147. THE TABERNACLE: GOD'S MEETING PLACE WITH ISRAEL
The children of Israel needed a central point of worship in their lives. They needed to be continually reminded of Yahweh's holiness and the right way of worship. The tabernacle taught them all this as well as giving valuable instruction about the manifestation of God's glory in the future. Every detail of the tabernacle and its furniture is full of meaning. In discovering these meanings there is a wealth of instruction for us in our approach to God in worship (cp. Heb. 9:1-10).
Exodus 25
GENERAL DETAILS
When Moses was receiving the law in the Mount, God commanded that a special place should be constructed where He would meet with Israel. There they would assemble to worship and remember Him. This was necessary for their spiritual education. Here is revealed God's care for His people and His provision for them — "Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them" (Exod. 25:8; 29:43-46). Sanctuary means "separate place". Even though Yahweh dwells in heaven, He was pleased to reveal His presence in the Taberncle at the centre of His nation. As Israel had no fixed dwelling place a permanent building was impossible. Therefore God designed a movable tent or sanctuary. It could be carried in sections and erected without the use of hammer and nails.
God the Designer (Exod. 25:8-9). In the construction of every building, an architect, a plan, estimates, materials and workmen are essential. God gave Moses a detailed design of the Tent of Meeting or Tabernacle.
Materials (Exodus 25:1-7). Moses appealed for gifts and the people willingly brought treasures they had taken from the Egyptians. Only the best materials were offered: gold, silver and brass were the metals needed for the vessels; linen, wool and threads for the curtains, goats' hair, rams' skins and badger skins for the outer roof coverings of the Tent. The wood used was shittim or acacia grown in the desert. It is a beautiful, very hard wood, and very durable.
The Workmen (Exod. 35:30-35). Skilled workmen were appointed by God's command. God gave them wisdom, and understanding of how to work with the materials. The wood had to be prepared and fitted. The metals had to be molten and cast. The linen curtains had to be woven and embroidered. Women with clever fingers did this, realising that the work was for God. What a hive of activity it must have been with so many willing hearted and wise-hearted men and women working so enthusiastically for Yahweh. We should be similarly enthusiastic about our activities in Sunday School working happily with others of like precious faith.
Position of the Tabernacle (Num. 2:17-34). The Tabernacle was set in an enclosure 46 m long by 23 m wide, shut off from contact with the people by a curtain wall. The Tabernacle and enclosures, with its entrance? toward the east, was set up in the midst of the camp of Israel (Num. 2:17). The camp of Israel was set out in a square: on the East were Judah, Issachar and Zebulun; on the south were Reuben, Simeon and Gad; on the West were Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin; on the North were Dan, Asher and Naphtali. Inside this square was a further square made of the tents of the Levites. The tribe of Levi was also divided into four divisions (Numbers 3). Then inside this priestly square was the Tabernacle itself.
Israel was thus gathered around the Tabernacle, a symbol of what every true Israelite should do. But they were not allowed direct contact with the Tabernacle because the Levites and the Priests stood between them and it. God was showing His people that He is holy (i.e. separate) and even though they had been selected above all other nations they must reverence Him.
THE COURT OF THE TABERNACLE—OR ENCLOSURE
(Exod. 40:29-33) (see drawing of layout)
The court was a space of 46 m long by 23 m wide, enclosed with fine twined linen curtains, about 2Vi m high. It was supported upon brass pillars with fittings of silver and brass. A gate made of four pillars and curtains of blue, purple and scarlet fine twined linen was the entry to the court. Set in this court were:—
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The brazen altar of burnt offerings;
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The laver;
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The Tabernacle itself, divided into the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place.
Let us now see how these details point forward to Christ:—
The Curtains enclosed the court of the Tabernacle. Only the Israelites serving God entered through the curtains by way of the door, into the court. Christ is our only way of approach to God. Christ is the Door (John 10:9). "No man cometh unto the Father but by me" (John 14:6). Before we can come to God in truth, we must understand and acknowledge the work of God in Christ (Acts 4:12). The outer court represents a person's introduction to the Truth; so its fittings were of brass.
The Brazen Altar was of wood covered with brass, approximately 2¼ m square by 1½ m high. In the centre of it was a grate upon which the animals brought as sacrifices were burned. The fire was never allowed to go out (Lev. 6:12). The Israelites learned that the first thing in acceptable worship of God was sacrifice. The sacrificial blood was shed "to make reconciliation" to God (Lev. 8:15).
This altar was a type point to Christ. Through him we draw nigh to God (Heb. 13:10). Further, the atoning blood of Christ gains forgiveness and redemption for us (Hebrews 9:13-14).
The Laver was in the court for the priests to wash in before ministering in the Tabernacle (Exod. 30:20-21). It was to teach a reverence for God s holiness. Only those with clean hands and a pure heart shall stand betore God (Ps. 24:3-4). The washing at the laver is a type of our daily contact with God's Word: "washing by the word" (Eph. 5:26 cp. John 15:3). Through the word we can be cleansed and escape the defilements of the world about us.
THE TABERNACLE AND ITS CONTENTS (Exod. 40:1-28)
Refer also to earlier chapters of Exodus for details of the Tabernacle.
The Construction. The Tabernacle was a framework of boards overlaid with beaten gold. The boards were connected with rods along the side and fitted at the base into silver sockets. The Tabernacle was not very large -about 14 m long, 4.6 m wide and 4.6 m high. As a tent its sides and top were covered with curtains, four in number, to protect the vessels in it. It could be entered from one end only.
The Coverings. The first curtain was of fine twined linen embroidered (decorated by sewing) in blue, purple and scarlet. The second curtain was woven goats' hair - protection for the fine linen. The third curtain was rams' skins sewed together, dyed red. The fourth curtain was badger or seals' skins — very hard wearing.
The Holy Place. The Tabernacle was made of two sections. The first was known as the Holy Place, measuring 9 m long, 4V4 m wide and 4/4 m high. The other end, divided from the Holy Place by a curtain or veil, was the Most Holy Place or Holy of Holies, which shall be considered in detail in the next lesson. The Priests attended to their tasks daily in the Holy Place.
The items in the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place were of gold which speaks of a tried faith (1 Peter 1:7). Therefore the Tabernacle represents a true believer's service to God after baptism (i.e. walking in faith). The Holy Place contained:—
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The table of shewbread;
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The seven-branched lampstand;
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The golden altar of incense.
The Table of Shewbread held the twelve loaves of bread which represented the twelve tribes of Israel. The bread was changed every Sabbath Day (Lev. 24:8). The old loaves were to be eaten only by the priests and always in the Holy Place. During our life of service as brethren and sisters we partake of Christ whom the Shewbread represented as the Bread of Life" (John 6:35 and 38). Then partaking of him, we offer to God the fruits of our labours, the result of his influence in our lives.
?The Golden Lampstand held the seven lights that burned continually, and represented the light of truth (2 Peter 1:19). We must walk being guided by this light, which comes from reading and understanding God's Word (Psa. 119:105). In this way our thoughts are directed to God.
The Altar of Incense. At morning and evening incense was burned upon it. Incense is a perfume from spices and is sweet and fragrant. David said, "Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense" (Psa. 141:2). Through the altar, incense ascended to God. Likewise prayer ascends to God through Jesus Christ, the true altar. Prayers to God express longing for fellowship with Him, and the day when His goodness will triumph in the earth. The prayers of sincere brethren and sisters in Christ ascend to God as a "sweet savour" pleasing to God.
THE CLOUD OVER THE TABERNACLE (Exod. 40:34-38)
"Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation" (v.34). Outside, and visible to the people, the cloud and the pillar rested. So long as the cloud by day and the appearance of fire by night stayed over the Tabernacle, the children of Israel stayed in the same place and did not journey; when the cloud was taken up from over the Tabernacle, the people went forward and followed where it led.
When we consider the wonderful design of the Tabernacle and its different parts so full of meaning, we can appreciate God's greatness and goodness. The camp of Israel was set out in a square and the Tabernacle was set up in the midst of the camp. There, within the Tabernacle, God's glory shone as we shall see in our next lesson. The people were continually reminded to praise and honour Him.
REFERENCE LIBRARY:
"The Story Of The Bible" (H. P. Mansfield)-Pp. 335-383
"The Visible Hand Of God" (R. Roberts)—Chapt. 17
"Law of Moses" (R. Roberts)—Chapts, 14, 15, 16
PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:
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Who planned the Tabernacle and why did Israel need it?
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Name two metals used in the making of the Tabernacle and say what they represent?
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Tell the meaning of:—
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The lampstand; (b) The laver; (c) The door.
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
/. Explain the reason for the Tabernacle's position in the midst of Israel?
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What lessons are there for us in the Outer Court and the Holy Place of the Tabernacle? Make sure you refer to the Altar of Sacrifice.
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Describe the table of shewbread, the lampstand, the altar of incense in the Holy Place and tell what they mean for us today.