DAY 217- BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE LAND
Reading: Exodus 25:1-9; John 1: 14; Revelation 21: 3, 4
It had always been God’s avowed purpose and desire to dwell with His people, as in the beginning, in Eden. The tabernacle was a mobile, dismantlable tent that could travel with the Israelites as they moved through the wilderness. Why bother constructing this cumbersome edifice? God had ordered it’s construction so that He could dwell with His people in the middle of their camp.
God’s presence dwelt with them in the Ark of the Covenant, which resided in the Holy of Holies inside the tabernacle as well as in the pillar of cloud or fire that moved with the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. The cloud of God’s presence remained just above the tabernacle when God wanted the Israelites to remain in one place, but would lift up when he wanted them to move off again. How incredible it must have been to experience God’s tangible presence in that way!
The tabernacle was used until the Israelites entered the Promised Land. It was replaced when Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem. The temple was really a stone version of the tabernacle. All the tabernacle furnishings and purposes pointed forward to Jesus. According to John 1:14 Jesus came and tabernacled (dwelt) with us. Now, Jesus dwells in us by His Holy Spirit.
Revelation 21:3-4 speaks of the ultimate tabernacle of God with men in the New Heavens and New Earth: ”And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes’ “.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You that we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit and that we may commune with You without fear of being put to death. Thanks for paying the price for our sins. We are looking forward to dwelling together with You face to face on that day. Amen
FOR THE FAMILY
Explain
Briefly give context for today’s devotion, then watch either of the videos below. Both of them are a tour of the Tabernacle.