God Dwelling with His People

 

God Dwelling with His People

Exodus 25:1–9

Introduction
Exodus 25:1–9 marks a turning point in Israel’s journey with God. After the covenant at Sinai, God gives Moses detailed instructions to build a sanctuary. These verses reveal not only the practical steps of constructing the tabernacle but also deep theological truths about God’s desire to dwell among His people, His holiness, and His plan of salvation.

God’s Desire to Dwell with His People
God said in verse 8: “Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” What a stunning truth! The Creator of heaven and earth chose not to remain distant, but to live among His redeemed people. This shows us that the heart of God has always been relational—He longs to be with His children.

God Does Not Live in Man-Made Temples—But Manifests Himself There
Scripture elsewhere reminds us that God is not confined to buildings made by human hands (Acts 7:47–50; Acts 17:24). He is greater than the heavens themselves. Yet, in grace, He condescends to manifest His presence in the sanctuary. This teaches us both humility and hope: humility, because God is far beyond our comprehension, and hope, because He willingly comes close to us.

The Israelites’ Freewill Offerings
In verses 2–7, God asks the people to bring offerings—gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, oil, and precious stones. These were not forced taxes but freewill offerings. The people, grateful for their deliverance from Egypt, gladly gave of their best to God. Worship is not just words—it involves joyful giving of ourselves and our resources to the Lord’s work.

God’s Blueprint for Worship
God gave Moses a specific pattern: “According to all that I show you, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, so you shall make it” (v. 9). This reminds us that worship is not left to human imagination. God defines how His people should approach Him. The sanctuary was a divinely designed blueprint—every detail pointing beyond itself to a greater reality.

The Sanctuary Points to Christ
Ultimately, the tabernacle was not an end in itself. Hebrews 8–9 tells us that it was a “shadow” of heavenly things, pointing forward to Jesus Christ. Every sacrifice, every curtain, every article of furniture whispered the gospel. The altar pointed to His sacrifice on the cross. The lampstand pointed to Him as the Light of the world. The bread of the Presence pointed to Him as the Bread of Life. And the Most Holy Place, where God’s presence dwelt, pointed to Jesus, our High Priest, who brings us into fellowship with the Father.

God Dwelling with Us
Exodus 25:1–9 teaches us that God longs to dwell with His people, that He graciously manifests His presence, that He calls us to give freely and joyfully, and that He Himself provides the pattern of true worship. And above all, the sanctuary service directs us to Christ. Today, we no longer worship in an earthly tabernacle, but in Christ Himself, the true temple. Let us give our hearts as offerings, follow God’s pattern of obedience, and rejoice that through Jesus, God truly dwells with us.

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