Last week, we began an intimate journey into and through the Tabernacle. We considered the call to enter into God's presence. We will follow along at the requirements God had in His desire to be with us, then applying the life and work of Jesus, in how we now can have that full communion with Him. As we approach the outer courtyard, we pause and consider what it took to build this magnificent structure. God's dwelling place.
First, God had Moses 'speak to the children of Israel', having them bring an offering, not to Moses, but to God Himself… (Ex. 25:1-8). The Lord telling Moses, 'tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give'. Amazing isn't it, that God did not 'demand' that everyone participate, but they came on their own accord, that their hearts would lead them.
The instruction proceeds to give a list of all that was needed… much of these were to be found among the people, (v.3-7) 'gold, silver and bronze, blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, goat hair, ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows; acacia wood, olive oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and fragrant incense and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece'.
This was quite the list. Remember where they are ~ still wandering in the desert (a desert can be defined as an uncultivated region). Where are they going to come up with gold, silver and bronze. There was no Wells Fargo currency exchange office to dash into. No JoAnne Fabrics to gather the linens, and definitely not the bright orange striped Home Depot for the acacia wood. Think back from where they came… Egypt. At that time Egypt had been one if not the wealthiest of countries. They had been toting much of these things with them. Can you imagine the tear down, and set up required every time they were to move. I can hear one lady, say … 'oh be so careful with that', the husband rolling his eyes as he lugs that 10 pound jewelry box up on the camel.
Have you too found yourself wandering in a desert, that for you, seems to have no end in sight, and it is the presence of God you so hunger for? As God spoke to Moses, is He speaking to you? Does He want to cultivate the desert region, and have communion with you right where you are.
Many times God requires us to bring Him, things (physical, emotional, spiritual) that we have been toting around. Those things we find of great value, once treasures. He may want those. It is in the offering of giving them to Him, that He can melt them down and create something beautiful. Not only does He use them, it lightens our load! So… when He does say, 'we are moving on', it does not take so much time and effort to 'get up and go'. (hm… think on that).
After the list of supplies was given, God says in verse 8, 'then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.' I appreciate the word 'then', implying there is something needed before … what He was about to state… 'bring Me your 'stuff' … then I will….' (please know, I am in no way belittling the value of the things God required, He uses only the finest of materials).
Oh, the desire God has to be with us. See the progression… He first walked with Adam in the garden, He walked with Noah, He was with Moses and the Israelites as He lead them out of captivity… now He is to 'dwell' among them'. But we can not stop there… that was not enough… 'Jesus' … John 1:14 'The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us…', then in Ephesians 3:17 'Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith'.
May we truly experience the 'dwelling' of God. Relationship – the giving and taking. He -setting up residence in and among us.
We have covered much, we will stop here for now. Next time, we will look at the outer courtyard, the fencing, the gate opening and its contents within.
Blessings, DeDe (Ps. 92:4 You thrill me, LORD!)
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