In Exodus 25:88And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8) we read, “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 what grace there is 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. 7:7-87The 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: 8But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 7:7‑8)).
But if God were 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 Exodus 31:1-61And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. 6And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee; (Exodus 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. 36:77For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much. (Exodus 36:7)). Then He used them to carry out His purpose and to build the sanctuary where He Himself was to dwell. In Exodus 39:42-4342According to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. 43And 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. (Exodus 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.”
Laborers Together
Now surely there is a lesson for us in all this, for “whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning.” In Ephesians 2 we read that God is building a 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! “We are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” (1 Cor. 3:99For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (1 Corinthians 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. First, 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 I send?” may we answer, “Here am I: send me.”
Filled With the Spirit
Then how important Ephesians 5:88For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (Ephesians 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 on earth, 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 fountainhead.
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.
Wisdom
Lastly, we need wisdom. How important this is too. In looking back, we often feel what mistakes we have made, through lack of wisdom, even with a true desire to serve the Lord. But we know where this can be obtained. “If 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 1:55If 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 Lord knows just the condition of those in whom we are interested 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.
E. F. Stock, To Every Man His Work (adapted)