TRANSLATE
Bible Reading — Exodus 29:4-9; Exodus 30:17-21 #
Key Verse:
Exodus 30:20 — When they enter the tent of meeting, they must wash with water so that they do not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by burning incense as an offering made by fire to the LORD
Israel’s Spiritual Transformation and the Role of the Tabernacle #
Israel had been in Egypt for more than 400 years. God’s main job wasn’t to get the people out of Egypt but to get Egypt out of the people. They had to worship God and change how they saw the world to share God’s good things with everyone. God also gave them water from the Rock.
The book of Exodus 25–31 tells us how to set up the tent as a place of prayer. People thought that the Tabernacle’s three main parts represented the universe’s three levels at that time.
The outdoor area stood for the earth, with its dry land and sea. There, people would wash in the pool, also called “sea,” and think about how God had saved them from the Red Sea.
1 Kings 7:23-28 — He also made the large bronze basin called “The Sea.” It measured 15 feet from rim to rim, was circular in shape, and stood seven-and-a-half feet high. Its circumference was 45 feet. Under the rim all the way around it were round ornaments arranged in settings 15 feet long. The ornaments were in two rows and had been cast with “The Sea.” “The Sea” stood on top of twelve bulls. Three faced northward, three westward, three southward, and three eastward. “The Sea” was placed on top of them, and they all faced outward. It was four fingers thick and its rim was like that of a cup shaped like a lily blossom. It could hold about 12,000 gallons. He also made ten bronze movable stands. Each stand was six feet long, six feet wide, and four-and-a-half feet high. The stands were constructed with frames between the joints.
The heavens were shown in the Holy Place, a room inside the tent. Inside, there was another room called the Most Holy Place, which was like God’s throne room in heaven.
The tent was like a meeting place for heaven and earth. This was a picture of the new world where God would live with his people again (Revelation 21–22).
Priests as Symbols #
God wants people to help him make the world new again, so he gave Israel priests to represent a new generation of people who have been forgiven of sin and set apart for God’s work. The priest, who washed in water and dressed in royal priestly clothes, told God’s people that he made them in his image.
Prayer #
Heavenly Father,
We praise You for rescuing us not just from our physical hardships, but also from the Egypt inside us—the old habits and distractions that keep us from You. Transform our hearts, Lord, so that we might view the world as You do, sharing Your kindness and love with everyone.
As You commanded Your people to construct the Tabernacle, a location where heaven and earth intersect, enable us to make our lives a meeting place for Your presence. May we recall your wonderful deliverance, as Israel did after their rescue at the Red Sea. Guide us to follow in Your footsteps, respecting the holy places You create in our hearts.
You have called us to be a reborn people, free of sin and set aside for Your purposes. May us reflect Your image in whatever we do, as priests did in the past when they were bathed and arrayed in royal clothing. Help us to live as ambassadors for Your Kingdom, trying to regenerate the world while You are with us.
Lord, show us how to participate in Your mission. Lead us in sharing Your love and kindness with everyone we meet. Allow Your will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. In Jesus name, Amen.
Blessings,
Shaliach.
