We left off
in Part 1 with the topic of how our relationship with God is on His terms. This
is illustrated in the Lord’s direction concerning the design of the tabernacle,
Exodus. 25:9. “According to all that I show
thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the
instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.”
Everything must come back to this
cornerstone truth that the Tabernacle is where we live with God, where we
relate to Him. The Father’s heart is not just to have weekly visits with the
Saints in the church house, He wants to live among us.
What the Scripture Doesn’t Say
It is crucial in our relationship with
the Lord, or anyone else for that matter, that we not get
Ex.25: 3-7 list some things, but no
quantities are mentioned, nothing is said as to how to gather it, how to store
it.
Verses 3-7 list some things, but no
quantities are mentioned, nothing is said as to how to gather it, how to store
it.
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.
They didn’t know if they would be in 1
place long enough to complete the project, or if they might have to be
transporting all this stuff. The scripture didn’t have to say any more for us
to get the message to give what the Lord puts on your heart to give, give
willingly, give generously, give specifically.
Ex. 25:10 “Have the people make an Ark of acacia
wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long,
27
inches wide, and 27 inches high.
11
Overlay it inside and outside with pure gold, and run a molding of
gold all around it.
12
Cast four gold rings and attach them to its four feet, two rings
on each side.
Here is some description the ark, but
how were the sides joined? How was the bottom held in place? How thick were the
boards that it was made of? How thick was the overlay? What was the diameter of
the rings to hold the staves?– Who cares? The fact that these scriptures don’t
mention these details is that they don’t matter. Those details won’t help you
win the lost or become more like Jesus.
Ex. 25:13 Make poles from acacia wood, and overlay
them with gold.
14
Insert the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it.
15
These carrying poles must stay inside the rings; never remove
them.
How long were these sticks? What was
their diameter? How thick was the gold overlay? Did they stick out past the
Ark, like we see in pictures, or where they same length as the Ark, so it was
carried like a coffin? This would make it easier to walk around inside the Holy
of Holies? After all, the Lord did say not to remove the sticks from the rings. Can’t you just do what the Lord asks you
to do without knowing all the details? Do you really need to know all the
long term implications of obedience? Isn’t God trustworthy? He will give us all
we need so let’s not complain or get hung up on tangents that don’t profit.
Exodus 26 contains considerable detail
about the construction of the tabernacle: The walls and curtains, the boards, the
support pieces and connectors. The roof is made of several layers of different
cloth and skins. There is significance in the typology of all the detail,
however, let’s look at it from above, as the eagle looks down and sees it.
First of all, this is no ordinary
tent. It is extremely beautiful and ornate. It is built 1st class.
This shows the nature of God and also how the Father sees the heart of His
kids. We can be comfortable in such beauty and splendor, in such extravagance,
because we are children of the King of Kings. This is a beautiful place and God
sees you as so beautiful, so lovely. He loves you enough to have given His life
for your redemption. The Holy of Holies is such an awesome place, so much gold,
so much amazing craftsmanship, such a beautiful veil to pass through to get
inside. It is in this place that the
Father wants to meet with us, at the Mercy Seat, at the heart of everything
that the Tabernacle is all about.
Another amazing thing about this tent
is that it all fits together. There are lots and lots of pieces. There are big
pieces, little pieces, heavy stuff and small lightweights, wood, gold brass,
silver, cloth, animal skins. Each piece has prophetic significance, has
practical functions and some life application of scripture. All this stuff can
only be put together “according to the pattern shown
thee on the mount.” Can
you see the analogy to the church, to the Body of Christ?
Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity!
This verse becomes more important in
this light. What would happen if the blue loop on the edge of the curtain told
the gold tache to stay away, “leave me alone, I don’t want to be connected to
that other blue loop.”? (Ex. 26:6). There wouldn’t “be one tabernacle.” What
about that big wood board (Ex 26:16), covered in gold? It is happy to be
between 2 other boards just like itself, but Oh No, it refused to be put into
that socket, thinking it is too good to be put into inferior silver. It would
fall down! I believe the Lord sheds tears over the disunity within churches and
between churches and denominations.
God’s Presence
goes with us:
The first detail listed is the Ark of
the Covenant. Just the name of this item indicates that a relationship with God
is a place of safety. Noah built the ark that God used to save life from
the flood. A covenant is more binding than a legal contract so entering into covenant
with The Father demonstrated His love and power throughout the Bible is a safe
thing to do.
The intent of this special piece of
furniture known as the Mercy Seat, is the place to hang out with God.
Ex. 25:22 “And there I
will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat,
from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony…”
The Ark of the covenant played a very
significant role in the Exodus, and at other times in ancient Jewish history. The
Biblical precedent is,
Num 10:33
“And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark
of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to
search out a resting place for them.”
It is symbolic of God’s omnipresence,
you take Him with you wherever you go. The whole tabernacle was designed for
mobility, for frequent set-up, tear dawn and transport. From wherever you were
when you first got saved, until you get to heaven, your life is an exodus and
the Lord is with you throughout the trip. The following promise to Moses is
something we can cling to today:
Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied, “I will personally go with
you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”
15
Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us
leave this place.
16
How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your
people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and
me apart from all other people on the earth.”
It was work to take the ark with them.
They had to tear it down, carry every piece with them and set-it all up again
when the Lord said to. Just think of the logistics off all that. It was heavy,
especially with its contents. It takes some work to carry His presence with us
wherever we go. It involves staying prayed up and walking in the Spirit. It
requires understanding and bearing the weight of His glory, not just in church,
but in the world. Jesus is our example, look what happened when He showed up at
the wedding party. He didn’t steal the show but He sure made a difference.
In Conclusion:
We have the choice, continually before
us. Do we carry this heavy ark, leading others to freedom, or do we take the
easy way and slide into the muck of sin? With every temptation, He makes a way
of escape. Ascend the hill of the Lord, or slide down to the pits of hell on
greasy grace? Life or death, it’s our choice. Make a positive difference or be
another slime ball just fitting in with a hell bound crowd? Our love affair
with God should be sufficient motivation to climb up, go up the stairs into His
chambers. Love is not something you fall into, it is a mountain to climb. Aaron,
and his sons, had to maintain and put on the beautiful priestly clothes. Are
you wearing yours?
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