A Dwelling Place

Exodus 20:18-21 NASB

18 All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. 19 Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.” 21 So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.

Exodus 25:8-9 NASB

8 Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. 9 According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.

Exodus 40:34-38 NASB

34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; 37 but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. 38 For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.

Notes

Once God walked with man in the garden. But because of sin, God drove man out for the sake of man. Man could not bear the glory of the holiness of God. Yet God desired to dwell with His people. He would initiate a covenant with Israel, and He would dwell in their midst within the tabernacle. Since Adam, God would once again dwell with man, yet not in the same way as the garden. But enough to identify them as His people. One day, God would indwell every believer and every follower, which could only happen through His Son. The tabernacle shows shadows fo Christ, who will make a way for those who believe.

1. The people asked Moses to speak on behalf of God. They were afraid of His presence because they heard the trumpet and thunder; they saw smoke and lightning (20:18-21). His awesome presence was too much to bear.

2. Therefore, God would dwell among His people in the tabernacle. The tabernacle was a movable tent set amid the tribes of Israel (25:8). His glory filled the tent after the construction. His cloud of glory led Israel in their journey (40:34-38).

3. God gave instructions that Israel should build the tabernacle according to the pattern that He showed (25:9). Every detail was necessary because of its meaning. God is in the details.

Application

1. Let us pay closed attention to the details of our lives. Our God is into the details. Structure our lives according to the pattern that God showed in His word. How we speak, think, dress, associate, choose friends, choose a spouse, serve, and use our money; we must submit every detail to God.

2. The Spirit of God dwells in us and leads. We should follow the leading of the Spirit. Set our minds on the Spirit who leads us in the ways of God, and not into carnality and the ways of the world. His Spirit also signifies that we belong to Him.

3. In ancient times, God dwelt in a tent and the temple to be with His people. Let us praise God for He indwells us, assuming we are real followers in the faith. Let us also praise God for His presence when His people assembles, the church. Let us then continue to gather in His name for He dwells among us as His people.