Exodus 38:8 “Next, he made the bronze basin and its stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.”
In this age of plenty, it’s difficult to realize that mirrors were once highly prized objects that only belonged to rich women. The picture at the top is of an actual ancient Egyptian hand mirror very similar to the kind that were used to make the bronze basin and stand. But where did these mirrors come from in the first place?
When the Israelites were leaving Egypt, the Egyptians were in a panic and were literally forcing their prized possessions on the Israelites. “Here, take my jewelry! Take my best linens! Take my hand mirrors! Take anything you want, but just take it and LEAVE!!!
Up to this point, those Israelite ladies might never have had hand mirrors. After all, such things were for upper class Egyptian ladies with lots of maid servants, not for Israelite slave women! It’s quite likely that these mirrors became one of the choicest possessions of the lucky Israelite women.
Who were these women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting? There have been all kinds of speculations given by various scholars. Perhaps these women were from the priestly families or were merely others who were spiritually sensitive and who hungered to be in God’s presence. Someone has suggested that these women might have been intercessors, praying with those who were coming. Perhaps these women served in a secretarial role, coordinating those who were bringing sacrifices, making sure nobody was overlooked, keeping things running smoothly. Perhaps these women also made sure that the area around the Tent of meeting was freshly swept each morning so that those coming to the Tent would not encounter leaves, sticks, etc., up against the entrance. Someone had to take the soiled linen garments discarded by the priests and turn them into wicks for the great lampstand in the Holy Place. And who would bring the water that would be used for sacramental washing of hands and feet? Certainly, in that culture the women were the ones who fetched water. These ladies were busy, busy, busy!
APPLICATION: As we grow older, many of us have come to realize that our dearest treasures are not the big showy possessions, but the small ones that mean the most. Once these ladies gave up their mirrors, it was an irrevocable decision; they were in the midst of a wilderness without any chance to replace them. Did these ladies ever have regrets when they went throughout the rest of the camp and saw other women admiring themselves in Egyptian mirrors?
Were the ladies forced to donate their mirrors or did they do so willingly? Working as these women did so close to the Tent of Meeting, they were probably under the influence of the Holy Spirit. I strongly believe that these women met among themselves and then came as a group to Moses with their mirrors.
We know very little about these women. All that we know is that these women were willing to serve and willing to sacrifice something precious when called on to do so. The question for us from this brief passage is this: is God asking you to give up something precious?
In Luke 12:32-34, Jesus told His disciples, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
We have spent most of the last 33 years on the mission field in Ghana. We have always served with faith missions, depending on donations. During that time, we have sometimes had very little money but have never lacked anything. God has allowed us to educate many students and to continue to help the hospital where we work. What have we given up? Does a list matter? The important thing is that we have tried to remain as stewards of whatever God has given us and channels of His grace to those around us. Are we concerned about providing for our old age? Well, God has gotten us this far, and we trust that God will not drop us.
Nobody knows the names of those ladies who gave up their mirrors… but God knows. Nothing you give up for God will ever be wasted.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for the example of these women who gave their treasures freely. Help us to hold whatever you give us with open hands, ready to pass it on to the next person when you tell us to do so. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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