LEARNING DAILY

 

Exodus 25:8, And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.

 

Everything about the tabernacle points to the Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. I have included a diagram of the tabernacle. Tomorrow, I will include a picture that clearly shows how the tabernacle points to Jesus Christ. If you read this blog on the blog sight, send me your email address and I will send the pictures to you.  

 

There are several more items God told Moses to include in the tabernacle. The vail separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place is very significant; it clearly shows man could not approach God because of their sinful condition. Access to the Holy of Holies was restricted to a high priest who would enter into the Holy of Holies one time per year to represent the people. There was a required cleansing and purifying process the priest would have to go through and he could only enter if he brought with him the blood of an atoning sacrifice. Through these rituals, God was showing the Israelites how holy He is and what was required for them to approach Him. The way into God’s presence was not yet available to all; not yet.

 

The only way to have perfect access to God would be by tearing down the curtain (vail) and removing the way sacrifices were required by God for the tabernacle. This was done by the blood shed by Jesus Christ on the cross. The body of Jesus Christ represented the vail that was torn in two at the time of His death. That means that every Believer may enter into the holiest place and commune with God. Hebrews 10:19 affirms this, “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.”

 

There is also an “altar of burnt offering” that was used for the sacrifice of animals in order to cover sin and provide for forgiveness. The need for atonement was caused by Israel’s sins; if they were not atoned for, the people would be subject to God’s wrath. The purpose for the Day of Atonement was to provide for a comprehensive sacrifice for all sins that may not have been dealt with through the sacrifices made by individuals throughout the past year. God desired to save the Israelites, forgive their sins, and reconcile them to Himself; He furnished this way of salvation by accepting in their place the death of an innocent life which bore their guilt and penalty. The sins of the people were covered by the shed blood.

 

The last item in the tabernacle was the bronze laver which was between the temple and the altar of burnt offering. It was where Aaron and the priests would wash their hands and feet before entering the Holy Place. The priests had to wash their hands and feet before they approached the altar with a food offering. This was a very important teaching; God wanted His people to understand the importance of purity – before entering into God’s presence, one must be cleansed.