“‘I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. 46 And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.'” Exodus 29:45-46 (ESV)
Moses received specific instructions related to how God would commune with His people. God established the sacrificial system to provide atonement for the sins of the people. God ordained the priesthood so that Aaron and his sons could serve at the tent of meeting. Every detail of the Tabernacle and the ongoing service within the sacrificial system was articulated by God to Moses.
Why would the Creator of the universe go to such lengths to make a way for His creation to encounter Him personally? God took the initiative to enable His people to worship Him. God affirmed His desire to dwell among them and to be their God. He would remind them of His redemptive act of bringing them out of Egypt that He might dwell among them and be the Lord their God.
God’s love compels Him to initiate relationship. God created us so that we can know Him personally and intimately. Sin is the barrier that separates lost people from our holy God. There is nothing they can do on their own to remove the barrier. God took the initiative to close the gap between sin and righteousness.
- “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Cor 5:21 (ESV)
Jesus makes it possible for us to know the Lord our God. Jesus was the only acceptable sacrifice for our sin. Jesus took on the full wrath of God for our sin, paid our sin debt in full, and removed our sin. What are you doing with the privilege of being forgiven?
Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 39: Exodus 28-29)
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
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