Mar-29-0088-The dwelling place of God
88_The dwelling place of God Ex 25:1-9 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “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. 3 And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, 4 blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats' hair, 5 tanned rams' skins, goatskins, acacia wood, 6 oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 7 onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. 8 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. 9 Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it. Imagine a family planning their dream home. Every detail reflects their lifestyle, values, and vision. The design is not just about structure—it’s about identity. The God who created the universe also designed a dwelling place to reveal His character and teach His people how to enjoy a deep relationship with Him. This is the tabernacle - not just a structure but a blueprint with eternal significance. Exodus 25:1-9 introduces us to God’s command to Moses to build a tabernacle—a sanctuary where He would dwell among His people. The Creator of heaven and earth is enthroned in the heavens and the earth is his footstool. Why does he choose to put his name on a tent made by human hands? The answer lies not in His need but in ours. God, the master teacher, was revealing lessons about relationships, worship, and redemption in a tangible, experiential way. The Israelites were no strangers to God’s power. They had witnessed His might as He redeemed them from slavery in Egypt. The ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, the pillar of cloud and fire—all were dramatic displays of His sovereignty. But redemption was not the end of their story; it was the beginning. God’s purpose was not merely to free them but to form them into a holy people who would live in communion with Him. “Let my people go, so that they may serve me,” He declared to Pharaoh. Redemption was always meant to lead to a relationship. After their exodus, God brought the Israelites to Mount Sinai, where He revealed His law through Moses and established a covenant with them. This covenant, dedicated through blood, was sealed with a fellowship meal, symbolizing their relationship with Him. God wanted to dwell among them as they journeyed through the wilderness. He was their leader and fellow traveler on their long and weary journey. The tabernacle would be the visible representation of His presence. Its structure, furnishings, and ceremonies were rich with meaning, teaching the Israelites about His holiness, their sinfulness, and the way into his presence. However, the Tabernacle was not God’s literal dwelling place. The Apostle Paul, in Acts 17:24-25, reminded the Athenians that “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and