Exodus 25:10-27:21

God provides very precise instructions for how the Ten Commandments are to be kept, " a sanctuary for me, that I may dwell in their midst."  The ark, the table, the lamp stand, the tent cloth, etc., are to be constructed with much gold, silver, bronze, and fine linen, among other precious elements. I understand this as a metaphor for how we are to receive and incorporate God and His message in our lives. We are precious; we are God's own creation. His Word, His Commandments and Laws, should dwell in our hearts. I take the ark itself as the symbol of our hearts, with its four gold rings reminding me of the heart's four chambers. This is not to say that we should be focused solely on adorning ourselves, so that the message buried inside ourselves is forgotten or overlooked. But rather to me it is an issue of honoring ourselves as His creation, and always remembering we are a dwelling place for His Word and message. This means, of course, that so too is every other person, and that necessitates that we treat others with the same reverence and honor with which we are called to treat ourselves.