How to Build a Tabernacle: Part 7

Today's Reading: Exodus 35

Comments:

I have posted the study into question 6 below.  Please see part 1 to get the details of this chapter study on Exodus 35. 

6. Is there a connection/statement being made about God's sovereignty vs man's free will?

Prayer: Lord please reveal the lesson here in this text and give me ears to hear your voice.  Please reveal the meaning and application of your word.  In Jesus name, amen.

Study:

This question will be supported further with study into the different statements in this chapter about how the people were moved to contribute but focusing on the broad concepts first…

See Jeff that Moses understood the collection and construction of the Tabernacle to be my commandment, not a recommendation or suggestion.  Yet the fulfillment of this command was to be by willing, generous hearts.  

From the Matthew Henry Commentary-

The tabernacle was to be dedicated to the honour of God, and used in his service; and therefore what was brought for the setting up and furnishing of that was an offering to the Lord. Our goodness extends not to God, but what is laid out for the support of his kingdom and interest among men he is pleased to accept as an offering to himself; and he requires such acknowledgements of our receiving our all from him and such instances of our dedicating our all to him. The rule is, Whosoever is of a willing heart let him bring. It was not to be a tax imposed upon them, but a benevolence or voluntary contribution, to intimate to us, (1.) That God has not made our yoke heavy. He is a prince that does not burden his subjects with taxes, nor make them to serve with an offering, but draws with the cords of a man, and leaves it to ourselves to judge what is right; his is a government that there is no cause to complain of, for he does not rule with rigour. (2.) That God loves a cheerful giver, and is best pleased with the free-will offering. Those services are acceptable to him that come from the willing heart of a willing people, Ps. 110:3.
Henry, M. (1996). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Ex 35:1–19). Peabody: Hendrickson.

So we have a convergence of my sovereign will where I already explained that my purposes (my good pleasure) will always be established and this is unmistakable.  Yet, I leave it up to the generous hearts?  Jeff- what if there were not enough that were generous?  What if they didn't respond to Moses' lead? Do you suppose that there is an amazing balance I allow between my sovereignty and your free will? 

Do not be mistaken Jeff.  I am not a powerless god who is subject to my creation. I am sovereign. I am. Do not think that I merely look ahead in time (being outside of and not subject to time) and see what my creation will do and then decide what I will command them or what I will declare of them based on that foreknowledge.  This would put me subject to your will and this would make me uncertain of the future, dependant on your choices. There is no compatibility there with my sovereignty. Remember…

Isaiah 46:10–11 (ESV) ¹⁰  declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
  saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
 ¹¹  calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country.
  I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have purposed, and I will do it. 

Psalm 115:3 (ESV) ³  Our God is in the heavens;
he does all that he pleases.

I do not ever need to adjust my purpose Jeff.  I am not surprised. I do not get frustrated. I do as I please. Remember what pleases me…my Son.

Hebrews 6:17 (ESV)¹⁷ So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV) ²¹  Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Men may plan all sorts of good or evil but it is only that which I allow that shall come to pass.  Yes, this means that I allow bad things to happen Jeff. Remember that my ways are higher than your ways. Don't get caught in the trap of believing that I should only do what YOU think is good or right or proper…where were you when I put the stars in the sky? Trust me Jeff, yes- no matter what happens, the entire world may crumble, you may lose everything, you may face ridiculous adversity, you may see terrible tragedy, you may fear every day for your safety or your provision, you may be plagued with health troubles…yet you should trust me- my thoughts are higher than yours and you will be with me in paradise to discuss how that 80-100 years of life seeing only in part went for you…for us.

Isaiah 55:9 (ESV) ⁹  For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

Ephesians 1:11 (ESV)¹¹ In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 

Psalm 33:11 (ESV) ¹¹  The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations. 

1 Timothy 6:13–16 (ESV)¹³ I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, ¹⁴ to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

See the balance I demonstrate in the Psalm by David...

Psalm 33:13–15 (ESV) ¹³  The Lord looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man;
 ¹⁴  from where he sits enthroned he looks out
on all the inhabitants of the earth,
 ¹⁵  he who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds.

So here I advise that I fashion thee heart and then observe the deeds.  Clearly I involve myself in the path everyone takes but I also observe.  There is yet a beautiful balance that I will reveal in the next age as to how I allow free will deeds yet cannot have my purpose frustrated.

From Hodge's Systematic Theology-

From these and similar passages of Scriptures it is plain, (1.) That the sovereignty of God is universal. It extends over all his creatures from the highest to the lowest. (2.) That it is absolute. There is no limit to be placed to his authority. He doeth his pleasure in the armies of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. (3.) It is immutable. It can neither be ignored nor rejected. It binds all creatures, as inexorably as physical laws bind the material universe.
This sovereignty is exercised, (1.) In establishing the laws, physical and moral, by which all creatures are to be governed. (2.) In determining the nature and powers of the different orders of created beings, and in assigning each its appropriate sphere. (3.) In appointing to each individual his position and lot. It is the Lord who boxes the bounds of our habitation. Our times are in his hands. He determines when, where, and under what circumstances each individual of our race is to be born, live, and die. Nations, no less than individuals, are thus in the hands of God, who assigns them their heritage in the earth, and controls their destiny. (4.) God is no less sovereign in the distribution of his favours. He does what He wills with his own. He gives to some riches, to others, honour; to others, health; while others are poor, unknown, or the victims of disease. To some, the light of the gospel is sent; others are left in darkness. Some are brought through faith unto salvation; others perish in unbelief. To the question, Why is this? the only answer is that given by our Lord. “Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight.”Hodge, C. (1997). Vol. 1: Systematic theology (440–441). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Application and Prayer:

• Today I will rejoice that the circumstances in my life are under God's control and I know that He loves me!
• Today I will walk in confidence that He cannot be frustrated and He will complete the work He has begun in me.
• Today I will extend mercy to those who wrong me because God does the same and although they might do wrong, God allows it and I can have peace with what God, in His infinite wisdom, allows.

Thank you Lord for revealing yourself in your Word. Please let me be strengthened by your might, by the knowledge of your sovereignty and by the blessing of your love that allows me somehow to still have free will so that we can maintain a real loving relationship where I get to choose you Lord, as you have chosen me.  I pray in Jesus name, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria!

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