Exodus 39 marks the finishing of the tabernacle and vestments. Moses blesses the workers for a job well done.

In Exodus 40 Moses sets up the tent of meeting and anoints Aaron and his sons to be priests. The glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle as a cloud. When the cloud is present the Israelites remain in that place. When the cloud is away from the tabernacle, then the people can move to the next stage of their journey. If course, then, the cloud leads them on the journey along with fire at night.

Acts 4 opens with Peter and John continuing to speak in the temple court after healing the lame man. The Sadducees are upset with them because they are preaching about the resurrection of Jesus. The Sadducees follow the Torah (first 5 books of the Old Testament) alone, which does not speak about resurrection so they do not believe in it.  The complaint, though, is not about what Peter and John believe, but rather, about the healing.

Peter and John are taken before the high priestly council, the same people who were responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion. They are asked by whose authority they are healing people. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaks boldly. Peter said it was by the name of Jesus and that no one can be saved by any other name. Since the lame man was standing with them the council could not argue.

The council decides to tell Peter and John to stop speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus. They reply that they cannot stop speaking, implying strongly that this is God’s command. The council let them go without punishment because people were praising God for what had happened.

Peter and John told the other apostles what had happened. The apostles prayed that God would give them even more boldness to speak and heal in the name of Jesus. God blessed their prayer and they spoke out boldly. The community of faith continued to grow. They held their property in common. No one was needy among them. The people gave generously.

What a change has occurred in the apostles. The same folk who abandoned Jesus and denied knowing him are now speaking boldly even in the midst of persecution by those in power. And they pray for more courage. Oh, that we would be as bold, instead of being fearful about even the simplest questions about our faith. The Spirit of God is upon us as well. If we trust, He will respond.