I will dwell among the children of Israel

Bible Reading: Exodus 28-29

Exodus 29:45-46 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. 46 And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the Lord their God.

All the worship surrounding the tabernacle was by God's instruction.  The ordination of the priests was done at his command.  Aaron and his sons had specific instructions on how they were to minister in the tabernacle.  All the sacrifices were prescribed.  All the furniture was built according to the pattern.  All the rites and rituals were God's idea.  

The whole point of the tabernacle was a visible reminder of the presence of God in the midst of Israel.  God was their God.  He is the only God, but the nations surrounding Israel worshipped many false gods.  

God wanted Israel to be distinct and to be a light so that his glory would shine through them upon the other nations of the world.  The special relationship God had with Israel had a purpose.  His people were a kingdom of priests to show who the one true God really is.  

This is God's purpose for the church in Christ.  When Jesus was carrying on his earthly ministry the Bible tells us:

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

When God is among us, we behold his glory.  This is God's purpose for his church.  

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

We have a God who not only dwells among us, but he lives in us.  He is changing us and we are being transformed.  He is in us so he can shine through us.  God wants others who don't know him to meet him through our witness.  We have an incredible privilege of walking with God every minute of every day.  Let's invite others to know Jesus!

In Christ,
Rody