The Tabernacle - part 1


The Tabernacle:

Intro:

The tabernacle was a mobile place of worship that God instructed Moses to build for the people of Israel. The word tabernacle means tent of meeting. This is the place where the people met with God. (Ex. 29:45-46) "They will know that I am the Lord their God who brought them out of Egypt." The important piece to remember is Moses was instructed to build something reflective of the heavenly worship of God. It was a physical earthly representation of the worship of God in heaven. Today we have the same concern for worship. Just because much of the contents of the tabernacle/temple were fulfilled in Christ, it does not negate the pattern mirroring heavenly images. We do not create our own structure or plan for worship but continue to join in eternal worship in heaven. Orthodox churches are still today modeled after the OT temple, and continue to reflect "heavenly worship". Rev 11:19

Jesus is the tent of meeting, and is where we meet God. John 1

Gate: about 30 ft wide. When one approached the gate they saw only the bronze altar. The significance is there was only one way to enter. Upon entry one could find forgiveness of sins as long as it accompanied sacrifice and repentance.

There is one way to communion to God to do otherwise is to ultimately fall into deception.

How does this relate to Jesus? Jesus is the door or gateway to communion with the Father. John 14:6; John 10:9; Rev 21:3; Jn2:19ff

Bronze Altar: 7.5 ft high with 4 horns projecting from the corners. This was the place of sacrifice. The man or priest would place his hand on the animal before it was killed. Lev. 1:4; Lev. 17:11; Heb 9:22; Mk 14:24; 1 Pet 1:18-19; Heb 10:10ff

The horns were a symbol of power, and the blood from the sacrifice was daubed on them to signify the power of the blood to cleanse their sins.

Jesus is the horn of our salvation: Ps 18:2; Lk 1:69

Bronze Laver:

The priest washed there before entering the holy place.

There is a symbolism of the washing away of sin; the purity of water; this is a beautiful picture of baptism; it is through the waters of baptism man is sanctified and able to approach God the Father.

Eph 5:25-27; Heb. 10:22

Holy Place:

Gold Lampstand:

The lampstand had seven branches with one main branch and 3 on each side. It looked like an almond tree. (Lev. 24:1-3)

This was the only source of light in the Holy Place

It was from a miracle of this lampstand the feast of Hannukah arose. The Jewish priests were trapped and had no way to gather oil to burn due to the onslaught of their enemies. Miraculously, the oil continued to replenish and the lamp burned for 8 days. Jesus is referencing this feast when He proclaims, "He is the light of the world" John 1:9; Jn 8:12; Jn 9:46

It was a symbol of God as light and the lightgiver. The seven lamps reflect the perfection of God Himself.

Jesus is the main center and the believers are the 6 extensions. Jn 15:5

Table of Shewbread: (Bread of the Presence)

Lev. 24:5f

The table held 12 loaves representing 12 tribes or the totality of Israel. All of Israel was held in the presence of God.

Every Sabbath the priests would eat the bread.

The bread was anointed with oil in the form of a cross. Even among ancient Judaism it was seen as a symbol of the Messiah. The bread was immediately before the one approached the presence of God in the Holy of Holies. In a sense it mediated the presence of God to man.

The act of a meal spoke to the people about God willingly communing with man in an invitation to share a meal with Him. - John 6:35ff; Rev. 3:20

Questions or Comments, post here

Click for part 2

Comments

TM said…
I like this article Theron - it actually is quite informational
9:47 PM
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