The Tabernacle: God Came Near

The Tabernacle: God Came Near Exodus 25-26 June 28, 2020 THE BIG IDEA: After God gave His people the Commandments, He KEY ELEMENTS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE TABERNACLE ¥ THE WALL: a reminder of our sin that separates us from God ¥ came again to Moses with detailed instructions about building a Tabernacle -- an earthly “dwelling place” for the LORD. The entire story is a reflection of God’s heart to both be with His people and to have them be in His presence. All of it pointed to the Savior God would send one day – Jesus. ¥ What Was the Tabernacle? § The details of the structure’s plans (given by God in detail to Moses) and the construction of the Tabernacle are given in Exodus 25-40. § The Tabernacle represents the tangible presence of God. § It illustrates our need for salvation. § It points to who Jesus is and what He will do for our salvation and His own Glory. § The Tabernacle is also referred to as the Sanctuary, Tent of Meeting, Tent of Testimony, and Dwelling Place. When the Israelites are finally settled, they will build the Temple and this permanent structure replaces the portable Tabernacle. § The Tabernacle looks both backwards (to the Garden) and forwards (to Heaven). Revelation 21:3 § In both the components and in the functions of the Tabernacle, we see hints of the coming Savior, Jesus. ¥ ¥ Exodus 25 - 26 A quick overview of the instructions to Moses ¥ ¥ ¥ [Ephesians 2:12-13] THE GATE: a single entrance through which one must come if you are to be in God’s presence [Ephesians 2:18; John 14:6] THE ALTAR: where the priests alone could offer blood sacrifices for the sins of the people. Jesus, amazingly, is both priest and sacrifice, as He goes to the Cross on our behalf. Christ was the “once for all” and final sacrifice that would ever have to be offered for us. [John 1:29; Hebrews 10:1-18] THE BASIN: where “sinful hands” are symbolically cleansed. Jesus is the only righteous one who can freely be with the Father. THE TABLE OF BREAD: Jesus is the “bread of life” [John 6:35] THE LAMPSTAND: Jesus is the true Light of the World [John 8:12] THE ALTAR OF INCENSE: believers carry the “fragrance of Christ” wherever they go. [2 Corinthians 2:15] THE ARK OF THE COVENANT: behind the veil in the Holy of Holies; contains Aaron’s Rod (deliverance), a pot of Manna (provision), and, the Tablets of the Law; covering the Ark was the Mercy Seat. Jesus is the High Priest [Hebrews 10:21] – He perfectly fulfilled the Law – Jesus is the Curtain, whose body was torn like the veil, giving His disciples access to God [Hebrews 10:19-20]. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt [literally, ‘tabernacled’] among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (ESV) 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, John 1:12 (ESV)