Thursday Yr B Sunday between July 10-16
Exodus 25:10-22 (New International Version)
The Ark
10 “Have them make a chest of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. 1 11 Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. 12 Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 13 Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 14 Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the chest to carry it. 15 The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed. 16 Then put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.
17 “Make an atonement cover 2 of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 3 18 And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. 20 The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. 21 Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you. 22 There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.
Footnotes:
- Exodus 25:10 That is, about 3 3/4 feet (about 1.1 meters) long and 2 1/4 feet (about 0.7 meter) wide and high
- Exodus 25:17 Traditionally a mercy seat
- Exodus 25:17 That is, about 3 3/4 feet (about 1.1 meters) long and 2 1/4 feet (about 0.7 meter) wide
Colossians 2:1-5 (New International Version)
Colossians 2
1I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
“What’s in the boxes?” Jenny asked her mom.
“It’s a surprise.”
“I like surprises when they are gift boxes.” Jenny picked up one and shook it gently. “It’s not rattling. When can I find out?”
“Patience, you’ll know soon.”
“When? I can’t wait.”
“Wait at least till your Dad and brother get home.”
“Is one for Ted and one for me?”
“Yes.”
“When do Ted and Dad come home?”
“Ted’s scouting troop should be back in two hours, just in time for dinner.”
“Can you give me a hint?” Jenny whined.
“It contains answers.” Her mom smiled.
“Answers to what?”
“Answers to all your questions.”
“Like doing my homework for me after school? That would be way cool.” Jenny stared off into space, her eyes rolling upwards.
“I can say that it is not a robot to spew answers for your school work.” Her mom chuckled.
“Help me precook some of our meals for this coming week while we’re waiting for Dad and Ted. I’ve got Monday, Wednesday and Friday meals to prep, seal and store.”
Side by side, Jenny and her mom worked on cooking up fried chicken, a meat loaf and a spaghetti sauce, reading directions carefully and placing them into the proper containers and sealing them for storage so they’d be easy to pull out for a quick dinner later in the week.
Ted and Dad arrived home in a flurry of dust and chattering about all the past week’s activities. Taking time to unpack and stow their gear followed by a good shower, both were back at the dinner table in a short while. Ted’s eyes opened wide when he saw the two gift boxes.
“What’s in the boxes?” Ted blurted out, reaching for the closest box.
“Patience.” His mom replied. “After dinner.”
“I’ve been waiting all afternoon.” Jenny said, her lower lip pushed out and her eyes downcast.
“What do you think it is?”
“Mom says it has answers.”
“Answers to what?” Ted squinted his eyes and raised one eyebrow.
“She wouldn’t say. Help finish setting the table and maybe we can find out sooner.”
Ted got up without protest and began carrying the serving dishes to the table.
When they sat down, they asked God to bless the meal. And stories about the week filled the conversation from both sides. When Ted had finished clearing the dishes, he came back to the table and the two boxes were sitting in the center.
“So, Mom, what’s with..?” Ted looked at her.
“The boxes contain a mystery, but it’s a mystery that holds the answers you’ll need throughout your life. Your understanding will increase everyday that you use them.”
“It’s time to open them.” Dad gave each a box.
Jenny and Ted ripped open the wrappings and found a book nestled in the styrofoam peanuts. Lifting it out, they opened them to the title page.
“The Holy Bible?” Jenny read. “How’s that give me the answers to everything?”
“The Bible is God’s word. If you read it every day, you will gain wisdom and understanding. The Spirit of God will equip you for anything you face. It’s the mystery of Christ. Jesus is the Word of God.” Dad commented.
“We felt you were old enough to have your own Bibles.” Mom added. “We read in Colossians that Paul wanted the believers to be ‘encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.’
“In the Old Testament reading,” Dad interjected, “God gave very specific instructions for how the ark of the covenant should be made. It was where God was able to talk with the priests. We have the Bible today which contains very specific instructions from God to us. When we are obedient to God’s word, our hearts are encouraged, we are united in love and we gain complete understanding. Your mom and I want that for you.”
“Just as the boxes were a mystery to you, but they contained the Bible, so the Bible is a mystery that contains the Word of God. I find when I start the day with it, answers come more quickly when I need them than when I don’t start the day with it.” Mom grinned as she confided her revelation. “That’s why I said it contains all the answers you’ll need.”
“Inside, you’ll see that both Mom and I have inscribed them to you so that you’ll remember that we gave them to you because we love you and we know that God loves you.”
“Thanks Dad,” Ted smiled at his kid sister. “Who knows? Maybe this will help us with schoolwork.”
“Thanks Mom and Dad, I love a good mystery.” Jenny grinned at Ted; her eyes twinkling. “Race you.” With that, she took off for her room to read the first chapter of her new book and Ted was close behind.
Memorize: Colossians 2:2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
