A Holy Revelation • Exodus 27

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

We mentioned in chps.24-32  Moses will go up to the Mountain of God,  Mount Sinai,  Mount Horeb. 

There he will receive instructions regarding the various articles that will be used to worship the Lord…

In chp.24 & 25 God told Moses about some materials that will be needed to build the Tabernacle…   the Ark…       the Table of Showbread…      the Golden Lampstand…

And all of these materials were to be offered to the Lord with a Willing Heart… the same way the Lord wants us to offer things to Him…     2 Cor.9:7 let each one give as he purposes in his heart not grudgingly…

2. Current Study’s Overview

In chp.26-27    Moses receives more instructions from the Lord…  in chp.26 he receives instructions regarding the Tabernacle of Meeting…          or        the Tent of Meeting…

That portable structure that the Children of Israel will carry about during their wilderness wanderings… 

8 things to note about the Tabernacle…

1.  The Altar of Burnt Offering Vs. 1-8

1.1 vs.1

The Altar of Burnt Offering is 7 ½’ sq. x 4 ½’ tall… it is located in the Courtyard of the Tabernacle.

1.2 Vs. 2-8

The Altar was to be made of Bronze…  or  Brass…      which speaks of Judgment…

In Ex.29:38 the fire was to burn continually & the sacrifices were to be made daily…  their sins were to be judged daily…

Exodus 29:38 NKJV

38 “Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs of the first year, day by day continually.

In other words, their sins had to be atoned for on a daily basis.

The Hebrew word “kaphar” in the Old Testament Bible is translated into English as “atonement” and it means “to cover.”  Atonement involved the sacrifice of an innocent animal, and by the shed blood of that animal, God would see the sins of the person(s) who offered the sacrifice, covered. God commanded such sacrifice because He is holy, and mankind as sinners needed a costly way to have their sins covered, so they might be in right relationship with God. Those who wanted to know God, and fellowship with Him, would by faith, offer the sacrifices to have that relationship and fellowship with Him. Those who were not people of faith, didn’t sacrifice, and therefore would not have their sins covered, and thus be separated from God.  The first need for atonement is revealed in Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve sinned and hid themselves because, having disobeyed God, they saw themselves as naked. God sacrificed an animal or animals, using their skins to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve. There are many examples of men like Abel, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob offering up sacrifices to atone for or cover their sins. God gave Jacob the name Israel, and through Him was born 12 sons making the 12 tribes of Israel. This brings us to God’s written commands about atonement.

God created for this nation of people, a system of sacrifices by which they, as sinners, could draw near to Him, and benefit from His life-giving presence. He designed a tabernacle or tent where His presence could be seen, with the nation encamped all around Him. This tabernacle, designed by God, was the place where atonement or covering of sin was accomplished by those who had faith in God, and therefore obeyed Him by offering their animals. God never intended this sacrificial system to be an end in itself, or to be the only answer for the sins of people. Atonement, being only a temporary covering of sin, was never the ultimate answer to solve mankind’s greatest problem. Rather, this system of sacrifice merely prepared this nation of Israel, and the whole world, for One who would come, and offer His own life as the ultimate and final sacrifice for sin. In the book of Hebrews, it explains that the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin, or in other words have sins permanently forgiven by God. With the animals, there would always be the need for another sacrifice. But by the power of the sacrificial blood of Jesus, the Son of God, dying on the cross, the potential for anyone’s sins to be washed away and forgiven forever by God was made possible.  Atonement in the Old Testament was a temporary faith exercise of sacrifice done by those who believed in God and showed it by offering those sacrifices. Jesus did far more than just temporarily cover sin: He destroyed it, rising from the dead, conquering the power of sin and death for all who believe. Today, in light of the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, those sinners who humbly by faith receive Him and His sacrifice into their hearts and lives are forgiven by God of all their sins. These believers have the wisdom of God’s Word and the Presence of God the Holy Spirit in them to grow in His goodness. Most importantly, they are promised by God the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ their Lord.

APPLICATION: Aren’t you glad Jesus Christ judged our sins once and for all...

Hebrews 10:10 NKJV

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

Read Below...

Hebrews 9:11–12 NKJV

11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:13–14 NKJV

13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 9:15 NKJV

15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

2. The Courtyard Walls & Gate Vs. 9-19

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100 cubits:  150’…  50 cubits:   75’…  the courtyard: 150’ x 75’…   15 cubit or 22 ½’ hangings.

Gate:  20 cubits:  30’ long…    5 cubits: 7 ½’ tall is the wall & gate… 

There are a couple symbolic things that the courtyard walls of the Tabernacle, point to Jesus Christ:

1. **Protection and Separation**  The walls of the courtyard (Exodus 27:9-19) were a marked boundary, separating the holiness of God's dwelling from the outside world. It acted as a protective barrier, ensuring that only those who were consecrated and purified could approach the holy presence of God.This is reminiscent of what Jesus did for us. He stands as our mediator, bridging the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God. As 1 Timothy 2:5 says, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."

1 Timothy 2:5 NKJV

5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

2. **Accessibility and Grace**  Even though the walls marked separation, there was an entrance, a gate that allowed access. This gate is an emblem of God's grace, showing that though we are separated by sin, there is a way in. Jesus echoed this very sentiment in John 10:9, when He proclaimed, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."

John 10:9 NKJV

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

3. The Lampstand Vs. 20-21

The Lampstand was to burn continually…   or    to Give Light daily…     all day everyday… 

**1. The Proclamation of Jesus as Light**

John 8:12 NKJV

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

These aren't just comforting words; they're transformative. In a world filled with darkness, confusion, and despair, Jesus declares Himself to be the singular source of true light.

He is the beacon that pierces the night, bringing clarity, direction, and hope.

**2. What Darkness Represents** Throughout the Bible, darkness is often symbolic of sin, ignorance, and estrangement from God.

It's a metaphorical representation of a world without God's guiding presence.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they brought darkness – separation from God – into the world.

Every subsequent sin only adds to this darkness, obscuring our vision and leading us away from our Creator.

**3. Jesus: The Solution to Our Darkness** But here's the beauty of the Gospel message: into this deep and pervasive darkness, God sent His Son as a brilliant light.

Jesus doesn’t just illuminate our path; He transforms our very nature, helping us to see, think, and act in ways that reflect God's own heart.

**4. The Call to Reflect the Light**

Yet, the story doesn't end with us merely receiving the light. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says to His followers...

Matthew 5:14–16 NKJV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

This is our mandate as believers: to reflect the radiant light of Christ to those around us.

We are called not just to bask in His glow, but to become luminous beacons ourselves.

**5. Living as Light** So, what does it mean to live as light? - It means living transparently, authentically, and honestly before God and others.

It involves radiating the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus to those we encounter.

It demands that we stand for truth, even when the world promotes falsehood.

And most importantly, living as light means drawing others toward the ultimate source of light: Jesus Christ.

ENDING......