God Dwells Among His People in the Tabernacle
Open Your Bible
Exodus 25:1-22, Exodus 26:31-35, Exodus 40:31-38, Numbers 10:33-36, Hebrews 8:1-5
BY Erin Davis
We live in the shadowlands.
Consider the tabernacle, that place of awe and wonder described often in the Old Testament. From cherubim stitched into towering curtains to pillars overlaid with gold, the size and beauty of the tabernacle would have taken our breath away. Yet inside all of that artistry and engineering was something (or better yet, another One altogether) even more spectacular: “They are to make a sanctuary for me so that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).
Sit in that thought for a moment. Let your imagination try to wrap itself around the fact that the God who spoke the stars into being (Isaiah 40:26), the One who sits “enthroned above the circle of the earth” (v.22), and measures the waters of the earth “in the hollow of His hand” (v.12), chose to dwell in a tent built by human hands. What could speak to God’s love for us and to His desire to be in relationship with us more than this? But as spectacular as the tabernacle must have been and as breathtaking as it would have been to see the cloud of God’s presence descend (Exodus 40:34), it was only a shadow of a coming, greater reality of God’s presence with His people.
God did more than descend in a cloud. He wrapped Himself in human flesh and walked among the people He’d made. Through Jesus, humankind experienced fellowship with God undivided by poles and curtains. Jesus Christ is both the High Priest and sacrifice that we need: holy, innocent, undefiled. In order to be with us, He died “once for all time when he offered himself” (Hebrews 7:27). Our High Priest’s work is finished, and now He sits “down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that was set up by the Lord and not man” (Hebrews 8:1–2).
Yet even as we read about the Son of God walking and talking with people in the Gospels, we’re still just seeing shadows. God’s desire to dwell among the Israelites in the portable tabernacle and Jesus’s willingness to take on flesh and live among humanity both point forward to the ultimate, full reunion of God and His people. The earthly tabernacle was eventually destroyed, and Christ’s human body became His glorified body before He ascended to the right hand of the Father. These are the shadows of the time when “night will be no more; people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:5). Everything we experience here on earth is merely a shadow of the greater, redeemed reality that is to come in the new heavens and the new earth. We can endure life in the shadows because we know a day is coming when we will fully dwell with Him—and He with us—forever.
41 thoughts on "God Dwells Among His People in the Tabernacle"
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@ Rhonda I find it amazing and hard to fathom that God would use me as a dwelling place as well. I am so flawed and no where near as perfect and glorious as the Tabernacle was. I’m tired and drained from going through my grief journey and also from worrying about my mother who is going through breast cancer treatment. I feel like I carry so much and therefore find it hard to believe that God would want to use me as a dwelling place. But, as you said, He does and I can find comfort in knowing He loves me regardless of my flaws. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you JULIA C. Your comments were a blessing to me.
MEME FAYE thank you for sharing that song. KATIE MEGEE I too was thinking that we are his tabernacle. He fills us with His presence now. How beautiful.
TAMI C and RHONDA J how many times have I also done this? I pray that the Lord would guide me and everything I do. I often fall short. Praying for you that you will seek the Lord and his guidance. I know exactly what you mean. -
Rhonda, may I add a “me too”. I looked up pictures of the ark of the tabernacle it must have been very beautiful to see in person. The Christian Bookstore I shop at also has small versions of the ark and obviously not of solid gold. Sometimes when I read about these items and the synagogues and temple and wonder at the length of time to build, the skill of the craftsmen and obedience to building something that they probably didn’t even have drawings of it leaves me in awe. Thinking of little old me being a “temple” for the dwelling of the Holy Spirit, this temple is not worthy, BUT GOD says otherwise. Thank you Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
May you all find peace in His presence today. -
“We can endure life in the shadows because we know a day is coming when we will fully dwell with Him—and He with us—forever.” Yes and Amen! Thank you Erin Davis for the reminder! No matter what we must endure on this earth – it is preparing us for our eternal home in heaven. This is but a shadowland.
God chooses to live not only among us, but within us. Why??? would He want too? Jesus left His throne in glory to come and live on earth and die a horrible death on the cross. Why??? Because God loves us. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Praise God for His never-ending, all encompassing, unfathomable love!
Very late in getting here today. If anyone comes here after me, asking prayer for terrible lower back/hip pain that came out of nowhere yesterday morning.
@Kelly Neo – still no full time job for my sister. And I haven’t had any more contact with my cousin Scott. He did respond to my initial message but didn’t address me giving him the gospel. Thank you for asking about both and for your prayers!
@Julic C. – great comment, thank you for your thoughts.
@Traci G. – praying for Debbie and Larry.
@Laura Diane – prayers for safe delivery and healthy grand baby!
@Mia – continued prayers for you and your family.
@Rhonda J. – praying for you today! -
Happy Thursday shes. How does this week go by so fast? Tomorrow is Friday already.
I was a bit distracted today with the gemstones on the ephod’s breastplate for a moment lol. I was googling how they looked like. Anyone else ? :)I am so thankful that we are His holy temple by His grace and His pursuit. Praise the Holy One who considers our lowly estate and yet still chooses to dwell with us.
Isaiah 57:15, For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
@RHONDA J: I think you are beautiful and wonderful❤️. Thank you for reaching out to AMANDA with your email.
@JULIA C: thank you for joining. I put your name down ❤️
@TRACI G: prayers for Debbie and her husband Larry, praise God that you were there with her as God’s voice of faith. God has been using you so mightily to encourage people in the hardest of times. I am just in awe hearing the stories that you recently shared of whom you ministered to.
@MICHELLE PATIRE: how are you and your brother doing? Prayers that the tension is easing between you and him after the rough conversation.
@INDIANA ELAINE: did your student’s aneurysm surgery go okay? Was the surgery successful and is he in recovery?
@GWINETH52: prayers for your insomnia, good rest & strength. Missing you.
@ADRIENNE: how is your friend Sharon’s recovery from her skull surgery after the fall? And her husband Fred’s colon cancer treatment? prayers over them.
@MARTHA HIX: continual prayers over Jesse.
@DANIELLE B: prayers over your car accident recovery, and grace for the hard season to come to pass.
@MIA FAITH: prayers and hugs over you and your family today, thank you for coming on to comment ❤️. It comforts me to see your name here knowing that you are okay and in our midst.Be blessed dear sisters ❤️
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I pray that I don’t take for granted the wonderful truth that God dwells inside of me. I pray that I will put my hope in the promise that God will one day dwell with us completely and fully.
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Amen!
All of these declarations and revelations in our reading and your insightful and interpretative comments are so good!!!
Please Lord let it permeate us as You reveal Yourself to each of us. ❤️ -
He dwells in me!! Praising God this morning for the reminder that God is merciful and the “mercy seat” is always open!!! @Katie Megee- so true and mind blowing!! Thanks for adding the verses! Happy Thursday She’s! Lifting everyone up in prayer! ☮️❤️
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