Exodus 25:1–9 (NLT), “The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them.3 Here is a list of sacred offerings you may accept from them: gold, silver, and bronze; 4 blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; 5 tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood; 6 olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; 7 onyx stones, and other gemstones to be set in the ephod and the priest’s chestpiece. 8 “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them.9 You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.”
Exodus chapters 25-31, record a series of seven speeches by Yahweh that all begin with the phrase:
“The LORD said.” There is a beautiful link between these speeches and God’s work of creation in Genesis 1.
- Speech #1: Ex 25:1-30:10 – Instructions for the structure, furniture, and priests
- Speech #2: Ex 30:11-16 – A census-based ransom for the people’s lives
- Speech #3: Ex 30:17-21 – A water basin for cleansing
- Speech #4: Ex 30:22-33 –Anointing oil to designate special people and places
- Speech #5: Ex 30:34-38 – The incense
- Speech #6: Ex 31:1-11 – Spirit-filled people to do the work
- Speech #7: Ex 31:12-17 – A Sabbath rest
Seven times God speaks. The 7th time is the Sabbath. The Spirit of God is involved. In fact, when the Spirit is mentioned in Exodus 31:3, this is the first time the Spirit is mentioned since Genesis 1:2 (NLT), “The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.”There is a beautiful Divine Pattern on display here. God’s presence always brings order out of chaos. This is what God does. And this is what His image-bearers should do as well: We should help bring order out of chaos in the world around us.
LIFEPOINT: The goal of worship is to expand the dwelling place of God until it fills the entire earth!Isaiah 6:1-3 (NLT), “It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”Everything that God has created is meant to share in His glory:
“The whole earth is filled with his glory!” It is so essential that we understand this truth!
Romans 1:18-22 (NLT), “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.”2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT), “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.”First Theme in Exodus: Yahweh destroys the house of slavery (Ex 1-15)
- Introduction: No earthly power can stop Yahweh from keeping his promises, but it is a little mysterious how He’ll do it (Ex 1).
- Part 1: Yahweh calls and equips a mediator to lead the people to freedom (Ex 2:1-7:7).
- Part 2: Yahweh brings destruction on his enemies and joy to his people (Ex 7:8-15:21).
Second Theme in Exodus: Yahweh prepares the Hebrew people to receive His Law (Ex 16-18)
Third Theme in Exodus: Yahweh builds His house in the midst of His people (Ex 19-40)
- Part 1: God creates a picture of paradise for his people, so he can bring them near through the blood of a substitute (Ex 19-24).
- Part 2: God describes how his people can re-create this paradise on earth (Ex 25-31).
God wants to dwell with his people. And nothing can stop Him from doing that! John 1:14 (NLT), “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
Matthew 1:23 (NLT), “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
Matthew 28:20 (NLT), “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Because Jesus came to earth and took on human flesh, we no longer have to meet with God in a cloth tabernacle in the wilderness. He now dwells in our hearts through faith in the finished work of the cross!
Revelation 21:3 (NLT), “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them."Application:Head: Don’t just skip over, or mentally check out when you come to the detailed architectural stuff in Exodus. Try to slow down and appreciate all the pieces that have to fall into place for a righteous God to dwell among his sinful people!
Heart: Take time regularly, to assess whether or not you long for God’s presence and glory? Or, whether your desires are more for the things of this world?
Hands: Be a visible tabernacle in the world. Live out your faith with integrity!
1 Corinthians 6:15-20 (NLT), “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”1 Timothy 1:5 (NLT), “The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.”2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 (NLT), “And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:“I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 7:1 Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.”
