Much of the Book of Proverbs contains wise words from the perspective of an experienced king. He saw those who were dishonest trip over their own dishonesty and come to ruin. He saw those who told lies get caught in the web of their own deceit. Their words were disregarded in public.

In this passage we read more of the same.

Having given Israel his law and having confirmed his covenant with them, the Lord now gives instructions about making a sanctuary for him where he may dwell among them. That God should dwell in the middle of a sinful people that he has redeemed for his own is another amazing example of his grace. But so it is, God himself will live in a tabernacle – a tent – among his people.

After describing the Ark of the Covenant we are told about the Table and the Lamp stand which are situated in the Holy Place outside the curtain that distinguishes it from the Most Holy Place. Like the ark and all of the objects within the tabernacle it is made of pure gold and any poles used to carry it around are overlaid with pure gold while objects outside the tabernacle are made of lesser metals like silver and bronze. The closer one gets to the Lord, the more valuable the metals.

Humility – a virtue highly valued by God. Many Scripture passages refer to it and show us what it looks like. Here, thanks to the Pharisees and religious teachers of Jesus’ day, we learn what it does not look like.

Culturally, Jews in Christ’s day showed their devotion to God by wearing little boxes containing Scripture on their foreheads and arms.

Jesus minced no words when addressing Pharisees and religious teachers. Calling them “show-offs” and “blind leaders,” he blasted them for false teaching. He also confronted them for their legalism, specifically, paying tithes to God from their herb gardens while failing to teach and practice spiritual truths such as mercy, faithfulness, and justice.

Christ called the spiritual leaders to accountability for their hypocrisy.

It was 1791 when in one his sermons John Wesley said “Slovenliness is no part of religion. And cleanliness is indeed next to godliness.”

It’s the first recorded use of the proverb as we phrase it today, but the “cleanliness is next to godliness” theme is actually an ancient Hebrew one that integrates personal hygiene with spiritual health to acknowledge a God who is interested in us as holistic beings.

Maybe you’re like me? I can’t read this psalm without a host of beautiful images flooding my mind. Here we view nature at its best – a thunderstorm racing across the prairies, a waterfall cascading down a verdant mountainside, wildlife bounding across the African savannah, the mystery and bounty of the ocean depths. The psalmist sees it all – portrays it all within this psalm.