Bible Pathway - Jan. 31, 2012

Highlights:

Tabernacle completed and erected; furnishings arranged; consecration of Aaron and sons; glory of the Lord fills the Tabernacle.

On Mount Sinai, God instructed Moses: Make Me a Sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee . . . shall ye make it (Ex. 25:8-9). After nine months, the building of the Tabernacle was completed (39:32; comp. 19:1; 40:2). Moses did according to all that the LORD commanded him (40:16). This phrase emphasizes that Moses understood the supreme importance of obedience to the will of God (40:16-32). Moses' obedience was complete in every detail of making about 40 different items, including the tent, altars, vessels, Laver of Brass, garments, pins, sockets, loops, posts, and furniture (25:40; 26:30; 39:42-43). Nothing was left to either Moses' or the worshipers' opinions.

The first thing to be placed within the Tabernacle was the Ark of the Testimony which contained the Ten Commandments of God. The LORD spake unto Moses, saying, On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the Tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. And thou shalt put therein the Ark of the Testimony (Covenant, Commandments). . . . He took and put the Testimony (tables of the Law) into the Ark . . . And he brought the Ark into the Tabernacle . . . as the LORD commanded (40:1-3,20-21).

After the Tabernacle was constructed and the cloud of the Lord's Presence filled it, the cloud (40:34-35; compare 13:21) and the Tabernacle were inseparable throughout the rest of the Israelites' journeys. If the cloud lifted and moved forward, the people then followed, carrying the Tabernacle; if the cloud stopped, the people remained until it moved again (40:36-37). The Word of God and His Holy Spirit provide all of the wisdom, spiritual guidance, and strength necessary to live obediently and victoriously for Him. God has revealed: Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the Temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are (I Cor. 3:16-17; compare 6:18-19). God never rewards partial obedience. It is vital that we read all of His Word in order to understand all of what He has commanded.

Soon, the glorious presence of God will again be seen on earth, as the Apostle John revealed while imprisoned on the Island of Patmos when he wrote: I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven. . . . And I heard a great voice . . . saying, Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people (Rev. 21:2-3,22).

Thought for Today:

With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy Commandments (Ps. 119:10).

Christ Portrayed:

By Aaron as the high priest (Ex. 40:13). Christ being come an High Priest. . . . to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:7-24).

Word Studies:

40:3 cover the Ark, install the veil as a partition; 40:7 Laver, large basin or bowl used for washing the hands and feet; 40:8 hanging, curtains; 40:9 hallow, set apart, consecrate, dedicate; 40:10 sanctify, set apart for God; 40:11 his foot, its stand, base.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Dr. John A. Hash • Staff: Rick Hash • Government Officials: Rep. C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger (MD), Rep. Bill P. Huizenga (MI), and Rep. Larry Kissell (NC) • Country: Peru (26 million) on the western coast of South America • Major languages: Spanish and Quechua • Open to evangelism and Bible distribution • 90% Christian; 8% non-Religious/Other; 1.2% Traditional ethnic; .3% Buddhist; .09% Baha'i; .02% Jewish • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that Christians would be united as Christ and God are one (John 17:11,21).

Optional Reading: Mark 3

Memory Verse for the Week: John 3:18