Exodus 25  Moses spends 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai, alone with God. While he is there, he is shown amazing things.  One of those things is the pattern which he will use to make everything for the tabernacle.  He is shown the real, holy, heavenly tabernacle... he is to carefully construct an earthly copy, for the purpose of God's Presence among the people. 

Detailed instructions are given for the building, the furniture, the provisions, and the garments of the priests who will serve there.  Every part is consecrated, made holy and pure.  This is a set apart place - with a set apart use; attended by set apart servers .  God had already provided the materials for the tabernacle by having the Egyptians give the Hebrews items as they were leaving Egypt.  What they received, now they were asked to give, " Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution."  

God had blessed the Hebrews with abundance - gold, silver, and bronze; linen and goat hair material; oil and spices; precious stones:  everything that He would require from them - He had already provided for them!  But even with that, He asks only that they give what their heart moves them to give! This principle is true still - "Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under  compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything , you may have an abundance for every good deed" II Corinthians 9:7-8   God is the provider and He asks us to be ready to let those provision "overflow" to others.  II Corinthians 8:12 " For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he does not have."

The "readiness" is the moved heart - the giving according to what we have - is what God has already provided. Notice that God does not ask for 10% at this time.  He asks for generous giving from the heart. When we have given ourselves to the Lord, then we will have hearts that will overflow and we will give generously to the Lord, whatever He desires.  Whether it is gold or silver - offerings for the use of the Church; or gifts for those in need around us.  What God has provided, we can freely give.


The Ark of the Covenant, The Table of Shewbread, and the Golden Lampstands, are described in this section.
 The Ark is covered by a Mercy Seat and the purpose is " .. there I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel."

The Table's purpose was to hold "the bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times."
The Lampstands were used to shed light. 

Here in the heart of the tabernacle we find - the Word; The Bread; and the Light.  God gave Israel physical representations of heavenly realities.  And it all points to Jesus, the Living Word; the Bread of life; and the Light of the World. 

Heavenly Father, You are the Giver of Life.  You have given us the Word, the Bread, and the Light.  Thank You for sending Jesus to be our all in all.  In Him, we meet with You.  In Him, we are in Your Presence; in Him we have Light, the Kingdom of light where there is no more darkness.  Father, thank You for providing for us all that we need.  Our daily bread is from Your Hands, give us today all that we need.  May our hearts be generous and ready to give freely, overflowing for the needs of Your Church and for the needs of those around us.  Teach us Your ways, Your commands, and lead us, not into temptation, but deliver us from all evil. We pray this in the Name of Jesus, so that Your Name will be honored, Your Kingdom will be expanded, and that Your Will will be done.  Amen