As I finished reading Exodus today, my concluding thought was how significant the tabernacle is in the second half of the book (chapters 25-31, 35-40). Just as I noted before how Paul almost hijacks the book of Acts, you could say the tabernacle almost hijacks the book of Exodus. I am reminded from this of (1) the importance of the book of Hebrews, which sheds light on the tabernacle like no other biblical book (e.g., 9:1-14, 23), and (2) how massive the theme of God dwelling among his people is across the canon:
Exodus: 29:45-46: “Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them.”
Ezekiel 37:27-28: “My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.”
John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
I Corinthians 3:16: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
Revelation 21:3: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.'”
3 Responses
Knowing the OT better, just brings the NT in High Def doesn’t it?
If LaPlata would let me, I would preach 3/4 of the year from the OT and the other 1/4 from the NT.
I know, I know… I’m a strange guy who loves reading OT theology, which reminds me, I want your Dad’s book in the NSBT series.
I loved your Seminary proposal a few posts back.
By the way, you’re posts are long.
I’m gonna have to ask you to bring them down to 22 words or less. I’m a consumer Gavin. Sell it to me.
(I should probably go back and read Leeman’s book and be rebuked.)
Correction and typing error
By the way YOUR (not you’re) posts are long.
22 words!?!? Let’s bring Leeman in to judge this one…
PS – let me know what you think of my dad’s book.