A Study of the Tabernacle—Part 2

God Dwelt Among Us

Creation accounts from various cultures are interesting, particularly in the way they portray the purpose behind creating mankind. Both the Enuma Elish (an ancient Babylonian creation account) and The Atrahasis Epic (an ancient Assyrian creation account) have some similarities with the account found in the Hebrew Scriptures, yet the differences are striking! In both accounts mankind was an afterthought and created to perform menial tasks that the gods did not want to do themselves. In The Atrahasis Epic, some of the gods were responsible for digging the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and revolted because they did not want to do this work. In fact, the poem states, “Let him bear the yoke! Let him bear the yoke! Let man assume the drudgery of the god” and afterward, mankind was created.

How wonderful is it that the story found in our Bibles portrays an entirely different and empowering view behind the creation of mankind? The picture we are given is one of purpose (See Ephesians 2:10) and intimacy with God (See Genesis 3:8). We are shown high value! We have a God who wants to dwell among us!

The picture we find as we work our way through the Scriptures is that God has continually sought deeper levels of intimacy with us! From a portable dwelling (the Tabernacle) in the midst of the camp as His people traveled through the wilderness, to a permanent building (the Temple) as His people established themselves in the land He promised them, to God coming to “dwell” or “tabernacle” among His people in the form of Jesus (See John 1:14), to His people becoming the very Temple of God, housing His presence in our hearts (See I Corinthians 3:16), God has sought to lead us to a deeper experience of intimacy with Him.

The plan of God to dwell with mankind is evident throughout the Scriptures. Even before God made it clear to the Israelites that they would build a tabernacle (Exodus 25:8-9 is the 1st mention of the Tabernacle), He foretold His intentions in Exodus 15:17-18. Exodus 15 provides a song the Israelites sang right after being rescued by God from Pharaoh and his army by passing through the Red Sea on dry land. The song concludes with these thoughts: “You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, the place, O LORD, which You have made for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, O LORD, which Your hands have established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever.” His objective is clear! He wants to dwell among His people! This is what constructing a Tabernacle was all about (READ Exodus 25:8-9).

The problem is, too many of us are content to have God dwell in a tent in the midst of the wilderness instead of giving Him room to take up residence within our hearts. God is not satisfied with this! The furniture and other elements of the Tabernacle all point to His desire for more (as the rest of this series will demonstrate). And, as already seen, God created us with more in mind! So, the question is simple: “Will we strive to live with God in the core of our lives?” It is where He belongs and where He wants to be!

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-Scott