In Ex. 25: 8 we read, " And let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them." These words as we know were spoken to Moses when he was on the mount with God, and oh what grace is manifested in them! God's desire was to dwell among His people, the children of Israel, whom He had brought out of Egypt, having first sheltered them by the blood of the slain lamb on the passover night. He knew them and the waywardness of their hearts, and yet His desire was to dwell among them. He chose them because He loved them, as Moses could tell them later. " The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: but because the Lord loved you." Deut. 7: 7, 8.
But if God was to dwell with His people He must have a sanctuary, for none can stand in the light of His presence, and He says to Moses " Let them make." Yes, He is going to let His people make it; what grace!
We read in Ex. 31: 1-6 of three things in connection with Bezaleel, Aholiab and others whom God used in this work. They were called, filled with the Spirit of God and given wisdom. They could never have built that beautiful tabernacle by themselves. Surely it was God's workmanship, but He used His people as His instruments. First He gave them a willing mind to bring all the material that was required. And we know they brought so much that we are told " The stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much." Ex. 36. 7. Then He used them to carry out His purpose, to build the sanctuary where He Himself was to dwell, and in Ex. 39. 42, 43, we read " According to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. And Moses did look upon all the work, and behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it and Moses blessed them."
Now surely there is a lesson for us in all this, for " whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning." In Eph. 2 we read that God is building an habitation for Himself now, and we know it is composed of living stones, every sinner who is saved during this dispensation forming part of it. God alone is building this wonderful structure, but He uses us as His instruments. What wonderful grace! " For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building."
1 Cor. 3: 9.
Now the three things which characterized those whom God used to build the tabernacle should be true of each of those who desire to be used of God now. Firstly, we must be called. And does not God call each one of us to labor for Him? The privilege cannot be for some and not for others. When we know the Lord Jesus as our own Savior, surely like Andrew, we can find someone to " bring to Jesus." There are perishing souls all around us and as we hear the question " Whom shall send? " may we answer " Here am I: send me."
Then how important Eph. 5: 8 is, for there we read these words, " Be filled with the Spirit." If we are filled with the Spirit the world will have no place, self will have no place and the Lord will have His right place and will be able to use us as He pleases. When the Lord Jesus was here He spoke of the living water which would flow forth from those who believe on Him, after they had received the Spirit. In order for the living water to flow forth from us to others, we must drink constantly ourselves at the fountain head.
Do not let us choose our own service, but be in dependence on the Lord, to be guided by His Spirit, just to labor for Him how and where He pleases, then it will not be in vain.
Lastly, we need wisdom. And oh, how important this is too. In looking back we often feel what mistakes we have made, with a true desire to serve the Lord, through lack of wisdom. But we know where this can be obtained. " If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:55If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5). This is a promise to all who ask in faith, so none of us can excuse ourselves from serving the Lord because we do not know how. We never can win souls without God-given wisdom. " The wise winneth souls." Prov. 2:30 (N.T.) The Lord knows just the condition of those we are interested in and are longing to help, and if we go to them in dependence on Him alone, He will guide us by His Spirit. We shall thus be enabled to bring before them just such passages of God's Word that will meet their condition even though we cannot read their hearts. Only thus can we win them, not by any wisdom of our own, but with the wisdom that is from above, from the. Giver of every perfect gift, and He will have all the praise.
As the days grow darker and the coming of the Lord draws nearer may each of us be found answering to the call of our Lord and Master, remembering that the night is far spent and the day is at hand, and when that day breaks in all its splendor our opportunities for service will be forever over.