Exodus 36

“And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the LORD has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the LORD has commanded.”

THE CRAFTSMAN

God is calling men and women today to build a spiritual house. As he commanded Moses in the wilderness to build a Tabernacle of Meeting he is calling those who believe in the name of Jesus to erect a spiritual house. This house or temple is not one made of physical building materials as it was in Exodus. This temple is built within us and seen by all who look at our life,

1 Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ).

We will now take a look into the building of the Tabernacle found in Exodus 31-40, I would like for us to do a simple exercise to make this personal. Turning to Exodus 31:1-5, looking at verse one. Write that scripture out on a piece of paper and replace the names given for the craftsmen with our own.

1Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2“See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.

By no means are we changing the word of God but just making this story personal and taking seriously what God is calling our lives to be!

At this time Israel is on their way out of Egypt and on their journey to the promised land. God does something amazing, he chooses to have them create a place where his presence will dwell, The Tabernacle of Meeting. He calls Craftsman for the building of the Tabernacle. Construction begins in chapter 36.

God is calling you to build a spiritual house with your life

I want to focus on two parts of the constriction of the tabernacle.

1. The building of the Tabernacle of Meeting.

2. The construction of the arc of the testimony

The Tabernacle of Meeting

The Tabernacle was placed in the center of Israel's camp and represented the presence of God in his people. As you read through chapter 36 pay attention to the detail that the craftsmen put in the building.

The craftsmen worked diligently to create a place for God's presence.

When Jesus was resurrected our hearts became the Tabernacle.

Just as the craftsmen worked hard to create a place worthy of God's presence, we must continually inspect our hearts and ensure it is ready for God's presence. Some ways we do this are

1. Starting our day with God in his word

2. Making time for worship in our homes.

3. Being involved the Church

God is calling you to live a life that points toward his presence.

When people look at your life they should be reminded of God!

1 peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

the Arc of Testimony.

Testimony- evidence in support of a fact or statement; proof.

Exodus 37:1 Then Bezalel made the ark of the testimony out of Acacia wood. Acacia trees are an evergreen tree.

In botany, an evergreen is a plant which has foliage that remains green and functional through more than one growing season. This also pertains to plants that retain their foliage only in warm climates, and contrasts with deciduous plants, which completely lose their foliage during the winter or dry season.

The acacia tree continues through multiple seasons where others can't!

In ancient Israel the acacia tree was a symbol of everlasting life!

Your Ark of testimony is your life unto God! It should represent the living God. You are a walking testimony of the Gospel. To say that we believe is to say I testify to what the word says about salvation.

Exodus 37:2-5 2He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold all around it. 3And he cast for it four rings of gold to be set in its four corners: two rings on one side, and two rings on the other side of it. 4He made poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold. 5And he put the poles into the rings at the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.

Gold represents spiritual purity.

Gold can be refined to perfection. The Bible uses examples of gold purification many times. We are to be continually refined by the presence of God.

The Craftsman wrapped the testimony with pure gold and then made pillars of Acacia wood (forever standing) and wrapped them with pure gold.

Your testimony should be wrapped in spiritual growth.

We should be continually refining where we are with God.

Then he placed the ark of testimony on the pillars representing and everlasting stance. Our Ark should be an everlasting stance that says I stand with God!

Our spiritual ark of testimony is our bodies (our way of life). Someone should be able to look at your life and be impacted from heaven. Give the Gospel to the world.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

As we go about our lives tomorrow remember these words.

Put the change on show!

Matt 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.