The Bible in a Year
“And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it; and Moses blessed them.” — Exodus 39:43
As we move steadily through the book of Exodus, we arrive at what might seem like a quiet, almost administrative moment—the final inspection of the Tabernacle. Yet Scripture slows us down here for a reason. This verse does not merely close a construction project; it opens a window into how God views the work done in His name. Moses examines everything that has been made, not casually, but carefully. The Hebrew sense of “looked upon” suggests attentive observation, thoughtful consideration. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is assumed. The work is contemplated before it is commended. In that simple act, we are reminded that God, too, looks upon what His people do—not only what is visible to others, but what is formed in obedience, intention, and faithfulness.
This contemplation of the work invites us into sober reflection. God is not indifferent to our service. The Apostle Paul echoes this reality centuries later when he writes, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:13). The issue is not whether our lives will be examined, but how they will stand when they are. God looks not only at outcomes but at motivations, not only at effort but at alignment. This is not meant to provoke fear, but attentiveness. Knowing that our service matters encourages us to bring care, humility, and integrity into the ordinary tasks we often underestimate. Faithfulness, Scripture suggests, is rarely flashy but always noticed by God.
The character of the work becomes the defining feature of this passage. Again and again in these chapters, the phrase “as the LORD commanded” appears—nearly eighteen times. This repetition is deliberate. Israel’s craftsmen were skilled, creative, and gifted, yet their success was not measured by innovation alone. Their defining virtue was obedience. They resisted the temptation to improve upon God’s design or to substitute personal preference for divine instruction. In a culture that often prizes originality above faithfulness, this detail is striking. God’s standard was not whether the Tabernacle impressed observers, but whether it reflected His word. The same principle quietly governs our lives today. God does not examine our service by popularity, scale, or recognition, but by whether it has been shaped by His commands.
This challenges a subtle but common distortion in our spiritual thinking. We often evaluate our faithfulness by comparison—how visible our service is, how affirmed it feels, how it measures against others. Yet Scripture gently corrects us. The true question is not, “Was it noticed?” but “Was it obedient?” A.W. Tozer once wrote, “The man who would truly know God must give time to Him.” That same truth applies to service. Obedience requires attentiveness, patience, and submission. It is slower than shortcuts and quieter than self-promotion, but it is the path God honors. When Moses inspects the Tabernacle, he is not looking for novelty; he is looking for faithfulness.
The final movement of the verse brings us to compensation for the work. “Moses blessed them.” This blessing was more than a polite gesture. In the biblical world, commendation carried weight. To be blessed by Moses meant public affirmation that the work pleased God. It affirmed that their labor mattered, that their obedience was seen, and that their effort was not wasted. Scripture consistently teaches that God’s praise far outweighs human applause. Jesus Himself would later say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21), words that echo the same principle we see here. The reward of faithful service is not merely future—it is relational. God delights in obedience, and His blessing flows from that delight.
For those walking through the Bible in a year, this passage offers a steadying lens through which to view our own lives. We are reminded that God examines our work, values obedience over acclaim, and blesses faithfulness in ways that endure. This does not call us to anxious striving, but to careful devotion. Whether our service feels hidden or celebrated, ordinary or demanding, God’s criteria remain consistent. Faithfulness to His commands, offered with humility and care, is never overlooked. As we continue our journey through Scripture, Exodus 39:43 invites us to live and serve with the quiet confidence that God sees, God evaluates rightly, and God blesses what is done in obedience to Him.
For further reflection on God’s evaluation of faithful service, consider this article from Ligonier Ministries:
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/well-done-good-and-faithful-servant
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