A PORTABLE GOD

Back in 1976 I was writing my second quarterly for the Baptist Sunday School Board, now Lifeway, and the first, I think, in a new curriculum called the Bible Book Series. I came to the lesson about God's command to build the Tabernacle and found plenty of commentary discussions and information. Two lessons later, the last in the book, was a discussion of how they built the Tabernacle. When I turned back to the commentaries, every corron-picking one referred me back to their previous discussion under God's command! I probably learned a few cuss words at the time. (Forgotten them now, of course.)

One overwhelming truth comes forth: They obeyed God exactly! Exactly!

Every father reading this who had a child over ten has put together a swing set – once! We ordered one from Sears and the delibery man unloaded it in my driveway. It was one box, 8-10 feet long, and about four by eight at the end. “That's it?” I asked. “That's it. Sign here.” I signed. I then found aall the parts were cleverly packed in that one box and proceeded to assemble it. Being male, I only occasionally looked at the instructions, but did amazingly well until...until I was almost through and found I did not have the particular bolt that would fit in that place. I took the instructions and went to get something to drink and to rest a bit. I found they did indeed include the bolt, but I had used it in another place earlier. I had to take apart half of what I had done to retrieve the part the set required. Eventually, I got it put up but vowed never again. And by the way, whenever I have told that tale, every father in the room gets this silly look on his face and bobs his head up and down. We've also maliciously received satisfaction as our sons have followed with the same experience.

Israel did not have that problem. They followed God's commands exactly. Could some of our problems come from...?

Some miscellaneous thoughts about the Tabernacle:

1 – They took up a free-will offering from those who were willing. The offering consisted of materials needed to build the Tabernacle. Today's lesson in the quarterly comes out of chapter 25, but it's repeated again around 35. In between is the golden calf episode. I can't help but wonder whether they robbed the Tabernacle offering to build the calf? What gift has God asked of you that you failed to deliver because you spent it on another of your gods?

Note that the offering was not a levy, but was free-will. They were to give as an act of worship. Likewise, no amount would be specified, therefore they gave as they were able. Why do we honor those who give large gifts? Jesus particularly pointed out the woman who dropped only a penny in the collection box.

2 – The Tabernacle was portable. It had to last through 40 years in the wilderness. Wherever Israel went, the Tabernacle went. Its presence reminded them that God was with them and leading them. Many in that day thought of gods as ruling over particular territories. Later, when Israel was established in the Promised Land, if a drought came, they would sometimes worship the Baals of the Canaanites, thinking perhaps that was the rain god. But the Lord Yahweh was the God of the whole earth. Wherever they went, and wherever we go, He is there.

3 – The Tabernacle shows that God intends to be the center of our lives. Whenever and wherever Israel encamped, they first set up the Tabernacle in the center of the camp. Then all the tribes set up around it in the same designated place. Their camp always looked the same. I suspect thaat gave a sense of security, since you could always know where to find your friends and relations. You can often see pictures of small towns with a white frame church and a steeple pointing to the sky. For many in that town, the church was central to their life. How central is Christ in your life?

The Ark of the Covenant

Don't confuse with Noah. This ark was the size of a modern day cedar chest, gold-plated with rings danglin from the sides through which poles could be inserted for priests to carry the ark in their travels. The ark was the center of the Tabernacle (metaphorically, not physically). God would speak to Moses and Aaron from between two cherubim on the cover of the ark. In the ark would be placed samples of manna and Aaron's rod which had miraculously flowered.

To other features of the ark need to be discussed. First, cherubim were not baby angels as portrayed by medieval artists. (Incidentally, the angels that show up in the Bible don't look like those pictures either. When described, they always look like men.) Cherubim were beasts like the four portrayed along with the wheels in Ezekiel. The cherub was an animal/human mixture. The Sphinx is a form of cherub. My guess is that they were winged bulls with men's heads. I saw a huge version of one in Chicago's Oriental Museum that had stood beside the gates of Babylon. I suspect that's a replica, but a good one.

King James uses the term “Mercy Seat” to describe the cover of the ark. Years ago the term bugged me. Apparently the term was invented in the 4^th century AD by a monk – I'm not sure why. I looked up the Hebrew word used here. It is “cabod,” which should be translated cover or lid. It was a gold covered lid with two cherubim on it, but it was still a lid, a cover.

Incidentally, the same word got to be translated as “atonement” later in the OT. In the Greek translation of the word “cabod” the scribes used the word “hilasmos.” also translated “atonement.” It's an interesting NT study to substitute the word “cover or covering” for atonement. You'll find it works in many places. One particular place is 1 John 2:1, where KJV uses “propitiation” and nowadays almost always “atonement.” The latter is better, IMHO, that propitiation, but I still wonder whether John was thinking, “He is the covering for our sins...”

I can't help but note God named his sub-contractors! He knew their names and the quality of their work. Besalil, son of Uri, son of Hur, plus Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. The Lord even knew their lineage! Further, He has equipped them with special wisdom and technical wisdom to carry out the Lord's command.

I find it easy to believe also that God led Moses and his subs to choose the laborers to put together the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant. One of the most important concepts in the Christian life is discovering, developing, and utilizing the gifts God has given each of us. Key passages to follow up here are Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and I believe 1 Peter 2.

By giving of their personal jewelry and other materials, all Israel had a part in the building. Thus when you contribute to a building fund, you can later point ot it and say you had a very real part in its construction.