Following the LORD’s instructions, Bezalel used his God-given skills to create the unique furnishings for the holy place in the inner part of the tabernacle. The items were tangible symbols of what it means to come into the presence of God.

The ark for the Most Holy Place was a kind of treasure chest for the tablets of the covenant, and the lid created a kind of throne for God’s presence to come down. The true Most Holy Place should be our heart, or our inner self. The ark symbolizes how Christ can come and live in our hearts through the Holy Spirit when we plant the word of God there as our true treasure. The table, where the bread was set, represents how Christ is the bread of life and our true spiritual food (Jn 6:35). The lamp represents the knowledge of salvation in Christ, which lights our way. The altar of incense represents the prayer by which we develop a relationship with God.

In Christ, we now have the true spiritual blessing of God’s presence and don’t need material symbols. Just as Bezalel created the furnishings of the holy place in the temple, through repentance, prayer, and the word of God, we can prepare our own hearts as a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.
Application: Father, thank you for your presence with us in Christ. Help me to furnish my heart for your presence through prayer and the word of God.
One Word: A heart prepared for God’s presence