EVEN SO
Today's reading:  Exodus 37-40

"And so at last the Tabernacle was finished.  The Israelites had done just as the Lord had commanded Moses."  Exodus 39:32 NLT

I'm no Bible scholar.

That being said, I do have an opinion.  An opinion based on personal experience and gut instinct.  You see, what I'm about to share, I know first-hand...

We find in the New Testament where the Jews, the devout, Messiah-looking-for-Jews, had a hard time accepting Jesus and His new ways.  They couldn't understand why sacrifices were no longer needed.  They didn't think it appropriate to quote and preach the Scrolls from a hillside, a boat or a seaside.  They couldn't very well abide by anyone 'messing' with their laws.

I believe it all stems from today's verse from Exodus.

You see, the Jews, formerly known as the Israelites, had done EVERYTHING they had been asked to do.  They followed the very specific instructions set before them by God.  They put metal where metal was supposed to be.  Bells and pomegranates on hems.  Specific colors.  Precisely placed gemstone.  Gold overlaying gold.  Everything, right down to the priestly underwear.

That being said, I can understand where hundreds of years later when asked to completely change their ways, they balked.

I balk.  I question.  I scratch my head.  I doubt.  I worry.  I stand my ground.

I mutter, But I did everything You asked of me, Lord.

I spout, What?  After I'd worked so hard?

I cry out, Huh?  This is not looking like what I had planned out in my head!

When one does exactly what God's asking of them, it's hard to see where He takes it from there if where He takes it throws them a curve ball.

I know.  I've been there.  I've seen plans go up in smoke.  I've seen my best attempts undone.  I've watched as a ministry I poured my heart and soul into went south, or worst yet, went unnoticed or unappreciated or went by the wayside when a new idea came along.

And yet, when I stand before God and He looks over my life--what He has done with what I did matters very little.  You see, what He does is always good, is always right, is always proper and honorable.  What I do, well what I am called to do is obey...and trust Him to sort out the future.