Pattern What You Preach: Example + Exhortation in Ministry

Listen to Today’s Passage – Exodus 25 – 27 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Exodus 25

(Second Milers also read – Luke 11 – 12; Proverbs 28; Psalms 136 – 140

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 48:1 & 2

Read the “0128 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by Charles Spurgeon.

“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. … And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.” – (Exodus 25:8-9, 40)
God’s Plan for the Tabernacle

In chapters 25 – 27, God is instructing Moses regarding the construction of the Tabernacle. He first tells him that he must take up an offering from the people, collecting all the materials that would be needed to construct it. This was no small undertaking as the tabernacle with all its curtains and coverings, and with all its gold, silver, and brass; not to mention the wood that would be required, was a masterpiece of magnificent beauty and elaborate detail. Yet, it is interesting to note, as we will learn later in future passages, that Moses had to eventually stop the people from giving because they had given more than enough. We don’t see that very often today, do we? Can you imagine what could be done in our churches today if God’s people were this excited about giving to the work of God?

God’s Pattern for the Tabernacle

God then shows Moses a pattern, a picture of what the tabernacle was to look like. He no doubt also showed him blueprints of each element of the tabernacle, including all the pieces of furniture. Moses had a clear picture in his mind of what it all would look like when he was finished. Then God goes on for several chapters giving Moses detailed instructions outlining precisely how the tabernacle was to be built. So, in review, we see that God showed him an example; and then he gave him clear instructions, or exhortation.

Pattern and Preaching in Ministry Today

The practice of revealing a pattern and then giving instructions is how ministry should also work today. God commands those of us who minister to His people to be good examples (or patterns) of what He expects in a finished product; and then He wants us to give clear instructions of how the people are to go about it. If the picture we are presenting is not consistent with the instructions we are giving, we will not be able to clearly help the people do and be what God expects of them. I know that none of us is perfect, but it is imperative that we keep this thought in mind as we go about our business of serving the Lord. People will sometimes learn more from what they see, than from what we tell them. Both our example and our exhortation must be right, if we are going to effectively be used by God in building the lives of people for His glory.

Pattern and Preaching Christ in Everyday Life

This does not only apply to pastors and teachers. It applies to every believer. Your life (pattern, example) must back up what you are trying to instruct people. Parents, you need to be the right example to your children. They will not listen to your exhortation if your example is not what it should be. And to those of you that are concerned about winning people to Christ, which should be all of us; make sure your life backs up your profession. We have an awesome obligation to show people Christ with our lives as well as telling them with our words. Think about it. Have you given much thought to your example, your pattern? Is it sending the right message to the people around you? Do the things that you do and say point people to the Lord, or do they send a conflicting message?

Applications
  • Pastors/teachers: Your life must match your teaching.
  • Parents: Children watch what you do more than what you say.
  • Every believer: Your example strengthens (or weakens) your witness.


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Seeing as God Sees: The Contrast Between Joseph and His Brothers

Listen to today’s passage – Genesis 48 – 50

Follow Along on Blue Letter Bible – Genesis 48

(Second Milers also read – Mark 9 – 10; Proverbs 19; Psalms 91 – 95)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 119:105

Read the “0119 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “Graduation Day“

“15 And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. 16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, 17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. 18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. 19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.” (Gen 50:15–21)

After years of reconciliation, Jacob’s death stirs fresh fear in Joseph’s brothers. With their father gone—the one who had kept Joseph’s kindness in check—they panic. What if Joseph finally repays them for the pit, the slavery, and all the evil they did to him?

They send a message claiming Jacob commanded before he died: “Forgive thy brethren.” Yet Genesis records no such command from Jacob. Many Bible teachers (and perhaps you’ve noticed this too) see this as a fabrication—a desperate, carnal scheme to shield themselves. Instead of trusting Joseph’s proven forgiveness or God’s work in his heart, they resort to manipulation and half-truths. Fear drives them to human methods rather than faith.

Joseph’s response stands in stark contrast. He weeps—likely grieved that after all these years, his brothers still doubt his heart. Then he speaks one of the Bible’s greatest declarations of God’s sovereignty: “Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”

Joseph sees the entire story—the betrayal, the prison, the rise to power—not as random cruelty, but as God’s sovereign hand weaving salvation for many lives, including their own.

Here is the clear divide:
  • The brothers operate in the flesh—fearful, self-protective, scheming.
  • Joseph walks in faith—gracious, trusting, seeing God’s greater purpose even in evil.
Reflection
  • How often do we act like the brothers? When we’ve wronged someone and fear the consequences, do we trust God’s grace in their heart, or do we manipulate circumstances to “help” God along.
  • When painful things happen to us, do we fixate on the evil others intended, or do we look for how God is turning it to good?
  • Joseph’s words in verse 20 are a lifeline for every believer. Evil is real. People really do intend harm. But God is greater. He does not originate the evil, yet He overrules it, redirects it, and brings life from it—to save many, to shape us, and to display His glory.
Application
  • Is there a relationship where lingering guilt or fear is causing you to resort to “carnal” solutions instead of resting in the forgiveness already extended?
  • Think of a painful chapter in your own life. Can you trace—even faintly—how God has brought good from what others (or circumstances) meant for evil?
  • Who in your life needs to hear a Joseph-like reassurance today: “Fear not: I will nourish you”?
Commit to following this advice from Proverbs today:

“5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Prov 3:5–6)


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The High Cost of Unbridled Anger and Lust

Listen to Today’s Passage – Genesis 33 – 35

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Genesis 33 

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 25 – 26; Proverbs 13; Psalms 61 – 65)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 55:17

Read the “0113 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the Charles Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from today’s reading – “Lead On Softly,” and “Worried Over Nothing“

“And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.” (Genesis 34:25)

“And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard [it]. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:” (Genesis 35:22)

Boys Will Be Boys

Jacob’s household was full of boys—and full of trouble. I grew up in a home with four boys. We were blessed to not have any sisters. Girls have cooties: at least that is what I was told as a boy. In fact, even in my extended family, on my dad’s side, there were only boys. I had six male cousins, but no girls. I remember my grandmother would often get frustrated with our bad behavior. We were always fooling and fighting. We were being boys. She would often go get my dad and tell him: “Those Boys!” I must have heard that phrase come out of her lips a thousand times, and it usually meant that we were in trouble.

Simeon and Levi’s Wrath

Jacob also had a bunch of boys that would often find themselves in trouble. In fact the verses above tell of the shenanigans that three of the sons were involved in. The first involved sons numbers two and three: Simeon and Levi. (I was often referred to by number as a child as well.) It seems that these boys wanted to exact revenge upon a local hooligan that had raped their sister. Now, there is nothing wrong with these boys wanting to see justice done to this guy; but they took it way too far. Without the permission of their father, they go into this man’s village and kill every male. Jacob later recalls the event and says that the boys were instruments of cruelty, and that their anger was fierce (Gen 49:5 – 7). I don’t blame them for the way they felt, and I do not fault them for desiring revenge. I have three daughters of my own now, and I don’t even want to think about what I would do if this happened to one of them. Punishment for Shechem’s actions was justifiable but it needed to be done God’s way and His timing.

There will be many times in life where our passion, and our anger need to be yielded to the will of God.

Reuben’s Lust

If Simeon and Levi represent the danger of uncontrolled anger, the firstborn Reuben shows us the destructiveness of uncontrolled desire. This man also had a big problem with passion, but with him it was a sick lust for a lady related to him by marriage. This man had sex with his father’s concubine (kind of a second-class wife). His fleshly desires were out of control. He was certainly not considering the will of God when he did this. Consider for a moment the depravity of the human heart. Your heart and my heart. We need to yield our members as instruments of righteousness; and we need to walk in the Spirit so that we will not fulfill the lusts that are inside each of us.

Long-term Consequences

Unfortunately for these boys there were some severe consequences for their actions. You will recall that the boys involved in these two incidents were boys one through three, right? Reuben, the firstborn, should have received the preeminence and blessing of the birthright, but he lost it. Simeon and Levi were passed over because of their violence. The scepter—the promise of rulership—went to son number four, Judah. And from Judah came the Lion of the tribe of Judah: Jesus Christ. The only thing good that came from Reuben is a tasty sandwich with Pastrami (or Corned Beef), Sauerkraut, and Swiss Cheese. The bottom line is that I want to exhort you to think before you allow your passions to take control. An act of passion takes only a moment, but the consequences are long term. Please, walk with God. Run every decision, every word, every act past His desk. Let Him control your passions.

A Failure in Leadership

One more thought regarding the story of Simeon and Levi. The slaughter in Shechem by Jacob’s sons, though caused initially by Shechem’s actions toward their sister, could have been avoided had Jacob took more decisive action. He was willing to let the rape of his daughter go unpunished and was further willing to yoke up with a bunch of ungodly people. Though what Simeon and Levi did was wrong, it prevented Israel from becoming inundated with godless philosophies. Marriages with godless people has always been a problem for Israel and God will later warn His people strongly against intermarrying unbelievers (Exod 34:15 – 16; Deut 7:3 – 4; 2 Cor 6:14).

Questions for Reflection
  • When have you experienced or witnessed anger that started as a desire for justice but went too far? How does the story of Simeon and Levi challenge the way you handle offense or protect those you love?

  • Reuben’s sin was impulsive and private—yet it carried public, lasting consequences. Where in your life are passions or desires threatening to override God’s authority, even in seemingly “small” decisions?

  • Jacob called Simeon and Levi “instruments of cruelty” because they used God-given strength in their own way rather than God’s. In what areas of your life (anger, sexuality, ambition, words) are you tempted to wield God-given gifts as instruments of cruelty or selfishness instead of righteousness?

  • What is one specific passion, reaction, or decision you need to bring before the Lord today and ask Him to bring under His authority? How will you practically “run it past His desk” this week?

 
I would love to hear your thoughts – Leave a comment


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