Betrothal Love

by Peter Sweetmore, Cardiff, Wales | Category: Lovers Of God's House | Mar 1999

The relationship between God and His people, and between the people and God's house, begins with God Himself. There is always a tendency in human nature to claim some initiative, or some startling new discovery; but in reality, it is God Himself who first calls an individual or a nation. 'The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you' (Deut. 7:7). This was no ordinary love on God's part, for the expression 'set His love' is similar to the English expression 'fall in love'. And it was this love which inspired Israel in their devotion to the dwelling place of God on the earth.

Inspired leadership

One of the most significant passages in the Old Testament concerns the ratification of the covenant made between God and His people in Exodus 24. Such was the standing of Moses before God that only he was permitted to come near to the Lord, the priests and the elders remaining a distance away. Moses returned and read the Book of the Covenant in the hearing of the people, after burnt offerings and peace offerings had been prepared. As the people confirmed their acceptance of the terms of the covenant, Moses took the blood of the sacrifices and sprinkled it on the people, saying, 'Behold, the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you according to all these words' (v.8). It was following this that Moses was called up into the mountain of God to learn about the pattern for the design and construction of what was to become for Israel the most important and significant building that they were ever to see. It is necessary to realize that this was also of major importance to God in His relationship with His covenant people; for it would mean that He would no longer be perceived as a God who was apart from them, but One who was to live in their midst. God said, '...let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it' (Ex. 25:8,9).

The pattern of the Tabernacle that Moses saw in the mountain was a perfect plan. The people in the camp could only see the mountain enshrouded by clouds; but Moses probably saw a visible representation of what was in the mind of God: a perfect pattern that Moses could reproduce in the wilderness below. We cannot know what precisely Moses saw; but unquestionably the whole Tabernacle with its furniture and its rich hangings and its symbolism stood complete in the mind of God. As God spoke with Moses about the pattern he was seeing, we can well imagine Moses asking about the significance of each of the component parts. As he saw the copper altar, perhaps he was shown how it was in the mind of God that the sacrifices which would be offered there would prefigure the one great sacrifice that would be offered on Calvary. Hence the appreciation that Moses had of this structure, and his delight in recognizing this as the very dwelling place of God among His people. They might be slow to learn; but Moses was possessed of such spiritual insight that God was able to speak of 'My servant Moses... faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face' (Num. 12:7).

Service in the Tabernacle

A great deal is written about the pattern and the construction of the Tabernacle, and as God's friend, Moses had the central responsibility for the correct interpretation of the detail shown to him. But in some ways, even recognizing it as God's dwelling place, something would have been missing were it not for the service offered there. Hebrews 5:1-4 tells us that Aaron was called by God to perform the duties of High Priest; the first verse pointing out that 'every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins'. But there was also another side to the work of the High Priest, for he needed to be able to 'have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray'. It seems that Aaron would be visited regularly by people who had some particular burden, some particular sin to confess. How they needed a High Priest who could be touched with the feeling of their infirmities! Nor need they have feared that they would be forgotten when Aaron entered the most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement. Exodus 28:29 tells us that 'Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the LORD continually'. So in a wonderful way, the priestly work within God's house was carried out precisely, and with all the compassion that was necessary in dealing with the needs of the people.

The love of the people

When God provided a system of worship for His chosen people, He did so according to His own mind and heart and will. No detail was neglected; but He needed the human instrument through which to communicate. This He did through Moses and Aaron; and now He needed that men should provide earthly materials for carrying out the heavenly purpose. In Exodus 25:2, God spoke through Moses and said, 'Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering'. The one value to God of gifts presented to Him by His people is that of the willingness of heart which prompts them. When this is so, the simplest gift becomes of real value to Him, for it is the symbol of loyalty and devotion. This truth is stated quite explicitly in the New Testament: 'So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver' (2 Cor. 9:7).

In Exodus 35:21, the matter is stated more fully, for first was the stirring of the heart. 'Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD's offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments'. When the heart is stirred, it is because of a deep desire for something; and when gifts are contributions towards the satisfying of the desire, they are acceptable to God.

Exodus 36 gives us an insight into how the people were moved to high and holy things. Such was their love and devotion that too many gifts were brought; and verse 6 tells us that the people were 'restrained from bringing'. How rarely this has happened in the case of work for God that too many gifts have been given! When the heart is truly stirred, and the spirit makes willing, giving is robbed of any meanness. Nothing is too precious to be given; no amount is too great. Everything is poured out in glad and generous abandonment. And this is a principle that endures for all time. Here, a people redeemed from bondage in Egypt, brought into a covenant relationship with God, demonstrated their love as no words could have done. Deep in their hearts were the words of God: 'Let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them' (25:8).

The memory of God

No service rendered for God is forgotten by Him, particularly that service offered for the beauty and the service of His house. Much later in time, He spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, 'I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown' (2:2). The Hebrew word translated 'kindness' usually refers to God's loving kindness expressed in His covenant relationship with Israel; a persistent and unconditional tenderness, kindness, and mercy. Pictured as a bride clinging to her beloved bridegroom, there was a love and a tenderness for God expressed by the people in that wilderness experience. And it was a kindness that God never forgot. And He never forgets the kindness of those people whose love for His house today mirrors that early love and devotion of His covenant people.

Biblical quotations from the NKJV.

Peter Sweetmore, Cardiff, Wales | Mar 1999
Lovers Of God's House