Precisely Designed by Robin Densmore Fuson

 

The kitchen smelled delightful. I looked forward to the chocolate cake that baked in the oven. The timer told me the cake should come out of the heat to cool. Wearing hot mitts on my hands, I opened the door, pulled out the pan, and placed the dessert where it could cool.

I frowned at the pathetic thing. Flat instead of fluffy. I called my young apprentice back into the kitchen. “What happened?”

Her wide-eyed stare said volumes. I sent her to re-read the instructions. She read them off out loud, one by one. At 3 tablespoons of water, I stopped her and walked over to what she read. Yep. Right there in black and white, it read, 3 tablespoons of water. My finger tapped the last few words she neglected to read. Words so important to our baking class—and 1 cup.

Hmm.

The recipe had not been followed.  Had it been the outcome would've been different. She learned a valuable lesson that day. 

Many years ago, I worked with my late husband as a carpenter. Holding the end of a tape measure became my thing. Placing orders for supplies, in proper sizes, is one of those jobs that are critical. I learned quickly that it takes exact measurements when cutting materials. There’s a joke in the trades: ‘I cut it twice and it’s still too short.’

When I worked as an optician, I needed to be exact in using my ruler or any machine to measure for glasses. Especially when I cut lenses for the frame to make it according to the prescription and precise for the wearer. Measurements in tiny increments are important.

In my life, I’ve read numerous measurements on a variety of devices.

A very long time ago, something important and precious was handmade. Every detail needed attention. Special artisans were called in for dying, sewing, hammering, cutting, to name a few. Carpenters, silversmiths and those gifted in bronze and gold were gifted in these areas to complete this task.

On top of Mount Sinai, Moses received detailed instructions from God to build a tabernacle. The directive expressed precision of the thickness of the metals and cloth to the size and shape of the furniture and special articles that would be used in worship and sacrifice. This would be the place where God met the priests and spoke to His people. The designated place for worship. The structure's design made it easy to take down and carry as they traveled, following God’s guidance in the wilderness. God assigned priests to carry the precious articles on their shoulders. Other things, including the tent, went on carts driven by special people for that job. Then they would set it up again for the time they were at the next location.

Exodus 25:8-9 are words from the Lord: “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.”

In verse 40 of Exodus 25, God said, “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.”

Hebrews 8:5 For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.”

Wow. God is particular with his instructions and measurements for the tabernacle. Moses and the artisans followed every detail to the exact instructions from God.

Hundreds of years later, the tabernacle had worn out. King David wanted to build a temple for the Lord. David gathered the materials and funds needed to create the magnificent temple his son Solomon would build. God gave David special instructions for building the temple.

David worked hard at collecting the desired materials and gave specific details of thickness of silver and gold, the measurements of the rooms, and he told him in 1 Chronicles 28:19, “Every part of this plan,” David told Solomon, “was given to me in writing from the hand of the Lord.”

God gave these instructions to David from His hand. God, not David, not Solomon, designed the Temple.

David gave advice for leadership and workers for the Temple and passed these down to his son in 1 Chronicles chapter 22- chapter 28:21.

We see another temple measured by an angel holding a rod in Ezekiel 40-48. That temple is grand in size and splendor. Ezekiel received a vision of this colossal temple, and this one is open to interpretation. Is it literal or figurative? I believe it is literal and will be erected during the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus will reign on His throne. You can read about that in Revelation 20.

The Tabernacle and the Temples have been measured with precision, and intricate detail is given on each piece of furniture and appliance inside.  

Details. Precision. Exact measurements. Why?

Because they are replicated from the one in Heaven.

Hebrews 9:23 says that the tabernacle and everything in it is a copy of the one in heaven.

So you may ask, why did I write this piece? What difference does it make to us?

Our great God is a God of order and correctness. He created the world with order and unity. Look at all the parts and details of a flower or the human eye. God is concerned with knowing the number of hairs on your head (Matt.10:30 and Luke 12:7). He cares about you. The Bible tells us that God cares for a sparrow that falls (Matt. 10:29). God cares so much He sent His Son, Jesus to die for our sin. Jesus knows what it is like being a human. He lived on this earth for over 30 years. He understands our pain. He sympathizes with our infirmities, our losses. Not just that, but He willingly died so He could be our Temple. We don’t need a temple building to worship. We need to come to Him and trust Him as our Savior, then He comes to live in our soul hearts. Jesus said He is greater than any temple (Matt.12:6). For more, see Hebrews 4:14-16.

God spent special attention in creating a world for us. He wants us to enjoy it. He also desires our hearts. He wants a relationship with us. We don’t need to worship Him only at church or temple. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). Our God wants our love and worship. We, as His created beings, need to worship Him. Pray, talk to Him. Sing about Him. Let Him know we appreciate the world around us that He lovingly created for our benefit. Give Him honor and praise.