Exodus 25 Devotional

God Chooses to Live Near

“And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.”Exodus 25:8 (BSB)

Once the covenant is sealed, God's first instructions to Moses are not more laws but plans for a house. He asks for an offering from everyone whose heart moves them to give, so that they can build him a sanctuary and he can live among them (25:2, 8). The God whose presence shook Sinai wants to live in the middle of the camp.

The plans begin at the center, with the ark. Over its cover, the mercy seat, two golden cherubim spread their wings, and there, God says, he will meet with Moses and speak with him (25:20-22). Everything is to follow the pattern God shows (25:9, 40). Israel is not designing a way to bring God down to them. God is designing a way to come near. John says the eternal Word took on flesh and lived among us, and his glory was seen (John 1:14). The God who wanted to live among Israel has come closer still, and he still means to be near his people.

To think about: How does it change your view of God to know that he wants to be near his people, not only obeyed by them?