Tabernacle

Blue

Threads of remembrance

visual reminders

sewn in fringes,

outermost curtains.

Blue edged, hemmed

woven in corners

encompassed color.

Precursor to

understanding

Advocate’s explanations.

Creation blue

seamlessly stretched

breathed counsel.

Numbers 15:38, “speak to the Israelites and tell them to make fringes on the corners of their garments throughout their generations and to put blue cord on the fringe of each corner.”

Tabernacle

Ark of the Covenant

Contained treasure

storehouse of riches

silent memories

speaking divine

echoes cascading

through time

covenant.

Manna fresh

each morning

faithful priest

mercy soaked

moral truth

heaven’s food

engraved.

Word spoken

deity cloaked

with humility’s

frame. Christ Himself

calling appeal

reconciliation

gold.

Colossians 2:9, “For in him, the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.”

Tabernacle

Altar of Incense

Able to understand each

fear—pain—hope

with experience.

Advocate of compassion

extending courage

with comprehension.

Always standing at altar

faithful mediator

with sanctuary.

Exodus 30:1, “an altar on which to offer incense, made of acacia wood.”

Tabernacle

Altar of Brass

Perfectly designed altar

exact measurements

to meet holy precepts.

Poured out of the heart

of High Priest

as sacrifice.

Decaying wood overlaid by defense

deliberately endured humiliation

defiled for our redemption

death now sanctified.

Perfectly prepared life

exact qualifications

to pass over sin.

Hebrews 13: 10-13, ..sacrifice for sin..”

Tabernacle

Tabernacle Introduction

Emmanuel—God with us! Words that we hold with joy and praise, especially in this season as we prepare to come to receive God’s story anew.

It continues to amaze me how our God always goes before us preparing our way even when we don’t see and possibly never recognize His words or His images. Sometimes they come in whispers or metaphors, songs and parables, and we are moving too fast to pause and listen. Yet He writes them into our lives just as He wrote His word into the tabernacle for Israel. His house of worship filled with symbols and word pictures to prepare His people for the day when the sanctuary would live within hearts.

John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and dwelt [or tabernacled] among us”

So for a while we’ll ponder the Tabernacle, then and now, to listen for new insights. I hope you’ll share yours with me.

Tabernacle

Copy of the true

meticulously prepared

in exact replication.

Mediating in between,

waiting redemption

shadow sanctuary.

Symbolic tabernacle

made on earth.

Christ completes

merciful reconciliation

in exact requirement.

Messiah present,

wounded Word

sanctifies holy will.

Substantial temple

molded in heaven.

“For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.” Hebrews 9:24 NRSV

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 40: 38, For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.

In sight of all the house of Israel. All of the house of Israel. God’s Presence to all His people. Throughout all their journeys. At the place of worship. At the tabernacle.

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;” Jesus said. The Spirit of truth whom the world cannot know but He abides in Jesus’ disciples to teach and comfort and guide.

Forever. For all. For the journey.

Lord, You did not leave or forsake Israel through the long, delayed journey despite their disobedience, their ignorance, the obstacles, the setbacks. You offer Yourself again to this stubborn generation as a constant companion.

Visible to Israel, invisible to us; yet real, tangible, trustworthy to both.

May I walk in faithfulness, in honesty, in worship, with a grateful heart, throughout all the journeys ahead. Secure in Your promises. Safe in Your Presence. Thank you Lord.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 89:15

How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!

O Lord, they walk in the light of Thy countenance.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus: 40:33, Thus Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

When all was complete as the Lord requested, the cloud covered the tent. God Himself filled the tabernacle. He sat on a material throne, an earthly abode, to be with His people.

“It is finished!” Jesus returned to His Father. Restored to His glory He had set aside for earth’s residence. Clothed in royal robes, He sits on His heavenly throne, interceding for us. Waiting.

When the time is come there will be a new heaven and a new earth. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them.” He will draw His people to His abode.

I ask, Lord, that until that time, I may abide in You. Fill my heart with Your love and prepare me for the day I may see You face to face. To You, Lord, be the glory.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 89:14

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne;

Lovingkindness and truth go before Thee.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 40:15, “….that they may minister as priests to Me; and their anointing shall qualify them for a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.”

Special anointing qualifying Aaron and his family for the priesthood. A special designation by God for a tribe. Without this consecration they could not serve the Lord. This special blessing passed through the generations, not because of the worth of the men so charged, but the value of the ministry they performed. A consecrated tribe. Serving as God’s representatives to a new born nation.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifest grace of God.”

Spirit anointed gifts bestowed on each newborn believer. For the common good. For the building of the body of Christ. For spreading the gospel.

So many of us stumble along in ministry not even aware of our blessings. We lean on our talents, (also God given) on our experience, on our education, on need. And we misuse the counsel of the Holy Spirit. We focus on ways and means, instead of prayers and leads.

As the Spirit leads. If we open our hearts and minds, we can participate in anointed ministry. By making ourselves available, we may experience the excitement of using a Spirit given gift once, or for a lifetime. As the Spirit moves.

Anoint me I pray, Lord, to serve at Your call. I ask to be a clean vessel for Your Holy Spirit’s use, perpetually.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 92:10

But Thou hast exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;

I have been anointed with fresh oil.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 40:2, “On the first day of the first month you shall set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.”

First day of the first month. Start with worship. Start with the Lord in the tent of meeting. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.”

Instead many of us begin backwards. We work and plan and strive and negotiate our lives until the waves threaten to drown us; and then we call to God for help. From shattered dreams and broken relationships and hurting hearts. We wonder where God is and why He let it all happen, when we forgot Him in the first place.

Israel repeatedly forgot God’s covenant, forgot His commandments, forgot His cautions. They mixed with the land, made treaties with foreign countries, met with false gods. And wondered why wars and wickedness and wrath filled their days, months, years.

“For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”

Lord, I pray to start all my moments, days, plans, in Your kingdom. Start me walking in Your ways, on Your path, first. That I may be able to keep Your first commandment to love You with all my heart and soul and mind.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 32:6

Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found;

Surely in a flood of great waters they shall not reach him.