Reflections
God with Us
Bro. Samuel Shinde, Chiplun
When we read Exodus, we see that while travelling to the Promised Land from Egypt, God wanted the children of Israel to be assured of His presence. For this reason, He commanded Moses to build a sanctuary. We read in Exodus 25:8, which says, “And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”
Israel’s nature
We notice here that God desires to dwell with them, and not merely visit them. Considering the character of the children of Israel, they have always been ill-tempered and dissatisfied. We notice them murmuring and complaining against God and His servant Moses, most of the time. They complained about food and water in the wilderness in Exodus chapter 16.
In the following chapter, we see them complaining about the lack of water in Rephidim. In the book of Numbers chapter 11 we have them complaining in Taberah, and then crying for meat to be provided, because they were tired of the monotonous routine and eating manna. The discontentment of the whole congregation of Israel grew to an extent where they wished to die in Egypt or in the wilderness in Numbers 14:2.
To this God reacted, “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me?...” (Num 14:27). This is how unsatisfied the children of Israel were with God and His servants Moses and Aaron. This shows their selfish sinful nature.
God’s holiness
On the other hand, when we think of God's indescribable nature, as Moses writes in his song - God is majestic in holiness (Ex 15:11). As Hannah prayed, “No one is holy like the Lord” (1 Sam 2:2). Seraphims cry to each other “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts” (Is 6:3).
We have those who were martyred in the time of the great tribulation, singing in heaven stating, God is alone holy (Rev 15:4). God Himself declares that He is holy (Lev 11:44, 45; 19:2; 1 Peter 1:16). It is evident that God is the most holy and there’s no one holy apart from Him.
God’s desire
Considering the absolute holiness of God and the sinfulness of the children of Israel, it is a wonder how God could even think of coming down and dwelling among them!
Can we imagine a person who has lived a stable life and is privy to all luxuries and comforts, to be living in less suitable conditions where one is grown to get used to gut-wrenching stench and decrepit houses? No! Such a person won’t even think of visiting let alone living there. Yet God stooped down to our position, stepped down to the dirt and lived amongst the utterly sinful mankind.
God with us
Once sin entered the world, mankind fell short of enjoying direct fellowship with God. In Gen 3:9 He desired Adam’s fellowship, however he sinned. During Israel’s journey, God desired to be with them (Ex. 25:8), however, their complacency in sin led them to reject Him.
Ultimately, the Father sought out His lost sheep by sending the One, His own Son. Tabernacle reveals God’s desire to dwell with man; and this desire was perfectly fulfilled through the Lord Jesus Christ, whom He named Immanuel, God with us! (Is 7:14; Matt 1:23)
