47 of 365 - Dwelling Place

And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it. Exodus 25:8-9
 
God is a God of order and purpose and details. Part of the instructions God gives the Israelites through Moses has to do with a place for God to dwell, or live, with His people.

He gives very specific and detailed instructions for how the tabernacle – His dwelling place with them – should be built and maintained. Directions are given for an Ark of the Covenant (more on this coming up), table for bread, a golden lampstand, the tabernacle construction, the bronze altar, the court of the tabernacle, oil for the lamp, the priests garments and how they should prepare to enter the tabernacle, the altar of incense, giving, the maintenance of the tabernacle, bronze basin, anointing oil and incense. 
Prior to sin entering the world and creating separation between man and God, Adam and Eve physically DWELT with God. The Bible is God’s story of bringing us back to this state.

This portable tabernacle is a scaled-down version of a more permanent temple that is to come many years later in Jerusalem where God will also DWELL with His people. But something better will come after that… God will come in the flesh to DWELL with humanity for 30 years, and upon His resurrection, He will send the Holy Spirit to DWELL inside all of us who believe.

But it gets even better… one day in the future, those who put their faith and hope in Jesus will DWELL once again with God forever.
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Challenge: Take time this week to just DWELL with God.