The courtyard of the tabernacle
Exodus 27:9~19 Make a courtyard for the tabernacle. The south side shall be a hundred cubits long and is to have curtains of finely twisted linen (9)
♬ Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #446 I Need Thee Every Hour (#500 in previous version)
When the Israelites were in the wilderness, and facing an extremely difficult situation, God told them to make a courtyard for the tabernacle. It must have been difficult for the Israelites, who were constantly on the move, to make 56 posts with bronze bases and silver hooks and bands. Why did God command the Israelites to do such things? Everything that God tells us to do is connected to our Christian lives and world evangelization. It is the way for us and our children to live.
1. If we are to go down a path we’ve never gone down before
In the tabernacle were the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The Ark of the Covenant was placed in the Most Holy Place. The priests carried the Ark of the Covenant, and God’s works took place wherever the Ark of the Covenant went. When the people followed this Ark of the Covenant, the Jordan River parted and the walls of Jericho crumbled. The only way to go down a path we’ve never gone down before is to follow the Ark of the Covenant. Following the Ark of the Covenant is following the Word of God, and receiving God’s guidance.
2. The cultural movement of making the tabernacle and its courtyard
“For the entrance to the courtyard, provide a curtain twenty cubits long, of blue, purple and scarlet yarn” (v.16). This verse speaks to the importance of a Gospel-centered culture. The church must influence culture in a way that can save the regions and society. It must be on the forefront of culture. It must establish 56 posts and safely teach children about the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. It must explain to children who God is and what His Word is. This is the RUTC. There was also a courtyard for Gentiles in the courtyard. There is a passage that speaks about how the Gospel and this mystery of life must be shared to Gentiles. This is missions. We must make a culture that can save our children and the world. We have been called as main figures of this culture.
3. A model of the temple to be built in the future
A model of a true church where people from all nations can come and give worship, and children from impoverished nations can gain hope, experience God’s grace and be commissioned to the field, is needed. This is the reason why, even though the age of the Old Testament has passed, people of the covenant continue to build and rebuild temples. God’s method is to raise up children who experience and confirm God’s power through the temples that have been left for them. We must enjoy the blessing of a church building that explains the Gospel. We must have a vision of churches where evangelists and children all over the world can be established and gather in the Gospel.
● Forum Topic - Meditate on what a main figure of Gospel-centered culture should look like, and mediate deeply on what kind of Gospel unity blessings you belong to.
Immanuel Church Sunday Message 1st Service / 2010.1.10 rship 2nd Service / 2010.1.24