Exodus 25: Patterns

“See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” -Exodus 25:40

God operates in patterns. In Exodus, he gave Moses directions for various items to be built for the tabernacle, the temporary Jewish place of worship. Exodus 25 notes instructions for offerings, the Ark, the table, and the lampstand. At the end, God noted, “See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

God gave words; he also gave visual revelation. Exodus includes no pictures, but Moses certainly had images placed in his mind for how these items were to look. God called them patterns.

Does God still operate this way today? Does he still speak to us both through his Word and through “visuals”? Some call them dreams or visions. Others call them the leading of the Spirit. Regardless, the idea is that God sometimes chooses to teach us with patterns rather than words. This work of the Holy Spirit requires that we both know God’s principles and walk closely with God so we can tell the difference between when God is communicating rather than our own desires taking priority.

Some dismiss the whole idea of God communicating to people in non-word ways as nonsense. It is a risky endeavor. But this does not mean God has stopped working through other forms of communication. Instead, we reflect on his words, follow his pattern, and seek to show his love to those we encounter each day.

Talk about it: Does God still speak in visions, dreams, or other types of “leadings” today?

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Dillon Burroughs is the author and coauthor of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of all 31,173 verses of the Bible at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.