Holy Place and the Cross

Introduction

-What were you doing on New Years day? Relaxing? Trying to sleep in after watching the ball drop? The Israelites were building their place of worship (Exodus 40:2). They realigned by putting God at the center.

I. Tabernacle Setup (Exodus 40)

A. It’s a new year for Israel, a new beginning, a new covenant, a new place of (v. 1-16)

1. They begin the year by setting up all the pieces of the tabernacle that they had been constructing for months (v. 1-8)

a. The tent of meeting with the ark of the covenant within, hanging the curtains as veils, bringing in the golden lampstand, altar of incense, and the table of showbread. Outside the door is the laver and the altar of sacrifice

b. But redecorating the center of the camp of Israel was not the end goal. Setting apart the tent of meeting and all that went with it as holy was the goal (v. 9-11)

1. Illus. I chose Grace to have a unique relationship with me. Out of all the women in the world I chose her and she agreed to choose me. We now have a different relationship that no one else will ever have with us. She has my last name and my affection that no other woman will ever have. That’s the essence of being holy

2. The tent of meeting was being set apart as a unique tent (unlike the ones the people lived in), their lampstands were not of the same caliber as the golden lampstand, their incense pails in comparison to the altar of incense, their bread was common and the table of showbread was distinct

3. Why? These things were God’s. They were consecrated and anointed (Holy Spirit) as unique places and furniture for God. What makes them different is that their purpose and existence is entwined with the Divine. Their use would be exclusively linked to God Himself. They were holy

4. The altar was most holy (v. 10). Why? It was the thing that enabled you to enter into God’s house and worship the Divine with the utensils that were God’s. With the altar of sacrifice the thing that distanced you from God (sin) was paid for and you were granted to be washed in the laver, enter His sanctuary, and worship God in the only unique way

2. The priests were then set apart as God’s (v. 12-16).

B. Arranging the sacraments (v. 17-33)

1,

C. God’s presence dwelt there mightily (v. 34-38)

II. Christ is our Tabernacle (Hebrews 9:1-14)

A.