Sacred Space

Read This Week: Exodus 25

The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give. These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you. – Exodus 25:2-3 & 8-9 NIV

Exodus 25 introduces God’s instructions to Moses for constructing the Tabernacle, the sacred space where God would dwell among His people. This chapter isn’t just about architectural blueprints or ritualistic details; it is a profound revelation of God’s desire to be intimately present with His people. He desires a relationship with His people and is not merely a distant, sovereign, and holy judge.

In verse 8, God declares, “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” This statement shows us God’s yearning for closeness with human beings. The Tabernacle was a tangible symbol of God’s presence, reminding the Israelites that their God was not aloof or detached but actively involved in their lives. God’s desire for a relationship remains unchanged to this day. He is intimately involved and interested in us and who we are. In our busy lives, we can also cultivate this connection by setting aside time for prayer, reflection, and worship—our own “sanctuary” moments where we can meet with God.

This passage also highlights generosity as worship. God instructs Moses to collect offerings for the Tabernacle’s construction (v. 2-7). These offerings were to come from those who gave willingly and with a heart of devotion and gratitude. Our worship should be marked by generosity, whether it’s our time, talents, or resources. Just as the materials of gold, precious stones, and fine linen were valuable and shows the very best, our giving to God should reflect the same joy and reverence. What we offer every day can reflect our love for Jesus.

As we’ve seen so many times in Exodus, there is attention to detail in God’s work. The instructions for the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, and the Golden Lampstand (v. 10-40) are remarkably detailed. Every dimension, material, and design element was intentional, symbolizing deeper spiritual truths. This attention to detail reflects God’s perfection and order. Excellence in our work reflects and honors God. Whether we’re designing a project, raising a family, or serving in ministry, the details matter. Approach your tasks with diligence, knowing that God values the quality of your efforts.

The following section demonstrates that God always preserves His vision and covenant. The Israelites were formerly enslaved people wandering in the wilderness, yet they had the resources to build an elaborate Tabernacle. How? They had carried wealth from Egypt (Exodus 12:35-36), demonstrating that God equips His people for the tasks He calls them to. Just as we see in Philippians 1:6, which says, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus, God gives us a vision, He also provides the means to fulfill it. Trust in His timing and provision and take bold steps of faith, knowing He will supply what is needed. He gives us what we need no matter our circumstances or challenges.

Finally, the Ark of the Covenant, the mercy seat, and other Tabernacle elements point forward to Jesus Christ. The mercy seat, where atonement was made for us, foreshadows Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s sins on the cross. The Tabernacle, as a whole, symbolizes God’s plan to dwell with His people, fulfilled through Jesus (John 1:14). We must recognize the continuity of God’s redemptive plan throughout history and how effective it is for our lives. Studying the book of Exodus has deepened our appreciation of how the Old and New Testaments interconnect, enriching our faith and understanding of God’s character and helping us realize its power in our modern lives.

Exodus 25 is not just an observance of ancient instructions for the Lord’s people; it’s a constant invitation into a sacred space with the Father. It’s a vivid reminder of His desire for communion, our call to worship through generosity and excellence, and His faithfulness for His purposes. As we read and think about this chapter, may it inspire us to create “sanctuaries” in our lives where God’s presence is welcome, celebrated, and sacred.

8 Comments

  1. Trina on December 12, 2024 at 10:59 am

    Exodus Chapter 25 Verse 8
    Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.

    ~The Covenant Promise~

    God Is Saying To Me:
    My child, I love you! I want you to understand true deliverance. I did not bring you out of bondage, slavery and sin for no purpose. I want to dwell with you at all times. I have set you apart as mine to dwell with me and to be a good shepherd for the kingdom. I teach you to help you grow if you follow my instructions and respond. We are meant to do life together, forever!

    What This Means To Me:
    1. God has the Israelites to erect a temple so they can worship and have a Holy place to commune with Him.
    2. It is a privilege to be able to help others, spend time with church members and other like-minded Christians, worshipping and honoring God!
    3. God desires a generous heart and obedient giver. Always have a willing heart to be a good steward for God. Keep in mind that everything we have already belongs to God.
    Lastly, The Bible, the church, and our heart are focal points to seek God’s presence in our lives. The Holy Spirit allows us to search and seek God’s goodness, direction and be in His presence always. ❤️

  2. Trina on December 12, 2024 at 11:27 am

    God also gave me something else about the chapter…
    Exodus Chapter 25 Verse 16
    And you shall put inside the ark the Testimony [The Ten Commandments] which I will give you.

    Exodus Chapter 25 Verse 21
    You shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark and in the ark you shall put the Testimony [the Ten Commandments] that I will give you.

    ~The Ark Of The Covenant~

    God Is Saying To Me:
    My child, after deliverance comes development and growth. I delivered my people out of Egypt and led them through the wilderness to save them from destruction. I moved the Israelites to begin the teachings necessary to develop them into a great nation. You too have been delivered and are now training to utilize all aspects of living and representing the Kingdom for me. You operate through worship and praise for Me just like the Israelites are learning to be obedient and do what I instruct them. I want to dwell among you and I want you to know that the Commandments are instructions for you to follow as well.

    What This Means To Me:
    1. God redeems us to mold and shape us into His image.
    2. He desires to help us and equip us so that we understand our relationship and obligation to Him. He wants to live in our presence all the time.
    3. The Tabernacle for the Israelites and the Holy Spirit through God’s shedding blood for our sins shows us that if we follow the Commandments and keep obedient to the Holy Spirit, we are pleasing unto God. The Ark of the Covenant symbolizes purity and holiness and Father God’s presence and desire for a relationship with us. It’s protected and preserved for the churches spiritual truths.

  3. Alma on December 12, 2024 at 2:23 pm

    I got a song in Exodus chapter 25

    Serving
    Let’s come together to worship our Lord let’s come together to worship our Lord singing glory glory hallelujah. We want to serve you serve you with our hearts we want to desire to want to honor and do what you ask of us. We want to give with our hearts spiritually materially, always asking our Lord what his desires are so we can want what he wants yes to serve him the best way that we can asking obeying desiring to have that relationship with him amen

    God loves when we put him first and we listen and obey and want to be the best servant for him ❤️❤️

  4. Jeri Centers on December 12, 2024 at 7:28 pm

    Exodus 25 verse 30

    God is saying to you and me
    The bread of the presence was placed on the table in the Tabernacle has a continual reminder of God’s covenant with Israel, God‘s promises to us are steadfast and ongoing. This verse cause us to remember and trust in God‘s unbreakable covenant with his people.

    What does means to me?

    God is teaching us the importance of regular, intentional worship, recognizing His provision and understanding the deeper significance of the bread as a symbol of His covenant and our communion Him.

  5. Jeri Centers on December 12, 2024 at 7:45 pm

    Exodus 25 verse 2

    God is saying to you and me

    God doesn’t care about physical offerings, but the attitude behind them. A generous and willing heart is what pleases God more than the amount or the outward appearance of the gift.

    What that means to me

    Through this verse, God is teaching that true worship in service come from a willing heart, and that God values the spirit in which we give more than the gift itself.

  6. Heidi on December 13, 2024 at 11:09 am

    Exodus 25:1 the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Tell the children of Israel to take an offering for Me. From every man whose heart moves him [to give willingly] you shall take My offering.

    Be Willing to Be Part of What God Is Doing
    It’s all about your heart

    Father God’s desire is for us to grow closer to Him each day, loving Him more than anything or anyone else.
    When we’re doing anything with Him I know it makes Him happy.

    We see Moses teaching God’s children the importance of having a willing heart—especially when giving toward the construction of the Tabernacle. Worship is an act that flows from a heart desiring to give, not out of duty or obligation, but out of genuine love for God.

    Giving to God’s work is an act of worship that demonstrates how much we love Him and desire to be part of what He is doing. It is a reflection of our gratitude and a response to His boundless love for us. God’s heart is always open, and He is ever willing to help us in every area of our lives because He loves us and wants to be close to us.

    We should cultivate hearts that are always open to Him—hearts willing to respond to His call and eager to join in the work He is doing each day. When we give, serve, and follow Him with willing hearts, we not only honor God but also deepen our relationship with Him, allowing His love and purpose to guide us.

    God’s covenant and love were given to help His people know Him and walk in His ways. Their response in giving was not just an act of obedience, but an expression of love and care for the One who first loved them. Let us also respond with willing hearts, eager to be part of what God is doing.

    What this is saying to me
    Is how God works in our hearts with the same care and attention to detail. Just as He was creating a sacred space for His presence in the Tabernacle, He is continually shaping us to reflect His Heart.
    He works patiently and intentionally in our lives so that we can become more like Him in all that we do. Because He Loves us so much and wants us to want to be close to Him. Because He loves to be close to Him!

    When we surrender our hearts to His refining process, we allow His love and wisdom to guide us. The details of our daily lives—our thoughts, actions, and choices—become opportunities to reflect His holiness and Love ❤️
    Thank you Father God, Jesus and Your Holy Spirit for always being here for us!
    For Loving us so much. I can see how You love all the details in all we do for You, it matters that our hearts are open to You to do work with You!
    Thank you that we get to! It’s a blessing to be able to bless you and the people in our life!❤️❤️️

  7. PK Chat on December 15, 2024 at 10:59 am

    Have you ever heard the saying, “To know God is to love Him”? I believe that’s true of anyone we love. To truly love someone, you have to draw close to them, spend time with them, and get to know them deeply.

    There may be one beautiful exception to this: a parent’s love. When you see your baby for the very first time, love wells up within you in a way that’s indescribable—it’s something truly special.

    In the same way, our Father God loved us first. And as we respond to His love and spend time getting to know Him, our love for Him grows naturally in return.

    I treasure the memories I’ve shared with the people I love—special moments that bring joy when I recall them. It’s the same in our relationship with the Lord. When we count our blessings and remember what God has done in our lives, it draws us closer to Him and fills us with gratitude and joy.

    1. God longs for His family to draw near, to know Him intimately, and to love Him as He loves us.
    2. God desires to create meaningful moments with us—special memories to cherish forever.
    3. Counting our blessings and celebrating life with God and each other deepens our connection and strengthens our bond.

  8. reachchurch on December 15, 2024 at 1:48 pm

    PODCAST
    This Week in the Life: Exodus 25

    For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and then the second song.

    1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241215-Worship1.wav
    2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241215-Message.wav
    3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241215-Worship2.wav

    Join the Party Line Live – Schedule: https://reachchurch.org/connect

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