May 11, 2025
Exodus 25 – 28
“Patterns from Heaven”
Service Overview: God doesn’t just rescue His people—He moves in with them. In Exodus 25–28, God gives Israel blueprints for worship that reflect His glory, holiness, and desire to dwell with His people. These ancient designs still speak today, pointing to Jesus, our perfect priest, and inviting us into a life of sacred presence.
Memory Verse for the Week:
John 15:4 – “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
Background & Technical Insights:
- With the ratification of the covenant at Mount Sinai (Exod. 19–24), everything is set for God to come and dwell among the Israelites. However, before this can be accomplished, a suitable residence must be constructed. Of necessity, it must be portable, for the Israelites will journey away from Mount Sinai into the land of Canaan. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 250)
- In common English usage a sanctuary is a place to run to for safety. This is not what the word means in the Old Testament. Rooted in the verb qādēš (‘to be holy’), the noun means ‘a place where holiness is’, and it specifies the tabernacle as the place where the Lord in his holiness, in the full reality of the glory of his holy nature, would come to settle among his people. (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 244)
- Israel is, in one sense, a nation on the way home—to the land God has promised to give them and be present with them in. But they are not there yet—and when they get there, they will discover that the land is only a glimmer of and pointer to their true, eternal home. The dislocation and rootlessness will continue, to a greater or lesser extent; and it is to address this that God provides the plan for the tabernacle (or tent) that Israel is to build “exactly like the pattern I will show you” (Exodus 25:9). (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 186)
- All the furnishings in the tabernacle point to its function as a residence. The plentiful use of gold emphasizes the importance of the resident. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 254)
- The loaves are called “showbread” (Ex. 25:30 NKJV) or “Presence bread” (NIV), literally “bread of faces.” The presence of twelve loaves of bread in the Holy Place couldn’t help but remind the priests that they were serving the twelve tribes of Israel, God’s chosen people. Through these loaves, the twelve tribes were presented before God and God was present with them in their camp, beholding their worship and their daily walk. (Warren Wiersbe, Exodus, 160)
- The lid or cover on the ark is called the kapporet. The word is used only of this object and is a noun derived from the verb kipper, which is usually translated “to make atonement.” Hence the NIV translation, “atonement cover.” (Christopher J.H. Wright, The Story of God Bible Commentary: Exodus, 480)
What is so important to see in these instructions and what do they reveal about the God who gave them?
- How God is a god who desires to dwell among his people.
(Ex. 25:8, 22, 30; 28:1, 4; Lev. 26:11–12; Ez. 37:27; Zec. 2:10–11; John 1:14; 14:23)
The tabernacle is also necessary if the Lord is to dwell among his people . . . the Lord’s holiness was a cause of potential danger for Israel. . . . The tabernacle, with its carefully guarded boundaries, provided a place where the Lord could dwell in Israel’s midst, and yet still remain distinct.2 (W. Ross Blackburn, The God Who Makes Himself Known, 147)
The Israelites were living in tents at the time (16:16), and for the Lord to command the pitching of his tent (ʾōhel), therefore, symbolized his coming alongside, his identification with them and with their circumstances. (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 244)
- How God desires willful and generous participation in creating and maintaining his dwelling.
(Ex. 25:2-7; 26:1, 31, 36, 27:16, 20, 28:3, 6, 15; Luke 6:38; 2 Cor 9:6-8; Heb. 13:16)
The resources given to make the tabernacle were not their own resources. They were formerly the Egyptians’ materials. Remember, before the Israelites left Egypt, God promised they would not leave empty-handed (3:21-22). God kept His promise and sent the Israelites out of Egypt with great wealth (12:36). God provided these goods. Now the people were to return to Him a portion of what had been given to them. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 167)
- How this dwelling specifically reflects a heavenly reality.
(Ex. 25:9–22, 40; 26:30; 27:8; Is. 6:1-6; Col. 2:17; Heb. 8:5; Rev. 5:6, 8; 8:3; 11:19; 21:23)
According to verse 9, Moses sees either a construction plan or, perhaps more likely, the heavenly temple that is the basis on which the tabernacle is patterned (cf. Exod. 25:40; 26:30; 27:8). The tabernacle is a “copy and shadow of what is in heaven” (Heb. 8:5). (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 252)
- How the pattern’s intent is to point to a Person.
(Ex. 28:1, 3, 4, 12, 29, 41; Is. 53:12; Rom. 8:34; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:14-16; 5:4-6; 7–9; 9:11-12, 24; Rev. 1:13-14)
Ultimately, the tabernacle points us to someone, to the true presence of God dwelling with us: Christ. How can a holy God dwell among sinful people? How can sinful man enter the holy place? The tabernacle has shown us the furniture and the process for bringing sinners and the Holy One together. All of this points us to Christ, the greater and truer tabernacle. John said that Jesus “took up residence” or “tabernacled” among us (John 1:14). (Tony Merida, Exodus, 174)
Conclusion… How should we respond to these heavenly patterns?
- Live like you’re His dwelling place.
(John 14:23; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 2:21-22; 1 Peter 2:5)
To be filled with the Spirit is to be controlled by the Spirit – intellect, emotions, will, and body. All become available to Him for achieving the purposes of God. (Ted Engstrom, The Making of a Christian Leader, 204)
Having the Lord dwelling in the camp was a great privilege for the nation of Israel (Rom. 9:4–5), for no other nation had the living God in their midst. But the privilege brought with it a great responsibility, for it meant that the camp of Israel had to be a holy place where the holy God could dwell. (Wiersbe, Exodus, 154)
- Give like you’re part of His plan.
(Mat. 6:19-21; Luke 6:38; Acts 4:34-35; 2 Cor. 9:7; Phil. 4:17-18; Heb. 13:16)
You can’t take it with you – but you can send it on ahead. (Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle, 17)
Generosity is one of the vital signs of real Christianity, and a Christian who isn’t giving probably isn’t growing. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 801)
You will always spend your money on what is most important to you… If your giving to the church of Jesus Christ is poor, it is a clear sign that you’re not excited about the things that God takes delight in. And, if you truly do take delight in the growth and success of Christ’s church, put your money where your heart is. (Rod Rogers, Pastor Driven Stewardship, 205)
- Rest like you’re held by your High Priest.
(Isaiah 53:12; John 17:9; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-16; 7:25; 8:1-2; 1 John 2:1)
In a way completely incomprehensible to the human mind, Jesus Christ not only became the God-man in the incarnation but also will forever continue to be that. As High Priest, He continually intercedes for all those He saves. Because a priest must represent both God and men, He could not have been believers’ High Priest apart from His deigning to become a man. If He had never been touched with the feelings of their infirmities, including being tempted in every way as they are, He could not have fully identified with them and thereby been able to encourage, strengthen, and encourage them in their temptations. (John MacArthur, Philippians, 142)
Don’t allow your feelings to shout louder than God’s “Welcome home” message. The whole tabernacle was designed to reassure you of this. (Chester, Exodus, 197)
There are limitations on interacting with God. For the people, they needed the high priest. For us, we have the great high priest who works on our behalf and enables us to approach the throne of grace with confidence (Heb 4:16). (Merida, Exodus, 174)
Gospel Connection…
Jesus is Emmanuel—God with us—the fulfillment of God’s desire to dwell not just with us, but in us.
(John 1:14; 14:23; 2 Cor. 6:16; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 3:17; Col. 1:27; 1 John 4:13)
The tabernacle sums up the whole divine purpose in redemption: he brought Israel out of Egypt ‘so that I might dwell among them’ (29:46). The consummation of the work of redemption is the Lord’s dwelling among his people – a truth brought to its intended fulfilment in Christ. (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 245)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- What does it say about God’s character that He gives such detailed instructions for a dwelling place among His people?
- How do we sometimes settle for God being “around” us rather than truly dwelling in us? What does it look like to live as His dwelling place?
- Why do you think God asked the people to bring a freewill offering for the tabernacle instead of simply providing everything Himself?
- What are some ways we can generously give our time, talents, and resources toward building God’s kingdom today?
- How does seeing the tabernacle as a shadow of Jesus affect the way you read the Old Testament?
- Why is it important to remember that Jesus is not just a priest of the past, but our present High Priest who intercedes for us?
Quotes to note…
Hebrews sees the tabernacle as not only looking forward but also as looking up. It was a copy of the throne room of God. We are now seeing how God will make a way for us into that throne room. All of this is showing us the gospel. God wants a relationship with His people, but we are all sinners. None of us can come into the presence of God on our own. We cannot make it back to Eden on our own. But God provided a way to have access back to Him by blood, through a sacrifice offered by a high priest. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 172)
Not only did God create the materials that the people brought to Him (Isa. 66:1–2), but He also worked in their hearts so that they were willing to give generously (see 2 Cor. 8:1–5, 12). In fact, the people brought so much that Moses had to tell them to stop (Ex. 36:6–7)! (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 157)
Jesus is the way because Jesus is the sacrifice. He is the sacrifice to end all sacrifices. He is the sacrifice to which all the thousands of sacrifices that had been offered on the altar pointed. When he died on the cross, he took our sins and bore the punishment we deserve. Jesus prepared a place in God’s home by dying in our place. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 195)
What the tabernacle symbolically stood for—the meeting place of heaven and earth—now becomes literally and physically real. Jesus is the “place” where heaven and earth truly meet, where God and humanity became one. He thus became the place where the invisible God made himself known (v. 18), where we, says John, “have seen his glory” (v. 14)—the very essence and heartbeat of the tabernacle’s significance. (Christopher J.H. Wright, The Story of God Bible Commentary: Exodus, 504)
Everything we have belongs to him already, and he would be well within his rights to take it back. Instead, God allows us to offer it to him as an act of worship. It’s like a father who gives his children money to buy him a birthday present. When he opens the gift, he is getting back his own. But the giving of the gift is significant for their relationship. It’s not about the money or where it came from — it’s about the affection that the children have for their father. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 802)
The only building ever constructed upon this earth which was perfect from its very beginning and outset in every detail, and never again needed attention, addition or alteration, was the tabernacle in the wilderness. The blueprint, the pattern and the plan, the design, and all of its specifications, were minutely made in heaven, committed unto Moses for the children of Israel, while he was in the mountain, shortly after their deliverance from Egypt. Every single detail was designed by Almighty God, every part had a prophetic, redemptive, and typical significance. There is no portion of Scripture richer in meaning, more perfect in its teaching of the plan of redemption, than this divinely designed building. God Himself was the architect, and every detail points to some aspect of the character and work of the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, and, in its complete form, it is probably the most comprehensive, detailed revelation of Jesus the Son of God, and the plan of salvation in the entire Old Testament. (M. R. DeHaan, The Tabernacle, 13)