After the Pattern

January 22–Exodus 25-27

“Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. . .See that you make them after the pattern for them which was shown to you on the mountain” (25:8,40).

Those who walk with God learn that He has a plan greater than we understand. Higher. More beautiful. “We see through a glass darkly,” said Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:12. Even the most faithful saint has only an elemental appreciation for all that God is doing. “I once was blind,” sings the familiar hymn. “In many ways, I still am,” says a needed second verse.

As Moses continued on the mountain with God, he (and the people) were given a new assignment. They were to raise a contribution and construct a sanctuary. (Hebrew, mik dawsh, “sacred place”).

God is always, in every moment, with us. Even so, He is most particularly and effectively with us in certain places, environments. There are sacred places. As we gather to Him in the places of His choosing, the eternal, infinite and invisible God promises to meet with us there. Is God only at the gathered church house? No, but He is most effectively there. “Where two or three are gathered together, there I will be” (Matthew 18:20).

This being so, Moses is carefully warned not to insert his own wisdom or creativity into the building of the sanctuary. “He was schooled in Egypt, but his wisdom was intellectual and earthly and would not work for him here” (F. B. Meyer). “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit, because they are Spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Moses is commanded to construct the tabernacle “after the pattern.”

Spiritual people are wise to heed this lesson. No pastor should lead the church of God without waiting on the Lord’s word or fully obeying it when it comes. The church needs a pattern. God’s pattern! No believer should be arrogant enough to believe that having received life by the Spirit, he can now accomplish the will of God without God’s wisdom. “If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,” says James 1:5.

Churches, Christians and nations are weak to the extent we forget this principle. God has a plan. It is beautiful and wise and deeper than we understand. As sons and soldiers in an invisible kingdom, our task and privilege is to do all things, “after the pattern.”

“The Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing” (John 5:19).

“His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever He tells you’ ” (John 2:5).