What connections exist between Exodus 31:7 and the New Testament understanding of worship? Verse in Focus “the Tent of Meeting, the Ark of the Testimony, the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent—” What the Furnishings Meant in Exodus • God-given pattern: every piece was built exactly as He prescribed (Exodus 25:9) • Visible proof of an invisible God dwelling among His people (Exodus 25:8) • The mercy seat—sprinkled with blood—was the only place Israel could meet God (Leviticus 16:15-16) How the Pieces Foreshadow Christ • Tent of Meeting → “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) • Ark of the Testimony → Christ holds and fulfills the covenant law (Matthew 5:17) • Mercy seat → “God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood” (Romans 3:25) • Spirit-gifted craftsmen (Exodus 31:3-5) → preview of the Spirit empowering believers for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:4-7) New Testament Worship Continues the Pattern • God still prescribes worship—now “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) • Dwelling presence shifts from tent to people: - “Our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19) - The church is “a dwelling of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21-22) • Law once stored in the Ark is now “written on tablets of human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:3) • Blood sprinkled yearly now replaced by Christ’s “once for all” offering (Hebrews 9:11-12) • Every believer becomes living furniture—“living stones…a holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5) Practical Connections for Today • Approach God confidently: “having boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19-22) • Offer continual sacrifice: “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1) • Build up the church with Spirit-given skills, just as Bezalel did the tabernacle (Ephesians 4:12) • Guard the pattern: devote ourselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42) |
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