Day 35 · Part 3: Out of Egypt
A Tent for God (1 of 2)
In the Story
In context
While Moses is on the mountain, God gives him the plans for a sanctuary: “Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). It is a tent, the tabernacle, made for a people on the move: the ark, the table and the altar all have poles for carrying (25:14, 28; 27:7). The courtyard around it is 100 by 50 cubits, about 150 by 75 feet (27:18). Inside, a veil divides the holy place, with the table for the bread of the presence and the gold lamp stand with seven lamps, from the most holy place, where the ark stands (26:33–35).
The ark is a chest of acacia wood overlaid with gold, about 45 inches long, made to hold the covenant God would give, the stone tablets (25:10–16; 31:18). On it is a gold cover called the mercy seat, with two gold cherubim. “There I will meet with you,” God says (25:17–22). Aaron and his sons are to be priests (28:1). Aaron carries the names of Israel’s twelve tribes, engraved on two onyx stones at his shoulders and on twelve stones over his heart, “for a memorial before Yahweh continually” (28:9–12, 21, 29).
One thing I have asked of Yahweh, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in Yahweh’s house all the days of my life, to see Yahweh’s beauty, and to inquire in his temple. For in the day of trouble, he will keep me secretly in his pavilion. In the secret place of his tabernacle, he will hide me. He will lift me up on a rock.
Psalms 27:4–5 · God asks for a sanctuary, “that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8); David’s psalm longs to dwell in the Lord’s house, sheltered in his tabernacle.
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
Exodus 25
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Exodus 26
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Exodus 27
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Exodus 28
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A hymn for today
Nearer, My God, to Thee · words by Sarah F. Adams
- Nearer, my God, to Thee,Nearer to Thee!E'en though it be a crossThat raiseth me;Still all my song shall be,Nearer, my God, to Thee,Nearer, my God, to Thee,Nearer to Thee!
- Though like the wanderer,The sun gone down,Darkness be over me,My rest a stone;Yet in my dreams I'd beNearer, my God, to Thee,Nearer, my God, to Thee,Nearer to Thee!
- There let the way appear,Steps unto heav'n;All that Thou sendest me,In mercy giv'n;Angels to beckon meNearer, my God, to Thee,Nearer, my God, to Thee,Nearer to Thee!
- Then, with my waking thoughtsBright with Thy praise,Out of my stony griefsBethel I'll raise;So by my woes to beNearer, my God, to Thee,Nearer, my God, to Thee,Nearer to Thee!
- Or if, on joyful wingCleaving the sky,Sun, moon, and stars forgot,Upward I fly,Still all my song shall be,Nearer, my God, to Thee,Nearer, my God, to Thee,Nearer to Thee!