The Tabernacle: God with us Exodus 25-31, 35-40

Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Exodus 25:8 NIV

Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God. Exodus 29:45-46 NIV

“Have them make an ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it. The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed. Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law, which I will give you. “Make an atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. Exodus 25:10-18 NLT

The elements of the Tabernacle:

Ark: God’s majestic Ch. 25,37

“Then make a table of acacia wood, 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high. Overlay it with pure gold and run a gold molding around the edge. Decorate it with a 3-inch border all around, and run a gold molding along the border. Make four gold rings for the table and attach them at the four corners next to the four legs. Attach the rings near the border to hold the poles that are used to carry the table. Make these poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. Make special containers of pure gold for the table—bowls, ladles, pitchers, and jars—to be used in pouring out liquid offerings. Place the Bread of the Presence on the table to remain before me at all times. Exodus 25:23-30 NLT

Table for Bread: God’s Presence His People Ch. 25, 37

“Make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. Make the entire lampstand and its decorations of one piece—the base, center stem, lamp cups, buds, and petals. Make it with six branches going out from the center stem, three on each side. Exodus 25:31-32 NLT

Lampstand: God’s Presence through Ch. 25

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. John 1:4 NLT

“Make the Tabernacle from ten curtains of finely woven linen. Decorate the curtains with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim. These ten curtains must all be exactly the same size—42 feet long and 6 feet wide. Join five of these curtains together to make one long curtain, then join the other five into a second long curtain. Exodus 26:1-3 NLT

Tabernacle Structure: Presence Among His People Ch. 26, 36

“Using acacia wood, construct a square altar 7 1⁄2 feet wide, 7 1⁄2 feet long, and 4 1⁄2 feet high. Make horns for each of its four corners so that the horns and altar are all one piece. Overlay the altar with bronze. Exodus 27:1-2 NLT

Altar of Burnt Offering: Entering God’s Presence through Ch. 27, 38

“Call for your brother, Aaron, and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Set them apart from the rest of the people of Israel so they may minister to me and be my priests. Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful. Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service. Exodus 28:1-3 NLT

Priestly Garments and Consecration: Picturing Sacrifice Ch. 28, 29, 30, 39

“Every morning when Aaron maintains the lamps, he must burn fragrant incense on the altar. And each evening when he lights the lamps, he must again burn incense in the Lord’s presence. This must be done from generation to generation. Exodus 30:7,8 NLT

Altar of Incense: God hears the of His people Ch. 30

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a bronze washbasin with a bronze stand. Place it between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water. Exodus 30:17-18 NLT

Basin for Washing: God His People Ch. 30, 38

Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Exodus 40:34-35 NLT

And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. John 1:14 TLV

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” John 2:19 NIV

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, Hebrews 10:19-20 NIV

Questions for Small Group/Personal Study

Opener:

How often do you think of God being present with you: continually, never, occasionally?

Go to the Source:

Skim through Exodus 25-31 and 35-40. Have you ever read these detailed tabernacle instructions? Do you find them irrelevant? Why or why not?
Read Exodus 29:45-46. What do you sense God saying to you from these verses?

Live it Out:

Brother Lawrence wrote a book “The Practice of the Presence of God” in the 17th century, detailing his encounters with God while washing dishes. What does “practicing the presence of God” look like for you?