Session One 1 New Life Center Elective Series

A PLACE FOR GOD TO DWELL

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8)
We sometimes are tempted to skim over the obscure and tedious texts of the Old Testament and focus in on the other portions deemed more interesting. The creation takes up two chapters in Gods Word while the Tabernacle spans more than forty chapters or locations in the Bible. We may wonder, what does a collapsible tent of 1500 BC have to teach us in the twenty-first century? This excellent question brings us to this into alignment with this introductory study on the Tabernacle of Moses. Here are some of the reasons we came up with for studying about the Tabernacle:

Session One 2 New Life Center Elective Series

1. Historical significance: At the least we should study the Tabernacle because it is part of the history; specifically Jewish history. 2. Biblical significance: We should involve ourselves in checking out this archaic structure because all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and its study is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16). 3. Symbolic significance: It provides a pattern (Hebrews 8:5; 9:22-23). The details of the Tabernacle are much like parables of the New Testament (an earthly story with a heavenly meaning) or could be viewed as Gods object lessons or visual aids utilized in the Old Testament. It teaches us spiritual lessons about truths that are eternal. 4. Theological significance: The Tabernacle unveils the work of the cross of Calvary, pictures what is required for man to become right with God, shows Gods plan or story of forgiveness and grace, provides a better understanding of holiness. For sinful man to approach our holy God he must come to God in the Gods required way. 5. Communicative significance: Through the study of the Tabernacle we see God willingly and longingly desiring to communicate with His covenant people. We also see man endeavoring to communicate and restore his relationship with God. 6. Christological significance: It reveals much about Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection. The Scriptures testify of Jesus Christ. We should always keep that in mind as we study the Word: And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24:27). And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me (Luke 24:44). Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me (John 5:39). For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? (John 5:46-47). Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus (Acts 8:35). The Tabernacle was designed as a dwelling place, a residence, a consecrated place. It was a place where Gods presence would dwell or reside. The stated purpose for the Tabernacle was that I may dwell among them. This presents a fundamental truth and a major theme in Gods Word: God desires to live among His people. God has always desired to dwell with His people to have fellowship and relationship with them.

Session One 3 New Life Center Elective Series

And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden (Genesis 3:8). Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him an house (Acts 7:46-47). Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us (Matthew 1:23). And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Dwell (KJV) skenoo (skay-no'-o); from NT:4636; to tent or encamp, i.e. (figuratively) to occupy (as a mansion) or (specifically) to reside (as God did in the Tabernacle of old, a symbol of protection and communion): To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? (Acts 7:48-49). God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands (Acts 17:24). If God no longer dwells in a Tabernacle or in the Temple, where does He dwell? What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (2 Corinthians 6:16).

Session One 4 New Life Center Elective Series