Exodus 26-27  These chapters give the exact details for the building of the tabernacle and the tent surrounding it. Everything needed to be made exactly as the pattern that Moses was shown on the mountain. 

I'm not a builder or architect, so it is hard for me to envision this tabernacle just from reading these directions. But..  I am so impressed with it all!  It must have been so beautiful with all the gold and the curtains and the furnishings.. Yet it was also so practical.. the coverings to keep it warm and dry in rainy weather or cool and shady in the heat.  It was made to take apart and be carried as they traveled. It would have been become fairly easy to move it and put it back up again at the next stopping place. 

What is also interesting is that every resource was provided as God gave this assignment to Moses and the people.. including the workmen to do it.  The men of Israel had been making bricks and building Egyptian buildings for years.. they had a great deal of knowledge about building, but this would take a whole different set of skills.. carpentry.. metal work.. weaving.. etc. And God gave them the abilities to do what He required. 

This "tent of meeting" was going to be vital to Israel because this would be where they would draw close to their God. The priests  would go into the tabernacle every single day and night. The people would bring their gifts and offerings here on a regular basis.  It had to be functional. It had to be moveable.. and it had to be kept holy.  And, beyond that.. God made it beautiful so He could fill it with Himself . 

This makes me think about what the Word says about us .. our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit. God has a plan that is perfect.. in beauty and in purpose.. for each of His children.  He provides the resources to  build us into the Image that is above.. the Image of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He has used things in our lives to shape us and then He chooses to use us to draw others closer to Himself. 

Father, fill us with Your holy presence!  Come O come and fill us now. Amen