摩西記錄上帝對以色列人的教導長達四十天之久，教導包括會幕的建造及敬拜的方式。這個藍圖裡有陳設、幔子、罩棚及會幕的外院，無一不是「照著在山上指示你的樣，立起帳幕」（26：30）通篇的描述是由內而外，反映出不是按照人類只看外表的習慣，而是採取上帝由外而內的觀點──上帝渴望住在祂的百姓之中。

        如果你瀏覽一遍今天的經文，會以為是一連串冗長瑣碎的細節，你覺得自己簡直給皂莢木、燈台還有羊皮弄迷糊了！但千萬別省略這段經文，因為這些是建造聖殿的指示，每一個細節都有它重要的意義。這是一個美麗的殿，其中一個原因是：每一位前來敬拜的人，都要來讚美上帝的莊嚴與聖潔。
        多年以後的大衛這樣宣告：「要將耶和華的名所當得的榮耀歸給祂；以聖潔的妝飾敬拜耶和華。」（詩29：2）大衛也完全了解，上帝配得一幢特別的殿宇來彰顯祂的偉大。
        今天這些美麗的建築並不存在，所以你不禁要問：上帝現在住在那裡？祂住在相信祂的人的心裡（林前6：19，20）。現在你就是上帝的會幕，這意味你需要為自己有此「掃除」，是一個需要改變的習慣，或是生活中需要注意的某一點？用幾分鐘打掃一下你這個「會幕」，然後在你的行事曆上任選一天，寫上：「最近清掃了沒有？」

更多的木頭和布料
        會幕告訴我們有關它的預表者基督耶穌的各樣事工，下面列出部分的預表，你能想到其他的嗎？
        會幕──耶穌
        陳設餅──「我是生命的糧。」
        金燈臺──「我是世界的光。」
        大祭司，一年一次──基督，一次永遠獻上

上帝有兩個居所；一個天上；一個是溫柔、感恩的心。

English

        For 40 days Moses records God's words regarding Israel's place of worship and pattern of worship. The blueprint includes furniture, coverings, curtains, and courtyard of the tabernacle which must be built "according to the fashion . . . which was showed thee in the mount" (26:30). The description moves from the inside to the outside, reflecting not the perspective of man looking in, but of God looking out—the God who wants to dwell with His people.

        Today's reading may seem like a long list of unimportant details. You may feel lost in a forest of shittim wood, and candlesticks, and ram's skins! But don't miss the point. These are instructions for building God's house, and thus every detail is significant. It is to be a beautiful house that causes each worshiper to praise God's majesty and holiness.
        Many centuries later King David would declare, "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" (Psalm 29:2). David, too, realized that God deserved a special house that mirrored His greatness.
        Today those beautiful buildings no longer exist. So where is God dwelling now? He is living in the hearts of those who have put their trust in Him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). You are God's tabernacle today! And that means some spring-cleaning may be in order. Is there a habit that needs to change or a corner of your life that needs attention? Take a few minutes to sweep your "tabernacle" clean. Then as a reminder, flip your calendar ahead to February, pick a day, and write: "Have you swept lately?"

More Wood and Cloth
        The tabernacle tells a story about its successor, Jesus Christ. Here is a partial list of parallels. Can you think of others?
        Tabernacle──Jesus
        bread of presence── "I am the bread of life"
        golden candlestick──"I am the light of the world"
        high priest, once a year──Christ, once for all

God has two dwelling places: one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart.