“All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do.” Exodus 35:29
As my recent reading through the Exodus story comes to an end, I am challenged by the details and specific instructions of God to Moses and the Israelites for building the Tabernacle. (Exodus 35-40)
Five chapters' worth of extremely distinct attributes and instructions contributed to what became a markedly Holy Place. Astonishing beauty was woven into every single detail (and there was a lot of detail!).
There was purpose, precision, and provision for every part of the wilderness journey, and the building of the Tabernacle was no different. It was consumed with intricate, exquisite specifications, I believe, because God knows the place where He dwells matters. And as the story of the Israelites is symbolically, in many ways, our story too, I have to consider what the Tabernacle now is in the context of the New Creation that has come through Jesus Christ.
Scripture points to the fact that we have become the place of God’s dwelling. Our bodies are considered the dwelling place of God.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Yes, God dwells through His Spirit in all who will receive Him. Therefore, the condition of our lives matters. What we give our thoughts and attention to matters. What forms us matters because we are called to a life of Holiness, meaning set apart. God instructs, guides, and helps us to live in the Way He has ordained, just as He instructed, guided, and helped the Israelites build the Tabernacle in the way He had ordained.
Why was God so specific in His instructions? I believe it is because God is specific in our lives. God is personal, and He has unique plans that are vastly different from the status quo of this world.
I’m learning that the Exodus story of salvation is a blueprint for ours. God redeemed His people then; God redeems His people now. And all He did in their midst, He is doing in ours. The question for us becomes this: are we listening to God's voice in our lives and embracing His invitation and calling to follow and be formed by Him?
The beautiful reality is that we are a part of the New Creation that has come through Jesus, and the building of His Tabernacle now is the spiritual formation of our very lives.
~~~
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
~em
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