Towards a More Permanent Dwelling Place
Numbers 4:25–26, 31–32
"They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, that is, the tent of meeting, its covering and its outer covering of durable leather, the curtains for the entrance to the tent of meeting, the curtains of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard, the ropes and all the equipment used in the service of the tent. The Gershonites are to do all that needs to be done with these things… As part of all their [the Merarites] service at the tent, they are to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases, as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes, all their equipment and everything related to their use. Assign to each man the specific things he is to carry."
Yesterday and today with Living Life devotional, we see the specific tasks assigned to the Kohathite, Gershonite, and Merarite clans of Levites. The tent of meeting or the tabernacle was a moving temple that required setting up and packing up as the Israelites wander around in the wilderness. The word 'tabernacle' means 'dwelling place.' The tabernacle was a temporary home for the Ark of the Covenant and other holy items for use in the worship of and sacrifice to God. The significance of the tent of meeting or the tabernacle is carried over into the New Testament. The apostles used the analogy to describe our earthly frame in contrast with the heavenly body of Christ, the Church, the new tabernacle and the ultimate resurrection of believers. Similar to the Israelites we wander about in this world as we transition into a more permanent dwelling in God, a heavenly city. "The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming-not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship… Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for Me…" (Heb 10:1, 5) Like the Israelites we are still on our way to holiness, we are not expected to be perfect in our thoughts and actions, but someone Who lives in us is. When we accepted a relationship with Christ we started the process of sanctification —a continual upward spiral of holiness and closeness to God, as the Holy Spirit performs His work within us. "But [Christ offers more than that], when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God… because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." (Heb 10:12, 14) let us stand on this wonderful image of grace as we walk with God towards perfect holiness in a more permanent dwelling place, but for now, we are in peace and we find joy at home with Christ in us.
"They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, that is, the tent of meeting, its covering and its outer covering of durable leather, the curtains for the entrance to the tent of meeting, the curtains of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard, the ropes and all the equipment used in the service of the tent. The Gershonites are to do all that needs to be done with these things… As part of all their [the Merarites] service at the tent, they are to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases, as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes, all their equipment and everything related to their use. Assign to each man the specific things he is to carry."
Yesterday and today with Living Life devotional, we see the specific tasks assigned to the Kohathite, Gershonite, and Merarite clans of Levites. The tent of meeting or the tabernacle was a moving temple that required setting up and packing up as the Israelites wander around in the wilderness. The word 'tabernacle' means 'dwelling place.' The tabernacle was a temporary home for the Ark of the Covenant and other holy items for use in the worship of and sacrifice to God. The significance of the tent of meeting or the tabernacle is carried over into the New Testament. The apostles used the analogy to describe our earthly frame in contrast with the heavenly body of Christ, the Church, the new tabernacle and the ultimate resurrection of believers. Similar to the Israelites we wander about in this world as we transition into a more permanent dwelling in God, a heavenly city. "The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming-not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship… Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for Me…" (Heb 10:1, 5) Like the Israelites we are still on our way to holiness, we are not expected to be perfect in our thoughts and actions, but someone Who lives in us is. When we accepted a relationship with Christ we started the process of sanctification —a continual upward spiral of holiness and closeness to God, as the Holy Spirit performs His work within us. "But [Christ offers more than that], when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God… because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." (Heb 10:12, 14) let us stand on this wonderful image of grace as we walk with God towards perfect holiness in a more permanent dwelling place, but for now, we are in peace and we find joy at home with Christ in us.
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