THE SANCTUARY

EXODUS 25:8

A. "AND LET THEM MAKE ME A SANCTUARY; THAT I MAY DWELL AMONG THEM"
  1. This is one of the amazing requests of the Infinite One:
    1. He whom "The heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain" requests that His people prepare a dwelling for Him in their midst - I Kings 8:27
    2. For He says, "The heaven is My throne, and the earth is my footstool" - Is. 66:1
    3. "But who is able to build Him an house?" - 2 Chron. 2:6
  2. The basis of this most unusual request:
    1. "That I may dwell among them" - Ex. 25:8; 29:45
    2. Infinite love is the reason - I John 4:8 B. LET US TAKE A PRAYERFUL AND CLOSE LOOK AT THE DIVINE REQUEST FOR A SWELLING PLACE FOR THE MOST HIGH GOD
  3. The pattern:
    1. "Look that thou make them after the pattern which was showed thee on the mount" Ex. 25:40; Heb. 8:1-5
    2. This shows plainly that the earthly dwelling of God was a representation of the Throne of God which is in the third heaven - Is. 66:1
  4. The material for the Lord's house:
    1. Where did the pilgrims, dwelling in the desert get all the rich and rare materials necessary for such a costly structure
    2. "And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so they lent unto them such things as they required" - Ex. 12:36
    3. When God's people are put in possession of wealth it is because the Lord hath need of them
    4. The liberality of Israel was so great that Moses had to restrain them - Ex. 36:6
  5. The principal workman:
    1. "See, I have called Bezaleel, and have filled him with the Spirit of God" - Ex. 31:1-2
    2. Bezaleel means - in the shadow of God - how suggestive his character - in the shadow of God
    3. His work - in the Spirit of God - filled with wisdom and understanding in "all manner of workmanship
    4. That is the heavenly specification for a workman approved of God - 2 Tim. 2:15 C. THE SPECIAL SPIRITUAL LESSON OF THIS SUBJECT
  6. God's attachment to His people:
    1. "That I may dwell with them - among them"
    2. Here we see the one great reason for the plan of redemption; God's attachment to His people; His infinite love for them
  7. God's attachment to His people was made eternal:
    1. In the gift of His only begotten Son - John 3:16; who tented among His people - John 1:14
    2. Who tied Himself to humanity forever and ever - Heb. 2:14-17
    3. The Son of God became our representative before the Father to plead our interest before the throne of God - I John 2:3; I Tim. 5:5
  8. This divine attachment and its eternal nature is further indicated:
    1. By God transferring His throne from the third heaven to this earth
    2. "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them" - Rev. 21:3
    3. Thus the earth made new will become the center of the universe
  9. The pattern: - Heb. 8:1-9 - the pattern points to the heavenly sanctuary:
    1. "The temple of God in heaven" - Rev. 11:19
    2. "The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven" - Rev. 15:5
  10. The material:
    1. Points to the sanctified lives of God's people - I Pet. 2:9-11
    2. Earthen vessels cleansed from sin, dedicated to constitute the dwelling place of the third person of the Godhead - the Holy Spirit - I Cor. 3:16; 6:19-20
    3. How awe inspiring and wonderful are the thoughts of God toward His people, and toward you and me
    4. For He, whose throne is the heaven of heavens, and whose footstool is the earth has chosen to dwell also in him who is of a contrite heart and who trembles at His word - Is. 66:1-2


Design © John Bryant 2011