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Thursday 2 September 2010

Exodus 25

We now come to description of various elements associated with worship, such as the tabernacle, ark etc. Now in Hebrews 9 tells us that these things were a shadow of the true sanctuary, so this is what we should look for in these verses, shadows of what was to come.
The first thing that is mentioned is an offering. When we come to God we should bring an offering. We also see that it talks about those "whose heart prompts them to give", this is reminiscent of the what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 8-10. God is interested in the condition of our hearts. Finally in this section God says they are to build a sanctuary and He will dwell among them. So we see here a key to knowing God, namely the importance of giving an offering to God. This is not a matter of "buying" God's favour, not at all. When we give to God we give our hearts to Him, we give our faith to Him. This builds a sanctuary within our lives in which He can dwell through the Holy Spirit.
Very detailed instructions are given for the ark of the covenant, and the tablets of stone containing the ten commandments were to be placed in there. God then says that He will meet with them there and give them His commands. So the commands are all built upon the foundation of the ten commandments (Romans 13:8-10).
A table was to be constructed of acacia wood and overlain with gold. The bread of the Presence was to be on this table "at all times". Likewise Jesus instructed us to continue to observe the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Him. The cross is the gateway through which we enter the presence of God.
Finally there was a lampstand made of pure gold. Everything about it was made of gold. Perhaps this represents the Holy Spirit in our life, giving light to our path. We are to treat our relationship with Him with the highest value.

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