Monday, 24th August 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文「凡耶和華所吩咐摩西的，都是猶大支派戶珥的孫子、烏利的兒子比撒列做的。」——出埃及記38:22
引言
每個人都渴望自由，但我們對自由的理解，往往是：「我喜歡怎樣就怎樣，不需要別人限制我。」
然而，當一個人完全跟隨自己的感覺、慾望和習慣生活，他可能不是更加自由，反而逐漸被這些東西控制。
以色列人曾經在埃及作奴僕，他們沒有選擇，只能按照法老的命令生活。神將他們從埃及拯救出來，不只是讓他們離開一個地方，更是要帶領他們離開埃及的價值觀和生活方式。
可是，身體離開埃及，不代表埃及已經離開他們的內心。
出埃及記32章的金牛犢事件讓我們看見，當摩西遲延下山，百姓便用自己熟悉、看得見的方法製造偶像。他們雖然已經離開埃及，卻仍然用埃及的方式尋找安全感和敬拜神。
經過金牛犢的失敗、摩西的代求和神重新立約之後，第38章讓我們看見一幅不同的圖畫：百姓不再按照自己的方法製造敬拜的對象，而是按照神的吩咐建造會幕。
這讓我們明白：真正的自由，不是我喜歡怎樣便怎樣，而是不再被過去的生活方式綑綁，可以甘心選擇神、跟隨神，並按照祂的心意生活。
出埃及記38章透過燔祭壇、洗濯盆、會幕院子和奉獻的帳目，讓我們看見活出真正自由的三個重要選擇。
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一、真正的自由，是選擇神的方法，而不是自己的方法
經文「他用皂莢木做燔祭壇，是四方的，長五肘，寬五肘，高三肘。在壇的四拐角上做四個角，與壇接連一塊，用銅把壇包裹。」——出埃及記38:1–2
「凡耶和華所吩咐摩西的……比撒列都做了。」——出埃及記38:22
第38章記載燔祭壇、洗濯盆和會幕院子的製造。這些器具的材料、尺寸、位置和用途，都不是比撒列自己決定，而是按照神先前給摩西的吩咐完成。神雖然將智慧和能力賜給比撒列，但比撒列沒有因為自己有恩賜，便隨意改變神的設計。他的恩賜越大，越需要順服神的心意。燔祭壇位於會幕的院子裏，是人親近神時首先面對的地方。祭壇本身不會自動使人得着赦免；人必須按照神的吩咐獻祭，藉着祭牲所流的血處理罪的問題。這表明人不能用自己的方法處理罪，也不能隨意決定怎樣親近聖潔的神。
金牛犢也是人親手製造的；會幕的器具也是人親手製造的，但兩者有根本的分別：
- 金牛犢是人按照自己的需要和方法製造的；
- 會幕則是人按照神的吩咐建造的。
問題不只是「我們有沒有為神做事」，更重要的是「我們是否按照神的心意做事」。
今天我們也可能以為：「只要我的出發點是好的，就可以按照自己的方法生活和服事。」但是，真正的自由不是自己成為生命的主人，而是我們終於可以不再被自己的感覺、習慣和慾望控制，甘心選擇神的道路。
有時候，我們知道應該饒恕，卻選擇繼續埋怨；知道應該交託，卻仍然想控制一切；知道應該順服真理，卻只選擇自己喜歡聽的部分。
真正的自由，是即使我的感覺想走另一條路，我仍然有能力選擇神的方法。
自由不是沒有方向，而是有能力選擇神的方向。
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二、真正的自由，是願意跟隨神，而不是只求方便
經文「又用銅為壇做槓，穿在壇兩旁的環子內，用以抬壇，並用板做壇；壇是空的。」——出埃及記38:6–7
這座燔祭壇不是固定在一個地方的。壇的兩旁有環，並有槓穿過其中，可以在百姓起行時搬運。祭壇也是按照神的設計用板造成中空，適合在曠野的旅程中運送。
這並不是一個沒有內容、沒有意義的「空祭壇」，而是一座為了實際搬運而造成中空的祭壇。當祭物按照神的吩咐獻在壇上，它才實際發揮獻祭的功用。
可搬運的祭壇也讓我們看見，神不只是要在西奈山與百姓相遇，祂更要住在他們中間，陪伴並帶領他們走過整個曠野。
以色列人不能只在某一個地方親近神，離開之後便按照自己的意思生活。無論他們走到哪裏，敬拜、獻祭和神所設立的生活秩序都要與他們同行。
同樣，我們的信仰也不能只留在晨禱、主日聚會或教會裏。神要進入我們每天的家庭、工作、人際關係和每一個決定之中。
有時候，我們願意親近神，卻只是在方便的時候；願意順服神，卻只限於不需要付代價的事情；願意跟隨神，卻希望神所帶領的道路完全符合自己的計劃。
但真正的自由，不是凡事只選擇最方便的道路，而是不再被「方便」控制，可以選擇忠心跟隨神。
當神的帶領與我們的計劃不同時，我們是否仍然願意跟隨？當順服需要付出時間、體力或放下自己的意思時，我們是否仍然願意承擔？
神的同在不是只給我們享受，也是要帶領我們前行。真正的自由，是我不再被自己的方便控制，而是願意讓神決定我人生的方向。
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三、真正的自由，是甘心委身，而不是逃避責任
經文「他用銅做洗濯盆和盆座，是用會幕門前伺候的婦人之鏡子做的。」——出埃及記38:8
「這是法櫃的帳幕中利未人所用物件的總數，是照摩西的吩咐，經祭司亞倫的兒子以他瑪的手數點的。」——出埃及記38:21
古代的鏡子不是玻璃，而是經過打磨的銅。這些在會幕門前服事的婦女，甘心把自己的銅鏡奉獻出來，製成祭司潔淨自己所使用的洗濯盆。
原本用來觀看自己外表的鏡子，現在成為讓祭司在神面前潔淨自己的器具。
這並不是說整理外表是不好的，而是讓我們看見：當人甘心把所珍惜的東西交給神，日常的物品也可以被神分別出來，成為服事祂的器皿。
同時，第38章也詳細記錄建造會幕所使用的金、銀和銅。經文不只記錄奉獻的數目，也清楚交代不同人的責任：
- 摩西領受並傳遞神的吩咐；
- 比撒列負責主要的製造工作；
- 亞何利亞伯與他一同配搭；
- 利未人參與會幕物件的管理；
- 以他瑪負責點算材料；
- 百姓則甘心奉獻。
每一個人都有不同的位置和責任。沒有人可以獨自完成會幕，也沒有人可以只享受神的同在，卻不願意參與建造。
第38章詳細記錄材料的數量，也表明屬神的工作需要有清楚的管理和交代。屬靈不等於隨便；有信心也不等於不需要秩序。
在埃及的時候，以色列人是被法老強迫工作；現在，他們成為神的百姓，是因為經歷救贖而甘心奉獻。以前是被迫承擔，現在是甘心委身。
真正的自由不是逃避所有責任，而是我們不再因為恐懼、勉強或討好別人而服事，而是因為愛神和感謝神的救贖，甘心把自己交給祂。
奴僕是因為害怕而工作，蒙救贖的人則因為愛而委身。
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總結
出埃及記38章不是一份枯燥的建築報告，而是一幅蒙救贖的百姓學習活出自由的圖畫。神將以色列人從埃及帶出來，不只是要除去他們身上的鎖鏈，也是要除去他們心裏埃及的生活方式。
真正的自由不是「我喜歡怎樣就怎樣」，而是：
- 選擇神的方法，而不是自己的方法；
- 願意跟隨神，而不是只求方便；
- 甘心委身，而不是逃避責任。
一個人可以離開埃及，心裏卻仍然活在埃及；一個人也可以外表信主，內心仍然被自己的感覺、慾望、習慣和過去控制。神不只是要把我們從埃及帶出來，祂也要把埃及從我們的心裏帶出去。
當我們不再被過去控制，有能力選擇神的方法；不再只求方便，願意跟隨神；不再逃避責任，而是甘心委身，我們才真正活在神所賜的自由裏。
省察
- 在我今天的生活中，有甚麼思想或習慣仍然在控制我？
- 我是否只在方便的時候才願意順服和跟隨神？
- 當神的方法與我的方法不同時，我會選擇哪一個？
- 神今天要我在哪一件事情上不再逃避，而是甘心承擔責任？
今日信息
真正的自由，不是我喜歡怎樣便怎樣，而是我不再被過去綑綁，可以甘心選擇神、跟隨神，並按照祂的心意生活。
Morning Devotion – August 24, 2026
Scripture: Exodus 38
Theme: How Can We Live in True Freedom?
Key Verse
“And Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD had commanded Moses.”
—Exodus 38:22 NKJV
Introduction
Everyone desires freedom. However, we often think freedom means, “I can do whatever I want, and no one can restrict me.”
But when we live completely according to our own feelings, desires, and habits, we may not become more free. Instead, we may gradually become controlled by them.
The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt. They had no freedom to choose and were forced to obey Pharaoh. When God delivered them from Egypt, He was not only taking them out of a physical place. He was also leading them away from Egypt’s values and way of life.
However, leaving Egypt did not mean that Egypt had already left their hearts.
The golden calf incident in Exodus 32 shows us that when Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people created an idol using a method that was familiar, visible, and emotionally comforting to them. Although they had left Egypt physically, they were still using the ways of Egypt to find security and worship God.
After the failure of the golden calf, Moses’ intercession, and the renewal of the covenant, Exodus 38 presents a very different picture. The people no longer created an object of worship according to their own ideas. Instead, they built the tabernacle according to God’s instructions.
This teaches us:
True freedom is not doing whatever we want. It is no longer being controlled by our past, so that we can freely choose God, follow Him, and live according to His will.
Transition
Through the bronze altar, the bronze basin, the tabernacle courtyard, and the record of the offerings, Exodus 38 shows us three important choices that help us live in true freedom.
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- True Freedom Means Choosing God’s Way Instead of Our Own Way
Scripture
“He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood; five cubits was its length and five cubits its width—it was square—and its height was three cubits. He made its horns on its four corners; the horns were of one piece with it. And he overlaid it with bronze.”
—Exodus 38:1–2 NKJV
“And Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD had commanded Moses.”
—Exodus 38:22 NKJV
Exodus 38 records the construction of the bronze altar, the bronze basin, and the courtyard of the tabernacle. The materials, measurements, locations, and purposes of these objects were not decided by Bezalel. Everything was completed according to the instructions God had previously given to Moses.
Although God gave Bezalel wisdom and ability, Bezalel did not use his gifts to change God’s design. The greater his gift, the more carefully he needed to obey God’s will.
The altar of burnt offering stood in the courtyard of the tabernacle. It was the first object people encountered when they came to worship God. The altar itself did not automatically bring forgiveness. The people had to offer sacrifices according to God’s instructions, and the blood of the sacrifice dealt with the problem of sin.
This showed that people could not deal with sin in their own way. Neither could they decide for themselves how to approach a holy God.
The golden calf was made by human hands, and the tabernacle objects were also made by human hands. However, there was a fundamental difference:
- The golden calf was made according to human desires and ideas.
- The tabernacle was built according to God’s instructions.
The question is not only, “Are we doing something for God?” The more important question is, “Are we doing it according to God’s will?”
Today, we may think, “As long as my intentions are good, I can live and serve God in my own way.” But true freedom does not mean that we become the masters of our own lives. It means that we are no longer controlled by our feelings, habits, and desires, and we can freely choose God’s way.
Sometimes we know that we should forgive, but we choose to continue holding on to bitterness. We know that we should trust God, but we still try to control everything. We know that we should obey the truth, but we only accept the parts we like.
True freedom means that even when our feelings pull us in another direction, we still have the power to choose God’s way.
Freedom does not mean having no direction. It means having the ability to choose God’s direction.
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- True Freedom Means Following God Instead of Only Choosing What Is Convenient
Scripture
“And he made poles for the altar of acacia wood, and overlaid them with bronze. Then he put the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, with which to bear it. He made the altar hollow with boards.”
—Exodus 38:6–7 NKJV
The altar of burnt offering was not fixed permanently in one place. There were rings on its sides, with poles placed through them so that the altar could be carried whenever the Israelites moved. It was also built hollow with boards according to God’s design, making it suitable for transportation through the wilderness.
This was not an empty altar without meaning or purpose. It was made hollow for practical transportation. When sacrifices were offered according to God’s instructions, the altar fulfilled its intended purpose.
The portable altar also shows us that God did not only want to meet His people at Mount Sinai. He wanted to dwell among them and lead them throughout their journey in the wilderness.
The Israelites could not worship God in one place and then live according to their own desires after they left. Wherever they went, worship, sacrifice, and the order established by God were to travel with them.
In the same way, our faith cannot remain only in morning prayer, Sunday worship, or the church building. God wants to enter our families, workplaces, relationships, and daily decisions.
Sometimes we are willing to draw near to God, but only when it is convenient. We are willing to obey Him, but only when obedience does not cost us anything. We say we are willing to follow God, but we expect His direction to fit perfectly into our own plans.
True freedom does not mean always choosing the easiest or most convenient way. It means that we are no longer controlled by convenience and can choose to follow God faithfully.
When God’s direction is different from our plans, are we still willing to follow Him? When obedience requires us to give our time, energy, or personal preferences, are we still willing to accept the cost?
God’s presence is not only for us to enjoy. His presence is also meant to lead us forward.
True freedom means that I am no longer controlled by convenience, but I allow God to determine the direction of my life.
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- True Freedom Means Willing Commitment Instead of Avoiding Responsibility
Scripture
“He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the bronze mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.”
—Exodus 38:8 NKJV
“This is the inventory of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the Testimony, which was counted according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest.”
—Exodus 38:21 NKJV
Ancient mirrors were not made of glass. They were usually made from polished bronze. The women who served at the entrance of the tabernacle willingly offered their bronze mirrors, which were then used to make the basin where the priests washed themselves.
The mirrors that had once been used to look at their outward appearance now became an instrument of cleansing before God.
This does not mean that taking care of our appearance is wrong. It shows us that when people willingly give something precious to God, even an ordinary object can be set apart and used for His service.
Exodus 38 also gives a detailed record of the gold, silver, and bronze used to build the tabernacle. The chapter records not only the amount of the offerings but also the different responsibilities given to different people:
- Moses received and communicated God’s instructions.
- Bezalel was responsible for the main construction work.
- Aholiab served together with him.
- The Levites helped manage the materials of the tabernacle.
- Ithamar was responsible for counting and recording them.
- The people willingly contributed the materials.
Everyone had a different position and responsibility. No one could build the tabernacle alone, and no one could simply enjoy God’s presence without participating in the work.
The detailed record of the materials also shows that God’s work requires clear management and accountability. Being spiritual does not mean being careless, and having faith does not mean that order is unnecessary.
In Egypt, the Israelites worked because Pharaoh forced them. Now, as God’s redeemed people, they contributed willingly because they had experienced His salvation. Previously, they carried burdens because they were slaves. Now they accepted responsibility because they belonged to God.
True freedom does not mean escaping every responsibility. It means that we no longer serve because of fear, pressure, or the desire to please people. Instead, because we love God and are grateful for His salvation, we willingly offer ourselves to Him.
A slave works because of fear, but a redeemed person serves because of love.
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Conclusion
Exodus 38 is not merely a dry construction report. It is a picture of a redeemed people learning how to live in freedom.
God brought the Israelites out of Egypt not only to remove the chains from their bodies, but also to remove Egypt’s way of life from their hearts.
True freedom is not doing whatever we want. It means:
- Choosing God’s way instead of our own way;
- Following God instead of only choosing what is convenient;
- Willingly committing ourselves instead of avoiding responsibility.
A person can leave Egypt physically while still carrying Egypt within the heart. In the same way, someone may believe in God outwardly while still being controlled inwardly by feelings, desires, habits, and the past.
God does not only want to bring us out of Egypt. He also wants to take Egypt out of our hearts.
When we are no longer controlled by our past, we can choose God’s way. When we are no longer controlled by convenience, we can faithfully follow Him. When we stop avoiding responsibility and willingly commit ourselves to Him, we begin to live in the freedom that God has given us.
Reflection
- What thoughts or habits are still controlling my life today?
- Am I willing to obey and follow God only when it is convenient?
- When God’s way is different from my way, which one will I choose?
- What responsibility is God asking me to stop avoiding and willingly accept today?
Today’s Message
True freedom is not doing whatever I want. It is no longer being controlled by my past, so that I can freely choose God, follow Him, and live according to His will.
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
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