2019-4-13

Exodus 25:1-40;  26:1-37

Exodus Chapter 25-26 begins the description for the construction of a sanctuary for God with dwell with the Israelites (25:8).
God did not miraculously hand them all the materials needed to construct the building or drop them a pre-built building like ones you can purchase from Home Depot. Rather, God called for people’s contribution and build the building themselves (25:8).
God intended for the Israelites to be involved in the process. The passage listed all of the things that should be used as contribution to the sanctuary (25:1-7). If you read through the list, you will see these are items that were valuable to the Israelites at that time; they were asked to give their most valuable possessions for a place to connect and worship God.
Notice God did not ask every single person to give, only voluntarily; more specifically, He only asked for those who has the heart to contribute for Him (25:1). The rest of the passage includes the specifications of the Ark of the Covenant (25:10-22), a table for bread (25:23-30), lampstand (25:31-40), and the tabernacle (26). The Ark of the Covenant is specifically where God dwell, and the Ark will eventually reside in Holy of holies in the tabernacle (25:22). The Holy of holies is an inner room separated by a thick veil and considered holy place where the presence of God is.

Critical Thinking Questions

The Israelites were asked to give the best of their possessions to have God’s presence with them as much as their heart desires for God. The priority was not giving as much as they possess, but their heart’s for God first and then the valued possessions. How much desire do you have for God? As someone who has a heart for God, what are some ways you can contribute to Him?

The Ark of the Covenant was the presence of God for the Israelites in a very excluded area separated by a thick veil within the tabernacle. How has the resurrections of Jesus Christ change that for us?          —- Isaac Chang