Module 4 · Exodus, Law, and the Presence of God · Lesson 3
Tabernacle: God Dwelling Among His People
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Big idea
The tabernacle answers a central biblical question: how can a holy God dwell among a sinful people?
Learning objectives
- Explain tabernacle as sacred presence.
- Describe priesthood and sacrifice as access structures.
- Recognize the presence theme from Eden forward.
- Trace tabernacle and temple toward Christ and new creation.
Primary text
Exodus 25:8 — God commands Israel to make a sanctuary so that He may dwell among them.
Scaffolded Scriptures
- Exodus 40:34–38 — The glory of the LORD fills the tabernacle.
- Leviticus 16:1–34 — The Day of Atonement dramatizes holiness, sin, and mediated access.
- John 1:14 — The Word becomes flesh and dwells among us.
- John 2:19–21 — Jesus identifies His body with temple.
- Hebrews 9:11–12 — Christ enters the greater sanctuary through His own blood.
- Revelation 21:3 — God’s dwelling with humanity becomes final and unrestricted.
Teaching movements
Movement 1
Presence Is the Goal — Redemption is not merely escape from Egypt; it is life with God.
Movement 2
Holiness Creates Tension — The God who dwells among Israel is holy; sin cannot be ignored.
Movement 3
Priesthood Mediates Access — Priests represent the people in sacred service.
Movement 4
Sacrifice Addresses Sin — Blood, cleansing, substitution, and atonement shape Israel’s worship.
Movement 5
Tabernacle Echoes Eden — Sacred space, presence, guarded access, and priestly vocation recall the garden.
Movement 6
The Presence Story Keeps Moving — Tabernacle → Temple → Christ → Spirit-filled church → New Creation.
Key terms / word study
- Tabernacle / mishkan
- Dwelling place; the portable sanctuary where God’s presence is manifested among Israel.
Christ at the center
Jesus is true temple, final High Priest, and sufficient sacrifice; in Him, God’s presence and access reach their decisive fulfillment.
Reflect
- Why is presence the goal of redemption?
- What problem do priesthood and sacrifice address?
- How does the tabernacle echo Eden?
Practice
Create a presence timeline: Eden → Tabernacle → Temple → Christ → Church → New Creation.
Remember
The God who rescues also comes to dwell.