Exodus 25:1-27:20: God With Us

Introduction

https://www.npr.org/2025/05/06/nx-s1-5388290/audrey-backeberg-missing-wisconsin-woman-found

Do you ever feel like God has gone missing? That He’s distant? In the moments of our biggest struggles and grief, we often want to ask, “Where’s God?”

One of the greatest truths in Scripture is that God is near - He’s close - He’s with us. The questions isn’t, “Is God near to me?” The question really is, are you near to God? “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8).

God is near to you today. He’s near so you can know Him.

Theme of Exodus - God wants us to know Him. Section of Exodus that’s the building plans for the tabernacle - and end of Exodus the implementation of the plans. Tabernacle = a 3d visual teaching the people of Israel that God desires to dwell with His people. 13 chapters in Exodus deal with the tabernacle! Very detailed and very symbolic.

Today - we’re talking mostly about furniture. You don’t hear many messages about furniture - but the furniture in the tabernacle is a powerful reminder of the reality of the presence of God. As we look at the furniture in the tabernacle - three reasons why it is so important that God dwells with His people.

The Tabernacle

vs. 1-7 - Plan starts with a free-will offering for a movable tent that will travel with Israel that represents the presence of God on earth. The tabernacle is where heaven meets earth.

When Israel comes into the Promised Land they will build a temple under King Solomon - temple/tabernacle is same thing other than tabernacle is movable where temple is permanent dwelling of God on earth.

Interesting - Moses raises funds for tabernacle without a building plan. Where’s the architectural renderings? Not how we did it at Northwood… Yet, note that what the people are told to collect is elaborate. God’s dwelling place on earth is extravagant. It’s a dwelling place fit for a king. Building of tabernacle funded by what they brought out of Egypt.

vs. 8 - sanctuary - a holy place (sanctus) vs. a safe place - that God may dwell. God’s desire to be among His people. God moving in - He will live in the center of His people (diagram - Numbers 2). God’s presence among His people is what makes His people distinct. (A long way from slavery in Egypt.)

Tabernacle a reminder of Eden - e.g., cheribum, east facing entrance, tree of life (lamp stand), pure gold and precious jewels (Gen. 2:12).

Eden was a place of constant service to God - Adam and Eve were priests serving in the garden temple as they cultivated the garden. In the tabernacle, constant service to God. Service in the presence of God while enjoying fellowship with God.

Tabernacle also a reminder of Mt. Sinai - seriousness of tabernacle - sacrifices, fire, etc. And… divisions - Base of mountain (all people), place where elders met (mid mountain), place where Moses went (top of mountain). Tabernacle - courtyard, holy place, and holy of holies.

Tabernacle reminded the people that God desires His people to live in His presence, serving Him with joy (Eden) and also a reminder that sin separated them from God (Sinai).

vs. 8 - pattern of tabernacle and its furnishings - Interesting that before you get instructions about the tent itself (Exodus 26), you get instruction about furnishings. The furnishings communicate truths about the presence of God with His people.

The Ark of the Covenant

The ark is central to the tabernacle - nothing as important as the ark! Poles carried the ark as it moved from location to location (think Joshua - priests stepping into Jordan River with the ark). To mishandle the ark brought certain death (2 Samuel 6:6-7).

A four feet by three feet box - a simple design with lots of ornamentation.

Ark = throne of God (or foot stool - God reigns in heaven and the earth His foot stool (1 Chronicles 28:2, Isaiah 66:1). Ark a vivid reminder that God reigns - cheribum guard the throne (like garden of Eden).

Inside ark were the commands of God - a reminder to submit to His Word. God spoke to Moses from the Ark (Numbers 7:89).

Mercy seat - kapporet - a covering - “to make atonement” or “atonement cover.” The ark a place where blood was sprinkled as an act of atonement by the high priest once a year (Leviticus 16). God’s throne a place of grace.

Ark of the Covenant - accessible only by the high priest once a year to atone for the sins of the people. High priest step behind a thick curtain once a year to atone for sins of people.

Ark of the Covenant highlights a problem - God desires to dwell with His people, but our sin keeps us from accessing His presence.

The Table

In idol worship - not uncommon to bring food to the gods to feed the gods. When the priests entered the holy place, they ate bread at the table to commune with God, not feed God.

“Bread of the presence” - before God’s face - bread always present - twelve loaves replaced weekly eaten by the priests in the holy place.

Bread on the table a reminder of Exodus 24:11. Bread a reminder of the covenant in Exodus 24 (Leviticus 24:8). The bread is a sign of covenant relationship and acceptance.

God welcomes sinful man into His presence. In God’s presence there is sustenance for the soul.

Bread points us to Jesus - the bread of life.

Bread a reminder that we are completely dependent on God (Give us this day, our daily bread).

Table overlaid with gold. Plates, cups, and pitchers made of gold. Everything in the tabernacle points to the royalty of God.

The Lampstand

In holy place, a solid gold lampstand with seven individual lamps fueled by pure olive oil (Exodus 27:20-21).

Menorah - curved branches - The lampstand is a symbolic tree, a living, growing tree. Pointing back to the garden - tree of life - God is the true source of life, and you see clearly as you look to Him. Also pointing back to burning bush.

Continuing burning - God’s everlasting faithfulness to His people.

Lamps constantly maintained by the priests - ongoing service to God.

Golden lampstand taught the people to look to God for life and light.

In Christ, there is life and light (John 1:4). You simply won’t see life clearly until you have a relationship with Jesus.

Anyone who does not have a relationship with Jesus is living in death and darkness.

Altar of Incense

Exodus 30:1-10 - Aroma in the tabernacle. Tabernacle engaged all the senses.

Incense covered the smell of blood. Incense burned morning and evening.

Symbol of the prayers of God’s people. Our prayers are like smoke rising to God. Holy place of God a place of intercession - priests interceding for the people of Israel.

Now, Jesus in the Holy Place of God, interceding for us.

The Courtyard

Exodus 27:1-19 - Where the people of Israel gathered to bring their offerings. They could not go into the holy place - the courtyard was a public place of worship. All welcome, but had to bring a sacrifice.

Bronze altar = biggest piece of furniture in tabernacle.

Bronze - not gold. More durable and heat resistant.

You didn’t come to worship God empty-handed. You came with a sacrifice. The priests washed in a basin in the courtyard before they entered the holy place.

Different types offerings in Leviticus - but tabernacle a place of worship. Altar always ready to receive a sacrifice.

The tabernacle was elaborate. The tabernacle was holy. The tabernacle was bloody. The tabernacle was a constant reminder that God desires to be with His people and a constant reminder that sin separates us from God.

Gospel Connection

Did the tabernacle bring people close to God? A reminder that we can’t get as close as our heart desires… Sin separates. We need someone to bring us close. Humanity needs something better than a tabernacle - Humanity needs a person - the God-man, in whom the full glory of God resides (Hebrews 1:3).

Jesus is the tabernacle/temple (John 1:14, John 1:19).

Jesus is the once and for all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:11-18).

At His death, veil in temple torn - sacrificial system done away with - access to God (Matthew 27:51). It was finished - redemption accomplished in Christ. He atoned for our sins. He rose from the dead to assure us that one day we will be in the presence of God as God intended in Eden.

Tabernacle simply foreshadowed the work of Christ that would bring us into the presence of God. We get to dwell with God because of Jesus in the present. We have access to God, and we look toward to the day when the holy of holies will fill the earth (Revelation 21:16).

Profound implications for us if God is really present with us in Christ. Three reasons why it is so important that God dwells with you in Christ:

Why does God want to be with us? Tabernacle is a vivid reminder that God is far more interested in who He is making you into than what He wants to give you. We’re more interested in what God can give us (e.g., material blessings, help, etc.)

Hud baseball - I get far more excited about his success that what material things I give him.

You can make the big ask.

Sins forgiven, Christ as our intercessor, Spirit inside of us, we have a boldness in Jesus because the presence of God dwells in us (Hebrews 4:16). (The priests big ask: “Will you forgive us?” Moses’ big ask: “Will you stay with us?” Exodus 33:15)

God knows your need.

God knows His desire for you.

God knows how He is going to accomplish His desire for your life.

Ask Him! Wisdom? Power to overcome sin? Ability to trust Him in your difficult days? Boldness to share the Gospel? Provision for your daily bread? Whatever it is, take it to the Lord in prayer (Matthew 7:7).

My big ask for you: “Lord, help our congregation to make disciples.” For us at Northwood - “God, will you help us be a multiplying church? Would you help us make disciples? Would you do a work in our church that only you can do?” God is answering that prayer - He’s answering the big ask. As a church, I want us to continue to make the big ask of God.

You can walk in bold faith.

If God is with me, it changes everything about me. I can actually do what God has called me to do.

If God is with you, what do you have to fear? Isn’t God more than capable of leading you to accomplish His will as you trust Him by faith? (Fear what God may call you to? Fear what he may call you from?)

You should be more fearful to disobey God than you are fearful to obey God. What will I have to give up to walk in bold faith vs. what opportunities will I miss if I don’t walk in bold faith?

We’re in a season in the life of our church where we need to walk by bold faith as we try to reach North Charleston with the Gospel.

Bold faith to step up and serve. Bold faith to go. Bold faith to share the Gospel and invite people into the life of our church.

Bold faith to step into vocational ministry for some in this room, or to go to the international mission field.

You can enjoy an abundant life.

How would you describe an abundant life? (Garden of Eden - Jesus came to give abundant life.)

Abundant life is not more stuff but more God. Pursuing the stuff you want or the God who loves you?

Abundant life is not less problems but more purpose. Is your focus on how to fix your problems or how to live out God’s purpose even in your problems?

Abundant life is not more activities but more abiding. (With God and with His people).

Life with the God who is with you is abundant - it’s real life. This is what God promises His people who walk with Him and enjoy His presence - abundant life.

This morning, you can experience abundant life by embracing Jesus as the Lord and Savior of your life. Believe that He died for you, rose again, and is going to return for you. Repent of your sins and place your faith in Him.