Ephesians 2:20-22 Part three

. . . having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:20-22).

This lesson will be much shorter on the screen (but not in the time required to study the matter) than previous excursions into Ephesians. You will see why in a moment.

It is quite possible that these last few verses in chapter two are among the most important in St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians. And if we rush past them -- and breeze through the following assignment -- we will greatly limit our ability to understand God's intricately detailed and purposefully organized construction of His Church -- which is built on the foundation of the prophets and apostles, and comprised of people like you and me.

So, please follow these links to the Book of Exodus which describe the construction of the Holy Tabernacle in the wilderness. Admittedly, the following passages might be tedious to wade through, yet absorbing their detail is critical to a better understanding of the lessons in Ephesians that will follow: Exodus 36:8-38; Exodus 38:1-20; Exodus 26:1-30. (If you are really ambitious, read Exodus chapters 25-38).

A point of reference -- a "cubit" was a measure from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger in an adult (approximately 18 inches).


Questions for Reflection:

1. What one or two things (or more) in the Exodus passages caught your attention?

2. Based on what you learned from those passages, where do you think our next lesson will take us as we look at St. Paul's statement: . . . in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord . . . ?

3. Check back in a few days and see if your guess is correct.