LEARNING DAILY

 

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

 

After my comments a few pages ago, I could not get away from the need to go back and do some study on the tabernacle. I have not done a lot of study on it and believe I was being challenged by the Holy Spirit to do so. Stay with me as I share what I have learned. There are some lessons to learn!

 

In Exodus 25, God gives instructions concerning the tabernacle. I suggest you take the time to read through it. The tabernacle was a “sanctuary” (verse 8); it was a place to be set apart for the Lord to dwell in and meet with His people. We have already written about the specifics of construction, furnishings, clothing and all the other detail God had given Moses. God’s glory was over the tabernacle day and night. Earlier in Exodus, we know that “the Lord went (Israel) before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night” (Exodus 13:21). As the Lord’s glory moved from the pillar, Israel had to move; He guided His people while they were in the wilderness.

 

The tabernacle was a place where the Ten Commandments given to Moses were kept. They were to be a constant reminder of God’s holiness and His demands. There is never a time when the people of God can be separated from the moral obligations – our walk on the narrow way – from His holy law. The tabernacle was a place of worship, a place where God provided for the forgiveness of sin through the blood sacrifice of required animals. It pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on a cross for the sins of the human race, for all who would place their faith and trust in Him.

 

The tabernacle contained the ark of the Testimony. In it were kept the Ten Commandments on two tablets, a pot of manna, and Aaron’s staff. The top of the ark was covered by a lid called the “mercy seat”. It was placed in the Holy of Holies where the high priest would sprinkle the shed blood of the sacrificial offering on the mercy seat to make atonement for the sins of the people. This was symbolic of God’s forgiveness, His mercy.

 

On both ends of the mercy seat carved Cherubim, angelic beings who are constantly around the throne of God giving Him praise (Revelation 4:6). We will eventually write more about them.  For our purpose here, know they represent or symbolize God’s presence among His people on earth. They “testify to the truth that God would remain among His people only as long as blood sacrifice was made and the people lived in covenant obedience to God’s commandments” (LSSB).

 

The Holy Place, the area outside of the vail which separated it from the Holy of Holies, contained several articles that have important significance. On a golden table, shewbread was placed. The bread placed on the table represented the presence of the Lord that sustained Israel in all of life. Remember Jesus speaking of being the “bread of life”. The Holy place also contained a golden candlestick or lampstand that held the seven oil lamps. I am certainly reminded of hearing on our trip to Israel that wicks of the lamps were from the bloodied garments of the priests. The burning lamps represent God’s presence in the midst of the camp and the wicks point to the priestly aspect of Jesus Christ. The Holy Place also contained an altar where incense was burned using the flames from the Brazen Altar outside of the Holy Place. The aroma from the incense filled the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. It would be a symbol of the worship and prayers of God’s people. The incense was burned with the fire used at the altar of burnt offering; so too must our prayers be from a heart saved by the blood of Jesus to be acceptable.

 

Everything in the tabernacle brings us to saving grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Do you see it? But there is more.