The children of Israel had been in slavery for over 400 years in Egypt, God heard their cries and sent one to deliver them from their bondage and lead them into the promised land. With great wonders and signs had God brought them out and mercifully gave them laws that they may know and obey Him. Yet, while Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving instruction, the Israelites began to fear abandonment as Moses’ return was prolonged. And so, they immediately turned back to what was most familiar. Aaron collected the gold earrings that adorned their deaf ears and melted it down in a cauldron of rebellion and idol worship. Memory of the original Fall of Man enlightened once more. How did YHWH, the Great I AM respond? (1) a memorable discipline, (2) reinstitution of the covenant, and (3) instructions to build a tabernacle.

One must remember, the Israelites had been immersed within a culture that believed in many gods — each with different and ambivalent characteristics, whose appeasement was often unpredictable and fleeting. The institution of the Tabernacle was God’s resoundingly hopeful and consistent answer to the question which plagued the Israelites shortly after they left Egypt: “Is the Lord present among us or not?” (Exodus 17:7). Surely, they knew God was powerful, but did they understand that He was trustworthy?  Moses went up to Mt. Sinai to receive instruction. And so, the slow work of reprogramming their identity after centuries in Egypt began with a correct knowledge of God. 

“Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. 22 So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man a dedication and offering of gold to the LORD… Then Moses said to the people of Israel, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, 32 to devise artistic designs.” (Exodus 35:20-21, 30-32). 

God had appointed men to create the structure and furnishings — designs that were woven with divine wisdom, themes, and parallels from the creation account and beauty of Eden purposed to fill His people with hope and assurance of His continual presence with them. The whole work of redemption would be displayed in this tent of meeting — a living symbolism. Men and women gave their gold with willing hearts. God gifted Bezalel and others with skill to create tangible things designed to teach. 

While he wove the heavy curtains of blue, scarlet, and purple threads, was he filled with reverence? When he hung them behind an expanse of celestial lights, was he filled with awe? While carving blossoms into the branches of the lampstand, did he truly grasp what truths these mere objects might represent? Truths of redemption, promised and pictured. Truly, “the only approach to God for sinful men — his covenant peoples — are the means that God has ordained, by the sacrifices that God himself has commanded, in the terms that God himself lays out, by the priest that God himself ordains, and by the shed blood that God himself prescribes” (D.A. Carson). 

I once took a course dedicated to an in-depth look at the book of Exodus. The Jewish Rabbi who had taught the class approached the 12 chapters that detailed the elaborate, purposeful planning and creation of the tabernacle. It soon became painful to listen to a man so deeply knowledgeable of the Torah unable to see the glory of Christ as its fulfillment. One who was moved to tears before a quiet classroom while speaking of the attribute of God’s holiness communicated through such intricate furnishings, but unable to grasp that these were but shadows of heavenly things. He who was in the beginning with God, who created the world, would  משכן (“tabernacle, dwell”) with his people. These truths have been fixed in the heavens — not made with perishable things, but imperishable. 

Who is like the LORD? To whom can we compare him to? We serve a God who “teaches sinners His ways” (Psalm 25:8)