Emmanuel Okoro (aka MrLift)

Bring your own oil to servuce "Now, order the Israelites to bring you pure, clear olive oil for light so that the lamps can be kept burning. In the Tent of Meeting, the area outside the curtain that veils The Testimony, Aaron and his sons will keep this light burning from evening until morning before GOD. This is to be a permanent practice down through the generations for Israelites."(Exod.27.20 -21) Imagine that everyone of us that come to church come with our own oil for service?  As Moses was instructed to "order the Israelites to bring pure, clear olive oil for light, that the lamp can be kept burning". The people were to bring their oil. To bring the oil presupposes that they have the oil to bring.  Do you remember the parable of the virgins Jesus told in Matthew 25? If you put this instruction against that parable, we could say the foolish virgins are those who did not bring their oil with them. While the wise virgins who brought their oil were the ones that m...

Leaders also have problems  "Moses told the other leaders, "Stay here and wait for us until we come back. If there are any problems while I am gone, consult with Aaron and Hur, who are here with you." (Exod.24.14 NLT) Moses told the other leaders... Meaning they were all leaders, at different strata of leadership nonetheless leaders they were. "... If there are any problems..." Leaders also have problems.  This disposition that portray leaders as superhuman, as ones who have it all put together and have no problem is a false. It is not real. That's why a lot of people get into trouble they are not able to come out of. Leaders are just as human as the followers and have as much problems if not more problems than the follower.  When one has a problem, the text says for that one to consult with other leaders who were with them. That tells us that no one is an island to oneself. We need each other. We can and should be strong for one another. Instead of pulling...

Climb higher  "GOD said to Moses, "Climb higher up the mountain and wait there for me; I'll give you tablets of stone, the teachings and commandments that I've written to instruct them." (Exod.24.12)  Fish is not caught by the sea shore neither is gold found on the surface, to get more out of God, you will need to climb higher. God did not give Moses the tablets of stone at the same level where the other leaders were. He asked him to climb higher. To get more you need to climber higher In Exodus 24 God had requested for the leaders of Israel to climb the mountain. And Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel claimed the mountain.  He said to Moses, "Climb the mountain to GOD, you and Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. They will worship from a distance; only" (Exod.24.1)  But when God was to give Moses the tablets of stone, Moses was required to climb higher. It is reminiscent of Jesus asking Peter to lunching out in...

They saw God "And saw the God of Israel. He was standing on a pavement of something like sapphires--pure, clear sky-blue. He didn't hurt these pillar-leaders of the Israelites: They saw God; and they ate and drank." (Exod.24.10 -11)  When Moses and the leaders of Israel climbed up the mountain, our text records that they saw God. They did not only see God but they described for us that He was standing in a pavement made up of sapphire.  We can debate the back and forth of whether a person can see God or not. But what is important to note is that these leaders saw God. They did not only see God, they ate and drank with him. They experienced God v The Bible says that He didnt hurt them but rather ate with them. The picture this passage paints for us is that of communion, the leaders in communion with God. It brings Revelation.3.20 to mind.  "Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper wi...