I have been fascinated and intrigued by the Tabernacle recently as
it was the first house of the Lord. It was the Lord's way of dwelling
among His people until He sent His Son Jesus to dwell within us
much later.
The origins and development of the Tabernacle begin in Exodus
chapter twenty-five starting in verse eight:
"And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them."
(Exodus 25:8)
Prior to verse eight of Exodus twenty-five, at the beginning of the chapter
God spoke to Moses and told him to speak to the children of Israel to
bring the Lord offerings of the material needed to create the Tabernacle.
In reading verse two of chapter twenty-five the Lord instructs Moses to
take the offerings of those who gave willingly with his heart. "From
everyone who gives willingly with his heart you shall take My offerings."
(Exodus 25:2)
In studying this chapter to get a better understanding, God told Moses to take
of the offerings that were given willingly because those that gave of the heart and
not by compulsion showed true worship of the Lord. The Lord wanted gifts that
were given freely and gladly.
The Tabernacle is a perfect example of giving freely and cheerfully. I practically
consider it a symbol of cheerful giving and true worship. One only has to go to
the seventh verse Second Corinthians chapter nine to see it plainly.
"For God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)
I also believe it is cheerful giving and true worship that has kept my own
church going despite it's small congregation. And I believe it is because
of the hearts of those in the congregation. You see, it is not the quantity
that matters in a church, but the quality. And by quality it is the hearts
of those who show true worship of the Lord, be it by cheerful giving or
doing whatever kind of work for the Lord. And if cheerful giving to the
Lord can help create such a magnificent masterpiece as the Tabernacle,
how much more so can it bring out the spiritual quality of a small church
than by the cheerful giving and true worship of it's congregation? Quite
a lot. And to God be the glory!
Have a blessed day.
