Exodus 25
Chapter 25 is the tabernacle that Israel was to build for God. The key passage for this chapter and the next few chapters is Ex. 25:8-9, “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.”
Because God is God, a holy place for him to dwell would be required. It is God’s Presence that will actually make the place holy, but the people would have a part to play in the construction of this holy place as well. The Presence of God among the people is related to the people preparing and maintaining a holy place for God to dwell in their midst. It is not that the sanctuary is magical, but that it becomes symbolic of the holy Presence of God among the people.
God told Moses to collect an offering from the people in order to acquire the materials needed for the tabernacle. Not just any old offering will do. From the list of things, we see that the people were to bring their best. We also learn that they were to give according to the prompting of their hearts. The people were to give their best and they were to give it from the heart. Second best would not do and only joyful giving was acceptable. If God is to dwell amongst His people, there would be no room for them to hold back their best nor to give it grudgingly. God’s abiding Presence demands total yielding of possessions and heart.
In the Old Testament God wanted his Presence to dwell in the tabernacle, however under the “New Covenant” God wants his Presence to dwell in us! We are the tabernacle, which hosts the very Presence of God. The same detail that God gave his people to build the tabernacle in Exodus 25 is the same detail God wants us to put into our lives. God asked the people to bring their best to build the tabernacle, are you giving your best to make sure your life (tabernacle) is suitable for God’s presence? It is good to think about the sin, unhealthy eating/living, lack of worship, and much more that makes up our tabernacle. As we continue to grow in Christ let’s work hard to give God the best tabernacle to dwell in.
Pastor Travis