No Assembly Required

“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.” – Exodus 25:8-9

The bookcase came with the notation: Some Assembly Required. We had been through this before a few times, and I should have known better than to subject my poor husband to this kind of stress. It always sounds so easy: just put in a few screws, put the short pieces in place for shelves, tack on the back, and “presto,” a bookcase!

In the Old Testament, the Children of Israel were given explicit instructions for assembling the Tabernacle. Everything was designed down to the smallest detail, and we can be sure its assembly was more difficult than my bookcase! The curtains, walls, utensils, lavers, and everything else inside all foreshadowed spiritual things to come, so they had to be exact. The Tabernacle also had to be taken down when the Israelites traveled through the wilderness, and put back together according to the same pattern. Once constructed, the ceremonies performed inside were also to be carried out according to specific instructions. These tasks were so important that the entire tribe of Levi was charged with the duty.

Compared to the Old Testament times, establishing a relationship with God in our day is like a piece of furniture with “no assembly required.” When Jesus died on the Cross, He fulfilled all of the requirements of the Law and gave us a new set of instructions. His temple is now to be built in our hearts, so we can approach God directly and know that He will hear and answer us. Also, He has already provided everything we need to construct His new temple inside us: His shed Blood allows us to receive salvation, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We are no longer obligated to offer animal sacrifices, because Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross frees us from the power of sin and gives us victory.

Today, because of the grace that flows from Calvary , God has removed the “assembly work” and given us a simple Gospel. However, we know that “unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48). We can take full advantage of what God has given us by receiving everything He offers and giving our all to Him.