Obedience

The Mercy Seat and B

April 14, 2022 by Ellen 2 Comments

Bezalel.

You’ve read his story in scripture. Like me, you may have skipped right over his name. Cause you know, the challenge of Biblical pronunciation, amen? You know what I’m talking about! I’ll bet you don’t raise your hand to read scripture aloud, until you’ve glanced over it to make sure you can say all the words. Right? So when I’m reading about Bezalel, I just call him B.

Even though B’s name is mentioned only nine times in scripture, we see that he was quite important. Why? He was called by God.

“See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.” Exodus 31:2 NASB

Bezalel was a skillful man. However, the Lord added more skill and understanding to him. He was supernaturally equipped and enabled by God to do the job assigned to him^⁠1. And what was that?

Bezalel was called to work on constructing the sanctuary. He helped make the curtains and he built the ark of the covenant.

“Now Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; its length was two and a half cubits, and its width one and a half cubits, and its height one and a half cubits;” Exodus 37:1 NASB

Not only that, Bezalel constructed the mercy seat.

“He made a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide.” Exodus 37:6 NASB

So what?

Horrors, I’m gasping here! You’re asking so what? What’s the big deal about Bezalel building the mercy seat?

An artisan from the tribe of Judah made a seat representing the mercy of the Lion of Judah.

Interesting fact: the original Hebrew word for mercy seat meant lid, or cover. It also means propitiation, which is a big word meaning to offer a gift to appease someone’s wrath. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest made atonement (or amends) for himself, the Tabernacle, and the people by a sin offering, which included sprinkling blood on this cover. It was here, above the mercy seat that God resided.

The mercy seat points forward to Christ. Jesus was the offering to appease the wrath of God because of our sins. He is the propitiation for our sins. His death was the atoning sacrifice to save us from death. He took our place on the cross. When we place our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are covered by His blood.

What better way to commemorate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus, than by remembering the mercy He had in choosing to take our place on the cross.

Today, I’m praising God for Bezalel. I’m thankful for his obedience to use his gifts for the glory of God.

The Mercy Seat and B. What a beautiful reflection of Jesus.

Grace be with you,

Ellen

¹Ex. 36:1-2

Do you know Jesus?

¹Ex. 36:1-2

14 Ways to Love Your Husband – Part 2

February 10, 2022 by Ellen Leave a Comment

Valentine’s Day is almost here! I’m sharing some hints on loving your husband. The list is endless, so I’ve narrowed it down to fourteen. Feel free to pop over to Part 1 for the first seven helpful hints. Today, let’s look at Part Two, or Part Deux as they say in south Louisiana.

8. Forgive

Let’s face it. Guys sometimes don’t think like we do. My sweet husband was concerned about weight I had gained several years back – and rightly so! It was more than I had ever weighed in my life. However, when he was talking with me about it, he used the “O” word – obesity. Now, before you get your feathers in a ruffle, he DID NOT say I was obese. He was just concerned that I was headed in that direction. But, bless his heart, you just don’t use that word when you are talking to a woman about her weight. I don’t think I spoke to him for two days. TWO DAYS. Two days out of our lives that are wasted, because I didn’t have the sense and maturity to forgive him. Ladies, please don’t ever waste precious time away from your husband like I did. Forgive him. “…love keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:5

9. Your home, his castle

Make your home a safe haven for you hubby. Make it a peaceful place for him. John travels quite a bit. When he’s gone, I don’t cook, do laundry or dishes. But when he walks through the door, I try to make sure all the mess is picked up (not tonight, I’m writing tonight). Ok, I’m not as good at this as I use to be. I’ve relaxed a lot in my old age. But I do try to be his helpmate. I know he’ll be tired when he comes home, so if necessary I take care of chores that he usually does. Yes, like take the trash out and put a fresh 5 gallon water bottle on the cooler (Heavy!). Make your home a peaceful, loving place. He’ll look forward to arriving at his castle each evening!

10. Be Kind

Titus 2:4-5 says that older women are to encourage the younger women to love their husbands and children, and to be kind (among other things). I thought it odd that the younger women had to be taught how to be kind. After all, kindness begins at home, doesn’t it? Sometimes you would never know this by the way I act. I can be kinder to a stranger in Wal-mart than I can to my husband, when I’m in “a mood.” Let’s be kind to our husbands, “so that the word of God may not be dishonored.” (Titus 2:5).

11. PRACTICE PATIENCE. I had to put this one in all caps, mainly for me, hee hee! Count to ten. Then, count to ten again. And again, and again.

12. Don’t Husband Bash

Ever been in a conversation with some girlfriends that went something like this:

“You wouldn’t believe what a slob my husband is. I wish he would learn to pick up his stuff!”

“You think yours is a slob, mine is such an idiot! He can’t even make the simplest repairs around the house!”

And on it goes, getting worse and worse. This is dangerous and destructive behavior. It is contagious and spreads like a virus! RUN FROM IT! Husband bashing is extremely damaging to your marriage. The more you dwell on your perceived wrongs in your husband, the more unhappy you will become.

Don’t participate in these conversations. Try to steer them back to positive aspects of your spouses. If you can’t, I say again: RUN FROM IT!

Be especially careful in front of the children or grandchildren. They need to see your respect for your man, not your scorn for him.

13. Say thank you. Always. For every little thing. Let him know you appreciate him.

14. Laugh. Laughing together is good medicine for any marriage. And it relieves stress.The other night John and I were laughing so hard, I had tears streaming. Turns out I slept like a baby that night! Laughter is good medicine.

Remember, there are many, many ways you can love on and encourage your sweet hubby each day. Be alert to hints he may unknowingly give. You won’t be sorry!

Grace be with you,

Ellen

(This post first appeared February 2015)

Do you know Jesus?