These last few years, I’ve had the opportunity to visit various cathedrals, and duomos, throughout Italy. They are both similar—marked by aesthetic and medieval architecture—and unique. The gothic-style design of Milan’s cathedral is accented with white marble and a record number of statues. Florence’s cathedral is renowned for the red-tiled dome that tops its mammoth structure. The cathedral in the hill-top city of Orvieto (my favorite Italian city, by the way) features a facade with beautiful mosaics and massive bronze doors. Each duomo was built with the idea that it would, for years and years, be the dedicated space where people could worship God and experience His presence. Centuries before these buildings were planned, God commanded the tabernacle’s construction for the same purpose.
“They are to make a sanctuary for me so that I may dwell among them.” —Exodus 25:8
When Adam and Eve sinned, humanity’s relationship with God was broken, and He removed them from the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24) and His presence. Still, God wanted to fellowship with His people and designed the tabernacle to be the sacred space where Israel could come before Him. The portable sanctuary, carried throughout the wilderness, is a monument of God’s grace. The devastation of sin is that it separates us from God. But He made way for His people to interact with Him despite the reality of sin. And this was how He would live with His people—through a tabernacle free of impurity, crafted from the choicest materials and furnished with the highest quality items.
Unlike the duomos of Italy, the tabernacle was not meant to be forever. Scripture progressively reveals God’s plan for redeeming humanity, and we discover that God had something more in mind than only dwelling among His people. He planned to live in us—without the requirement of a physical sanctuary to access His presence. Jesus’s once-for-all-time sacrifice makes it possible to enjoy fellowship with God. Because of Him, we get to experience the “good things that have come” (Hebrews 9:11).
How amazing of a holy and perfect God to invite flawed and broken people into His presence without any geographical requirements. Instead of needing to meet Him in a tabernacle or a cathedral, we get to carry His presence with us wherever we go—at church, at a football, or home. He is with us, and He is in us. Always and forever (v.12).
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35 thoughts on "Instructions for the Tabernacle"
I found it hard to get through this section but I am so grateful for the eyes you ladies have read this scripture through! You have helped me to see this through a much different lens and allowed me to appreciate gods word today. Thank you all ❤️
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Lord prepare me to be your sanctuary!
I guess I’m relating to these passages in a different way. We’re in the middle of a big move across county. We will close on our home in 3 weeks. In the meantime we’re in an Airbnb. We have lists, boxes, storage pods and an air-conditioned storage locker. We have a million phone calls & address changes. We are imagining we this or that piece of furniture will go. It’s very exhausting.
Off the ventilator and thinking how could we have the strength to do it? Yet all 25 of us held hands and did it together. It was truly a peaceful moment in a sad time for our family. But how lucky he gets to have all of you by his side. Even in the darkest of times God is good.
@Tina praying for you guys! In such a hard time for your family it’s so nice to be able to see the tender mercies God has for us. I remember when my grandpa passed away and we had to take him
I have to admit, in the past I kinda dreaded this section with all the detail. It seemed very dry to me. This time tho, I took a different approach and looked a little deeper into the details of building the arc and tabernacle. Some cool things I found:
God sits on the mercy seat! I had not noticed this before and it was so cool to me imagine God sitting there to meet with the priests.
The detail it took to build the arc. They did not have modern tools like we do; this took incredible mastery to build the arc. I found a couple videos of modern day blacksmiths trying to build the arc with tools the Israelites had, so interesting to watch. The historian estimated to cover the arc in gold, it would have taken 20,000 wedding rings. Imagine that!
Tina, praying for you and your siblings. It’s a hard thing to experience. Praying God’s peace and comfort over all of you.
Gwineth52- praying for your relationship with your stepdaughter.
Heidi- praying that your daughter has an excellent 1st day of school!
TINA- praying for you and for your siblings! I pray for peace, comfort, and hope for you all and that God would show you how to grieve well! Much love sent your way from TX!
Praying for you Heidi and your daughter. Prayers for you Gwineth 52 for your relationship with your step daughter. Praying for you Tina as you travel to be with family as you say goodbye to your stepdad. Jennifer Loves Jesus and Angie Mills Amen. Praying for other ongoing requests as well♥️
GWINETH52 – I went through this with my stepdaughter for years. It was a very difficult time. I knew she wasn’t ready for me, but didn’t expect it to go so long. She was 14 when I met her. She is now 31. We are in a better pace, but we are just two very different people. I pray that God will protect you through this hard journey.
TINA – Prayers for peace for you and your family.
HEIDI – Continued prayers for your girl.
“He is with us, and He is in us. Always and forever (v.12).” WOW!!! “Mike drop moment.” What powerful and wonderful words to remember Tameshia used. Words that have such great meaning. yes Paul said basically the same thing but I love the way Tameshia put it. It makes me feel elated and overjoyed knowing He is ALWAYS with me.
This is my favorite part of Exodus, where they explain all about the Tabernacle and it’s beauty and splendor. I close my eyes and image what it would look like. I also think of the scene in the movie “Indiana Jones” (the first one) where the Nazis and Japanese have found the Ark and they go to open it and all that are there watching get “consumed.” It also reminds of the Scripture of David dancing when they are bringing the Ark back.
I found out yesterday Kaylee is back home from the hospital.
Please continue to pray for my sister, Carol, she is still in the hospital. She has some type of infection as well as sciatica — back pain and nerve — problems. They believe the lower lobe of her right lung is close to collapsing. The doctors won’t due a lot for the sciatica until they find out what’s causing the infection and what’s going on with her lung. She can barely move and is in a lot of pain when she does.
Be blessed and seek joy in at least one thing you do today.
I loved the verse: “Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me daily/at all times” Exodus 25:30 Jesus- the Word/my dailyBread!
God’s grace…all we have to do is accept it.
Passages like these always remind me that God cares about the details. At times, I can find myself not bringing things to Him that seem to small or mundane, but our God cares about it all.
“Take my offering from everyone who is willing to give”(25:2). This part stuck out- the Israelites only had what they had because God allowed them to plunder the Egyptians yet were there some who were not willing to give?? Am I willing (eager) to give for Gods glory??? Lord change my heart so that I am more willing to give- help me pour into others and myself so that my focus is You! In your name AMEN!!
TINA – praying for peace and safety in your travels, and comfort for you and your family. Love you, sister! ❤️
Prayers and hugs for you and your siblings, Tina. ❤️
How sweet is the Blood of Christ. Amen
“…by believing you may have life” (John 20:31). My life was bought and paid for by Jesus. God invested Himself in me to be used in the world for His return. This world can be a hard place to navigate, yet I have a map for all its beauty to find. Gardens and mountains, flowers and birds. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Heaven came down to us until we make our forever home there. The new earth beckons in the distance. This day brings me one step closer to my eternal inheritance. And I have a lifetime pass to enter into the King’s presence until then. As I go along the journey here, I notice hints of Eden everywhere. Flowers, trees, a soft cooling breeze, all remind me of the perfect garden. Thank You Father for this life. I trust You because You gave Your life through Jesus for me. I believe because I know it is true. Your love is sealed on my heart. It is unmistakable. So I rise this morning with confidence and hope, strength and endurance. I know You have me covered. Selah. Maranatha. Amen.
Discipling not disciplining lol***
“How amazing of a holy and perfect God to invite flawed and broken people into His presence without any geographical requirements. Instead of needing to meet Him in a tabernacle or a cathedral, we get to carry His presence with us wherever we go—at church, at a football, or home. He is with us, and He is in us. Always and forever.” — These words are so beautiful.
I have been meditating on Psalm 46:5 the past few days. My friends at church bought me a mug for Christmas last year that has it engraved on it. “God is within her, she will not fall.” (some translations say she will not be moved/shaken). Someone I was disciplining also randomly sent me an episode from the “God is Within Her” podcast two days ago.
I thank God for speaking so clearly to me.
Thank you Mae, Karen Y, Kim Z, and Arina for your prayers and advice, yesterday. I have written them down to try and keep them close to heart. <3
Praying for God’s peace to cover you and your siblings. May our Heavenly Father welcome your step dad home.
Reading these passages, I am struck by the workmanship that would have been involved in making the tabernacle, its furnishings, and its utensils. Then I am reminded of Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Just as God planned the building of this temporary tabernacle, He planned the creation of His current dwelling place — our hearts. We are His workmanship. He has created something beautiful when He planned and crafted our redemption through His Son.
He doesn’t stop there. He continued to plan, work, and craft our lives so that we can do the beautiful, good works He has prepared for us to do —
-Fellowship with Him & His believers
-Glorify Him by shining His light of truth & grace in this dark world
-Praise Him & intercede for others through prayer
-Abide in Him, in His presence
Sometimes reading these details can be boring and seem tedious, but I feel like it only highlights the intricacies God has for eternity – for each and every one of our lives. God has given us an eternal mercy seat through knowing Jesus and now instead of having to go to a physical place, we can simply look within – He is there to guide if only we let Him.
TINA- praying that you and your family and the medical staff around you feel and truly EXPERIENCE the overwhelming peace and presence of your God today and throughout these upcoming weeks and months. I pray it can be a day of remembering and celebrating…
Praying for Tina and Gwyneth
I haven’t ready yet, I wanted to start HERE and share an enormous THANK YOU to everyone praying for us/my 10 yr old girl and the situations at school. She starts her first day today and I’m just praying for HER character and heart, as well as for the teacher and the girls she has been so hurt by. Your prayers are coveted to say the least and we’re so grateful.
Thank you Gwineth52, your words have spoken directly into my situation too, hallelujah, praise be to our heavenly Father who knows all things ❤️
Tina—-Praying for you and your family from across the pond!!
From HRT
“Reflect for a moment on that phrase: “mercy seat.” God did not call it a throne or a judgment seat. He labeled it with mercy. Why? Because He intended to save and redeem His people from their sins. He was not taking up residence with them in wrath or anger but to save and rescue.”
TINA – may the Lord shine brightly through you. Peace to you and your family.
Father, I pray for Tina that you would give her your comfort at this time. May she know Your peace and that this would overflow to her siblings. You know what each of them need spiritually and emotionally right now and I pray that You would meet them in Jesus’name. Thank You that You hold Tina in Your hand and may she be strengthened in the knowledge of Your presence. Thank You precious Father, amen xx
Good Morning Shes. The Good Lord makes His home among, always & ever. Powerful. Precise. Perfect. I’m lifted by His Love & feel His indwelling on this new day, without fears & tears. Renewed, refreshed, restored, revived. As I commented last week, I was feeling weakened & damaged by continuous efforts to do try & do right by my step daughter, in response to the wrongs I experience from her. This morning I feel enabled & empowered to stand against her slights & selfishness, in silence, with emotional stability, with the Holy Spirit. The Good Lord makes a home alongside her too. And it’s His strength, His salvation, His song that will redeem my step daughter and my relationship, in His own way, His own time. To His Glory. By His Grace. The Good Lord who sees & hears & knows & provides & delivers. Through His Love, by His might, not mine, right action & reconciliation can flow. I am confident He can do all things. And I exalt His name above all names. Have a wonder-filled week my sisters! Thanks be to God!
They are to make a sanctuaryu for me so that I may dwell among them. I will meet with you there, I will speak to you from there. This is what He wants. It’s my desire to live as His temple, to meet Him, to speak with Him. For Him to dwell in me!
Tina – Praying for you and your family
Michelle Patire – Praying for you too
Praise God that we do get to carry His presence with us.
So very thankful for this gift, as I travel now to go join my siblings, to say goodbye and to turn off the machine that is keeping my step dad alive and breathing..
So thankful for the peace I feel and the chance I have to be able to do this, as yesterday THIS did not look possible. God is good and present, all the time.. Thank you God, Thank you!
BUT GOD…
Always..
AMEN.
Sisters, please hold my siblings and I in your prayers and that I would be, by my actions and deeds, an instrument of His love, peace and hope..
Blessings and thank you dear hearts wrapped in love and prayers for a God blessed day for you all.❤
I went through this one year ago with my own Dad. I am praying for you and your siblings. ❤️ Grief is a journey I