The
Tabernacle symbolized God’s presence with His people. It was the place where He
met with Israel’s leaders, and was the visible worship center. The tabernacle
also prefigures the work of Jesus for us. Hebrews calls its worship and
furnishings “an illustration for the present time.” [2]
Hebrews. 9:1–10; Now the
first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. 2
A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table
and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. 3 Behind
the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, 4 which
had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This
ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the
stone tablets of the covenant. 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of
the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these
things in detail now.
6
When everything had been arranged
like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their
ministry. 7 But only the high priest entered the inner room, and
that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself
and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit
was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been
disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 This
is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and
sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the
worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various
ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new
order. [3]
In
every aspect the tabernacle pictures the relationship between God and a
redeemed people. During the time in the wilderness, God’s presence was a
visible thing, marked by a cloudy, fiery pillar which always stood over the
tabernacle. When erected, the tabernacle always stood in the middle of the
camp, with the people ranged around it on every side.
God chooses to dwell in the
center of His people. And He is to be the center of our lives.[4]
Today, our church is our
tabernacle. I believe that God wanted us
to have a place where we could worship Him and do His works. If we were still meeting just in homes, I’m
not sure if the church would be where it is today. This church is a symbol of our relationship
with God and it is here where we come together as a community to proclaim that
relationship. God is here with us now
and every other church that is meeting in His name and honor.
2. Exodus 27:1-2; “Build an altar of acacia
wood, three cubits high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits
wide. 2 Make a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns
and the altar are of one piece, and overlay the altar with bronze.[5]
The
bronze altar. Any person who wanted
to come into God’s presence had to come through one door. At the door, placed
so that no one who entered could avoid it, stood the bronze altar. This was the
altar of sacrifice and atonement.
Later
Jesus would use this same picture in speaking of Himself. (John 10:9; I am the gate;
whoever enters through me will be saved.[6]).
Here
I am reminded of the cross. On entering
many church sanctuaries you see the cross.
It reminds us that it was on the cross that a sacrifice was made where
perfect blood was shed for the atonement of sin.
3. Exodus 30:18; “Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for washing. [7]
The
bronze basin. The basin was made of
the same bronze metal as the altar. It stood at the entrance of the tabernacle
itself, and was for the cleansing of those who entered the Presence. Jesus used
a similar symbolism at the time of the Last Supper when He washed the disciples’
feet. (John 13:5-8; After that, he poured water
into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel
that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to
him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize
now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,”
said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”9 “Then,
Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “A person who has had a
bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean,
though not every one of you.” [8]
).
I
see the baptism here and our commitment to come to God daily to confess our
sins. When we are made clean by baptism
we are always clean from sin, but our conscience is not clean unless we ask God
for forgiveness daily. When we ask God
for forgiveness in prayers, we do this not because if we don’t we will loose
our salvation, but to free us from guilt.
We can come to God and if we are remorseful we can be feel forgiven,
because we are.
1
John 1:9; If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us
our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.[9]
4. Exodus 25:30; Put the bread of the Presence on
this table to be before me at all times. [10]
The
table of the bread of the Presence.
Immediately inside the first veil a table was set. On this table, placed to the
right in the chamber, was kept a constant supply of fresh food and drink. It
represented that all that the believer needs to strengthen and sustain him is
found in God’s presence.
I
think here we can look at the Lord’s Supper.
It reminds us that it was through God’s son that we are able to come in
God’s presence. It is only through Him
that our need for salvation is fulfilled.
Our salvation is provided by God.
5. Exodus 25:31; “Make a lampstand of pure gold
and hammer it out, base and shaft; its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms shall
be of one piece with it.[11]
The
golden lampstand. To the left as one
entered the first chamber stood a seven-branched candlestick, so designed that
there was a constant flow of oil to feed it. This was the sole source of light
in the tabernacle. Natural light was blocked off by a series of curtains and
coverings.
In
the presence of God, He alone provides the light we need to see our way. And
that light is enough.
Ephesians
5:8-10; For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as
children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all
goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the
Lord.[12]
Our
lamp stand, our light is the light that comes from us by what we do. When we care for others and show love to the
world we show God’s light in the world.
6. Exodus 30:1; “Make an altar of acacia wood
for burning incense.
Altar
of Incense. Centered before the veil
that separated the holy place and the most holy place stood an altar of
incense. Here praise and prayer blended as the priests approached the presence
of God, awed and yet exalted by His closeness.
When
we come to worship God still today we sing praises and offer prayers.
7. Exodus 25:21; Place the cover on top of the
ark and put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.[13]
The
ark of the covenant. There was a
single article of furniture within the most holy place. The thick veil that
separated this chamber was moved only one time a year, when the high priest
entered there alone on the high and holy Day of Atonement, carrying the blood
of sacrifice to sprinkle on the mercy seat. It was here, in the inner chamber,
that the presence of God was focused.
The
veil itself communicates a message. The New Testament says that “the Holy
Spirit was showing by this that the way into the most holy place had not yet
been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing” (Heb. 9:8). The Bible tells us that at the moment of
Christ’s death, “the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom”
(Matt. 27:51).
The tearing the temple veil
from top to bottom is so significant. In that act, we are told that there is no
longer a curtain between the believer and the full experience of God’s
presence! Hebrews invites, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with
confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time
of need” (Heb. 4:16). [14]
I see the Ark where the
Testimony is to be place as the Bible.
It is the Bible that gives us our full connection to God. Here we have our testimony of the Old and New
Covenant. Here we are able to read about
salvation and the sacrfice of Christ.
Here we are to read the words of God.
[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ex 26:1
[2] Richards, Larry ; Richards,
Lawrence O.: The Teacher's Commentary. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1987, S.
102
[3] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Heb 9:1-10
[4] Richards, Larry ; Richards,
Lawrence O.: The Teacher's Commentary. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1987, S.
104
[5] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ex 27:1-2
[6] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Jn 10:9
[7] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ex 30:18
[8] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Jn 13:9-10
[9] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Jn 1:9
[10] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ex 25:30
[11] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ex 25:31
[12] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Eph 5:8-10
[13] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ex 25:21
[14] Richards, Larry ; Richards,
Lawrence O.: The Teacher's Commentary. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1987, S.
104
