Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: ENOUGH (01/07/21)
-
TITLE: Giving Ceases | Previous Challenge Entry
By John Custer
01/13/21 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
While savoring his mother’s delicious meal of lentil soup, olives and a few figs, he asked, “Father, why are we so interested in making a tabernacle? How is that going to benefit us?”
Offir’s father was caught off guard. He was a shepherd and not a religious scholar. Kids have a way of asking tough questions sometimes, so he thought for a minute, then replied, “Son, the world was made by the Lord God. We owe thanksgiving to Him for making a beautiful world and also for making us. Furthermore, we Israelites were slaves in Egypt until God through Moses led us out. God has promised us our own land if we continue to worship and serve Him. The tabernacle needs to be built because God wants it to be built. It is to be in the center of the camp just as God wants to be the center of our life. In fact, He has given very specific instructions on exactly how it is to be built.”
Offir thought about what his father had said. Then he asked, “How long will it take to build the tabernacle?”
“I don’t know. Moses will tell us. Until then, son, God is supplying all of our needs and we should be content to give generously to God. He has been so good to us.” The father-son conversation seemed to be done.
Offir enjoyed helping his father with their sheep-tending business. Some of his friends worked with their fathers growing fruit and vegetables to feed the workers. Bezalel and Oholiab, two skilled artisans appointed by God, were training others to be skilled at making tents and curtains while still others were learning how to be metal workers so they could make the furnishings of the tabernacle.
Offir was learning how many different skills were required by the community.
Several weeks later, the skilled workers who were working on the tabernacle went to Moses and related to him that they had a problem. They told him that the people were bringing more supplies than what they could use. They had enough!
So Moses issued an order and “the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.” Exodus 36:6-7 NIV
When the word filtered down to Offir, he was quite excited about the completion of the tabernacle. He thought, “If God’s presence will be there, how will I know that?” He wanted to witness the completion and dedication of the tabernacle.
When the tabernacle was completed and everything was ready, a cloud covered the tent of meeting and the glory of the Lord so filled it that Moses could not even enter the tent. Offir and everyone else recognized the mighty presence of Almighty God.
When the cloud lifted, they were to move; when it did not move, they were to stay where they were. The cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night were physical signs of God’s presence.
Offir became quite familiar with the workings of the tabernacle because God moved them often before they entered the Promised Land.
Offir never forgot the story of how God furnished enough for their needs.
This is a fictional story based on Exodus 36.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
I couldn't see anything that could improve what you have already written :)
Quite a lot of "tell" rather than "show"
Added dialogue between Moses and the workers when they had enough, instead of just describing it might help.