Exodus 26
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Exodus 26:31-35, “Make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker. Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia (a-caa-sha) wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases. Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Put the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place. Place the table outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lampstand opposite it on the south side..."
I'm not a detail-oriented person so the details in this chapter make my head spin a bit. There were layers upon layers of curtains, inner curtains and outer curtains, and covering layers. The purpose of these curtains and covering layers were mainly functional but their beauty, exquisiteness, and the precision with which Scripture details them certainly underscores the importance of this place. This was where the holy, loving, and protective presence of God was "housed." While God's presence was invisible, the extraordinary symbols in this place were a reminder to the people that God was there.
Towards the end of the chapter, there are details about the curtain that would separate the holy place from the most holy place, some translations say "holiest of holies." In this place, the ark of the covenant would be positioned, representing the presence of God himself. The ark was definitely a beautiful object, with much silver and gold. The interesting thing to me is that this was an object that the Israelites, even the Levites, never laid eyes on. God put all kinds of protective elements in place (i.e. the curtains in today's Scripture and layers upon layers of protective fabric) to ensure that no one saw the ark. Why was this? It's possible that the ark, in its beauty, and the objects within it, could have become an idol to the people. Just as we are, they were prone to making idols of things. It could also be that God wanted people to believe in him because of faith and not some extravagant object.
This got me thinking. Are there certain elements in our worship that remind us of God's presence? As products of the New Covenant, we recognize that God's presence is always with us. We don't have to be in a church sanctuary or a special holy place to experience God. On the other hand, there are certain places in our lives that seem to allow us to experience God in more powerful ways than others. I've had many people mention to me that when they arrived in the New Hope sanctuary after worshiping online only due to COVID for months to a year, they felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in a really strong way. Some were moved to weeping. What about you? Are there places that help you experience the presence of God in life-changing ways? I would love to hear about them. God is so good, to meet us in all kinds of different places and circumstances, to hear our cries, and to simply be present with us.
Let's pray...God, thank you for being present with us. Just as you were present with the Israelites so many years ago, you dwell with us now too! How amazing that is! Make your presence known among us right now, transform our hearts and minds so we walk closer to you. We love you. In the name of Jesus, Amen.