The project recorded in Exodus 35 bears only a slight resemblance to the work of Messiah in building his church. The people responded to the call with gusto, but the family of the redeemed, Abraham’s faithful clan, labours on a different platform. The Hebrew people built things on things, whereas Christians build on Christ himself, chief cornerstone.
The building project
And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make. And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.
Exodus 36:5-7
Christ as priest
The seeping of tabernacle matters into the priesthood of Christ is perhaps the most destructive intrusion into truth. Christ is not a Levitical priest; his ministry needs nothing created by God or man. Christ did his redeeming work all alone: as priest and sacrifice.
Heaven, whither our Lord ascended, is above the heavens themselves, and is the rightful place for Him who is above the heavens. Scriptures tell us that God places His conquering Son above all names and above all authority, yet some believe that Moses and the prophets can override the Lord Yeshua and his apostles. Symbols do not circumscribe the reality!
No resolution of atonement in the Tabernacle
It is Christ who builds his church with converted people. Only sinners can become stones in the church. The annual cycle, over all those years since the erection of the Tabernacle, is evidence that atonement was not a available through the blood of animals, nor were any of the sacrifices effective for reconciling man to God.
Hebrews 9:7-8 shows the annual cycle.
But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
Hebrews 9:9 explains the effect or outcomes.
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Hebrews 9:10 tells us of the scope and time of the offerings.
Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
So, unlike the ancient and modern Hebrews, we are not builders of God’s residence, and it is without controversy that Christ builds his church through the Holy Spirit. First, the Holy Spirit impresses the sinner with the truth. Secondly, Christ gives the repentant sinner the Holy Spirit. This is the building process in which we are caught up. Many have tried to turn the symbols into reality without Christ being the Α and the Z. When he is missing from the construction site as builder we labour in vain. Simply saying “in Jesus’s name” does not validate the speech. In plain sight and with plain speech both the historian and the songwriter capture the emptiness of the made-with-hands house.
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? 1 Kings 8:27
A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: Psalm 127:1a
Life is Fun, But Not a Joke 