The Tabernacle. To the casual observer who might see it from the outside there was nothing that defined it. It was simple, plain and to someone who might pass by, it was just a large tent. Step inside its walls and you might sense something different but with the exception of a couple of odd pieces of furniture sitting in the courtyard, again you might not be overly impressed by the surroundings. But, if somehow you could step inside the small tent inside the courtyard, everything would change. There you would see some of the most beautiful gold fixtures ever made. Examine the room more closely and to one side you would see a candlestick hand carved and covered in gold, lighting the room with the most beautiful of ambient light. Around the room you would see forks, spoons, knives, cups, staves and other ornate pieces all made of the finest wood and covered in gold used in sacrifices. Look the other direction and you would see a beautiful wood carved table covered in gold with fresh bread sitting atop. Before you, would be the heaviest and thickest purple curtains and setting before it a small altar emitting the most beautiful smells you have ever smelled. Beyond the veil was the Holiest of Holies, the place where God came down to meet with man. No place was more holy or pure; it was as close as man could get to God and to be in His presence was met with awe and the understanding that there was no greater blessing in life than to be invited to come into His presence.
Move to the New Testament and Paul speaks in I Corinthians 6:19 and says, Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit who lives within you? We, our bodies, our lives have become the very place that God dwells. This honor, to have God dwell inside of us should be met with at least the same, if not more reverence than those who met with him in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. How we live, what we wear, what we bring in to our lives, where we go, what we view should all be done with the understanding that we are the Temple of God’s Spirit. Our goal should be that God’s dwelling place, His place in us, replicates that of the Old Testament. Our lives should be a place of honor, a place of awe, a place of reverence, a place where God feels welcome to live, a place that is Holy. As God said, be holy, for I am Holy.