Moses and the All Blacks

From today’s reading…

Today we read from the last chapter of Exodus where Moses sets up the Tabernacle of the Lord.

After Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the tablets of the Lord the second time in Chapter 34, we read of the many instructions the Israelites were given about how to keep holy the Sabbath and how to prepare the Ark of the Covenant.

We read these instructions from 34 through today’s reading from Chapter 40. 

The Lord was detailed in His directions and the Israelites gave of their time, talent, and treasure to help Moses do as he was told.

Great leaders are also great followers. They are great listeners. They are humble. They are passionate. They are focused.

It took the entire community and a team of skilled artisans to create the Ark, the altar, the vestments, the tent, the veil, the menorah.

The focus and determination that went into creating all the Lord instructed was monumental, but He was giving them the routine, the tradition, the liturgy to properly worship Him, and thereby make amends for their sins.

There is great power in routine, tradition, liturgy.

When you know what it behind it and underneath it—when you know its source, its history—it grounds you. It reminds you where you came from and how far you have come and how far you have to go and that you are not alone and that you are part of something bigger than yourself.

This feeling, this longing to know you’re a part of something meaningful and substantive is in our DNA and spans all aspects of our lives from religion to family reunions to sports. Case in point, the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team and their pre-game Haka.

But the All Blacks have a Team Captain. And the team reports to a coach. And the coach reports to an owner. And the owner reports to a league. And the league works within national and international rules and regulations.

We all must follow someone’s orders. Following God’s is the only way to…

Stay the course. Keep the faith. Endure.