven is invited to bless the Lord.

All of creation. All of Heaven and Earth is invited to take their place in the sacred symphony of praise.

In Psalm 103:6 we see that God’s heart beats for the oppressed, the poor – the broken, lost and in need. God’s heart beats for the sinner, outcast and orphan. From reading the Gospels and about the Apostles, we see how God wants to use us as His hands and feet. We are to advocate for and actively pursue and effect justice for the oppressed, the weak and weary, the burdened. and heavy laden – we are called to make a difference. As the light of God’s love becomes alive in us we are to become a light – a beacon of hope – for those still in darkness.

The Psalms often make mention of an offering of thanks, or a sacrifice of thanksgiving. This was always a physical offering. I would argue that all our offerings, all of our praise and thanksgiving, are to be expressed physically.

We have so much to be grateful for today. He has saved us from death itself. He has paid for our healing and restoration. He gives us joy and peace – the kind that surpasses understanding. His grace carries us. His love enfolds us. His goodness and mercy follows us. He is our Shepherd and we shall not want. He is the Good Father who cares for His children. If His eye is on the Sparrow, surely He watches over you and me as well.

Let us stir up our souls to worship God today – in Spirit and in Truth. Let us call ourselves to worship and bless the Lord with more than just words.

This is the invitation.

Someone out there needs Jesus today.

This is the invitation, an invitation to shower the world with love and gratitude.

An invitation to bless the Lord by doing something.

To bring a physical, tangible offering to the Lord, as a living sacrifice to Him (Romans 12:1-2).

What is your sacrifice of praise today?

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I would like to ask you to help us fulfill the mission by supporting our mission. Your contribution allows us to devote our time to preaching, teaching, counseling those who can’t afford it and deliverance ministry – both locally and internationally, online and in person.

It also allows us to devote our time to the creation of materials for use by individuals and groups for personal growth and discipleship – all available for free on this website. We are not asking for much – even the smallest drop in the bucket makes a huge difference. We only ask that your prayerfully go to the Lord and ask Him to guide you in your giving.

Please see this page for more information on how you can support the mission:

https://kingdomrevolution.co.za/blogs/give/

Hands and Feet

Hands and Feet

by | Aug 8, 2024 | Kingdom Finance, Kingdom Principles, The Pattern

I remember years ago, as a volunteer in Hillbrow doing urban missions, I sat at a soup kitchen listening to testimonies from the local homeless population.

An older man got up and went to the front. The room fell silent as he started sharing. “I have never seen God give me bread or shelter…” He started. And I felt my heart jump. I thought to myself – this is not a testimony.

But the older man continued.

“But I have seen His children acting as his hands and feet to provide to our needs.”

Over the years this statement has stuck with me. This idea has shaped my ministry over the last 12 years. It is as Richard Rohr so beautifully puts it. Presence over preaching…

Peter shares the same kind of thought with us in his first epistle. In 1 Peter 2:9: he tells us that we are a royal priesthood, a chosen generation – a peculiar people – called out of darkness with the purpose of proclaiming his goodness to those who have not yet seen his love.

I like how the older translations put it – to shew forth the praises of Him who called us out of darkness. Not just to talk about it – but to practically demonstrate the Kingdom – to be ambassadors rather than citizens.

The old homeless man had a point. God uses us to facilitate His miracles. God uses us to provide and see to the needs of those who need Him. God uses us to care for the poor and disenfranchised. He uses us to bring about change. Gd works in us, He gives through us – and if He is present in our hearts, we will see His Kingdom present itself around us.

As believers and children of the Most High God, followers of the teachings of Christ we realize that we have a mission. This mission is given to us in Matthew 28 – in verse 16 the 11 disciples (sans Judas) go to the mountain in Galilee where Jesus had instructed them to go.

Here Jesus tells them the following: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus gives us the great commission – this role is assigned to us as a body – the authority of Christ, and therefore also the responsibility that comes with it – is delegated to us.

We are to make disciples as Jesus had done.

I love the Gospel According to Mark. In the book of Mark Jesus is described as a man of action – He didn’t just preach – but came as a revolutionary. Shifting paradigms, shaking our way of thinking and showing us the way forward. We cannot simply tell the hungry man to find Christ. A roaring belly is not always open to the Gospel – we need to feed him. The naked man needs to be clothed lest he be distracted by the cold, unable to hear the good news being shared.

We need to actually do. Not just talk the talk, but actually walk as Jesus instructed us to. As Christ Himself demonstrated.

When His disciples wanted to send the crowds home to go and eat, saying: “We cannot feed them…”, Jesus rebuked them and multiplied what was there.

But God used a little boy and his lunchbox to do this.

Just like Moses was instructed to use the staff he had in his hand to demonstrate God’s power – just like David picked up 5 stones – God uses what we have at hand to change the world.

And as we give – as we pour out the oil – it is multiplied. As we fill the cups of others, our cup will be filled.

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I would like to ask you to help us fulfill the mission by supporting our mission. Your contribution allows us to devote our time to preaching, teaching, counseling those who can’t afford it and deliverance ministry – both locally and internationally, online and in person.

It also allows us to devote our time to the creation of materials for use by individuals and groups for personal growth and discipleship – all available for free on this website. We are not asking for much – even the smallest drop in the bucket makes a huge difference. We only ask that your prayerfully go to the Lord and ask Him to guide you in your giving.

Please see this page for more information on how you can support the mission:

https://kingdomrevolution.co.za/blogs/give/