Instructions for the Tabernacle

“Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them. The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall be the same size. Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another. And you shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set. Likewise you shall make loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set. Fifty loops you shall make on the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain that is in the second set; the loops shall be opposite one another. And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains one to the other with the clasps, so that the tabernacle may be a single whole. (Exodus 26:1-6 ESV). In our reading today, we are told how God gave His instructions to the Israelites concerning the construction of the Tabernacle. If you continue reading in this chapter you will find other instructions as to the clothing for the priests. He gave specific commands for this endeavor. God spared no beauty, time or workmanship on His special dwelling place. He called for the finest linen, decorated with color and embroidered with cherubim. A great amount of gold and silver would enhance the beauty of the construction, and gemstones would be set in the priests' vest. The garments for the priest were called to be "made beautifully, which would lend dignity to the priests' work." God then told how He equipped the craftsmen, and "filled them with the Spirit of God" and gave them special skills to do the job at hand. Today, our bodies are the temple of God. He spared no beauty, time or workmanship on His special dwelling place. We have been made in His image, and I believe He wants us to shine for Him, inside and out! The instructions regarding outer clothing are easy. They should adhere to standards that conform with those of the priests' of long ago. This does not mean that we cannot wear casual clothing, but that we should wear clothing that does not interfere with the task of representing Christ to others. Wearing gold, silver, or jewelry with gemstones does not deter from our mission of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. He has equipped us, just as He did those early craftsmen with the power of the Holy Spirit and special gifts and skills to use for Him. I am so glad to be reminded that our God enjoys things of beauty from a spectrum of color to embroidery, to jewels. However, we ought to also pay attention to how we are clothed inside. This is the clothing of character. Truth and integrity are the easiest characteristics to notice. And, yet they seem to be some of the hardest to develop. There are other beautiful jewels to use in the development of our inner clothing. These are things like loyalty, love, and understanding. Others accompany these, like patience and kindness. What does your tabernacle look like?