Building a Tabernacle from Scratch

“Anything significant that you do for God is almost never accomplished alone." www.seacoast.org A Year in the Word - Part 9: Building a Tabernacle From Scratch The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.” Exodus 24:12 (NIV) When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, Exodus 24:15 (NIV) and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. Exodus 24:16 (NIV) To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. Exodus 24:17–18 (NIV) 1. THE TABERNACLE WAS A PLACE WHERE GOD MET WITH HIS PEOPLE Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Exodus 25:8 (NIV) Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. Hebrews 7:27 (NIV) Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! Romans 5:9 (NIV) as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12 (NIV) Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary. Hebrews 10:17–18 (NIV) 2. THE CONSTRUCTING OF THE TABERNACLE WAS BIGGER THAN ONE MAN’S ABILITY TO ACCOMPLISH Make this Tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you. Exodus 25:9 (NIV) Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor. Exodus 28:2 (NIV) Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, Part 9: Building a Tabernacle From Scratch to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you” Exodus 31:1–6 (NIV) • Two leadership principles: 1. Anything significant that you do for God is almost never accomplished alone 2. God has planted the gifts you need to succeed in the people he places around you 3. THE TABERNACLE WAS COMPLETED BY THE GENEROSITY OF WILLING PEOPLE Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give. Exodus 25:2 (NIV) One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24–25 (NIV) Moses: From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze… Exodus 35:5 (NIV) Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord. Exodus 35:20–22 (NIV) And the people continued to bring free will offerings morning after morning. So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.’”Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work. Exodus 36:3–7 (NIV)