Eighteen times in Exodus 39 – 40 we read the phrase “the LORD commanded.” Ministry is always dependent on God’s direction. We are not to do what we will but what He wills. God’s favorite title for Moses was “servant’ (Josh. 1: 1, 2, 7, 13, 15) and a servant he was. What does a servant do?
A servant obeys immediately. Postponed obedience is disobedience. Once we clearly discern what God is directing us to do we must do it. Deliberation becomes hesitation. Conversation becomes equivocation. Far too often we suffer from “hardening of the oughteries.” We know what we ought to do but we do not act quickly to fulfill God’s desire for our life. Sometimes a second chance is afforded us to do God’s will as in the case of Jonah but in many situations postponing obedience precludes obedience because that opportunity will never occur again. How many people are traveling to hell right now because we failed to share with them and we never saw them again? How many people are living in perpetual misery because we failed to encourage them when we had the opportunity? This moment is the only moment we are guaranteed to obey God.
A servant obeys completely. Partial obedience is disobedience. In a number of instances in chapters 39 – 40 the word “just” is used to describe the obedience of Moses and the children of Israel. One of the last things we read in Exodus is Moses finished the work (40: 33). Had our Lord not been able to truthfully say, “It is finished!” on the Cross we would all die in our sins. Thankfully, Jesus obeyed the Father completely. Much depends on finishing the work God gives us to do. But let’s face it: it is always easier to start something than to finish it. God wants you to read through His Word completely. He wants you to give completely that gift He has directed you to give. He wants you to love that friend or family member completely. How many times has a parent or employer been frustrated because a child or employee did a job incompletely? Often the parent or employer must spend even more time to fix the half-hearted effort. Partial obedience is a poor testimony to our commitment and may actually complicate the ministry of others who are totally obedient.
Much is made of Moses’ initial reluctance to obey God (Ex. 3 – 4) but even the most critical observer must admit that the balance of the book presents him as Exhibit A of obedience. Moses obeyed immediately and completely and the result was that the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle (40: 34). If we desire to see God’s glory revealed in our life He must see our prompt and complete obedience revealed in our life.