Of First Importance: A Holy Week DevotionalSample

God’s Dwelling Place: The Tabernacle

READ

“And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” Exodus 25:8

Additional Reading: Exodus 19; 25:22; Leviticus 16:1–5

REFLECT

In the Garden of Eden, man’s sin resulted in our eternal separation from God. Because of the fall, man could no longer experience the fullness of God’s holy presence. Despite man’s sinfulness and God’s holiness, God desired to dwell with His people. In Exodus 19, when the Israelites were in the wilderness, God intimated His desire to make Israel His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a nation holy unto Himself. However, people could not simply approach God because of God’s holiness and the Israelites’ uncleanness. Even the priests had to be consecrated before they approached Him, or else they would die. Such is the holiness of God—sinful man can not simply dwell in His presence.

So God made way for His people to dwell with Him. He commanded Moses to build the tabernacle, where God’s holy presence could dwell even amid sinful people. God gave detailed instructions on how to build it. He also gave them instructions on how innocent animals were sacrificed on their behalf to atone for their sins so that they may experience forgiveness and fellowship with God. This was done through an intermediary, the high priest, who was to enter the innermost part of the tabernacle, the Most Holy Place, to offer a sacrifice for the sin of the people. However, because of God’s holy presence, the high priest was to enter with care and a sin offering for himself, or else he would die in God’s holy presence. That is how holy God is.

Although the tabernacle was an imperfect solution for God’s people to encounter Him, it is a picture of grace where God’s people could experience His mercy, even as He desires to dwell with His people. Ultimately, Christ completely fulfilled this—the perfect sacrifice and the perfect High Priest.

Like the Israelites, our sinfulness makes dwelling with a holy God impossible. God’s love for humanity resolves this tension between God’s holiness and man’s sinfulness. God made way for our relationship with Him to be restored.

Even in our sinfulness, God’s grace made it possible for us to dwell in His holy presence.

RESPOND

• Why do you think God wanted to dwell with His people despite their sinfulness and disobedience? How did He do this without compromising His holiness?
• Our holy God desires to be with you. How will this affect the way you live? How do you think your habits and lifestyle need to change?
• Write a prayer in response to God’s holiness, mercy, and grace.