Key Verse: Exodus 25:8
And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.

This chapter starts with an offering. The word “willingly” reminds us of 2 Corinthians 9:7, “God loves a cheerful giver.” The gifts to God were gold, silver, bronze, etc. Out of these offerings to the Lord, the artisans were to make the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand and the rest of the furnishings of the Tabernacle. The imagination of the people was fired by the stories told by the craftsmen and the priests. The lid of the Ark was known as the “Mercy Seat.” God was “mercy seated” toward His people as a result of the blood of the sacrifice which was sprinkled on the golden overlay of the Ark. For a commentary on these powerful symbols, let’s find the time to read, if possible before we sleep tonight, Hebrews chapters 8, 9, & 10, the faith chapter 11, and then 12 & 13 (click here to read). This will be most worthwhile in understanding what all this means for us.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, thank You for being mercy seated for me. I pray with the publican in the Temple, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). According to Your Word, I am forgiven and my sin is gone. Amen! (1 John 1:9)

100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The pictures today are not taken in Israel but in the back parking lot of the Crossroads Centre, in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. During the summer of 2012, thousands of people visited this amazing replica. It was created by Teen Missions International of Florida and transported to us here in Canada in a huge tractor trailer truck. When visitors entered the full-sized replica, the Outer Court, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, there was silence, except for the High Priest who says appropriate prayers in Hebrew. Crossroads erected a “Tent of Meeting” where a pastor/teacher shared how Jesus of Nazareth took the symbols and made them reality in His life and in His sacrificial death on the Cross. Many made decisions to become believers in Jesus, receiving Him as Saviour and Lord.

Yours to help us all assimilate (make part of ourselves) God’s revelation to the human family,

David

P.S. The Tabernacle project has been at the Crossroads Centre in 1997, as well as in 2012. Crossroads continually seeks to initiate creative ways to bring thousands of precious people to Jesus. The prayers and support of every blog reader are so very important moving forward (for giving info, click here).