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The Sanctuary: God’s Dwelling Place in Israel
This chapter is based on Exodus 25 to 40; Leviticus 4 and 16.
The command came to Moses while he was on the mountain
with God, “Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among
them” (
Exodus 25:8
). Full directions were given for constructing
the tabernacle. By their apostasy, the Israelites gave up their right to
the divine Presence, but after God took them into favor again, the
great leader proceeded to carry out the divine command.
God Himself gave Moses the plan for the sanctuary, its size and
form, the materials to be used, and every article of furniture it was
to contain. The holy places made with human hands were “copies
of the true,” “copies of the things in the heavens” (
Hebrews 9:24,
23
), a miniature representation of the heavenly temple where Christ,
our great High Priest, was to minister in the sinner’s behalf. God
showed Moses the heavenly sanctuary and commanded him to make
everything according to the pattern shown to him.
A large amount of the most costly material was required for
building the sanctuary, yet the Lord only accepted freewill offerings.
All the people responded. “Then everyone came whose heart
was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought
the Lord’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting. ...
They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart,
and brought earrings and nose rings, rings and necklaces, all jewelry
of gold.”
While the sanctuary was being built, men, women, and children
continued to bring their offerings until those in charge of the work
found that they had more than could be used. And Moses sent out
an important announcement throughout the camp, “‘Let neither man
nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.’ And
the people were restrained from bringing.” The Israelites’ devotion,
zeal, and liberality are a worthy example to follow. All who love the
worship of God will show the same spirit of sacrifice in preparing a
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