God Dwells with His People

by Paul M. Zehr

Book Overview

This carefully researched study on the tabernacle of the Old Testament draws from both Christian and Jewish sources. The author not only probes the nature of the construction of the tabernacle, but also explores its theological meaning in the Old and New Testaments.

The unavoidable conclusion the author draws is that the divinely instructed building of the tabernacle was evidence of God's desire to dwell with his people and to lead them...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0836119398
• ISBN13: 9780836119398
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: Herald Press (VA)
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 7.6"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Analysis of the Old Testament Tabernacle

Paul Zehr is an official in the Mennonite church and has spent a good deal of his career running museums in Florida and Pennsylvania that feature replicas of the Tabernacle as its centerpiece. His experience and research have prepared him well for this book: a detailed summary of the Tabernacle, its furniture and building materials, the functions they had for the ancient Israelites, and how they point to Jesus Christ. Zehr is methodoligical and thorough in this book. He succeeds in his goal of neither focusing on the Tabernacle's Old Testament usage to the exlusion of Christ nor does he focus on Christ to the exclusion of the Israelite usage. While he does go into some detail about the Tabernacle, its construction, and Israelite worship practices, he does not allow himself to get bogged down in the details and lose the forest for the trees. Instead, in an engaging writing style, he always returns to major theological themes and Christology. While this reviewer does tend to disagree with some aspects of his analysis (an avoidance of Baptism when covering the Laver; an avoidance of Communion when covering the Table which is always supplied with bread and wine, an awkward diatribe against infant baptism, etc.), these drawbacks do not greatly detract from a fantastic book. "God Dwells With His People" significantly enhanced my understaing of the Tabernacle, helped me to understand its relevance for Christians today, and provided excellent analysis (and pictures) of the various aspects of this ancient institution.

Outstanding Little Study of the Tabernacle

The author concludes that the tabernacle and all its dimensions and accrutements was to point to God's presence. This is right on and well evidenced in this great little book by quoting both Christian and Jewish sources.There is fine photos and drawings and models of OT temple and altars and priests garb, etc. This makes for wonderful stuff to pass out for Bible Study.This makes for a reference one can turn to and use profitably to understand God's presence in Christ, the High Priest and Sacrifice.