Christ in all the scriptures Exodus 25

 Christ in all the scriptures

Exodus 25

"God with us"

"Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them"        Exodus 25v8 

Will the infinite dwell with the finite? Will the Almighty dwell with frail mortal man? Will the Holy One dwell with the unholy?  Centuries ago, Socrates, the Greek philosopher, reputedly, wrote to his contemporary Plato, saying, "I suppose Deity may be able to forgive sinful humanity; but I have no idea how!"  How did it enter the head of Moses, that man could dwell with God, and that God could dwell with man, when he sang with the children of Israel, "The Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt Him-Exodus 15v2.   God's reply was astonishing, that Moses was to build a sanctuary, a holy place where He could dwell with His redeemed people.  We take it for granted, in these days of shallow religion, but it is a thing of wonder that God wants to dwell with us.  The Psalmist David put it into words when he wrote, "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?  He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh truth in his heart.  He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up reproach against his neighbour..."-Psalm 15v1-3.  A summary of the Psalm would be personal sinlessness; neighbourly goodness; hatred of evil; integrity of intention; honesty in business.  The bible declares there is no such person in existence, so how can we dwell with God?  The God who dwells on high, who dwells in light unapproachable, who is surrounded by worshipping angels who have never sinned, the God before whom the very heavens are unclean in His sight; the God who expelled angels (even the highest angel) who sinned; the Almighty God, who is the "blessed and only potentate", King of all who reign as kings, Lord of all who take the title lord, wants to dwell with puny man.

Yet it is actually true!

First chapter of the first book of the bible-Matthew 1v23 "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us".

Last chapter of Matthew (28v20-in the context of supreme authority in all heaven and earth), "lo, I am with you always, unto the end of the world (age).  Amen.  The phrase is more accurately rendered "I am with you every single day from now until the completion of the age".

First chapter of John's writings, John chapter 1v14, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt (tabernacled-pitched His tent) among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth".

Last of John's writings and last book of the bible, Revelation 21v3, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God".

Astonishing as it is, it is wonderfully true that God will dwell with men.  Lest we should minimise this in any way, He built into the design and construction of the tabernacle such features of humanity, that they unmistakeable.  Consider the following:

1. The dimensions are in cubits, which are the length of the tip of the elbow to the tip of the longest finger of an average working man-the measure of humanity!
2. The tabernacle has three compartments, the Holy of Holies; the Holy place, and the Courtyard.  Man is also tri-partite, spirit, soul, and body.
3. The outer curtain, and also the gate of entrance is 5 cubits high, taller than most men; indeed the number 5 is a common measure, as many other dimensions are multiples or a division of 5.  Humanity has five fingers, and five toes, and possesses five major senses.
4. The measurement of the pure linen curtain, surrounding the tabernacle, is 280 cubits.  The gestation period in the womb is 280 days in a normal birth.
5. There are 46 boards, standing on silver sockets, apart from the two corner boards.  Modern science tells us that there are 46 chromosomes in every cell of the human body-23 from the father, and 23 from the mother.
6. The embroidered colours on the fine linen tabernacle-blue, purple, scarlet, and gold, correspond precisely to the arterial colours in the human body.  It is said that the main arteries in the heart are golden in appearance.

The clear intention of God is evident, He will dwell with men, the highest form of earthly creation; man, made in the image of God, tarnished by the fall, redeemed at great cost, delivered, secured sanctified to live a life of indescribable glory.  Angels will call us their fellow servants, God will be our God, sin will be no more, everything will be new forever and forever and forever.  Only in Jesus is this possible, and the tabernacle, in its totality and its detail, proclaims His glories.  The curtains, the coverings, the boards, the vessels, the pillars, the utensils, the priesthood, and the priestly service, all utter His glory, and God has given us vivid pictures of the One who has reconciled us to Himself.  

There are three spheres in which this intimate fellowship between God and man is seen.  In each case the word temple (inner temple-sacred shrine) is used in the New Testament.

In the universal Church, the body of Christ, Ephesians 2v21-22, "In whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit". 

In the local church, 1st Corinthians 3v16, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"

In the individual believers body, 1st Corinthians 6v19, "What, know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God's".

High privilege indeed, conferred on redeemed, fallen humanity; with it comes solemn responsibility.  From the point of conversion to the unending ages of eternity, He is with us.  He is with us personally and corporately; He is with us in Christ.  He is not with us in our sin and rebellion.  There may be periods of withdrawal as happened to Israel, and also in the Church.  Such withdrawal will only be temporary and remedial.  Reverential fear of the Lord is the way forward until we reach perfection in our eternal home.  Let it not be that "ICHABOD"-"the glory is departed" is written over our generation; let us hold fast, and stand firm, until the day dawn, and the shadows flee away.