Context No. 3537 of 4322 · Exodus

Exodus 39:32-43: in context

32Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting was finished. The children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses; so they did. 33They brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent, with all its furniture, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, 34the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, the covering of sea cow hides, the veil of the screen, 35the ark of the covenant with its poles, the mercy seat, 36the table, all its vessels, the show bread, 37the pure lamp stand, its lamps, even the lamps to be set in order, all its vessels, the oil for the light, 38the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door of the Tent, 39the bronze altar, its grating of bronze, its poles, all of its vessels, the basin and its base, 40the hangings of the court, its pillars, its sockets, the screen for the gate of the court, its cords, its pins, and all the instruments of the service of the tabernacle, for the Tent of Meeting, 41the finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office. 42According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. 43Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded. They had done so; and Moses blessed them.

The great work of building the tabernacle is finished, and the refrain repeats through the account: the Israelites had done everything just as the LORD commanded Moses; so they did. Every part is brought to Moses for inspection, and he examines all the work.

And behold, they had done it, exactly as the LORD had commanded; so had they done it. And Moses blessed them. There is a quiet satisfaction in this completion: a task done faithfully, precisely to God's specifications, and then blessed. The people had given their materials and their skill, following God's pattern rather than their own ideas, and the result was a dwelling place for God's presence and the blessing of Moses. There is a picture here of the joy of faithful work completed according to God's design, and of the blessing that rests on obedience carried through to the very end. Work done God's way, and finished well, is met with his blessing.

Do I carry my work for God through to completion according to his design rather than my own preferences, trusting that faithful obedience finished well meets with his blessing?

Sources

Exodus 39:42: "According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work."
Exodus 39:43: "Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded... and Moses blessed them."
Matthew 25:21: "Well done, good and faithful servant."