The Builder’s Cubit
March 3rd, 2010In ancient times a measurement for building was called a “cubit.” Noah was commanded to build the ark of gopher wood that would be three hundred cubits by fifty cubits by thirty cubits (Genesis 6:14-15). In those days, a cubit was the distance from the tip of the finger to the end of the elbow, approximately eighteen to twenty inches.
Do you see a problem with that form of measurement? What if your forearm is an inch longer than my forearm? That would mean our cubits were of differing sizes. We could not really cooperate in building because I could not cut the wood to the correct size for your measurements and vice versa. This would promote blatant individuality.
There is an interesting verse at the end of the book of Judges. It reads, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21.25, ESV). Everyone in those days was essentially measuring his or her own life by his or her own cubit. There was no standard of right and wrong.
There actually was a standard of right and wrong. It was the word of God that had been given to the Hebrews at Mt. Sinai. The trouble with them (thankfully, not us – please note the intentional sarcasm) is that they neglected the standard.
Imagine for a moment modern builders tossing out their rulers and steel tapes. What kind of house would you have? I am sure it would look very odd if each of the men on the work crew took a hand in measuring. Things would not match up and your house would probably slant at best.
Thankfully as time passed, people became aware of the dilemma. Instead of leaving it up to every man to determine his own standard of measurement, a “builder’s cubit” was developed. This was much like our yardstick or ruler. It became the standard by which people built.
God has given us a standard to build our lives. It is the Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus Christ). His whole life is based on the Word of God. John, in fact, tells us that he is the word incarnate (John 1:14).
Notice Jesus’ standard of judgment for us:
7If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak (John 12:47-49, ESV).
God requires standards for us to live by. He does not leave us on our own. Our standard is His one and only Son.
Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene
