Date: 02-12-2021

Title: Women Workers

(S) cripture:
    Exodus 35:20-26 (NLT2) So the whole community of Israel left Moses and returned to their tents. 21 All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the LORD. They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle, for the performance of its rituals, and for the sacred garments. 22 Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. They brought to the LORD their offerings of gold—brooches, earrings, rings from their fingers, and necklaces. They presented gold objects of every kind as a special offering to the LORD. 23 All those who owned the following items willingly brought them: blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; and tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather. 24 And all who had silver and bronze objects gave them as a sacred offering to the LORD. And those who had acacia wood brought it for use in the project. 25 All the women who were skilled in sewing and spinning prepared blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen cloth. 26 All the women who were willing used their skills to spin the goat hair into yarn.

(O) bservation:
    Moses has told the people what kinds of things they can bring as a sacred offering to the Lord. These were the materials needed to complete the tabernacle and all that is in it including the clothing for the priests. The people brought things in abundance. Moses then calls for all gifted craftsmen (vs. 10) to use their skills to make all God commanded. In the verses I chose for today we find that both men and women were skilled and used their skills in completing the work. The women worked along with the men and that was huge in that culture.

(A) pplication:
    The church still struggles over the roles in which women can serve. Here is a early example of God using both women and men to accomplish his purpose. Some will argue over the place of women in the church and kingdom but not me. My own call to pastoral ministry came during Sr. High camp at the West Virginia Baptist Camp at Cowen during a vespers service. Rev. Elizabeth Caudill was the camp pastor. My wife is gifted and called to ministry and has served the church, region and denomination with excellence. I have seen too many gifted and called women to think that God does not call women to places of leadership in the church. I appreciate the reminder that from the beginning God has used and called women to serve and lead. Today I renew my commitment to helping both men and women recognize and understand God’s call in their lives.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, help me to help others understand your call in their lives. Help me to not ignore or put down your call in the women of our church. Let me encourage all to follow your lead and call. Amen