“SETTINGS, SYMBOLISM, SIGNIFICANCE”
INTRODUCTION: With this message we begin an extensive study of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness found in Exodus 25-40. Now at the outset you are probably asking, “Why spend all this time studying the Tabernacle?” A consideration of the Tabernacle and its functions is important for a number of reasons.
First: In II Timothy 3:16 we read, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” All scripture is profitable” that means there is something for you to know, learn and benefit from this study.
Second: The structure comprises approximately 50 chapters in the Old and New Testament devoted to the construction, ritual, and priesthood of the tabernacle and the meaning of them all. There are 15 chapters in Exodus; 18 chapters in Leviticus; 13 chapters in Numbers; 2 chapters in Deuteronomy and 4 chapters in Hebrews.
Third: The Tabernacle is a great picture book pointing to Jesus Christ and the entire plan of salvation before the Bible was written. A study of the Tabernacle is necessary for a proper understanding of Christ’s redemptive program as almost every part and piece of the Tabernacle is a figure of Christ.
Fourth: An understanding of the Tabernacle informs sinful people about the HOLINESS of God and how sinful people can approach a holy God with acceptable worship.
Fifth: An understanding of the Tabernacle as it relates to the person of Christ and the plan of salvation is a wonderful way to approach the witness to a Jewish person.
Sixth: The sacrificial system within the Tabernacle teaches the great importance God places on the need for a blood sacrifice to atone for sin.
In II Chronicles 2:6 we read "But Who is able to build Him an house, seeing the heaven of heavens cannot contain God," yet in His amazing love, God planned Himself a house to dwell in and it was the TABERNACLE in the WILDERNESS. The tabernacle was a portable tent that served as Israel's place of worship. It was the place where God chose to "dwell" and meet with the people.
In Numbers 17:7 it is called the "Tabernacle of witness."
In Revelation 5:5 it is called the "Tabernacle of testimony."
In Exodus 33:7 it is called "Tabernacle of the congregation."
The Tabernacle was a place where God would meet with man as a witness of His divine Judgment and yet at the same time showing man His marvelous Grace of redemption.
The entire last half of Exodus from chapter 25 to chapter 40 is given over to the subject of the Tabernacle. As you read the chapters it appears Moses is repeating himself. Not really, for:
In Chapters 25-28 God’s divine plan started INSIDE the Ark of the Covenant and worked OUT. God always begins with the heart and works outward.
In Chapters 36-39 Man begins the erection of the Tabernacle from the OUTSIDE and works his way IN.
Now please follow me as I read several passages of scripture in order to get our bearings for this lesson.
Number 1. From Exodus 25:1-9 we read, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (2) Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. (3) And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, (4) And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, (5) And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood, (6) Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, (7) Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.” Now please notice carefully verses 8-9, “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” (9) According to all that I shew thee, after the PATTERN of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.”
Number 2. From Exodus 35:4-19 we read, “And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, (5) Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass, (6) And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, (7) And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood, (8) And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense, (9) And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate. (10) And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the LORD hath commanded; (11) The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering, his taches, and his boards, his bars, his pillars, and his sockets, (12) The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering, (13) The table, and his staves, and all his vessels, and the shewbread, (14) The candlestick also for the light, and his furniture, and his lamps, with the oil for the light, (15) And the incense altar, and his staves, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the door at the entering in of the tabernacle, (16) The altar of burnt offering, with his brasen grate, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot, (17) The hangings of the court, his pillars, and their sockets, and the hanging for the door of the court, (18) The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords, (19) The cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office.”
Number 3. From Hebrews 8:1-5 we read, “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; (2) A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. (3) For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. (4) For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:” Now again carefully notice verse 5, “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.”
The Tabernacle in the Wilderness was minutely patterned after a tabernacle already existing in heaven. Moses was strictly commanded repeatedly to follow the exact pattern of an exact replica of this heavenly tabernacle shown him in the mount.
After it was erected, the Tabernacle was an object lesson to the children of Israel for nearly 500 years, from Moses until it gave place to the TEMPLE, the more permanent structure, during the reign of Solomon. Although the Tabernacle itself has long since ceased to exist, its lessons remain to this day. Dr. M.R. Dehaan in the introduction to his book on the Tabernacle said,
"The only building ever constructed upon this earth which was perfect from its very beginning and outset in every detail, and never again needed attention, addition or alteration, was the tabernacle in the wilderness. The blueprint, the pattern and the plan, the design, and all of its specifications, were minutely made in heaven, committed unto Moses for the children of Israel.
... Every single detail was designed by Almighty God, every part had a PROPHETIC, REDEMPTIVE and TOPICAL significance. There is no portion of scripture richer in meaning, or more perfect in its teaching of the plan of REDEMPTION, than this divinely designed building. God Himself was the architect, and every detail points to some aspect of the character and work of the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, and, in its complete form, it is probably the most comprehensive, detailed revelation of Jesus the Son of God, and the plan of salvation in the entire Old Testament."
The Tabernacle itself and its form of worship created a “Portrait of Christ.” In Hebrews 9:11, we read, “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect TABERNACLE, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building,…” The message of the tabernacle is Christ. To the anointed eye, every detail of the Tabernacle points to some aspect of the Person and work of our Saviour.
In John 1:14 of Jesus we read, "the Word (speaking of Christ) became flesh, and dwelt among us (Tabernacle) and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the father, full of grace and truth."
To the two on the Emmaus road after His resurrection, Jesus in Luke 24:27 said, "…beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself."
To the disciples in John 5:39 is an admonishment to take heed when Jesus said, "…search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
Every part of the tabernacle points to and is a type of Christ in some phase of His deity, humanity, character and work. The heavenly Tabernacle is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, and the tabernacle of Israel in the wilderness was an exact copy of Him, in every detail from the linen fence to the ark and the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies. As you observe and study each item someone said,
"The tabernacle is probably the most comprehensive, detailed revelation of Jesus the Son of God, and the plan of salvation in the entire Old Testament."
The theme of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness is the BLOOD. This, in fact, is the central theme of the Word of God, as it relates to the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
In Leviticus 17:11 we read, "For it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
In Hebrews 9:22 we read, "And without shedding of blood there is no remission."
In I John 1:7 we read, "…the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
The principle act in the Tabernacle form of worship was the slaying of the sacrificial lamb. This too was a shadow and pattern of the finished work when Christ as the LAMB OF GOD shed His blood for us at Calvary.
I trust that throughout this study, we can digest these things concerning Christ and react as did those two on the Emmaus road when they said of Jesus in Luke 24:32, "Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the scriptures?"
In this introductory study of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, let's delve into these three important issues: the Setting, the Symbolism, and the Significance.
FIRST: The SETTING of the Tabernacle: After God redeemed Israel from Egypt, He needed a place to dwell with His redeemed people. Therefore the purpose of the Tabernacle is found in Exodus 25:8 where we read, "Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may DWELL with them." God desired to have a place where He could dwell with the people.
Just think about that for a minute. The Almighty, Eternal, Holy, Creator God needed a place to dwell. The Bible says,
In Exodus 25:8, God found a dwelling place in the TABERNACLE.
In II Chronicles 7:16, God found a dwelling place in the TEMPLE.
In Colossians 2:9, God dwells in the SON, Jesus Christ.
In I Corinthians 6:19-20, God dwells in the BELIEVER.
In Revelation 21:3, God dwells in the HEAVENS.
Herein is the great truth that God through His grace in redemption and our faith in Him has come to indwell us. He is not the God out there. He is the God in here. And the truth that we will proclaim over and over again is that the meeting place with God is at the place of the BLOOD.
Before taking you into the glories of this structure, let me help you to imagine a clear mental picture of the structure as a whole.
A. The Tabernacle stood on a PLOT of ground 75' wide and 150’ long enclosed by a FENCE 71/2' high.
B. There was only ONE entrance - a GATE at the eastern end 30' wide suspended upon 4 pillars.
C. The enclosure at its eastern end contained two articles of furniture, the BRAZEN ALTER for the sacrificial offerings, and the BRAZEN LAVER for the cleansing.
D. The TABERNACLE was a rectangle building 45' long and 15' wide and 15' high. The structure was divided into two compartments divided by a veil.
E. The first room, called the HOLY PLACE was 30’ long, 15’ high and 15' wide. This room contained three pieces of furniture.
The TABLE OF SHEWBREAD on the north side.
The LAMPSTAND on the south side.
The ALTAR OF INCENSE in the rear before the veil.
F. The second room called the HOLY OF HOLIES or the most Holy Place was shaped like a perfect cube, 15' by 15' by 15'. The furniture in this room was the ARK OF THE COVENANT and the MERCY SEAT.
G. Above the tabernacle was the ROOF made up of four COVERINGS.
The first covering, Exodus 26:1-6 was a linen cloth of blue, purple, and scarlet fine-twined linen.
The second covering, Exodus 26:7-13 was possibly black goat skin.
The third covering, Exodus 26:14 was ram skin dyed red.
The fourth covering, Exodus 26:14 was badger skin.
Concerning the articles of furniture, there are exactly seven pieces of furniture from the outer court yard on into the Holy of Holies, speaking of the perfection of him, to which all these pointed. Every part of this building, every article of furniture, pointed to some aspect of the perfection of the person and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, our meeting place with God, our "Tabernacle".
Interestingly these articles of furniture were so arranged that if we draw a straight line from the altar at the door at the EASTERN end to the ark in the Holy of Holies, and then draw a line at right angles to this line from the Table of Shewbread on the north side to the Lampstand on the south side, we have the PERFECT FIGURE OF THE CROSS. In other words, the tabernacle was God's wilderness picture of Calvary.
1. The BRAZEN ALTAR in the court yard refers to the CROSS OF CHRIST.
2. The LAVAR in the court yard refers to CHRIST THE CLEANSING ONE.
3. The TABLE OF SHEWBREAD in the Holy Place refers to Christ as the BREAD OF LIFE.
4. The GOLDEN LAMPSTAND in the Holy Place refers to Christ as the LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
5. The ALTAR OF INCENSE in the Holy Place refers to Christ as the INTERCESSOR.
6. The ARK OF THE COVENANT in the Holy of Holies refers to the FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.
7. The MERCY SEAT to the Place of the BLOOD the seat of Christ’s PROPITIATION.
SECOND: The SYMBOLISM of the Tabernacle. The study of symbology throughout the Old Testament is fascinating. Particularly the study of the Tabernacle. However, we need to be careful of the extremes here. In Exodus 8:9 we read, According to all that I shew thee, after the PATTERN of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.”.
In Hebrews 8:5 again we read, “Who serve unto the example and SHADOW of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the PATTERN shewed to thee in the mount.” Here he speaks of the SHADOW and PATTERN of heavenly things.
In Hebrews 9:23 we read, “It was therefore necessary that the PATTERNS of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.” Again he speaks of the PATTERN of things in the Heavens."
In Hebrews 9:24 we read, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the FIGURES of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:…” Here he speaks of the FIGURES of the true."
In other words, in the Tabernacle we see SHADOWS, PATTERNS, and FIGURES of heavenly or spiritual things that are revealed in Christ. For some of this we return to the chapters read at the outset of this message from Exodus 25:3-7 and Exodus 35:4-19 where we find the materials used in the construction of the tabernacle.
A. There were three basic METALS used in the tabernacle, they being,
GOLD: speaks of the DEITY of Jesus Christ.
SILVER speaks of the REDEMPTION.
BRASS speaks of the JUDGEMENT in the death of Christ.
B. There were four basic COLORS used in the Tabernacle. The combination and order of these colors are used 28 times in the book of Exodus, they being,
WHITE speaks of Christ as the righteous One.
BLUE, is the heavenly color speaking of Christ as the spiritual One.
PURPLE typifies Christ as the sovereign One.
SCARLET typifies Christ as the sacrificial One.
C. There are three FABRICS used in the Tabernacle, they being,
GOATS' hair speaks of service.
Rams' skin speaks of devotions.
Badgers' skin speaks of holiness.
D. The only type of WOOD used was "shittim or acacia which speaks of the humanity of Christ.
E. OIL, typifies God's Holy Spirit, called in I John 2:27 "the anointing".
F. SPICES typify the fragrance of Christ.
As a matter of quick review here they are again:
1. Gold speaks of the DEITY of Christ.
2. Silver speaks of the REDEMPTION of Christ.
3. Brass speaks of the JUDGMENT of Christ.
4. Shittim or Acacia wood speaks of the HUMANITY of Christ.
5. White linen speaks of the RIGHTEOUSNESS of Christ.
6. Blue (color of Heaven) speaks of Christ as the SPIRITUAL ONE.
7. Purple speaks of Christ as the SOVEREIGN ONE.
8. Scarlet speaks of Christ as the SACRIFICIAL ONE.
9. First Covering – Goats’ Hair of black speaks of SIN to be covered.
10. Second Covering – Rams’ Skin dyed red speaks of the BLOOD of Christ..
11. Third Covering – Badgers’ skin speaks of the HOLINESS of Christ.
12. Cherubim speak of God's HOLY SPIRIT as PROTECTION.
THIRD: The SIGNIFICANCE of the Tabernacle. It is of great significance that in giving the instruction for the construction of the Tabernacle, God begins with the ark and concludes with the brazen altar; whereas in the use of the Tabernacle, man commences with the brazen altar and moves through to the Holy of Holies and the Ark of the Covenant. That is the Christian gospel.
Christianity is unique in that it is the only religion which claims that God has taken the initiative in revealing Himself to man. All other religions describe man's search after God. But having revealed Himself to man by leaving His throne and humbling Himself unto death - even the death of the cross - God has affected a plan of salvation for MAN TO APPROACH HIM IN FAITH. That simple way of salvation is beautifully illustrated in seven steps, which we shall consider in more detail later as we study the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. For now, here they are in summary.
First: There is the Way of Introduction found in the gate of the outer court. Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Second: There is the Way of Reconciliation found in the brazen altar. In II Corinthians 5:19, 21 we read, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."
Third: There is the Way of Cleansing found in the laver. Speaking to His disciples Jesus said in John 13:10, "He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit.” Later He said in John 15:3, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you."
Fourth: There is the Way of Illumination found in the golden candlestick. Jesus said in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world, he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
Fifth: There is the Way of Satisfaction found in the table of shewbread. Jesus said in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst."
Sixth: There is the Way of Intercession, the altar of incense. In Hebrews 13;15 we read, "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of Praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name."
Seventh: There is the Way of Communion, the ark of the covenant. The Apostle John wrote in I John 1:3, "Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ."
Now as we close this first lesson on the “Tabernacle in the Wilderness” let me caution you not to become so caught up in the details and symbols and miss the central point of the study - that being JESUS CHRIST!
In the weeks to come, may the Lord Jesus became increasingly precious as we search for Him and find Him in the glories of this Old Testament picture of the "TABERNACLE IN THE WILDERNESS."
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If God has spoken to your heart after reading the sermon, “SETTINGS, SYMBOLISM, SIGNIFICANCE ” then right now talk to God about what He has spoken to you.
Do you have the assurance that one day you will go to heaven? If you have no assurance that you know Jesus Christ, then I trust you will decide to accept Him as your personal Savior. The Bible tells us in
Acts 16:31, “...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...”
Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
This prayer is here for those who need to ask Jesus to be their personal Savior: “I do want to go to Heaven. I know I am a sinner, and I do believe Jesus Christ died for me. I realize I cannot buy this great salvation, nor can I earn it. Knowing Jesus died on the cross and arose from the grave to pay my sin debt and to purchase my salvation, I do now trust Him as my Savior, and from this moment on I am completely depending on Him for my salvation.”
If you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior would you let me know? Please send an e-mail to, pdmikBBM@aol.com and I will send you some literature that will help you in your Christian life.
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