Our journey into The Book of Exodus series continues, and we come to chapters 25 through 27 in which God was giving Moses instructions on how to build a sanctuary for Him. God took time giving Moses the instructions and made sure things are done according to these guidelines.
The first thing that is worthy of note here is that, first, God chose specific materials, objects and colors, and secondly, that the tabernacle is to be built only according to the pattern that God will show His servant Moses.
Another thing worth noticing is that the furnishings were arranged in unique ways. (See illustration below)
- The altar of burnt offering and the basin for washing are placed in the courtyard of the tabernacle, and they are made of bronze together with other accessories.
- The sanctuary is covered in a four-layer covering of fine linen, goat hair, ram’s skin, and fine leather (badger skin?) to protect and hide it from outdoor elements. A curtain hangs on five pillars at the entrance, and a veil hanging on four pillars separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
- Three furnishings complete the Holy Place, namely, the golden lampstand, the table for the Bread of the Presence, and the Altar of Incense. They are all either made of, or overlaid with, pure gold.
- Only one furniture is to be placed in the Most Holy Place, the Ark of the Covenant. It is composed of a box made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. and the atoning cover, which is made of hammered pure gold with 2 cherubim on top of it in worship fashion.
The tabernacle is brimming with spiritual truths worth learning. As a whole, it foreshadows two important N.T. characters: the Lord Jesus Christ and the Church. Jesus was the tabernacle of God in the flesh, and the church is the temple of God in the Spirit.
The three main parts of the tabernacle also speaks of a number of things. The courtyard is place of redemption and forgiveness. With the right sacrifice and a contrite heart, the sinner can approach the Holy God. The Holy Place portrays the right fellowship with God through prayer (altar of incense), the Word (table of the Bread of the Presence), and fellowship with God’s people (golden lampstand).
Lastly, the Most Holy Place is where one will see God’s glory and hear His audible voice.
As God’s people today, God’s dwelling place among Israel can teach us so many things that will enrich not only our understand of the Lord’s will but also inspire us to truly experience the awesome Presence of God among us today.
Video link here.
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