Today’s Scripture passage, Exodus 25, brings us to a significant turning point in Israel’s life with God. After the powerful confirmation of the covenant on Mount Sinai described in the previous chapter (Exodus 24), God now instructs Moses about constructing a sacred place for His holy presence among the Israelites—the Tabernacle.
“Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.” (Exodus 25:2, New International Version)
God begins by calling for a voluntary, heartfelt offering. This offering was not mandatory; rather, it came from willing hearts, reflecting that worship, true generosity, and thanksgiving begin internally. The Hebrew word translated “whose heart prompts them” (nadav) is especially intriguing, conveying spontaneity, generosity, and a deeply personal choice.
Here we see a key principle: God desires worship that flows from the heart, not coerced obedience. This generosity foreshadows the New Testament principle mentioned by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give…for God loves a cheerful giver” (New International Version).
A key theological truth emerges when God says:
“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8, New International Version)
The Hebrew word “shakan” (שָׁכַן) meaning “to dwell,” carries the idea of settling down to live among His people, emphasizing intimacy, relationship, and accessibility. The tabernacle became the visible symbol of God’s ongoing presence—a divine dwelling place. What grace and humility that the holy, transcendent Creator would desire to “pitch His tent” among His people! It anticipates the incarnation of Christ, as John testified, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling [literally, ‘tabernacled’] among us.” (John 1:14, New International Version).
At the core of the sanctuary was the Ark of the Covenant—a wooden chest overlaid with pure gold. Upon it rested the “atonement cover,” the mercy seat (kapporet), where God promised:
“There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark…, I will meet with you and give you all my commands.” (Exodus 25:22, New International Version)
Kapporet (atonement cover) shares its root with “kippur” (כִּפּוּר) meaning “atonement,” reflecting reconciliation and forgiveness. Cherubim guarded divine holiness, recalling the angelic guardians at Eden’s gates (Genesis 3:24). The Ark symbolized God’s throne and His reconciliation offered to humanity—a vivid foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice, who is our true Mercy Seat:
“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of his blood.” (Romans 3:25, New International Version)
The golden Table held the Bread of Presence, continually reminding Israel of God’s enduring provision and fellowship (Leviticus 24:5-9). The Lampstand (Menorah), with seven lamps, cast its perpetual glow, symbolizing light, life, and God’s continual presence guiding His people through the darkness. Jesus identified Himself as “the bread of life” (John 6:35, New International Version) and “the light of the world” (John 8:12, New International Version), completing the meaning illustrated centuries before in the Tabernacle furnishings.
We should note the incredibly detailed instructions God gave Moses—a hallmark of ancient Near-Eastern cultures’ reverence for sacred spaces. While neighboring cultures constructed idols to visibly represent their gods, Israel was strictly warned against idols. Instead, the beautifully crafted sacred objects symbolized God’s attributes without reducing Him to a visible form. The Tabernacle’s portability further highlighted God’s presence, not bound to a fixed geographical point or limited temple. Ancient nomadic traditions strongly resonate with God’s call for movement, obedience, and trust in His divine plan.
Christian thinkers such as Augustine and Calvin frequently saw the Tabernacle imagery as deeply symbolic of spiritual truths. Augustine perceived the Tabernacle as a beautiful depiction of Christ and the Church, the dwelling of God spiritually among His people. Calvin emphasized the meaningful symbolism in all parts of the Tabernacle, pointing ultimately toward Jesus, through whom humanity meets God (Hebrews 9:11-12).
Consider reflecting today on the great hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” by Robert Robinson. As you ponder our need for God’s abiding presence, this beloved hymn powerfully echoes the truths in Exodus 25: God’s willingness to dwell with sinners and offer mercy from His very presence.
“Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.”
O Lord, You who dwell among Your people, thank You that Your desire
is to be with us. Enlighten our minds and hearts to give freely and
joyfully to Your work. Help us grasp the depth of mercy You’ve given in
the atonement, and keep our eyes always fixed upon Christ, whom You have
sent as Emmanuel, “God with us.” Shine Your light into our lives, feed
us with Your presence, and grant us grace to abide continuously in Your
glorious fellowship.
In the gracious name of Jesus we pray, Amen.