DWELLING WITH GOD, PART 2

A study on the Tabernacle in the Wilderness,

IT'A ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

Special thanks to Daniel Brooks for a great picture 

Things to learn from What the Scripture Doesn’t Say

It is easy to get side tracked, the enemy would love to see you so busy with what doesn’t matter that you miss the things the Lord has for you. There are many specifics not mentioned in the description of the tabernacle. As an engineer, my carnal mind finds this irritating. I want more detail. The Lord wonderfully gives us all we need, so let’s not make an argument out of what manna was.

Exodus 25:3-7 list some things, but no quantities are mentioned. Nothing is said as to how to gather it, how to store it. 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 before the project was completed. 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.

https://www.369universe.com

Ex. 25:10-12 describes the ark, but my engineering brain wants to know 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.

V13-15 – How long were these sticks? What was their diameter? 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? After all, the Lord did say not to remove the sticks from the rings. Can 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.

The Tabernacle symbolizes the unity of the Church

Exodus 26 contains considerable detail about the construction of the tabernacle. The walls are curtains, and boards, 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, lets look at it from above, as the eagle looks down and sees it.

http://www.livingbeishamikdash.com/posts/the-most-private-space

First of all, this is no ordinary tent. It is extremely beautiful and ornate. It is built 1^st class. From above, however, the most ornate is hidden under a roof and covered with animal skins. It takes a deeper look, at ground level. We have to get to the heart level to see the most precious.

In some Hebrew texts, the Holy of Hollies is compared to the bedroom of a married couple. It expresses the exclusive relationship between a husband and wife, between God and His people.

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 Hollies 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. For example:

Ex. 26:2   These ten curtains must all be exactly the same size—42 feet long and 6 feet wide.

3   Join five of these curtains together to make one long curtain, then join the other five into a second long curtain.

4   Put loops of blue yarn along the edge of the last curtain in each set.

5   The fifty loops along the edge of one curtain are to match the fifty loops along the edge of the other curtain.

6   Then make fifty gold clasps and fasten the long curtains together with the clasps. In this way, the Tabernacle will be made of one continuous piece.

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?

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/479483

What would happen if the blue loop on the edge of the curtain told the gold ring 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. Psalm 133 becomes more important in this light.

Psalm 133:1   Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

2   It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments.

3   It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.

God’s Presence Goes With Us:

https://www.369universe.com

The first piece of furniture 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 with God is more binding than a legal contract so entering into God’s covenant is a safe thing to do.

http://www.livingbeishamikdash.com/posts/
the-most-private-space

Exodus 25:22   I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel.

Here is the place to hang out, at the Mercy Seat.

The Ark of the covenant played a very significant role in the Exodus, and at other times in ancient Jewish history. This verse sets the Biblical precedent,

http://godbricks.blogspot.com/2015/06/
ark-of-covenant.html

Num 10:33 They marched for three days after leaving the mountain of the Lord, with the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant moving ahead of them to show them where to stop and rest.

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 1^st 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:

Exod 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.”

Indeed, the Presence of God must always be the calling card of the church.

It was work to take the ark with them. It was heavy. 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, remember what happened when He showed up at the wedding party. He didn’t steal the show but He sure made a difference.

Challenge:

http://www.kathleendeggelman.com/2012/07/09/

five-strategies-for-how-to-manage-time-like-a-millionaire/

I read an article that challenged me, and I put this out to you, to look at things that have become habits, especially concerning cell phones and technology in general, to determine if those habits are beneficial. Do they help cultivate His Presence and love in my life? Do I spend time in face to face communication with people on a regular basis – no phone allowed? Do we use technology as a tool or does it just captivate our time and attention feeding us dribble and junk? How much precious time do we waste on things that don't matter, things that are of no benefit to the call to love people like God does and make disciples as we support our families? Time spent can never be retrieved.

STORY TELLING: WHAT SEED DO YOU SOW AT HOME?.

Gentlemen, as the old saying goes, “If Mama ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.” WE CAN save a lot of heartache IF WE DO IT RIGHT!!! 

So many Christian men get the cart before the horse. Doing so will always have a negative effect on everything at home, at work, in ministry, or anything a married man tries to do. Ladies are welcome to read this and click the comment word at the end of the blog, but please pass this along to your husband, your friend’s husband, and any guy you know who aspires to be a husband. Understanding God’s principles about the role of husbands, as portrayed in this week’s characters and scripture verses, will save a lot of heartache.

Husband “A”

Joe has hard a killer day at work. The pressure has been on to get his project in on time and

“Murphy’s law“ has been in effect all week. The customer has called to check up on his progress. Joe’s boss is constantly asking for progress reports. It just doesn’t look like his usual great work is going to be accomplished with the perfection expected by the due date. Exhausted, stressed out, he pulls the car into the driveway and hears the kids screaming. It sounds like utter chaos coming through the walls. Joe’s blood begins to boil, he angrily mutters to himself, “Why can’t that women keep those kids in line and she better have dinner ready because I’m starving!!” Joe grabs his laptop, opens the door as the kids come running to him, all loudly battering him with a string of complaints about each other.

Joe’s wife Ann emerges. She is a mess, her hair uncombed, some liquid spilled on her blouse, no make-up and her glasses on crooked. She hands him the baby who’s diaper is rather in need of changing and says, here, he’s yours. I know you want me to start cooking dinner while you change that stinky diaper and spend time with the kids. Joe loses his cool at this point, yelling at her, “Ann, you knew when I would be home and that I expected dinner ready. What have you been doing all day? I know other guy’s wives who don’t work from home and they get it all done!!.” If you were the submissive wife you’re supposed to be than you would have judged your time all day in order to meet my expectations of dinner ready, the kids calmed down, ______ (fill in the blanks yourself) when I got home!!”

Ann yells back, “they’re your kids too!” and tearfully goes to the kitchen. Walking from the refrigerator to the stove she stops and cries to the Lord, “What happened to that sweet caring guy I married 10 years ago?”

§  Was there heartache in this home?    Considerable

§  Was Joe the kind of dad he would want his future son-in-laws to be?   No way.

§  Was the atmosphere of Juan and Susanna’s bedroom what they wanted?   

Husband “B”

Juan also has a high pressure job, owning and managing a construction company. Dates for sub-contractors to be there and materials to arrive were on a very tight schedule because the customer needed to move quickly. The weather didn’t cooperate, causing a week delay on getting the shell up. A sub-contractor finished late and did a horrible job. It didn’t look like it would be possible for his client to move into the new offices on time and that would cause penalty fees to kick in. Juan was tempted to be worried. The stress was high but was learning to deal with it, trusting in the Lord.

When Juan got home, his wife Susanna was with him. She was the logistics coordinator. They worked in the same office so she was well aware of the stress her husband was under. Susanna’s mother watched the kids for the few hours between school and when Juan and Susanna got home each night. Juan had no expectations of dinner when he got home so he ate a snack in the afternoon knowing it would be a while until he had a meal. This couple determined not to talk about work on the way home so that the stresses there would not adversely affect the peace they desperately wanted at home. When they got home Juan thanked his mother-in-law for watching the kids. When she left he spent time with the kids while Susanna washed up and got ready to fix dinner.

·         Where Juan & Susanna perfect?     No.

·         Did they lose their tempers sometimes?    Sure.

·         Did they have disagreements and heated discussions?    Of course.

·         Did Juan open the door for his wife?     Most of the time.

·         Where Juan’s expectations of his wife reasonable, taking her side of the story very seriously?    Most of the time.

·         Was the atmosphere of Juan and Susanna’s bedroom what they wanted?   

Lessons to Learn

A few verses prior to this following verse women are instructed to be submissive to their own husbands. Their having this condition of heart however, almost never happens unless their husband grasps the ramifications of Eph. 5:25-28 and, with God’s help continuously, works at becoming this kind of a husband. The Message Bible beautifully paraphrases these verses:

Eph. 5:25-28    Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage. (MSG)

The need for all of us husbands to grow to become like this transcends all times, nations and cultures. Being a Christian involves a daily death to the “self” life, living for God instead – Jesus is Lord of all and we are included in the word “all.” We continually exchange our old dying existence on the planet for His eternal and wonderful life. Once we get married, this principle gets kicked up to a whole new level.

·         Is it easy? Now way!

·         Is it possible? Absolutely!

·         How long will it take? Your whole life on Earth.

·         Don’t worry about dazzling white silk, most of us could never afford that. Just make sure she’s clothed nicely

Test yourselves Gentlemen:

1.    What seeds are you sowing in your relationships at home?

2.    Do you care for your wife as a garden needs continual care?

3.    Does your wife know to wait for you to open the door for her?

4.    Are you the kind of husband you would want your daughters to marry?

If you feel like you can’t pass this test that’s fantastic. It brings us to dependence on Jesus to help us. We can’t earn salvation and neither can we work ourselves into who we are not – That’s God’s job and all it takes is continual surrender. He loves His Bride (the church) and gave Himself for her. My life and 39 years of marriage to Johanna is a testament to the possibility of making the transition from Husband A to Husband B.