Exodus 25:1-9: a reflection

1The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Speak to the children of Israel, that they take an offering for me. From everyone whose heart makes him willing you shall take my offering. 3This is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, bronze, 4blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, 5rams’ skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, 6oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense, 7onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate. 8Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. 9According to all that I show you, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all of its furniture, even so you shall make it.

As God gives instructions for the building of the tabernacle, he states the purpose of it all in a single, astonishing sentence: Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. The whole elaborate work of the tabernacle had this end: that God might dwell among his people. God did not want to remain distant from his people; he wanted to dwell among them, to make his home in their midst, to be present with them. The astonishing truth behind the sanctuary was God's desire to dwell with his people, to be near them, present in their midst, sharing their life. He wanted a place to dwell among them.

Notice God's desire expressed in the sanctuary: that I may dwell among them. God's purpose in the tabernacle was not merely to be worshiped from a distance, but to dwell among his people, to make his home in their midst. The astonishing thing is that God, who fills the heavens, desired to dwell with his people, to be present among them, near them, sharing their life. He did not want to remain far off; he wanted a dwelling among them, to be with them. The whole sanctuary was for this: God's desire to make his home among his people, to be present in their midst. That God should want to dwell among us is a wonder; yet it was his own stated desire.

That is worth resting in, for God desires to dwell among his people, to make his home with us. We can imagine God as distant, remote, far above and uninterested in dwelling near us; but God's desire in the sanctuary was to dwell among his people, to make his home in their midst. God wants to be near us, present with us, dwelling among his people; and this desire is fulfilled supremely in Christ, and in his Spirit dwelling in us. Do not imagine God as distant and uninterested in being near you; he desires to dwell among his people, to make his home with us. Rest in the wonder that God desires to dwell among his people, to make his home in our midst, as he said of the sanctuary, let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them; for God is not distant and remote but desires to be near his people, dwelling among us, a desire fulfilled in Christ and in his Spirit who makes his home in those who are his.

Lord, as you give instructions for the building of the tabernacle, you state the purpose of it all in a single, astonishing sentence: let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. The whole elaborate work of the tabernacle had this end: that you might dwell among your people. You did not want to remain distant from your people; you wanted to dwell among them, to make your home in their midst, to be present with them. Show me your desire expressed in the sanctuary: that I may dwell among them. Your purpose in the tabernacle was not merely to be worshiped from a distance, but to dwell among your people, to make your home in their midst. The astonishing thing is that you, who fill the heavens, desired to dwell with your people, to be present among them, near them, sharing their life. You did not want to remain far off; you wanted a dwelling among them. That you should want to dwell among us is a wonder; yet it was your own stated desire. Let me rest in that, for you desire to dwell among your people, to make your home with us. I can imagine you as distant, remote, far above and uninterested in dwelling near us; but your desire in the sanctuary was to dwell among your people. You want to be near me, present with me; and this desire is fulfilled supremely in Christ, and in your Spirit dwelling in us. Keep me from imagining you as distant and uninterested in being near me; you desire to dwell among your people, Lord. Help me rest in the wonder that you desire to dwell among your people, to make your home in our midst, as you said, let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.