How does the temple's completion relate to God's presence in Exodus 25:8? God’s Desire Revealed Exodus 25:8: “And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.” • From the very start, the goal is unmistakable: God wants to live in the center of His people, not at the margins. • The command comes before any blueprint details (25:9–40), spotlighting that relationship outweighs architecture. • “Dwell” (Hebrew shākan) is the root of “Shekinah,” the visible manifestation of divine glory. From Tent to Temple • Tabernacle completed – Exodus 40:33-35: “Then Moses set up the courtyard… So Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” • Temple completed – 1 Kings 8:10-11: “When the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD... for the glory of the LORD had filled the house.” • Both structures follow Exodus 25:8: obedience → completion → God’s glory moves in. The completion is the catalyst, not a mere milestone. Why the Filling Matters 1. Vindication of the covenant (Exodus 29:45-46). 2. Confirmation of God’s holiness—only a prepared, consecrated space receives His glory (Leviticus 26:11-12). 3. Assurance of continual guidance; the same cloud that settled later led Israel (Numbers 9:15-23). 4. Celebration of rest—Solomon declares, “The LORD has said that He would dwell in a thick cloud” (1 Kings 8:12), marking the end of wandering. Pulled Forward in Redemptive History • The Word “tabernacled” among us – John 1:14. • Jesus identifies His body as the temple – John 2:19-21. • By His Spirit, believers become God’s dwelling – 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:22. • Ultimate fulfillment: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man” – Revelation 21:3, 22. Key Takeaways for Today • God finishes what He designs; our obedience positions us to experience His presence. • Worship flows from a completed work—first the erected sanctuary, now the finished work of Christ (Hebrews 9:11-12; 10:19-22). • Holiness remains essential; God still fills what He cleanses. • The promise of Exodus 25:8 drives the entire biblical narrative: God with us, now and forever. |
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