(1) First, the LORD told Isralites (through Moses) to offer to God. Things that they offered were for the construction, decoration, or usage in the sanctuary v.1-7. Why did the relationship between God and man need a sanctuary?
25:8 Let them make for me a sanctuary, so that I may live among them
(NAC) This verse is the simplest and perhaps also the strongest statement in Exodus—a book often described as specially reflecting the theme of the presence of God—of God’s concern to center himself among his people and to have them organize themselves around him.
Almost surely a measure of contingency is present here: God would not dwell among his people unless they invited him by properly preparing a house for him to inhabit/dwell in/locate in (šākan thus indicating their willingness to live within the stipulations of his covenant and to honor him as their covenant sovereign by serving him there). It was not that God required a building with a courtyard in order to dwell somewhere; it was that he desired that the people make a home for him and then locate their houses/tents around his house/tent and join him regularly at his courtyard for covenant meals, confirming their ongoing relationship and receiving the blessings inherent therein.
(2) How to prepare this space so that it would show their desire to have God among them?
(NAC) This verse is the simplest and perhaps also the strongest statement in Exodus—a book often described as specially reflecting the theme of the presence of God—of God’s concern to center himself among his people and to have them organize themselves around him.
Almost surely a measure of contingency is present here: God would not dwell among his people unless they invited him by properly preparing a house for him to inhabit/dwell in/locate in (šākan thus indicating their willingness to live within the stipulations of his covenant and to honor him as their covenant sovereign by serving him there). It was not that God required a building with a courtyard in order to dwell somewhere; it was that he desired that the people make a home for him and then locate their houses/tents around his house/tent and join him regularly at his courtyard for covenant meals, confirming their ongoing relationship and receiving the blessings inherent therein.
(2) How to prepare this space so that it would show their desire to have God among them?
a. To provide all that this place needed in construction (the precious metals, the linen, leather, and wood v.4-5) in daily usage (oil and incense v.6) and even in decoration (the gems v.7).
b. To build and make in the exact pattern that God showed them.
Reflection: Have you ever expressed to God your desire to have Him in your heart? Israelites expressed their desire by offering. How was your offering? The second way to express that was obeying. How about you? Do you prepare your heart in the exact form that God wants?
Audrey
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