Ob and In:
Repeated themes:
(1) an offering for me, my offering v.2 make for me a sanctuary v.8
Israelites were commanded to give an offering for God and make the sanctuary for Him, so that He might live among them. (NET) God did not need a place to dwell, but the Israelites needed a dwelling place for him, so that they would look to it and be reminded that he was in their midst.
It is a command, but it was motivated by a willing heart. (NET) The verb is used of volunteering for military campaigns (Judg 5:2, 9) and the willing offerings for both the first and second temples (see 1 Chr 29:5, 6, 9, 14, 17).
The willing heart came from their loyalty to God.
(2) The offerings to be accepted were specified v.3-7, the tabernacle and its furnishings should be built according to the pattern God was showing Moses v.9.
On one hands, the sanctuary came from man. On the other hand, the purpose was for them to remind them about God. Therefore, that place was done in a fashion that revealed God. God needed to tell them what it should be like.
Reflection: Some of the offerings God required are expensive, am I willing to sacrifice (if I were there)? In NT, the HS dwells in me, am I reminded that God was with me? Do I have a willing heart or a loyal heart to God? Do I know God and what He is like?
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