When the children of Israel were delivered from Egypt and all that characterized it, God’s immediate desire was, “Let them make me a sanctuary: that I may dwell among them” (Ex. 25:88And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8)). The Israelites had been in Egypt for many years, and God had multiplied them greatly, but never in all their history there had God asked them to make Him a sanctuary. No, Egypt is a type of the world, and sadly, they had learned there how to worship idols (see Josh. 24:1414Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. (Joshua 24:14)). It was not a place where they could rightly serve God, or where they could build Him a sanctuary.
However, once they were in the wilderness and free from Pharaoh’s domination, as a redeemed people they were able to build a place where Jehovah could dwell among them. It was always God’s wish to dwell among His people, and although Israel could not approach God with the same nearness as that which we enjoy in this time of His grace, yet He wanted to dwell among them. The tabernacle and later the temple enabled God to do this, until Israel had so dishonored Him that, for His own glory, God was obliged to allow them to be carried into captivity. That beautiful temple that Solomon built was also destroyed.
The Home
Today, in this time of God’s grace, we know that “God ... dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands” (Acts 17:24-2524God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; (Acts 17:24‑25)). Rather, the assembly, as the house of God, is the “habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph. 2:2222In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22)). The Lord Jesus could say, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)). Our homes are not mentioned in this same way, but I believe that when we consider our homes, we are entitled to make an application of what the Lord said to Moses: “Make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”
During our married life, my wife and I built two homes: that is, the homes were built according to plans that we submitted to the builder. Not only did we have to come up with the plans, but we had many other choices to make — such as what kind of floors we would have, what kind of light fixtures and plumbing fixtures we would use, and what colors we would paint the walls. Even if people buy a home that is already built, they often make some modifications to it, or have some renovations done. We all have our own ideas about what we would like in a home.
The Atmosphere of the Home
However, the Lord is not concerned about whether our home in this world is large or small, or whether it is furnished in a certain way. No, it is the atmosphere of our home that makes a difference to Him. When our Lord was here on earth, the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus in Bethany was evidently a place where He felt at home. Nothing is said in the Word of God about the size of that home or its furnishings. Rather, those who lived there created an atmosphere where our Lord could be comfortable and relaxed. It is significant that He went there just before He went to the cross, for it was a haven where He could be away from all that was being plotted against Him in Jerusalem.
I would suggest that, in the same way, the Lord looks for a sanctuary where He can find rest, in a world that has rejected and crucified Him. The house of God was to be, and still is, a habitation of God through the Spirit. However, in the sad history of Christendom, it has now become a “great house,” in which there is much of empty profession as well as reality (2 Tim. 2:2020But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. (2 Timothy 2:20)). A faithful believer cannot leave the great house, but he is obliged to separate from what dishonors the Lord in that house.
A Place for the Lord
We may speak of a home which is a sanctuary for us and our children, away from the influence of this world, but in order for this to happen, our homes must be places where the Lord Himself could find rest and peace. He must have the preeminence, for where He can be at home, we ought to be at home also. Amid the disorder and confusion in the great house, the Lord looks for Christian homes where His Word is honored, read and practiced, and where He too can find rest.
In the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, we read in John 12:2 That “there they made HIM a supper.” It was not merely that they made supper, and then invited the Lord. No, it would seem that the supper was made expressly for Him, while all the others partook of it too. This is giving Him the preeminence, for it was His supper. I realize that this incident is a type of what the remembrance of the Lord should be, but it should be like that in our homes too. Yes, there are certain things that we do for our own comfort, and there is nothing wrong with that. Yesterday my wife and I went out and ordered a new mattress for our bed, as the old one is sagging a little. But in the moral and spiritual realm, Christ must be before us, and not merely our own comfort, even in divine things. If we make our homes a sanctuary for Him, He will want to dwell among us. Then not only will we gain immeasurably from this, but our Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified.
W. J. Prost