MONDAY March 13, 2023
A Dwelling Place
“Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built Him a house.”
Acts 7:44-47
Stephen referred to the time when the children of Israel had a meeting place––a tabernacle. This was a movable tent made to the exact instructions God gave to Moses. There were curtains, coverings, and all manner of workmanship in precious metals, jewels and wood carving (Exodus 26; Exodus 31:1-11).
God’s presence came upon the Tabernacle and Moses spoke with Him (Numbers 7:89). The Tabernacle had a court and an altar for burnt offering. When the children of Israel journeyed in the wilderness, and in the Promised Land, it was movable. The Tabernacle and priesthood was only a shadow of things to come––a picture of heaven where God dwells (Hebrews 8:1-6).
In his life-time, David wanted to build a magnificent, permanent Temple for God. During his years of warfare he had accumulated many riches for the project (1 Chronicles 29:1-5), but it would be Solomon, his son who would build God a Temple. There was a reason for this:
David said to Solomon: “My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house to the name of the LORD my God; but the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name...’ ” (1 Chronicles 22:6-8).
This magnificent Temple built in Jerusalem superseded the tabernacle in the wilderness as the dwelling-place of God. Interestingly, for those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior, Christ dwells within our hearts. We become the dwelling place of God.
He [God] who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
~Romans 8:11~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
