Gluten Free & God Seeking: November 2016

The pictures in the Old Testament parallel the teachings in the New Testament. There are 185 chapters in the Life-Study of Exodus, and probably half of them are all on the details with the building of the tabernacle. So as I’ve been read through this part of the Life-Study, it’s helped me see more about the spiritual building that God is after today. I’ll give you a quick overview of what I’ve picked up.

A friend of mine made a model of the tabernacle with

her husband when they were doing a Bible study

on Exodus. She let me take pictures of it. This only shows

three layers.

First, the description of the tabernacle in Exodus 26 begins with the four different layers that make up the roof.  The first layer was made of fine linen with golden cherubim, the second of goats' hair, the third was made from rams' skins dyed red, and the fourth layer was constructed of porpoise skins. When I read these chapters they grabbed my attention because the typology here was amazing to me.

Let's see if I can put this part in my own words. In the Gospels we see Christ portrayed as the fine linen that the priest could see while serving. This curtain was composed of fine linen which represents Christ's pure humanity.  On it cherubim were embroidered with different colors of thread that symbolize different aspects of Christ's humanity. The blue thread represents Christ's heavenliness, the gold thread His divinity, the purple thread is kingliness, and the scarlet thread that He is our Redeemer.

    The next layer was made of goat's hair and this represents that Lord came to the earth to die for our sins (John 1:29).  After that came the layer of rams' skins dyed red, and this clearly portrays Christ's redemption on our behalf. The porpoise skins might be a little hard to get, but in chapter 96 Witness Lee points out that porpoise skins are impenetrable. They signify that Christ is able to withstand any of Satan's attacks.

Witness Lee shares that most people describe a building from the foundation up, but God in Exodus 26 starts from the top. On pages 1131-1132 he explains why He did that.

Top view of the tabernacle

Therefore the fact that the covering comes before the boards indicates that the redemption of Christ must come first. This reveals that our Christian experience begins with the top, with the roof, not with the bottom. If Christ had not become a man to die on the cross for our sins in order to accomplish redemption, fulfill God's requirements, and withstand the attacks of the enemy, there would be no way for us to be God's people. The gospel is actually Christ typified by the four-layered covering of the tabernacle....When we heard the gospel and believed into Christ, our Christian life began from above, with the roof....Before we were regenerated, the roof, the four-layered Christ, was already in existence....When we believed in the Lord, and received Him, we immediately found ourselves under the roof, under the covering (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Exodus. Living Stream Ministry: Anaheim, 1981, Print).

Every day we can appreciate the fact that God has put us underneath the covering and protection of this Christ! Satan can't touch us here! In the next post we will look at the boards of the tabernacle.

You can listen to excerpts of this life training and some outstanding commentary by listening to Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee on Exodus.

Other Posts on the Life-Study of Exodus:

Why Did God Use So Many Women in Exodus 1 & 2?Taking a Closer Look at the Conflict Between God and Pharaoh in Exodus 5
What Does the Name Jehovah Mean in Exodus 6:2?
Why Did God Really Send the Manna in Exodus 6?
What is the Meaning of the Bitter Waters at Marah in Exodus 15:23?
How are the 10 Commandments Like God's Engagement Covenant in Exodus 20?
How Can You Keep the 10 Commandments?
Why Did the Israelites Build a Tabernacle in Exodus 25:8?
Taking Another Look at the Priesthood of the Believers in Exodus 19:6
Seeing God's Spiritual Building in Exodus 26 - Part 1 of 1
Seeing God's Spiritual Building in Exodus 26 - Part 2 of 2
Taking a Closer Look at the Tabernacle in Exodus 25 - The Ark
Taking a Closer Look at the Tabernacle in Exodus 25 - The Showbread Table & the Lampstand
Taking a Closer Look at the Tabernacle in Exodus 27 & 30 - The Bronze Altar & Laver
Taking a Closer Look at the Tabernacle in Exodus - The Golden Incense Altar

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Our Fall Family Favorite - Chicken & Zucchini Casserole with Gluten Free Biscuit Topping

Fall is here again, and like clock work, it's time to make those heart-warming family favorite comfort foods. My friend Debbie made this particular casserole years ago, and I liked the way it showcased a great way to use a bumper crop of zucchini.

At that time I hadn't been diagnosed with celiac disease, and so, of course, I loved the chicken soup and Bisquick topping! So when I had to modify this recipe, I knew the taste I was looking for. In most casseroles the soup takes front and center because you're eating it in every bite! This gluten free chicken soup is delicious.

Chicken & Zucchini Casserole

1. Prepare chicken:
(1) Rinse 2- 3 chicken breasts and steam until done about 15 minutes.
(2) Cube chicken, and put aside until assembling casserole.

2. Prepare vegetables:
(1) Wash 2 1/2 cups of fresh green beans and snap them into thirds.
(2) Slice 1 zucchini in half and then cut in half.
(3) Dice 1 tomato.

3. Prepare gluten free chicken soup:
(1) In a skillet melt 2 T of butter and whisk in 1/2 cup of rice flour.
(2) Slowly add 2 cups of milk and 2 cups of water, 2 T Better than Bouillon, 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, and 1/2 tsp. thyme.
(3) Cook until thickened; make any adjustments.

4. Prepare casserole:
(1) Lay vegetables along the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking pan.
(2) Sprinkle with dried sweet basil and garlic salt
(3) Scatter over the top the cubed chicken.
(4) Cover with the homemade gluten free chicken soup.
(5) Drop homemade gluten free biscuit dough over the top, recipe below.

5. Gluten free biscuits - In a medium sized mixing bowl put:
(1) 2/3 cup white rice flour, 2/3 cup sorghum flour, and 2/3 cup tapioca flour
(2) 2 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. baking soda, and 1 tsp. salt.
(3) Cut in 4 tablespoons butter.
(4) Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and 1 egg.
(5) Combine and then drop by spoonfuls over the top of the casserole.

6. Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes.

Gluten Free & God Seeking

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