Tag: Tabernacle
God’s dwelling place!
Scripture reading for February 11th: Exodus 25-27, Psalm 90, Philippians 1
Key Scriptures: Exodus 25:1-2, 8-9 “The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for Me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for Me. . . .And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and all its furniture, so you shall make it.”
God had blessed His people with a mighty deliverance and laden them down with the treasures of Egypt. As He desired to dwell with them, He asked them to make willing contributions to building His sanctuary that would be in their midst. He gave them exact plans and they must build exactly as He instructed. Through faith, the people would contribute willingly and build skillfully to enjoy God’s presence in their midst! This was the greatest treasure!
Faith Confession and Prayer: Lord, I willingly offer You my body as Your rightful habitation! Help me to obey You each day and allow You to do Your work Your way with willing heart. I look forward to dwelling with You eternally at the completion of all things.
Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Psalm 90:1-2 “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all our generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting Your are God.”
Jesus made His home with us!
Scripture reading for October 30th: John 1-2
John was the youngest disciple and along with James was one of the “sons of thunder” brothers. These brothers were in the inner circle of disciples and John was the one resting his head on Jesus’ chest in the famous picture of the Last Supper. John was also the disciple Jesus asked from the cross to take care of His mother. (John 19:26-27) The theme of his Gospel is “Jesus, the Son of God” and John goes back to Genesis as he begins his account.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; and without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.” (John 1:1-4)
John started with a revelation of the Son of God! He was and is the eternal Word! He was with God in the beginning! The beginning spoken of by John was the beginning of created things, not time, for God is from everlasting. By speaking His powerful Word in faith He created the visible world and heavens. When we think of how vast and huge these creations are, we are humbled by the power of that Word!
But at the right time, this Word became flesh and dwelt among His people! The word for “dwelt” is the same word used to describe the pitching of a tent. God dwelt with His people when Israel was in the desert after Mt. Sinai. Moses was given instructions to build a special tent and furniture as a place for God to dwell in the midst of His people. This tent was called a “tabernacle”. God’s presence marked His people as separate and blessed above all others on the earth. No enemy could defeat them as they marched with Him, no sickness could attack, and even clothes and shoes did not wear out! (Nehemiah 9:19-21)
Jesus Christ came to His own people, but they did not receive Him! (John 1:11-12) But to those who did receive Him, Jesus gave the power to become children of God! They would be “born again” and become “living tabernacles” of God’s presence! Why not invite Him to pitch His tent in you?
The Tabernacle–a place to connect with God!
Scripture reading for January 28th: Exodus 25-27
God gave Moses specific instructions as to how His tabernacle was to be constructed. He told him numbers, lengths, weights and the type of materials for each part. God left nothing to chance when it came to His first dwelling with His people on earth. It was a mobile dwelling because God was moving with the Israelites and leading them as they journeyed. Four times in our reading today God re-emphasized the need to make everything after the pattern shown on the mountain. (Exodus 25:9,40; 26:30; 27:9) (He knew that men need clear instructions–they won’t ask!)
God’s dwelling place was a special representation of heavenly reality. The ark was a chest of acacia wood about 4 feet long, coated with pure gold. Two gold cherubim were to be beaten out for each end. God’s glory would reside between these cherubim. The box was to have two rings on each side where poles of acacia wood would be used to transport it. It was to be carried by priests who were consecrated for this job. The tablets of Testimony, the ten commands, were to be placed inside of this box. Later a jar of manna was placed there as well as Aaron’s rod that had budded and sprouted in God’s presence. (Hebrews 9:1-5)
The ark of the Covenant reminds believers today of Jesus Christ, God dwelling with us. John 1:14-15 tells us that Jesus came and “pitched his tent” (tabernacled) among us. We beheld His glory! Jesus kept the law of God, the tablets of Testimony. He was the only man who has ever lived who fully obeyed the Law and was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15-16) He was the living bread (manna) come down from heaven, that if any man eat of this bread, he would never die! (John 6:47-50) He was the one chosen by God to have all authority in heaven and on earth! (Aaron’s rod!) (Matthew 28:18) He was worshiped by angels at his birth, and now is in the presence of holy angels in heaven. (Revelation 4:12) This awesome object lesson opens our understanding of heavenly reality! Thank God for this ancient object lesson!
God’s Tent in the Camp
Scripture reading for January 28th: Exodus 25-27
How would your life be different if you knew that God lived with you in a special tent? This is what the Israelites experienced for many years after Mt. Sinai. Moses was given specific instructions while he was on the mountain with God during the two forty day periods. These instructions included the ten commandments as the foundation of holiness for God’s people and then the practical explanation of how these ten words worked out in their everyday life. (Exodus 20:3-17) In order for God to be in their midst, they must be holy. Holiness is all about love flowing in our lives.
The Lord commanded the Israelites to bring Him an offering from the plunder of Egypt. (Exodus 25:2-7) A true test of our love coming from our heart is to follow the money that we give and spend. This offering was to be given willingly and cheerfully, not out of compulsion. (2nd Corinthians 9:7) The offering was then to be used to build a sanctuary for the Lord so that He might dwell with them on their journey. God gave them the exact pattern for this special sanctuary called the tabernacle.
The tabernacle was really an elaborate tent that contained a special box called the ark of the covenant. The ark was to be made of special wood, covered with pure gold. It’s lid was call the atonement cover and it was to be specially made from one sheet of beaten gold and contained two cherubim, one on each end. The cherubim were angelic figures with wings outstretched over the cover. This box contained the ten commandments given to Moses by the Lord. (Exodus 25:17-21) God told Moses that He would meet with him there, on the atonement cover between the angelic cherubim.
As we think about this amazing process, Jesus Christ comes to our mind. He came to God’s people 1500 years later and pitched His tent in their midst! (John 1:14) His humble body was completely obedient to God’s law and he willingly gave Himself as the offering to build God’s true house! It is through Him that all mankind can now meet with God in the true tabernacle in heaven, where the real cherubim surround the throne crying “Holy, Holy, Holy!” It is through Him that we each become a dwelling place for God’s glory during our stay here on earth! Praise the Lord!
Pastor’s Walk Podcast: Exodus Summary Part 3 (20-40)
In this podcast Pastor John concludes his summary of the book of Exodus. Pastor John’s primary focus is on chapters 20-40.
The Tabernacle of God!
Scripture reading for January 28: Exodus 25-27
Do you like to follow directions? Men are particularly prone to trying to put something together from trial and error. We like the adventure and take pride in being able to do complex projects from our memories or experience. We often feel that instructions are unnecessary. This attitude usually gets us into trouble and we either get lost or end up with left over parts from the project!
Moses was given a pattern for the Tabernacle. God gave him specific instructions as to how this “dwelling place” was to be constructed. He told them numbers, lengths, weights and the type of materials for each part. God left nothing to chance when it came to His first dwelling here with His people on earth. It was a mobile dwelling because God was moving with the Israelites and leading them as they journeyed. He moved in the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. Four times in our reading today God re-emphasizes the need to make everything after the pattern shown on the mountain. (Exodus 25:9,40; 26:30; 27:9) It may be that God knew Moses was a typical man!
The instructions for this Tabernacle starts with the Ark of the Covenant! Everything begins with God at the center! God’s dwelling place was a special representation of a heavenly reality. It was a chest of acacia wood about 4 feet long. It was to be coated with pure gold. Two gold cherubim were to be beaten out for each end and they were to face the lid of this box. The box was to have two rings on each side where poles of acacia wood would be used to transport it. Everything was coated with pure gold. It was to be carried by priests who were consecrated for this job. The tablets of Testimony, the ten commands, were to be placed inside of this box. Later a jar of manna was placed there as well as Aaron’s rod that had budded and sprouted in God’s presence. (Hebrews 9:1-5)
This ark of the Covenant represents Jesus Christ, God dwelling with us. John 1:14-15 tells us that Jesus came and “pitched his tent” (tabernacled) among us. We beheld His glory! Jesus kept the law of God, the tablets of Testimony. He was the only man who has ever lived who fully obeyed the Law and was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15-16) He was the living bread (manna) come down from heaven, that if any man eat of this bread, he would never die! (John 6:47-50) He was the one chosen by God to have all authority in heaven and on earth! (Aaron’s rod!) (Matthew 28:18) He was worshiped by angels at his birth, and now is in the presence of holy angels in heaven. (Revelation 4:12) This is an awesome object lesson meant to teach the Israelites of that day and us today about Jesus and his glory.
We who are saved and in relationship with Jesus have his glory in our earthen “tents”. (2 Corinthians 4:7) We are being transformed by that glory into God’s image! (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) The Spirit is God with us! We are made holy by the blood of Jesus Christ and desire to keep his law in obedience with grace.(Hebrews 8:10-11) We receive authority to pray and witness in His name! (Luke 10:19-20) We are destined for the gold streets of Glory and to see the face of Jesus! Thank him today for his perfect plans!