Exodus: A Group StudySample

What is this passage saying?

Paul exhorts the Corinthian church to abstain from sexual immorality because it defiles the body of Christ as a whole.

What is this passage teaching?

When Israel conquers the Promised Land, King David is granted permission to collect material to build a permanent home for Yahweh that will replace the moveable tabernacle. David amasses one hundred thousand talents of gold to build the temple (1 Chronicles 22:14). The equivalent in modern figures would amount to over one hundred billion dollars worth of gold. The extravagance of the temple of Jerusalem was meant to be a physical representation of Yahweh’s beauty, excellence, and loyal love. How much more so is the church, as Christ’s body, meant to demonstrate the same things by practicing holiness? Living in purity and holiness demonstrates far more truth than billions of dollars in gold ever could. Unlike the physical temple, whose gold was demolished and carried off long ago, the church will never lie in ruin. As the new tabernacle temple, the church is pleased to house the presence of God across the globe, making disciples of every nation until Christ’s return.

How do I respond?

Just as the tabernacle was the epicenter of Yahweh’s presence, the church is the epicenter of God’s presence today. This is not only when the church gathers for worship, but every day of a believer’s life. The daily cultivation of purity and holiness is important because the Holy Spirit will not bless or honor sinfulness. To experience the fullness of God’s presence, the church must consecrate themselves to be used as holy vessels for God’s service (2 Timothy 2:20-21). Have you consecrated yourself to be used in God’s kingdom? Take some time to confess and repent of sin in your life, asking God to use you as a mechanism to show His beauty, excellence, and loyal love in the world.