Godward Thoughts

Each aspect of the making of the tabernacle is mentioned in detail because each part was important to God. The smallest wooden peg had to conform to the pattern God gave Moses on the mount. If we expect God to be concerned about the details of our lives, we must pay attention to the details of His instructions.

The construction of the tabernacle involved God’s pattern and man’s provision. The people had plundered the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35–36), and they willingly brought that wealth to the Lord. It was an act of spontaneous generosity and not something that was forced from them (Exodus 35:5, 21–22, 26, 29). Christians today should give in the same way (2 Corinthians 8:1–12).

God gave the plan, and He also gave the workers the wisdom needed to do the job right (Exodus 35:10, 25, 34–35). There is nothing wrong with dedicated artistry, for God built beauty into His tabernacle. God wants skillful hands as well as dedicated hearts (Psalm 78:72).

We dedicate, but God consecrates. We surrender, but He sanctifies and sets us apart for His exclusive

There was only one plan

There are degrees of nearness to God. The people remained at a distance because of their fear of the Lord. Moses, Joshua, Nadab, Abihu, Aaron, and seventy of the elders went up the mountain to meet God. Then Moses and Joshua went further, and finally Moses went into the glory cloud alone.

J. Oswald Sanders wisely commented, “We are at this moment as close to God as we really choose to be.” God invites us to draw near (James 4:8), but often we are unwilling to do what is necessary to meet Him. The people below had the Book and the blood, and they made promises to obey God; but they did not have the vision of the glory of the Lord that Moses had on the mount.

You would think Exodus 24:11 would read, “So they saw God, and they fell down and prayed.” But it says, “They ate and drank.” The vision of God’s glory should not make us careless or impractical. We can eat and drink to His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). But beware lest nearness to God lead to careless familiarity, for “our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28–29). Nadab and Abihu would find that out (Leviticus 10:1).

Under the old covenant, God’s law was written on tables of stone (Exodus 24:12), but under the new covenant, God writes His word on our hearts (2 Corinthians 3:1–3). As you meditate on the Word, the Spirit makes it a part of your inner being, and you become more like the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Holy Spirit enables us to fulfill the righteous demands of God’s law (Romans 8:1–4).

The first four commandments deal with our relationship with God, while the last six deal with our relationship with others. If we love God and obey Him, we will also love others and serve them (see Matthew 22:34–40).

Some people obey God because of fear (Exodus 20:18–21). Others obey only because they want His blessing. The highest motive for obedience is our love for the Lord. But what if we disobey the Lord? God made provision for Israel in the prescribed sacrifices (Exodus 20:22–26). He has made provision for believers today through the work of Christ (1 John 1:9–2:2). Believers are not under law but under grace. This is not an excuse for sin but an encouragement for loving obedience to His will. Having stated His basic law, God then told Moses how to apply it to specific situations so that everybody would receive equal justice.