Greetings from Shanghai (at least I started the first draft there) and Singapore (after touchdown).

The Lord had been good. You know I was expected to take off from Singapore on Sunday 02nd at 10:15 AM but due to engine problem did not take off until 12:45 PM. You see the pilot reported that there was a computer error on the on-board computer that reads the fuel feed into the aircraft engines. Initially the pilot did some manual over-rides and managed to get the engine going until the error reappeared while we were on the actual runway. The plane was ramping down the runway until the pilot decided to abort the take-off and return to the terminal.

There was a switch of aircraft and we took off 2-1/2 hours later. Now why did this happen? To be honest, I don't know but I sure was happy that we finally switched aircraft and arrived in Shanghai safely. You see, when I was on the first aircraft and after the pilot's first announcement, I told the Lord to get me out of the situation and get me to Shanghai safely. Well He did but not the way I wanted it. You see, He loves us more than we know. So let's enjoy His protection.

And talking about His protection, the Lord reminded me to look at the tabernacle that He instructed Moses to build while in the Sinai Wilderness. If you will turn to Exodus 26: 15 - 30 you will find the specific instruction given to Moses on how the tabernacle was to be held up. There were to be a total of 48 boards made of acacia wood and underneath each board were two silver sockets which will hold it up in the desert sand, otherwise the wood will sink into the soft sand. And each board was to be overlaid with gold. Also all the boards on each side of the tabernacle were to be joined together with five boards of acacia wood, which were also overlaid with gold.

All the time whenever I read this passage of the Bible, I treated the details on the construction of the tabernacle as just some descriptive instructions and I used to marvel that God was such a great architect. Recently, my pastor taught us to look at the whole tabernacle from a different perspective - from the angle that God spent 40 days up on Mt Sinai just talking about His Son Jesus Christ in types and representations.

You see whenever the Bible describes mankind it always uses the picture of wood and in this passage it talks about acacia wood. Acacia is only found in harsh hot climates in the Middle East and it is very strong because of its deep roots and grows straight. So mankind is to be tough and is to grow stronger each day. Incidentally, one day I asked the Lord why, of all the trades available in the country during the time of Jesus, was He bought up and grew up as a carpenter? And He very aptly replied that He was in the business of building lives, shaping each piece of wood and making beautiful and useful things with it. Jesus today is still in the business of building your lives and mine. He will never finish until we attain unto Heaven to be with Him.

All the pieces of boards in the tabernacle are overlaid with gold. Gold is a representation of divinity. Notice that it is only those boards used in the construction of the tabernacle was overlaid with gold. Each one of us who make up the church has some divine identity overlaid on us. What is it? I submit to you that this symbol of divinity is none other than the properties found in Jesus. You see, each of us, when we received Jesus into our lives is covered with the righteousness of Jesus and whenever God the Father looks at us, He does not see us as ourselves. Rather He sees Jesus in each one of us and He falls in love with us not because of what we have done but because of what Jesus our Savior has done for us on the cross at Calvary. By His one perfect death, He has accomplished what no one else can do. He had satisfied the righteous requirements that God the Judge had set. What wonderful redemption we have. What joy and privilege it gives us.

Next we are told in that passage that each piece of board is resting on two sockets. You know, interestingly enough, the sockets were made in the shape of the palm of a hand; so each board is held up by two palms of two hands. And the sockets were made of silver, which, in the Bible, represents redemption. Also it is noted that each socket weighs one talent (the Bible records that each Jew was to bring a half talent of silver to the census and be counted as belonging to the Lord God - an act of redemption). As the two sockets hold up the boards, they sure can stand tall and straight. Now if you would look at John 10: 28 - 29 Jesus told His disciples that nobody can snatch those who believe in Him out of His hand and out of His Father's hand.

28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."

29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand."

Two hands are holding us up and we cannot fall and not just two hands but two Divine Hands? Wow! How can we lose? Now you see the connection? The boards in the tabernacle were like a visual aid of things to come. After we have been redeemed, we will be held and upheld by none other than Jesus and the Father. What great news! Praise the Lord.

Now the tabernacle is not complete until we put in those horizontal acacia beams, which is to hold all the pieces together. Also please note that these beams were also overlaid with gold. You see, if we Christians were to stand alone, it would not be complete. Sure the board will still be able to stand straight and tall individually but it will not be sufficient. To make the tabernacle beautiful, all the pieces must stand together and held together. Corporate fellowship is necessary to bring out the best in all of us.

With such protection we will be safe. Nothing can separate us from the Father Himself because even when we fall, we are still within the palm of His hand and with two Divine Hands? Yes, you have it. So the next time you feel downcast, cheer up! With Jesus and the Heavenly Father on our side, who can snatch us out of their hands?

Best regards,
Andrew L W Lee

Dated : 8 September 2001