Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

Some This and That in IS.misery in the land of Egypt. In the wilderness of Sinai theyremained for forty years, sometimes moving, sometimesCome to the Working Party stationary, guided, fed, and provided for by God Himself.A great offering was to be brought to God by thepeople, in gold, silver, brass, precious stones, wood, andIn 1964, when Maureen Wright, Mrs. J. Renwick Wright, materials of every kind. God willed to have His own tentand I were as yet "pen pals, " having never met, she sent or Tabernacle and He purposed to dwell in the midst ofme a book entitled, THE BIBLE SPEAKS TO WOMEN, His people.by Mrs. G. R. Harding Wood. These Bible messages are all This was a most gracious and wonderful condescensionof God, but it is still more amazing andfine, and this one I want to share with all of you.Winifred Elliott, Editor wonderful that God seeks a home today in the heart ofevery man or woman, boy or girl who will open the heart'sIn connection with this message, please read Exodus door 25:1- and admit His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as Savior9; 35; 36:5-8; 38:8; 39:43; 40:34-38; Rev. 3:20and Lord.It is quite possible that most of us women are orhave been at some time members of a Working Party.Almost certainly there has been a Working Party at yourchurch or chapel, probably to prepare for the Annual Saleof Work. Perhaps you belong to some Working Partywhich sews and knits for the overseas mission in whichyou are specially interested.The members of a working party are mostly women,but not always. Sometimes husbands and brothers join theworking party in the evenings and take their share inwinding bandages for some hospital or medical mission. Ihave known men who were expert knitters, and I haveseen really beautiful embroidery done by men, too.All kinds of workers are useful: some are clever atcutting out and fixing; they are specially welcome! It is areal gift to be a good "cutter-out," so that preciousmaterial is not wasted. Some do "skilled" work; men'sshirts and complicated garments! Some preside at thesewing machine, some do really delicate work andbeautiful embroidery, while some who are poor sewers,like myself, ask for "something with plain hemmingplease." Sometimes a willing worker with more zeal thanknowledge makes dreadful mistakes and some experiencedand patient lady takesit home, unpicksit alland "rights the wrong." As the working party closes,probably quite a number of ladies will say, "I'll take thishome and finishit there," and in that way the workingparty spreads into ever so many homes.Now, how did working parties begin, and where andwhen was the first one? I venture to think that we shallhave to go a long way back to find it, but surely thewonderful working party we read of in Exodus 35 must bethe very first? "That is strange," you say. "Who everwould think of finding anything about a working party inthe book of Exodus!" Come with me and let us find out allabout it./. The Occasion of the First Working PartyThe early chapters of the book of Exodus tell us theamazing story of the way that God delivered His chosenpeople, the Children of Israel, out of their bondage and//. The Workers and Their QualificationsThe members who were invited to join this greatworking party had to have three essential qualifications.First they were to beWilling-hearted. There was to be no forced labor, butgrand willingness to give — time, energy, interest, money,materials — even to the sacrifice (in the case of thewomen) of their much-prized personal possession, theirlooking-glasses. These were mirrors of burnished bronze.Even these treasures were gladly placed in the offertory.And just see how those people gave! What an offertory!Has there ever been one likeit since?There would be no deficits in Christian work; nooverdrafts in missionary societies; no underpaid ministers,Christian workers or missionaries; no shortage of funds forGod's work, if Christian people gave in anything like thesame way today! Secondly, they were to beWise hearted. Literally this appears to mean "those whohad sufficient skill" in any special direction. Those whocould weave and spin did that; some were engravers, somewere designers, some excelled in wood carving, someworked beautiful embroidery. Each one gifted withspecial skill or ability worked in his or her own line. Somewove the materials, and others made the curtains, coversand hangings for the wonderful tent where God woulddwell. Thirdly, they were to beWarm hearted. Notice how often we are told that "all,""everyone," worked. Soit was a united effort, and as theywere workers whose "heart stirred them up," we maysurely conclude that they were warm-hearted!Such giving, such working, such unity, such willing,wise, warm-heartedness could spring only from hearts fullof love to God, gratitude to Him and joy in His service.For ourselves,it is good to remember that all reallasting work for God must be heart service.///. The Two Essentials, In Workers and In WorkIn the workers. Absolute obedience in carrying out everydirection, great and small. No one chose his or her ownpattern, color scheme, or design.see page 316 COVENANTER WITNESS