Tabernacle

On Mount Sinai, after the Lord had given the commandments, judgments, and ordinances to Moses, He instructed Moses to construct the tabernacle. This was to be a center for worship and a place where the people could focus upon the presence of the Lord.

Exodus chapters 25and 26

Tabernacle was a portable Temple that the Israelites constructed according to specifications given by God.

It was first called a sanctuary, because Jehovah, as it were, abode there.

Exodus 25:8 "Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them.

Other names where: The Tent of Jehovah, The Tent of Meeting or Tabernacle of Testimony.

It served as a place of worship and sacrifice for the nation of Israel during their early history.

Exodus 40:34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

The outer courts

There was a single gateway, across which was embroidered linen hanging.
Around the outside of the court was the camp of the Israelites.
Within the court between the gateway and the Tabernacle was:

The altar for animal sacrifice
The laver - a large copper bowl the priests used for washing before entering the Tabernacle.

The interior was divided by a veil into two sections.

The Holy Place, It had three items of furniture:

a seven branched candlestick
an altar of incense
A table bearing twelve loaves of bread.

The Most Holy Place (or Holies of Holies), It had one item

The Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was a gold covered chest containing the stone tablets of the law. It had a solid gold lid, known as the mercy seat from which arose two winged figures called Cherubim. It was from between these Cherubim that God manifested his presence.

Services of the Tabernacle

Ordinary Israelites were not allowed to enter within the court. They brought their offering to the gateway, where it was received by a priest and sacrificed according to a special ritual appointed by God.

Daily service by the priests

Tended the lamps

Offered incense in the Holy Place

Weekly service by priests

Changed the bread on the table.

Yearly service by High Priest

Only once a year the High Priest would enter The Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement. Then, in the presence of God, he sprinkled sacrificial blood on the mercy seat and made atonement for the nation’s sins.

The Tabernacle in relationship to Jesus

The gate or door - there was only one entrance into the court. This represents Christ.

John 10:9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

The sacrificial altar - This shows us that forgiveness of sins is an essential stage in our approach to God. The slain animals pointed forward to the perfect sacrifice that Jesus was to offer.

Hebrews 10:10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

The Laver - by which we are cleansed from all past sins.

John 7:38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"

The Holy Place – Now that we are purified through Jesus we are able to enter the Holy Place. The bible tells us that this is a symbol of the present life of the true believer.

Hebrew 10:19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,

The Lamp – Jesus is the Light of the world. A lamp burning bright for all to see and one that points to the Holies of Holies.

John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, " I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

The light has two purposes – To give light within the Holy Place and to light the entrance to the Holies of Holies.

The life of a believer is to be that of the light in the Holy Place

Matthew 5:14-16 14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The Bread – Jesus is the only nourishment that we need. Just as bread and water is consumed so to should we be consumed of Christ.

John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty

The altar of incense - depicts Jesus as being the intercessor for our prayers

John 16:26 " In that day you will not question Me about anything Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.

Revelation 8:3 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.

The Veil – represents Jesus’ body that was shredded and slain so that we may be able to enter into the Holies of Holies.

Hebrew 10:20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,

Matthew 27:51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.

The Ark of the Covenant – This is God’s word to His people. It was the first piece of the tabernacle’s furniture, for which precise directions were delivered.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The word ark means coffin
Other names: “Ark of the Covenant of God [˒elohim]” (Josh. 4:5; Judges. 20:27), “The Ark of the God [˒elohim] of Israel” (1 Samuel 5:11), “The Ark of the Lord [Yahweh] God [˒elohim] of Israel” (1 Chronicles 15:12)
Items in the Ark - The ark contained 3 items that relates to the work of the Trinity and of God’s acts of redemption.

Hebrews 9:4 having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron's rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant;

The tablets upon which were inscribed the Ten Commandments – The Law or Word of God- (Father) Deuteronomy 9:10 "The LORD gave me the two tablets of stone written by the finger of God; and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken with you at the mountain from the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly.

An jar or two quarts of manna – Provision – (Son) John 6:32, 48-50 “Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.’”

Aaron’s rod that budded – is for guidance and remembrance of God’s mercy– (Holy Spirit) John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

Israelites camped around the Tabernacle – Their appointed positions by God is significant of Christ death.

In Numbers 2 will see the illustration of the cross.

His glory is revealed – God resided in the Holies of Holies

· Realize that there was light in the Holy Place, but not in the Holies of Holies. – That’s because it was lit by God’s glory.

Revelation 21:23 And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.

· God’s glory would fill the tent after it was assembled

Exodus 40:34-38 34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 36 Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; 37 but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. 38 For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the slight of all the house of Israel.

· No one was able to see the glory of God

o One would die if he sees God glory (the Face of God)

Exodus 33:18-23 18 Then Moses said, "I pray You, show me Your glory!" 19 And He said, "I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion." 20 But He said, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!" 21 Then the LORD said, "Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; 22 and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 "Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen."

· John testifies of seeing Jesus in His glorified state, per Jesus instructions.

Matthew 17:1-9 1 Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. 2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. 7 And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, "Get up, and do not be afraid." 8 And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone. 9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."

A new covenant – Because of the blood of Christ there is no longer the old atoning covenant preformed once a year.

Hebrews 9:15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

The day will come when God will dwell again with His people

Revelation 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,

Revelation 21:22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

Where is the Tabernacle or Temple today?

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

1 Corinthians 3:19 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

The Tabernacle was carried with the Israelites in the desert as God lead them to the Promise Land

Wherever the Israelites set camp God was present with them

God provided and guide them through the desert

GOD NEVER FORSAKE THEM !

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