Build the Sanctuary Within

Exodus 29:42-46, 31:1-5

Modern people worship the idols of 'achievement' and 'recognition', leaving their souls utterly exhausted. We constantly strive to prove our worth through 'Doing'.

However, our text today in Exodus chapters 29 to 31 tells a completely different story. Before God commands, "Do this for me," He first declares, "I will dwell among you."

The core of the process by which the Israelites—former slaves—became God's people lies not in our human effort, but in God's 'Incarnation' (His coming down to us). Today, within this text, we discover three truths regarding our true identity.

1. This signifies absolute 'Sanctification' (being set apart).

Look closely at the ordination of the priests in Chapter 29. A shocking and visceral scene unfolds. The blood of a ram is taken and put on the tip of Aaron’s right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot (Exodus 29:20).

·       The blood-stained ear means listening only to God's voice, not the noise of the world.

·       The blood-stained hand means stopping actions driven by my own ambition and performing the will of God.

·       The blood-stained foot means leaving the seat of sin to stand in a holy place.

Without blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. In other words, "If we do not die to sin, we cannot live to God."

The blood of Jesus Christ must be upon our intellect, our business, and our families. The only ground upon which we can stand before God is not our own 'morality', but solely the 'Blood' of Jesus, the Lamb of God.

Sin is like an invisible virus. In Chapter 30, a priest who entered the sanctuary without washing his hands at the bronze laver faced death. The holy habit of washing away our sins daily before the laver of the Word is what keeps us alive and forms our spirituality.

2. The Second is the Spirit’s Wisdom and His Rule in the World.

How, then, should those cleansed by blood live? Do we retreat into the mountains? No. Look at Chapter 31. God calls 'Bezalel' by name to build the Tabernacle. And He fills him with 'the Spirit of God (Ruach Elohim)' (Exodus 31:3).

Interestingly, the first specific mention in Scripture of being filled with the Spirit was not regarding a priest, but a 'Craftsman'.

The work of the Spirit is not limited to tongues and healing. We must work in our workplaces with the fullness of the Spirit. Your workplace is not a place where the sacred and the secular are divided.

God gave Bezalel 'wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and all kinds of skills'. Whether you are teaching, cooking, or raising children, when the Spirit of God rests upon that scene, it becomes a 'Holy Ministry'.

"God desires to be supremely glorified through the work you do!" Do not do it half-heartedly. Seek the wisdom of the Spirit and reveal God's glory to the world through excellence.

3. The Third is the Aesthetic of Stopping: The Sabbath.

At the end of Chapter 31, God gives a seemingly paradoxical command: "You must keep my Sabbaths" (Exodus 31:13).

They are in the middle of building the Tabernacle. It is the most holy and urgent task of building God's house. Yet, God says, "Stop."

The Sabbath is the time to declare, "I am not God." We fear that if we lay down our tools, the world will collapse, but it does not. God sustains it. Even the holiest ministry cannot take precedence over God Himself. In a modern society addicted to work, the Sabbath is the most powerful resistance and a confession of faith.

"Those who honour me I will honour" (1 Samuel 2:30).

When we acknowledge God and honour Him, He honours us in return.

Beloved congregation,

Exodus chapters 29 to 31 are not merely architectural blueprints. They are the blueprints for your life.

1.    Repent (Gospel): Abandon the arrogance of trying to be righteous by your own strength, and apply the blood of Jesus Christ to your ears, hands, and feet.

2.    Seek (Spirit): Do not rely on your own experience, but seek the creative wisdom of the Spirit that came upon Bezalel as you go forth to your workplace.

3.    Stop (Sabbath): Reject the world's lie that busyness is power, and enjoy true rest in God.

God desires not to dwell in a Building, but in your very Being. I pray in the name of the Lord that today, your life may become a holy sanctuary where God dwells.