The Tabernacle, construction plans (Feb 10)

God here gives his plan for his home and his furnishings.  In these directions we see several attributes; order, value, honor, presence, power, and others come to mind. 

His first instruction is to "Receive an offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give."  In response to that request, possibly the first recorded capital campaign, we will read later that the response was so great that after a time, gifts had to be turned down.  Can you imagine  that happening today?  The gifts were major objects.  The below photo is a lampstand located near the temple mount to be placed in the temple when it is reconstructed on the temple mount.  (This lampstand was a Russian gift)

If you go back a few days, there is a photo of an altar with steps in Dan.  If you observe closely that photo, there is a metallic frame that is 3 cubits high and five cubits long and 5 cubits wide with horns on the corners.  (The altar's dimensions)

The first object built was the ark of the Covenant, or the ark, or the ark of Testimony.  It was the symbolic dwelling place of God between the wings of Cherubim held the 10 Commandments and God told Moses: "between the two cherubim over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you  and give you all my commands for the Israelites." 

The atonement cover is where the high priest sprinkled blood of an animal sacrificed for the sin and for the atonement of the Israelites sin.  Without bloodshed, there is no forgiveness of sin.

The table held the bread of the Presence to be before God at all times.

The curtain, was more of a fabric wall to separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. 

Think of the parallels to Christ; blood shed for atonement, Bread of Life, tearing of the curtain, allowing us to approach God in prayer at any time. 

"In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

                                            Hebrews 9:22 NIV

Thoughts:

How is your heart prompted to give of your time, talents, and treasure?  (Remember, they are gifts from God to you)

What bread do you  keep before God at all times?  What moldy bread do you try to keep away from God?  Will you, through the Spirit, ask God to take away your moldy bread?

Pray for wisdom and Spirit's guidance for for pastor in sermon preparation for Sunday, and for leadership in discernment for decision making.

In Christ,

David P