Serving Lemonade in Heaven

Thursday  2-4-16 (Home in Modesto, California)     

Scripture reading for today:  Exodus 37 – 38     Psalm 19     Acts 11

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Ex 38:8  He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the bronze mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. NKJV

“So he (Brother Bezaleel) melted down the bronze mirrors donated by the girls that served lemonade at the door of the tabernacle and of that bronze he made the lavar and its base.”  NUHV*

O.  There was a group of ladies that hung around the entrance of the tabernacle as it was being constructed.  In different translations I notice that one says they “served” at the door of the tabernacle, another “assembled” and still another they “ministered”.  In Spanish (1960 RV) it is translated “velaban” which is the same word Jesus used to his sleepy disciples, “Couldn’t you “watch” with me for one hour?”  So now we know that there were a group of women that hung around the entrance of the tabernacle as it was being assembled.  They are mentioned because they donated their “mirrors” made of solid polished brass, carried all the way from Egypt, enough brass to make the laver and its base where the priest would wash their hands and feet before ministering to the Lord.  That took a lot of mirrors.

A.  I have met these ladies more than once.  Every time I have been toting on my shoulder bags of powdered cement weighing 94 pounds or more, pushing a wheel barrow uphill full of liquid cement or bricks, working with a team of men in the heat if the day, trying to build a church... these ladies have always been there.  They are carrying ice cold cokes or homemade lemonade around to the workers.  They are just as important as the brick layers.  They are the lubrication that keeps the engine turning.  But here is a troop of women that voluntarily gave up their looking-glasses.  Now that had to represent a sacrifice!  They couldn’t run down to the corner Walmart and buy another one, you know.

P.  Lord, I know that both the lavar and the mirrors represent cleanliness in ministry.  You didn’t want Your ministers tracking a lot of dirt, mud or dust into Your sanctuary.  So Your ministering ladies gave up their mirrors so that future ministers could enter Your presence all cleaned up.  And minister’s wives have been trying to keep us preachers clean ever since... in more ways than one.  Yes, Lord, You gave me a wonderful wife to serve me lemonade when I was thirsty and to see to it that I was kept “clean”.  Thanks, Jesus.  I miss her a lot.  It just ain’t the same without her.  Is she serving lemonade up there?  Amen.

Ralph

*New Unauthorized Hiatt Version