10234 / Exodus 16:14-37
From the outside, the Tabernacle didn’t look like much. Covered in dull skins and hidden in the center of the camp, it would’ve seemed plain to anyone passing by. But behind that outer covering was something holy. Beautiful. Purposeful. The deeper you went, the more it all pointed to the mercy and presence of God.
It’s interesting how God instructed that the outer layers be rugged, weather-resistant, and durable. But on the inside, there were fine linens, rich colors, golden hooks, and embroidered cherubim. The message is simple, but powerful: God’s beauty is found beneath the surface. And you don’t see it until you come in.
That’s exactly how many people view the things of God. From the outside, they just see rules, religion, or old stories that are no longer relevant. But those who come near discover something entirely different. They begin to realize God isn’t cold or distant. He’s near. His mercy isn’t locked behind a curtain, but you are invited to approach Him directly. There aren’t just old stories, but real-life examples to show God’s love for each of us and keep us from heartache.
That curtain or the veil, marked the separation between a holy God and a sinful people. It was thick, strong, and intentional. It kept God’s presence separate from everything and everyone else. But when Jesus died, the Bible tells us that the veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), not by human hands. God tore it. Mercy made the way. He invited us in and gave us direct access to Himself.
Access to God is on His terms, not ours. But His terms are good. And they are full of grace. He gives the invitation. He provides the covering. He welcomes us in.
We also see how intentional God is about order. The boards, the sockets, the bars—every detail was measured and placed. It wasn’t random. It wasn’t thrown together. God’s presence doesn’t rest where there’s chaos. He brings stability. He establishes a framework. And through that framework, He makes room for a relationship with Him.
That’s what the Tabernacle ultimately is: a place for relationship. A God who wants to dwell among His people. A holy presence that invites you to approach. But only by the way He has provided.
So many of us try to find God on our own terms. Through emotion. Through effort. Through comparison. But none of that gets us through the veil. It’s only by mercy. And mercy came in the form of a Savior who gave His life for us.
Today, you don’t need to be perfect to come near. You don’t have to clean yourself up first. The invitation is already there. Just like the Tabernacle in the wilderness, God is at the center of it all, waiting for those who will come close. So come. Bring your need. Bring your hurt. Bring your sin. And step through the veil that Christ has already torn. Because God’s mercy doesn’t push you away, it invites you in.
Study 10234 – God’s Mercy Invites You In / Exodus 16:14-37
