We are in chapter thirty-eight of Exodus with our word for today. פָּקַד visit, inspect, look at, see, command, numbered, recorded. It is used 304 times in the Old Testament, three times in our chapter. Most of the uses of our word are in the sense to be added up in number or quantity. A good example is found in the book of Numbers where God’s people were counted according to each tribe. Numbers 1:44-46 These are those who הַפְּקֻדִ֡ים were listed, whom Moses and Aaron listed with the help of the chiefs of Israel, twelve men, each representing his fathers' house. So all those פְּקוּדֵ֥י listed of the people of Israel, by their fathers' houses, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war in Israel— all those הַפְּקֻדִ֔ים listed were 603,550. This is how our word is used four times in our chapter today. Exodus 38:21, 25-26 These are the פְקוּדֵ֤י records of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony, as they פֻּקַּ֖ד were recorded at the commandment of Moses, the responsibility of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest … The silver from those of the congregation who פְּקוּדֵ֥י were recorded was a hundred talents and 1,775 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary: for everyone who was listed in הַפְּקֻדִ֗ים the records, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men. This was an amazing amount that was contributed as materials for building the tabernacle. All of this was recorded and accounted for so that when it was summed up it was impressive how God moved the people to give and how they gave generously. It shows us just how important this how process of people being able to connect to God in worship. This shows God’s loving heart of care for people. We see our word used in this way in Psalms. Psalm 80:14-15 Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; וּ֝פְקֹ֗ד have regard for this vine, the stock that your right hand planted, and for the son whom you made strong for yourself. Psalm 8:3-5 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that תִפְקְדֶֽנּוּ you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. I’ll close with the ultimate trust in God’s loving care when Jesus put his life in God’s hands and died on the cross to save us. Psalm 31:5 Into your hand אַפְקִ֪יד I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, Lord, faithful God. Luke 23:46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
