Exodus 38

To read this text CLICK HERE

Exodus 38:8, They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

This chapter continues the instructions for building various elements of the tabernacle – the altar for burnt offerings, the wash basin, and the courtyard.  Again, there are many details included, down to the specific amount of gold, silver, and bronze, donated by the community.

There is one line in these instructions that I find really interesting, verse 8, which describes the making of the bronze wash basin.  Ironically, it would be really easy to simply read it and not think too deeply about it, as it seems to get such a small mention among the more wordy descriptions of the burnt offering altar and the courtyard. 

The wash basin needed to be made from a finer quality bronze since it was in a prominent location.  Where does one find fine quality, consistently even bronze in the middle of the desert?  Apparently from the mirrors of the women.  The mirrors would have required a higher quality bronze that was polished very well, in order to produce a reflection. 

And then there is a mention that the mirrors were given by those women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.  Just this one little line but really important!  There were ladies who served God by standing by the tent of meeting and taking care of the needs of the priests.  They may have washed dishes and utensils, done laundry, or cleaned up the courtyard, but their quiet dedication and service was essential to the running of the tabernacle.  They are mentioned once again in I Samuel 2:22 (in reference to the evil committed by Samuel’s sons).

This immediately makes me think of the countless women who have quietly served in churches for centuries, doing the mundane but necessary tasks of cleaning, sewing, washing, and cooking.  Like the women at the entrance to the tent of meeting, they go unnamed and probably many times unnoticed.  Yet, their dedication to God and service to Jesus’ church is extraordinary.  Today, I thank God for all my sisters who have gone before me, serving God humbly and quietly, by doing the important but unglamorous tasks that keep the church running. 

Let’s pray…God, we thank you for all the people, women and men, who have served your church, doing the necessary but mundane tasks of cleaning, sewing, washing, cooking, repairing things, and mowing the lawn.  How often we overlook their dedication and sacrifice but we know that YOU DO NOT.  You see them, you know them, and you love them.  Bless them, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.