Wood Overlaid
With Gold

He made the table of acacia wood; two cubits was its length, a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height. And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made a molding of gold all around it. Exodus 37:10-11

Bezalel was the priest who was in charge of constructing the furniture in the tabernacle. In the making of the table for the showbread he used acacia wood overlaid with pure gold. Wood is a temporary material that is susceptible to the decays of nature and gold is a much more permanent element. These two materials speak of the two natures within all of us. In fact Paul the Apostle used these elements to describe our ungodly (wood) and godly (gold) actions.

“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.” 1 Corinthians 3:11-13.

When our actions pass thru the fire of Christ’s judgment on judgment Day, all that we have done of our own flesh and selfishness will be burnt away like wood. But our actions that are done out of faith and love are like gold that will be purified and remain.

Here is the interesting picture painted by the tabernacle furniture. God used both wood and gold. In the same way he uses us in this life to represent Him and minister for Him. None of our lives are completely golden. We all are wood overlaid with gold. We are a combination of pure and false motives. Christ-like and un-Christ-like actions. But God in His grace uses us for His holy purposes anyways.

Today’s prayer: “Lord thank You for including me in Your plan even though I am a mixture of both the holy and unholy. May my wood be covered by Your gold.”

Keep looking up,
Pastor Gary