Let Them Be Silent

One Year Bible Passages – Exodus 28:1-43; Matthew 25:31 – 26:13; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 8:12-13

Let Them Be Silent
My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake. Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave. Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. – Psalms 31:15-18

First gifts
And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. – Exodus 28:3

I love how the artisans are said to be “filled with the spirit of Wisdom.” Artistic ability of any kind is a gift from God, as is Wisdom. Expressions of art through things like needlework and sculpting were some of the earliest gifts that we read about in the Bible, and crafts such as these done as unto the Lord or for the Kingdom purposes is using your skills with wisdom. I imagine an artist would do their best work filled with the Holy Ghost? Don’t I do my best work, whether in an occupation or crafting, if I am filled with the Holy Ghost and anointed for that purpose? This passage was a great encouragement to me.

Holy Unto the Lord
And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. – Exodus 28:36

The words “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” actually have the same connotation as belonging to the Lord. Set apart for the Lord.

Everyone knows who Aaron is by the words he wears fastened to the front of his turban. They know Who he belongs to. He stands out. If I am part of the royal priesthood (and I am), shouldn’t I stand out too? Shouldn’t everyone know whose I am and what I am about not by Words on my forehead but by the way I live my life?

Sheep and Goats
“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:” – Matthew 25:31-34

The distinction between the sheep and the goats was about who they followed and in this instruction about how they cared for people. This should be a great encouragement for anyone who lives with neglect, abuse, or any other form of suppression. When I care for those, I am caring for Jesus.

Immediately after the passage about the sheep and goats, the religious leaders meet and conspire to kill Jesus. And then, at the end of today’s passages, one of the once marginalized women comes and anoints Jesus with oil. Such a beautiful act of gratitude and love. We can make judgments against those that are conspiring or against the disciples for their reaction to the anointing of oil, but we probably should first examine our own heart and make sure that we are not having the same reactions and attitudes toward others. 

Fear of the Lord
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. – Proverbs 8:12-13

Prudence – wise in practical affairs; caution with regard to practical matters.

Arrogancy – offensive display of superiority or self-importance; overbearing pride.

Froward – willfully contrary; not easily managed