Return to Eden

Outline

MP: As disciples of Christ, we experience his presence now and look forward to dwelling with our Savior Jesus.

Contributions for the Sanctuary

The Ark of the Covenant

The Table of Bread

The Golden Lamp-stand

The Tabernacle

The Bronze Alter

The Court of the Tabernacle

8. Oil for the lamps

Sermon

I dont like legos, Ikea fruniture, or anything that comes with instructions on how to put it together. To sit and follow instructions on how to build something specific, to the specific specs with all the parts, just takes to long for me. Honestly, my bride is the one who puts together bookshelfs or anything that has instructions. On the opposite end, I can sit for hours watching how to videos on building bookshelfs, tables, and even chicken coups. About 8 years ago, I decided I wanted chickens, i figured they would be fun, so I began my research into homes for these little egg laying hens. I spent, probably over 50 hours watching Youtube instructions on how to build a chicken coup.

In my mind, This was the coup that I was to build or something like it. Look at it, it is beautiful, pristine, a nice dwelling place for my chickens. So I got to work, I grabbed every piece of lumber that I saw in the pile at work to be sent to the dump, asked my supervisor, and for months, study paid off. I began the two day build of my precious chicken coup. About five mins into the building process my ADHD kicked in. The careful and precise measurements turned into grabbing a board, screwing in one side, then going over to the otherside eyeing the levelness because I left the level in the shop, I screwed the opposite side in. There was overhang, I didnt have a saw that wasnt plugged in at the other side of the house, so I grabbed the chain saw and cut the boards flush. Like I said, engineering engenuity. I placed the chicken wire on the coup, and finally it was finished. I stood back and Beheld my dwelling place that I built for my chickens and It looked like this.

Dont look at it too long, it gets worse. Mark I of the coup was complete. To be honest, when we moved I had to remove it. After 8 years, this thing took about an hour and a half to dismantle with a sledgehammer. It was sturdy. It cost me around $25 and It provided for itself as my birds enjoyed it and they returned their thanks by producing me eggs.

This morning, we are going to look at some instruction for a dwelling place for God. God is going to give instruction on how to build his house and the people of God was to do it exactly as God would show moses. God would be in the midst of his people, and dwell with them. I wont be able to read all of the chapters that we will be covering this morning. If you get a chance this evening sit down and read through all the aspects of God’s instructions for his sanctuary. The tabernacle was but a shadow of a future dwelling of God with his people, Jesus tabernacled among us, now we experience his presence as we look forward to dwelling with him in the new heavens and new earth.

The main thing I want you to see this morning is this:

MP: As disciples of Christ, we experience his presence now and we look forward to dwelling with our Savior Jesus.

Contributions for the Sanctuary (25:1-9) (Fulfilled in 35:4-9, 35:21-29)

God told the people of Israel to contribute their resources for the sanctuary. All the Gold, wood, skins, yarns, each Item was to come from the people themselves. This was contribution was to be made from each persons own heart, they must be willing to provide God with a place to live through the unique and valuable items that were to be collected. All of these items were provided to them during the Exodus. Remember, the Israelite were slaves and poor slaves at that. God provided for them the goods and they in turn would give a portion back to God.

A clear application is seen here for us. While we are not providing resources to make a tent for the Lord, we have been given resources that God has entrusted to us. We are to uses these resources to further the kingdom of God. We give sacrificially and joyously to the work of ministry. We dont give for our monies to be held in a bank but we give for these monies to be used for the Kingdom of Jesus and the expanse of the kingdom. Remember our resources come from God. We are not to be stingy with our money, our time, nor our talents. We should give joyfully as the church.

The whole purpose of the giving of the people was to provide a sanctuary or holy place for God, a place where he would dwell. This section is a return to Eden, where God dwelt in the midst of his creation. After genesis 1 we see God dwelling in the midst of Eden. He walked with Adam and Eve. Sin disrupted this, because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience God covered them with animal skins, and they were cast from the garden of Eden towards the west. A Cherubim with a flaming sword was placed on the entrance of Eden so they were not allowed to enter in. They were no longer allowed to dwell with God. There was a three fold aspect of the garden of Eden. The most holy place where God dwelt and walked was separated by the Cherubim. Going from east to west, there was a place that they could come but could not enter into, there were able to come to the outer wall of the garden but they could not come back into the holy place or the most holy place of the garden.

Here at Mt. Sinai, we see another picture of Eden, in the way the people approached God. Remember, The common Israelite was allowed at the base of the mountain no further, however, the Levites and Elders could go up the mountain closer to the presence of God, but only Moses could come into the presence of God. Again a three fold structure. We will see this idea again in the Tabernacle.

The instructions for this tabernacle , priest garments, and the furnishings span seven chapters. With 7, “the Lord said to moses,” Reminding his readers of the seven fold “And God said” moments of Genesis 1. This tabernacle was to be a new Eden Where God would dwell. The Israelites were to make the tabernacle and the furnishings, as Verse 9 of 25 says Exactly as God shows moses concerning the pattern. There was no room for laziness or ADHD in the building of the tabernacle of God. God’s standards for a Sanctuary were specific, beautiful, ornate, and a means of Grace to the Israelite people.

The tabernacle was to be made with beautiful and colorful yarn covering the inside walls. Upon the curtains were to be cherubim woven throughout to protect the entrance into God’s presence just like we see in Eden. A covering of goats hair would be over top of the beautiful curtain, and finally there was to be a curtain of goatskin and ram skins. There was a three fold structure to the tabernacle, the outer courtyard as we see in 27:9-19, the Holy place, and then the most holy place or the holy of holies. There was a veil between the holy place and the most holy place. only the high priest could enter into the most holy place once a year after a blood sacrifice was made.

The tabernacle shows the gospel. God wants a relationship with his people. Because of sin we are seperated from them and we cannot come back to God and be in his presence on our own. We need someone to offer a sacrifice on our behalf. Jesus Christ was that sacrifice, his blood was shed for our sins, so that we might be brought to God. he entered into the Holy place and offered redemption through his blood for our sins.

The Ark of the Covenant (25:10-22) (Fulfilled in 37:1-9)

Inside of the Most holy place, was the Ark of the Covenant, whose instructions we see in 25:10-22. This was the only piece of furniture that was placed in the most holy place. A rectangular box that would be transported with two poles, so that no man would touch it. If they did touch it they would die. This is reminded in Numbers 4:15 and seen in 2 Samuel 6:6-7 where Uzziah put his hand upon the ark so it didnt fall.

The bottom of the ark was to be made from acacia wood that would be covered with gold,

Inside the ark, were the ten commandments, a pot of manna, and Aarons rod that budded. The

lid or mercy seat would be made from pure gold with two Cheubim would be overshadowing the mercy seat. They would be facing one another with their wings above them.

God through this Ark is revealing that he was going to be present in their midst and commune with them like he did in the garden. Unlike in the garden, they would only be allowed to go into the most holy place and commune with God through blood sacrifice one a year. Even then God’s people needed a mediator. One that would speak on their behalf to God.

This mercy seat can also be called an atonement seat. This is where atonement was found on the day of Atonement when the high priest made reparations by sprinkling the blood upon it.

This is the place where God says in 25:22 “that upon the mercy seat I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.

As we are traveling from the most holy place, westward into the Holy Place. There was a veil or a curtain that separated the two sections of the inward parts of the tabernacle, allowing for the priest to come into the holy place without entering into the Holy of Holies.

For us Jesus is our mediator, he is the one that goes before us. As 1 John 2:1-2 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Jesus was the one that was broken for us to bring us to God. Upon his death, the Veil was torn. The divide that kept us away from entering into the presence of God has been broken. We have a better way of entereing into the presence of God now, that is through Jesus, who is our propitiation, who provides us atonement for our sins. We can enter into the presence of God in and only in Faith in Jesus Christ.

The Table of Bread (25:23-30) (Fulfilled in 37:10-16)

inside of the holy place there was a table for bread that was made out of acacia wood and covered in gold. There was to be 12 loves of bread, symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel. Reminding them that Each tribe had a seat at the table. This bread was to be eaten by the priest. God did not need the substance of the bread to live but the people needed to be reminded that God is the one that provides for them. God provided their daily bread, and they fellow shipped with God through the provision.

Jesus says that He is the bread of Life. In him is the true bread from heaven, The one who comes to him will never be hungry again. God has provided for us everything that we need to be sustained in Jesus.

The Golden Lamp-stand (25:31-40) (Fulfilled in 37:17-24)

On the opposite wall was a golden lampstand, that was handcrafted from 75 pounds of pure gold. The base funneled up and then branched off with branches that looked like almond blossoms. It was to be tended to by Aaron in the morning and he would light it in the evening. The oil for the lamps should from pure olive oil that is given by the people of Israel. You can read that in 27:20-21

The lamp was to look like a tree that gave light to the tabernacle. It was to signify the continuous presence of God with his people. He was and is continuously the light of the world.

1 john 1 John 1:5-7 “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Jesus is our light that is continuously shining now through us, we are to be a light to the nations.

Matthew 5:14-16 ““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

We now live as lights to the world giving glory to God, and calling people from darkness to light.

As you traveled out of the tabernacle you entered the Court yard.

The Court of the Tabernacle (27:9-19)

Though God would be with the people and dwell in the midst of camp, he still needed to be separate from them. He is Holy, Righteous, and without sin. Therefore, the walls and the curtains would separate his presence from the people. as you exit the Tabernacle you would enter into a fenced area. People would enter into this courtyard from the east just like in the garden of Eden. The materials for the court were like those used for the tent, showing a reminder that the Glory of the Lord was before them.

In the court there was, a table made for slaughter and a Bronze Alter.

The Bronze Alter (27:1-8) (Fulfilled in 38:1-7)

The alter was 7.5 X 7.5 x 4.5 ft high. it was to be made out of acacia wood and covered in bronze, even the utensiles was t be bronze. it was given rings around it so it could be moved when they traveled. The alter was used to make sacrifices, because to enter into the presence of God was only to be done through a sacrifice. the alter was in the forfront of the worship of the Israelite as they entered into the court.

This reminder of the sinfulness of man and the need for a sacrifice just to enter into his presence Hebrews reminds us of this

Hebrews 10:11-18 “And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.”

Christ’s sacrifice was once and foremost. His work has been completed and now in him is Sabbath rest. He has purchased for us redemption and forgiveness through his blood. Jesus is the better alter the source of salvation and grace that strengthens our hearts.

The Presence of God

What do we do now? Do we build tabernacles or temples now and offer sacrifices to experience the presence of God? No, Remember, the verse I read earlier, Hebrews 8:5-6 “They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.”

Each of these things pointed to Christ. We are now in a new and better covenant, because of What Jesus has done. Jesus came and tabernacled as (John 1:14) among us. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, everything was created by him and for him and in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell and through him to reconcile to himself all things whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Jesus has brought us into the presence of God, through himself.

We are indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:9 “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” God dwells in us, we no longer have to go and offer sacrifices but we can enjoy the benefit of having God dwell with us.

before we were separated by a veil, Because of Christ dwelling in us, We can now come boldly before the throne of Grace. call upon God as Father.

We get to experience this presence daily. We have been promised by Jesus that he will never leave us nor forsake up.

This is encouraging to us, because we are not alone. Through the darkest mirey pits Christ is with us. In our suffering and in our joy our savior is dwelling in us. We forget this often don't we? even as you were preparing for worship this morning, maybe you forgot that your savior was near. He is near to the broken hearted to those who are burddened by this world, he is the once that comforts the afflicted. He is the one that provides grace in our time of need. His love and presence is longed for more than a hug from an old friend.

His current presence with us points to the future hope we have. That when we die, we will live. We will be in his presence and we can experience it fully.

I would like to spend in closing thinking of how does what we have learned this morning apply to the meal that we are about to take.

Just like cooperate worship, bible reading, prayer, or anything else we can come to the table flippantly. Maybe for you, you didnt know we were even partaking of the Lord Supper, maybe you did and you didnt realize what we are doing when we come to the table together. I think that it is clear here in Exodus that to approach God it must be done in the manner by which he decrees. There is a veil that covers the innerparts of the tabernacle, it is covered, it is held away out of sight. The ark where God would meet with them when transported was covered. The Lord’s supper as an ordnance of Jesus, is to be done in a like manner. there is a means of approaching the table.

The Lord’s Supper is for believers in Jesus Christ.

If you have been saved by Jesus and been baptized by Immersion, you are welcome to partake with us this morning.

Our lives have been shown by the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf now we are able to approach God.

There is a warning to those of us that are going to partake his morning.

1 Corinthians 11:27-31 “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.”

Is there sin in your life that you are not repentive of? is there forgiveness in your heart to a brother or sister? Jesus says Matthew 5:23-24 “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Notice that Jesus cares more about the relationship and reconciliation than faking worship to the Lord.

We must approach the table in the way that the Lord has commanded us because he determines how he is approached. If someone did not go through the proper means to enter the Holy place of the tabernacle they were judged for it. Do not take of this meal flippently, If there is sin or unforgivness in your heart let the cup pass from before you and do not partake.

The Lord’s supper is a reaffirmation of the covenant

Baptism is the initial sign of the covenent that you have made with God. The Lord’s Supper is the continious sign of the covenant.

it is a reaffirmation that you have been bought by the blood of Jesus and he has saved you through his death. This is why only believers that have been baptized can partake of it. Our covenantal reality is shown by all those who partake of the meal, we are in essence saying that we are united with Christ together as the church. It points to the heavenly realities, that one day we will be with Christ and partake of the marriage supper of the lambs as the people of God united with Christ.

The Lord’s supper is a means of grace

The Lord’s supper provides for the Christian a means of grace. This doesnt mean that grace is given to your account but it is sustaining grace for the believer. Just as the bread sustained the priest in the tabernacle so does this bread and wine sustain us. We are reminded that it is by grace you are saved, grace is what sustains us.

We are partakers of the body and blood of Jesus, through the Spirit which unites us to one another. Christ is present spiritual with us in the partaking of the Lord’s Supper, not through means of changing the bread and the Wine but through the means of his presence through the Holy Spirit. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, as we sojourn on through the wilderness.

4. The Lord’s Supper point to the heavenly realities

Just as the tabernacle pointed to Jesus and the heavenly realities so does this meal

When we partake we a being sustained by the spirit awaiting the time that we will be with Jesus. Without sin. Being in his presence for the rest of eternity. It provides us hope for the travel and looking forward to being with our God and able to be in his presence. Here in the meal we get a taste of what it will be like when we return to eden, as everything in the tabernacle pointed to a return to be in God’s presence so does this meal. We await our heavenly dwelling with God in the New heavens and new earth.

Pray

Examine yourselves