Listen up, little ones
Listen for the words tabernacle and sanctuary.
Reading
Exodus 25:1–9—God Dwells with His People
Optional Reading
Heb 9:1-14
Keys for kids
- God told His people to build a sanctuary for Him.
- This is where He would live with them.
- Jesus is the fulfillment of the earthly sanctuary.
Questions
- What was God's purpose in the sanctuary?
- Why does the Lord desire to dwell closely with His people?
- How does Jesus fulfill the tabernacle?
Notes
(See Saturday for authors.)
The CSB notes that for the Israelites to make a sanctuary for the Lord to dwell in continues the theme of his presence with his people and his goal in bringing them out of Egypt—to make himself known as their God, and to give them a unique identity as his people (6:6–7; 19:4–6; 29:43–46). The word translated “dwell” is rendered “settled” in the statement that “the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai” in 24:16. … It is also connected by sound and concept with the Greek verb in Jn 1:14 that is translated “took up residence.”
Notice that this close dwelling is the Lord’s intention. He has desired it because He has desired it. It is all of grace. In response to God’s grace, His people are willing volunteers! Lange notes that as the real temple of God must consist in believing hearts which offer themselves and build themselves into a temple of the Spirit of God, so the typical sanctuary must be built of voluntary offerings of the people of God.
This sanctuary pointed to Christ. He would do everything exactly as God had commanded. He would enter the heavenly Most Holy Place once for all, by His own blood. And, if you dwell in Christ—the true tabernacle—by faith, then He has obtained for you eternal redemption! (Heb 9:12)
Swedish Method questions
Praise
Psalm 110b, 51a
Prayer
- Rejoice that Jesus lives with His people.
- Pray for a specific application from yesterday’s sermons.
- Pray for a member of our church, for your family, and for a non-Christian friend/family member.