Exodus 25:8 says make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.
In Nancy Leigh DeMoss book titled Seeking Him it says GOD gave Moses an enormous assignment: build the tabernacle. HE gave Moses a detailed blueprint and precise instructions regarding its construction. Moses was then responsible to see that the workers did everything EXACTLY as GOD had directed. The construction process took many months, unprecedented varieties and quantities of material and the cooperation of every man and woman in the nation. When the job was completed an awesome thing happened: GODS glory filled the tabernacle. His manifest presence hoverd in a way so glorious that no one not even Moses could stand to enter. The GOD of Heaven entered earth.
HE wants to enter earth again today through our lives as we surrender to HIM in obedience and lives our lives before men as light set on a hill. People should see HIS manifest presence through our lives. A sanctuary means a holy place, a place devoted entirely to the LORD. The sanctuary would be holy because of the presence of GOD that overshadowed the structure and dwelled in its symbols.
That I may dwell is related to the Hebrew verb from which we derive the word Shekinah which talks of the radiance,glory and presence of GOD dwelling among HIS people. Likewise GOD wants to dwell in us but to dwell in us we must holy. We must be seprarated from the world not diluted by sin. GOD commands us saying come out from among them and be ye seperate says the LORD. Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you.This is found in 2 Corinthians 6:17.
The tabernacle is a place of dwelling or sanctuary. It was a sacred place where the people came to worship and offer sacrifices. It was a place where GOD localized HIS Presence. In Hebrews it talks about CHRIST coming as HIGH PRIEST to come with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with human hands. HE came to dwell in our hearts and we should offer worship and sacrifices to HIM from our hearts. The sacrifices GOD wants us to offer are obedience and death of self on the altar often done in prayer and fasting.
The tabernacle is a lesson of unquestionable authority. We are no longer our own we have been bought with a price. We belong to JESUS and we must make HIM LORD and give HIM access to do as HE pleases in our lives. We must bow our heart and knee in humble submission and adoration.
HE is looking for complete obedience. HE considers partial and delayed obedience as disobedience. In the Old Testament if they did not reverently obey in everything they did it would result from being shut off from the people or in death. GOD does not look lightly on sin in our lives including disobedience. Neither will GOD tolerate murmuring, grumbling or complaining towards HIM because it is a rebellious spirit.
HE wants willing and submissive hearts that obey HIM. The many requirements they had to follow in building the tabernacle were not intended to burden the people but to show GODS unquestioning authority and holiness and emphasize that people could only come to GOD on HIS terms. If we will only put ourselves under and in submission to HIM HE will bring great joy to our hearts.
GODS glory filled the tabernacle and so HE wants to fill our lives so we might bless others and that the world may be won to HIM. Even as the cloud and fire settled over the people with an expectation that the people would obey perfectly. The people had to be prepared to move day or night after camping for just a few days or after a year.
Even when GOD chooses to move in our lives in a certain way for a certain period of time we must be ready with unquestioning obedience to get up and move when HE commands us to so that we can still be under the glory and in HIS will today. The glory refers to the indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT. The cloud of the HOLY SPIRIT will lead us where HE wants us to go so that me might do and be what HE desires.
Even as Moses was greatly used by GOD because he obeyed so GOD wants to greatly use us if we will obey. There are no shortcuts and there is a cost to being wholly sold out to HIM for HIS purposes but it is worth anything we ever had to give up. Moses discovered that it was a joy to build according to GODS plan. Depending on how much of HIM we want and what price we are willing to pay will determine how much of HIS glory lives inside of us.
He requires a holy people because HE will not taint the holy with the profane. Moses built the tabernalce in obedience to GOD and because of that the glory dwelt there. We are the tabernacle with GODS SPIRIT inside of us and as we build our lives in obedience the glory will dwell there.
Here is a song I like to sing.
He shall dwell within them, they shall be His people,
And Almighty God shall be with them.
He shall wipe away all tears from their eyes,
There shall be no more death.
Neither sorrow nor crying, and no more pain.
The old things are all passed away.
"He that sat upon the throne said
"Behold,I make all things new."
He said unto me,
"Write these words,For they are faithful and true."
And it is done. It is done.And it is done.
It is done.
He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
The Son of God, the King of Kings.
Lord of Lord, He's everything.
Messiah, Jehovah, the Prince of Peace is He.
Son of man, seed of Abraham, second person in the Trinity.