August 10, 2003
Dear Family:
Sometime ago I started an extensive study of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Just as God instructed Noah to build the ark He also instructs Moses to build the tabernacle.
Ex 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
William Brown has written an extensive description of the tabernacle's construction. Below is a short excerpt from the introduction of his book.
The tabernacle, made with hands, was devised by the Lord Himself, who showed the "fashion" of it to Moses on Mount Sinai, at the same time strictly enjoining him to see that all things were made according to this divine "pattern" (Exod. 25:9, 40; 26:30; 27:8, Heb. 8:5). The Lord also chose the chief artists under whose superintendence it was to be Constructed (Exod. 31:1-6). Are not these circumstances alone sufficient to invest the sacred building with an abiding interest? As a work of art, it was far more beautiful and costly than many persons are apt to suppose.
Even Dean Stanley, in the second series of his "Lectures on the Jewish Church," at p. 227, says: "There is no inherent connection between 'ugliness' and 'holiness,' and there was a greater danger of superstition in the 'rough planks' and 'black haircloths' of the tabernacle than ever was in the gilded walls and marble towers of the temple."
Everything about the tabernacle was constructed to point to the story of the ages. Everything was so sculptured as to draw a picture of God Himself and His divine plan.
The design defies the most talented engineer. The silver, gold and brass was assembled as offerings from the children of Israel prior to the details being given to Moses. The quantity of each was the exact amount needed with nothing lacking and/or remaining. Some materials were provided only when needed and not a minute too early or late. It is with this in mind that I want to begin the first lesson of this series about the tabernacle.
God told Moses that He would provide for the children of Israel. While wandering in the wilderness, the food, water, shelter and firewood was an enormous undertaking. Remember there were 603,350 men over the age of 20 not mention the women and children. Yet these needs were met not from and through storage but daily as the need arose.
The names of God give us a glimpse of the attributes and personality of God. Through out the Bible God refers to Himself by a name which denotes part of His being and /or personality. Jehovah-jireh, "the lord will provide" was used in Genesis when Abraham was told to go to the mountain and sacrifice to God (Jehovah). Genesis 22:12-14. God provided the ram for the sacrifice. So often we complain as to the sacrifices we make for God but we fail to see that any and every thing we give to God comes from God. Any talents I might have are from God. They are mine to use and I would be remiss if I did not use these talents to further God's plan for the ages. If the things I have were mine, I could take them with me when I leave this world but that never happens. We take nothing not even this body or the rags on it. Everything on this earth was put here by the creator and then He revealed them to man. Some have patented these ideas and call them intellectual properties and well they are. The question is whose intellect formed the idea in the mind of man. I submit it is God (Jehovah-jireh). Through the intellect of man God supplies man with all that he needs to exist on planet earth. It is man who becomes greedy and begins to claim these things as his own. As unique as these ideas are they seldom fulfill the wants which man desires from them. It is only when man gives the idea back as an offering for God to use that real happiness and satisfaction are gained.
In every instance where God provided the children of Israel with their needs it was always what they needed when they needed it and the exact portion needed. When God provided Manna from heaven to feed the children of Israel there was one day's supply. Those who attempted to take more and/or save it were surprised to see that it spoiled before the next day. They had to trust God every day for their daily bread. They did so for forty years and He never failed to provide it. Even when they were disobedient He continued to provide them with their needs. No one prospered for forty years because of their disobedience. God promises to cause us to prosper but only when we have the correct attitude and motive. When the motive is gold it is reminiscent of the "Golden Calf". God was not pleased with it then and he is not pleased with it now.
God gives man ideas to use for God's glory, not mans. When man uses his ideas and talents to further God's cause then He causes man to prosper. When God finds a man who is faithful in small things, He gives him big things to be the steward over.
God gave Moses the wisdom and understanding to receive the plans for the tabernacle in the wilderness. He further gave the intellect, skills and talents to each of the artisans who carried out the plan and constructed the tabernacle.
Intellectual properties do not belong to the man; the man is only the steward over them for God.
The total purpose for Moses building the tabernacle in the wilderness was for God to have a place to live among His creatures. "And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them."
Love ya,
Dad
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