The Noontimes

Exodus 36-38: The Altar of Our Lives

Saturday, December 20, 2025

At this harvest time of year when we gather to give thanks for all that we are and all that we have, let us consider our thoughts, words, and deeds in light of the Hebrews’ desert experience and in gratitude for the fulfillment of God’s best hope in us.

Written on November 16, 2008 and posted today as Favorite . . .

The Israelites were faithful to Yahweh in constructing a residence for their one true God, and this one God Yahweh – who tolerated no other gods before him – was faithful in accompanying his people to guide and protect them. Today’s reading describes the detail the Israelites followed in order to provide the appropriate altars, veil, table, ark and lampstand. The chapters preceding these describe the collection of materials and artisans. The chapters following these describe the vestments, and dwelling and how Yahweh settles into God’s home on earth among the human race.

In the New Testament story, Jesus comes to earth to be the new high priest and to construct a new temple in place of the former one. He also calls on artisans, and gathers his materials – the original apostles and disciples – and all those apostles and disciples who have heard his story and who have acted in faith to join this story. Yahweh also settles into God’s home on earth in the hearts, bodies and minds of all those who follow God today and all days.

In Acts we read about the coming of the Holy Spirit settling upon the original apostles in flames of fire. The Spirit still settles upon and in those who join with Christ in his mystical body to become living stones in the new living temple of Yahweh.

We are creatures seeking the God who created us, the God who walks with us, the God who abides with us. We are formed for worship and for joy. Each day at our rising, each noon at our pausing, each night at our entering into the world of dreams and sleep we have a new opportunity to refurbish our temple, to keep it always a pleasing place of adoration – a place where our souls sing in communion with others who wish to walk and live in this liminal space of love and peace, mystery and serenity.

What does our God require of us? This is no mystery. God does not require holocausts or sacrifice. God does not require incense morning, noon and night. But this is what God requires: that we do what is right, love goodness, and walk humbly with our God.  (Micah 6:8) 

Let us offer our sacrifices of fear, anxiety, pain and anger on the altar of our lives. Let us do what is right; let us love goodness; and let us walk humbly as we work at the building of God’s temple with the surrender of our lives.

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A re-post from November 25, 2011.

Images from: http://taniarubimenglish.blogspot.com/2011/02/bible-trivia-furniture-of-tabernacle.html and http://www.journeywithjesus.net/Essays/20060313JJ.shtml and https://bridgemanondemand.com/featured/fixing-the-site-of-an-early-christian-altar-john-pettie.html?product=wood-print

A good website for information concerning the Hebrew temple furnishings.  http://taniarubimenglish.blogspot.com/2011/02/bible-trivia-furniture-of-tabernacle.html