GOD’S DWELLING

Suggested Reading: Exodus 25

(click scripture link to read online)

The High Priest performing his duties in the replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle at the Crossroads Centre in Burlington, Ontario. Pictured are the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand, and the Ark of the Covenant.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photos, click HERE.

Key Verse: Exodus 25:8

And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.

This chapter starts with an offering. The word “willingly” reminds us of 2 Cor. 9:7, “God loves a cheerful giver.” The gifts to God were gold, silver, bronze, etc. Out of these offerings to the Lord, the artisans were to make the Ark, the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand and the rest of the Tabernacle. The symbolism (a light along side) taught the people about God and their approach to Him. While the Ark was seen only by the High Priest once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the imagination of the people was fired by the stories told by the craftsmen who built it. The lid of the Ark was known as the “Mercy Seat.” God was “mercy seated” toward His people as a result of the blood of the sacrifice which was sprinkled on the golden overlay of the Ark. For a commentary on these powerful symbols, we should find the time to read, before we sleep tonight, Hebrews chapters 8, 9, & 10, the faith chapter 11, and then 12 & 13 (click here to read). That’s a big assignment, but you’ll find it most worthwhile for your comphrehension.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, thank You for being mercy seated for me. I pray with the publican in the Temple, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). According to Your Word, I am forgiven and my sin is gone. Amen! (I recommend memorization of 1 John 1:9… “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”)

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

The pictures today are not taken in Israel but in the back parking lot of the Crossroads Centre, in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. All summer, thousands of people have visited this amazing replica. It was to have concluded on September 3, but because of the tremendous interest, it will remain open until the end of September. If it is at all possible, don’t miss visiting this amazing place. It has been created by Teen Missions International of Florida. There is also a model which is used for teaching purposes. When visitors enter the full-sized replica, the Outer Court, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, there is silence, except for the High Priest who says appropriate prayers in Hebrew. There is also the “Tent of Meeting” which you may wish to visit, where a pastor/teacher will share how Jesus of Nazareth took the symbols and made them reality in His life and in His sacrificial death on the cross. For details of the Tabernacle Tours, click here (note that this info page may not yet reflect the recent decision to extend the exhibit through to September 30th).

Yours to help us all assimilate (make part of ourselves) God’s revelation to the human family,

David

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