This week, the Israelites build the Tabernacle, the place where God will dwell with them.
God instructs Moses to take a free-will offering from the people. Their offerings provide the materials needed to build the Tabernacle. The people give so many gifts that Moses must restrain them from giving any more.
Besides Moses, the Bible mentions two men who are filled with the Spirit of God to be craftsmen for building the Tabernacle. The Spirit gives these men wisdom, knowledge, understanding and skills to build the Tabernacle. Today, the Holy Spirit gives us these same gifts to help us serve God.
God gives skilled workers the ability to do the work of building the Tabernacle, and He gives them the willingness to do the work.
The Israelites build the Tabernacle just as the Lord had commanded. It takes the Israelites about six months to construct the Tabernacle. When the construction is complete, the Tabernacle is set up on the first day of the first month, exactly one year after the original Passover celebration. This is a way for the people to remember what God had done for them.
The Tabernacle and all of its furnishings point to Christ as our Savior. God dwelt among the people in the Tabernacle. Today, God’s people are indwelt once by the Holy Spirit at conversion and are filled over and over with the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Tabernacle is placed in the middle of the Israelites’ camp. God’s presence in a cloud remains over the Tabernacle. When the cloud moves, the people move. When the cloud remains, the people remain. The Israelites must keep their focus on the cloud (God!) and be ready to move whenever the cloud moves.
Things to Think About
- God’s purpose for the Israelites was to know Him, to love Him, to worship Him, to serve Him and to glorify Him. (We have the same purpose in our lives today!) Their purpose did not change because of their sin. Our sin and grief don’t change God’s purpose in our lives.
- How often do I complete my tasks just as I was commanded to?
- Am I doing my secular work according to His plan and purpose?
- I am God’s dwelling place.