The Sanctuary, Willing Offerings, and God’s Desire to Dwell Among His People
Introduction
In this interactive study, we begin exploring the covenant language found within Exodus 25 by examining the offerings for the Sanctuary and the deeper meaning behind God’s instruction to “let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Together, we will trace the patterns connected to willing-hearted giving, stewardship, obedience, worship, and God’s original desire to dwell in the midst of His people daily. Through scripture references, reflection questions, and follow-the-thread connections, this study invites you to slow down, search the scriptures, and uncover the deeper covenant patterns woven throughout the Word of God.
Check Your Understanding
1. Search It Out
- Exodus 25:1–9
- Exodus 35:5
- Exodus 35:21–29
- 1 Chronicles 28:2–20
- Psalm 37:5
- Proverbs 16:3
- Malachi 3:8–10
- Exodus 33:1–7
- Luke 1:13–20
- 2 Corinthians 9:7
2. Berean Study
“According to Acts 17:11 (KJV), the Bereans… received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. With that in mind, read the scriptures listed above carefully before answering.”
- What instructions did God give concerning the offerings for the sanctuary in Exodus 25 and Exodus 35?
- What does scripture reveal about the condition of the heart behind acceptable giving?
- In what ways did David demonstrate stewardship and preparation in 1 Chronicles 28 even though he would not build the temple himself?
- Compare Malachi 3:8–10 with Exodus 35:21–29. What differences do you see between obedience, willingness, and withholding?
- Why was the sanctuary important according to Exodus 25:8, and how does this connect to God’s desire to dwell among His people?
3. Go Deeper
- What does the phrase “willing heart” reveal about covenant relationship versus religious obligation?
- The study connected “giving by weight” with Cain, Abel, David, and the widow’s offering. What do these examples reveal about how God measures giving?
- How can outside voices interfere with something God has placed in a person’s heart to do?
- Match the statement with the correct scripture:
- ___ God desired to dwell among His people.
- ___ The people brought offerings willingly from the heart.
- ___ Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
- ___ God warned Israel concerning robbing Him in tithes and offerings.
Scriptures:
- Proverbs 16:3
- Malachi 3:8–10
- Exodus 25:8
- Exodus 35:21
- What is the difference between giving casually and giving with weight, intention, and reverence?
4. Follow the Thread
Multiple Choice
- According to Exodus 25:8, what was the purpose of the sanctuary?
A. To establish Israel’s government
B. To store offerings
C. That God might dwell among His people
D. To train priests only
- In Malachi 3:8–10, what did God say Israel had robbed Him in?
A. Worship and prayer
B. Tithes and offerings
C. Sacrifices only
D. Sabbath keeping
- In 1 Chronicles 28, what did David do even though he was not chosen to build the temple?
A. Ignored the project
B. Destroyed the plans
C. Prepared and gathered materials
D. Left the kingdom
Fill in the Blank
- “Let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may ______ among them.”
- God said the offerings were to come from those with a willing ______.
- “Commit thy ______ unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
Interactive Engagement Prompts
- Trace the phrase “that I may dwell among them” throughout Scripture and identify how God’s desire to dwell with His people unfolds from Exodus to Revelation.
- Follow the progression of “willinghearted giving” throughout Scripture and compare the offerings in Exodus 25 with other covenant offerings.
- Study every reference connected to the “Sanctuary,” “Tabernacle,” and “Temple” and identify what each reveals about God’s presence among His people.
- Compare Cain, Abel, David, and the widow’s offering. What made one offering weightier than another?
- Explore the difference between tithes and offerings throughout Scripture and identify their distinct purposes.
Reflection Section
What stood out to you most in this study?
Did the study of willing offerings, stewardship, sanctuary patterns, or covenant language reveal anything differently than you previously understood?
As you reflect, consider whether you have viewed worship primarily through buildings, traditions, systems, or scheduled gatherings rather than through the reality of God desiring to dwell among His people daily.
What does it mean personally for you to become a living sanctuary where God dwells?
Have there been moments where God placed something in your heart to do, give, build, or say — and you recognized the importance of discerning whether it truly came from Him?
How does the concept of “giving by weight” challenge the way we approach worship, stewardship, offerings, obedience, and devotion today?
Continue the Journey
The deeper we search Scripture, the more we discover that covenant language is woven throughout the entire Bible. Threads established in Exodus continue unfolding through the prophets, the teachings of Christ, and the writings of the apostles.
Continue tracing the patterns.
Continue searching the Scriptures.
Continue exploring the language connected to covenant, sanctuary, stewardship, offerings, obedience, and God’s desire to dwell among His people.
The deeper we look, the more Scripture reveals its connected design.
Between a Father and HIS daughter 