Exodus 25
THE TABERNACLE in the wilderness! how much is set forth by it, and what a tale of grace it tells! That the Lord should say to Moses, the leader of Israel, “Let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them,” was grace indeed, when we recall all their ways towards Him. If they had asked Him to dwell among them, it would have been very gracious if He had consented; but that He should propose it unasked, that He should think of such a thing, was wonderful. Had they not been continually murmuring, complaining, and rebelling against Him from the very first? Just turn for a moment and read Exodus 15:24; 16:2,3,8,20, 27,28; 17:1-4.
The Lord had redeemed them out of Egypt, through the blood of the paschal lamb, and brought them to Himself. He had led them safely through the Red Sea, and had overwhelmed their enemies (Ex. 12,13, 14); they had sung the song of redemption when they saw their enemies dead on the seashore (15); yet no sooner did they begin their joey towards the land promised to their fathers — the land of rest then they began their murmurings!
The Lord had dealt with them altogether in grace, and all that He had asked from them was faith in His power, love and mercy; yet they had none, as the very first trial proved (Ex. 15:22-24). More than this, though unable to go on with the Lord even on the ground of grace without murmuring and rebellion, they were so blind to their own state that they actually put themselves under law (Ex. 24:3). Instead of pleading the covenant of grace made with Abram (Gal. 3: 16,17), and confessing their utter inability to walk in obedience, they say, “All that the LORD hath spoken we will do.” Ex. 19:8.
Then as a consequence of this, they withdraw to a distance from God (Ex. 20:18); they desired that God should not speak to them any more. In their terror they sought a mediator and instead of being “nigh,” they were now “afar off” (Ex. 20:18-21). Still in the face of all this and all that He knew that they would yet do, the Lord sought to dwell among them!
Well, what can we say but that it was like Himself, for God is love. Thus grace surrounds the history of the tabernacle from the very first, and we are sure that you young rears who know anything of the meaning of grace, will be interested in learning something about this wonderful tent, especially when you remember that the Lord Himself designed it all, and everything it contained. We may take it for granted at once, even if we did not know anything about it, that there must be some very precious and wonderful meaning connected with it, seeing that it was God who commanded and planned it all. Moreover, because He did so is a reason why those that know Him should wish to understand it, so far as He shall enable them to do so.
ML-04/19/1970