Foundations Week 8, Day 3

The Tabernacle: The Holy Place and the Most Holy.

Scripture Read:  Exodus 26 - 27
Title: God Gives Instructions for the Tabernacle
​
H.E.A.R. Entry
(H) Highlight verse:  "And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil.  And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy."  Ex. 26:33

(E) Explain:   In this passage Moses receives instructions on how to build and erect the Tabernacle from God.  The Tabernacle served as God's dwelling place among the Israelites.  In the previous chapter God tells Moses very specifically to make an ark with a mercy seat on top.  God informs him that He will meet with His people from above the mercy seat.  This ark was important for worship and meeting with God. 
 
In chapter 27 God gives detailed instructions in how to build the Tabernacle.  God details specifically the material they should use all the way down to how the rings and clasps should be made.  God certainly is in the the details.  
​
God speaks of making a room in the Tabernacle called the Most Holy Place.  This room was where the ark would be placed.  This room came to represent the physical dwelling place of God.  It was a curtained off area.  It was an area designated only for specific people and priests.  This curtain separated God from the people.  His holiness was so vast that He needed to be separate from people.  

(A) Application: God's holiness is so vast that we cannot even fathom.  I think sometimes we forget or don't realize how privileged we are as followers of Jesus the post-resurrection age.  Before Jesus, access to God was limited to the High Priest in the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle or Temple.  God could not be approached casually.  In the 6th century B.C. the ark of the covenant was lost and the physical presence of God no longer dwelt in the Temple.  However the Most Holy Place remained and Nobody could enter the room casually either.  The point that, should be made is that before the death of Jesus God was separated from His people.  The Most Holy Place was not approachable by "ordinary people."  However, we read that after Jesus died on the cross in the Gospel of Mark 15:38 says, "And the curtain of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom."  This tearing of the curtain signifies that through Jesus God is no longer separate from His children.  Through Jesus we may, BOLDLY, approach the Throne of God and worship without restraint.  Jesus gave us access to the Most Holy Place.  We are indeed privileged.  
 
(R) Respond:  Thank you for sending Jesus.  Thank you that through His death the curtain was torn and we now have access to the Most Holy God.  We no longer need to perform rituals or services to worship you, we now have the freedom to approach You in the boldness and confidence of Jesus Christ.  
​
However, may I never the Throne of Grace casually or irreverently.  You are still holy and your presence will not be profaned.  

---