I mentioned here that one of my goals was to read the Bible completely through this year. So far, so good! The version that I’m using is a chronological one-year Bible, presenting the text in the order that things actually happened. (This dovetails nicely with my goal to learn more about Bible history.) My sisters and Dad are also reading through a chronological version of the Bible, but Jen and I have different translations, so immediately after the story of the flood, I read about Job and she read about the patriarchs. The story of Job is a bit difficult to date, so my version tucked it in before hers. We’ve had some great discussions!

I was reading last night in Exodus about the building of the Tabernacle and I’m amazed. I’m blown away by the detail God gave to Moses about how this structure was to be built. God specified colors, materials, dimensions…it’s really remarkable. I’m a little embarrassed to admit this is the first time I’ve ever really attempted to read the entire Bible and many of these stories that I’ve heard about for years I’m now reading for myself. I’m just awestruck, and like I said, embarrassed that it took me this long.

As I was reading last night, I realized that the specs that God was giving Moses weren’t just about making the place look and function a certain way, but it was also about obedience. God told Moses and his brother Aaron to use the finest materials available to them, the best craftspeople, the most precious stones as a way to indicate this place was holy (in the sense of setting it apart for a special purpose). It also occurred to me that our God who created the entire universe in six days, who made a promise to Abraham (and Abraham believed God and acted on that promise! [even though he did booger it up a little]), and who has written the whole of history is a God who cares about the details. God cares about the details.

Friend, I don’t know about you, but that cheers me up this morning. My God cares about the details. Never let me be so arrogant as to assume that he doesn’t!

I am challenged and changed by the Word of God. I can’t wait to see what happens next!