A 21-storey building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, collapsed on November 1, 2021. It was owned by Fourscore Heights Limited. The accident claimed no less than 44 lives, including the C.E.O of the company, Mr. Olufemi Osibona. The Lagos State government immediately set up a Tribunal to look into the matter. After six weeks of sitting, the tribunal submitted its report to the government. While the details are not yet known, we can peep into the report by what the Tribunal Chairman, Toyin Ayinde, said: “We need to note, however, that building collapse is rooted in the collapse of values, morals and ethics which we need to work on as a nation. We cannot sow the wind and not expect to reap the whirlwind. Therefore, ethics and due diligence need to be restored.” From this, it is easy to assume that standards were compromised.

God gave strict instruction to Moses when he was to build the tabernacle. He laid out everything for him in details; both the materials to use and the dimensions of each piece of the furniture. The last thing God added was captured in our text – he was to do it according to the plan shown to him on the mount. When Moses followed the pattern, not only did the tabernacle stand, but it was also filled with the glory of God. What we need to add here is that our lives are comparable to the tabernacle. The Bible actually says that we are the temple of God. If this is so, then it is reasonable to say that each life has a pattern as drawn by God. To build our lives otherwise is to have a life that cannot withstand the elements. The onus is on each one of us to seek out the pattern of God and follow it. Following the pattern is the secret of our joy and safety.