God in a Box

Have you ever felt alone or abandoned? Has there been a time when you experienced God’s presence? When Daniel was taken captive from Jerusalem in 605 B.C., God’s people believed Yahweh dwelt atop a golden box—the Ark of the Covenant—placed in the innermost chamber of Solomon’s temple. The high priest entered the Holy of Holies only once a year to offer sacrifices for the nation’s sins.

Who is Yahweh?

In the beginning, God walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden, needing no barriers or filters to protect them from His perfect holiness. After they sinned, however, Yahweh’s presence would have destroyed them. He spoke through individuals but waited for centuries before “dwelling” with people again.

• Exodus 6:2-8
• Exodus 13:20-22
• Exodus 19:16-20
• Exodus 25:21-22; 40:16-21 & 34-38 
• 1 Kings 5:1-5; 8:6-13 

Consider how Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage was a turning point for ALL humanity. In what ways did Yahweh reveal Himself to Israel? How did “normal” people know God was with them? 

Read Daniel 1:5-20.

How did Daniel know God’s presence had followed him to Babylon? When reading the other miracles in the Book of Daniel (Daniel 2-6), consider how each one encouraged the Judean sojourners while in Babylon’s foreign culture. 

After captivity, the Jews returned to Jerusalem and built a new temple, but there was no cloud, no fire, and no manifestation of the Lord’s presence. There were, however, the lingering prophecies of a coming Messiah…

Read Isaiah 7:14.

From Daniel to the Cross

Read John 1:14, and fill in the blank: 

The ___________ became _____________ and _______________ among us. 

The Greek verb used for dwell literally meant “to tabernacle.” Jesus came as the new and better Tabernacle and Temple. Because Jesus came as the only sinless human, He provided the perfect sacrifice so that anyone who believed could dwell in God’s presence NOW and forever.

Read the following passages:

• John 14:16, 25-26
• Acts 1:8
• Acts 2:1-4 

Remember other times God showed His presence through fire? Let that wonder penetrate your heart. When God poured out His Spirit, He changed His address—from the Garden, to the Tabernacle, to the Temple, to Jesus…and now to all believers!

Take some time to meditate on the Spirit’s residence in you:

• Romans 8:9-11, 14-16
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
• Ephesians 2:18-22
• 1 John 4:13-16

Breaking Babylon’s Chains

What most reassures you of God’s constant presence?