Exodus Part 2: The Tabernacle

Introduction to the Study of the Tabernacle

TEXT: Exodus 25:8,9; Revelation 21:3

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The Context of and leading up to Exodus 25

Word Study of "Tabernacle"

First and Last Occurrences

Exodus 25:8,9 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.

Revelation 21:3—And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

O.T. Hebrew

a residence; shepherd's hut; lair for animals,den; figuratively the grave; temple; the wooden walls of the tabernacle; dwelling place; habitation; tent; covering; home; booth cottage; covert; pavillion

N.T. Greek

tent or cloth; encampment; the temple (as God's residence); the body (as a tenement for the soul and the abode of the Spirit of God); a hut or temporary residence; habitation; tabernacle

The Different Contexts of Occurrences of "Tabernacle"

A Specific and Literal Tent of Habitation for God (Temporary)

The Bodies of Believers as a Habitation for God

Fellowship with God: Worship and Service

1 John 1:3—That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:7—But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Hebrews 3:6— But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Moses' Tabernacle is One Place in a Series of God's Dwelling Places

  1. The Garden of Eden - Genesis 3:8 "in the cool of the day; the presence of the Lord"
  2. Moses' Tabernacle - Exodus 25:8,9 "portable; temporary dwelling place" (actively used for over 400 years!)
  3. Solomon's Temple - 1 Kings 8:1-13 "a more permanent dwelling; destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar"
  4. Zurubbabel's Temple - Ezra 3:11-13 "poor and insignificant in comparison with Solomon's temple; shorter than that of Solomon’s Temple by about 90 feet; destroyed/remodelled by Herod"
  5. Herod's Temple - Matthew 24:1,2 "enlaring and beutifying of Zurrabbabel's temple begain in 19 BC.; The simplicity and plainness of Zerubbabel's temple inspired Herod to take on the project so as to make a name for himself. The construction began with the Holy Place, then was the portion set aside for the altar of burnt offering and the officiating priests. Next to it was the court for the Israelites who came to watch the service. By the side of that was the court of the women, and behind it was the court of the Gentiles with the royal porticos (porches) of Solomon. All around the Temple Mount beautiful marble porticos were constructed. A wall surrounded the whole area and a small portion of it remains to this day, known as "The Wailing Wall; destruction foretold by Jesus; destroyed by Titus in 70 A.D."
  6. God with Us - 1 Corinthians 6:19; John 11:25-26 "Jesus was offered a sacrfice for all on the cross that we might know life eternal"

Is a Study of the Tabernacle Important and Relevant?

Acts 7:44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. << God gave the pattern and Moses made according to that pattern. >>

Acts 7:46,47 Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built him an house. << David desired to build God a tabernacle, but it was left for Solomon to do. In David's life he saw the Ark of the Covenant be passed around. >>

Acts 15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. << part of God's plan to save the Gentiles >>

2 Co 5:1 ¶ For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 Co 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. {of the sanctuary: or, of holy things} Heb 8:5 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. Heb 9:2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. Heb 9:3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Heb 9:6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. Heb 9:8 ¶ The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Heb 9:11 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; Heb 9:21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. Heb 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

2Pe 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; << Paul uses tabernacle in reference to his body. 2 Peter 1:14; 1Co 6:19>>

Re 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

Re 15:5 ¶ And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

The Tabernacle and the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The paramount message of the tabernacle is the Mediator between God and man — the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ man's relationship and fellowship with God as God intended is restored. What was lost between man and God in the Lord is restored through the ministry of Jesus Christ.

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The Gospel message is not confined to the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, but can be found in profound types throughout the Old Testament, as well. The Gospel message is particularly represented in the details and activities involving the tabernacle. It all points as a map to the greatest treasure: the Lord Jesus Christ!

  • The Ark
  • The Mercy Seat
  • The Table of Shewbread
  • Lampstand
  • Curtains & Coverings
  • Boards
  • Veil
  • ...
JESUS

Galatians 3:8—And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

John 1:1,14—In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 Corinthians 10:4—And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

John 6:47-50 — Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 48 I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

John 1:51—And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. [compare Genesis 28:12]

1 Corinthians 10:11 — Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. [compare Acts 7]

Understanding Biblical Typology

Biblical Typology is often misunderstood and equally misused.

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THEOPEDIA.com "Typology is a method of biblical interpretation whereby an element found in the Old Testament is seen to prefigure one found in the New Testament. The initial one is called the type and the fulfillment is designated the antitype. Either type or antitype may be a person, thing, or event, but often the type is messianic and frequently related to the idea of salvation. The use of Biblical typology enjoyed greater popularity in previous centuries, although even now it is by no means ignored as a hermeneutic."

THEOPEDIA.com "Typological interpretation is specifically the interpretation of the Old Testament based on the fundamental theological unity of the two Testaments whereby something in the Old shadows, prefigures, adumbrates something in the New. Hence, what is interpreted in the Old is not foreign or peculiar or hidden, but arises naturally out of the text due to the relationship of the two Testaments."

Romans 15:4—For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Mt 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

1. Biblical Typology is Often Misunderstood

"We may explain a little about how an engine works, but the engineer, to whom every nut and bolt are familiar could point out exactly every detail."

2. Biblical Typology can be Abused

3. Biblical Typology is Often but not Always Exactly Stated

A. Exactly Stated

Romans 5:14 — Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. [type or pattern]

Leviticus 4:32 — And if he bring a lamb for a sin offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish.

John 1:29 — The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

B. Implicitly Connected

Both are first-born. Both are shepherds. Both are the most loved of their fathers. Both were prophecied to be rulers. Both Joseph’s and Jesus’ brothers were jealous of them, and did not believe them. Joseph was sent by his father to his brothers. Jesus was sent by His Father to Israel. Joseph was apparently put to death, and Jesus truly, by their own people to get them out of the way. Reuben wanted to rescue Joseph. Pilate wanted to rescue Jesus. Joseph was sold as a slave to Egypt. Jesus was betrayed for the price of a slave. Both went to Egypt. Both were sold as slaves. Both were falsely accused. While only Jesus was truly sinless, Joseph is one of the few people significantly written about in the Bible of which no sins are mentioned.

4. Some Guides for Interpretation of Biblical Types

  1. Look for the basic meaning of the symbol. Go beyond the superficial.

  2. The physical is often used to picture the spiritual.

  3. Look for the consistent use of a specific symbol in the Old Testament.

  4. The symbol or type must be an illustration of and consistent with New Testament truth.

  5. Recognize that the Old Testament teaches the same truth as the New Testament.

  6. Don't expect the type to cover every subject of theology--limit to the topic under consideration in the context.

  7. Assume that details given have meaning--seek to discover that meaning. However, don't expect every detail to fit. Every analogy, by its very nature, falls short of the full reality.

  8. Identify interpretative constants by determining an accurate definition of any type or symbol which fits all the uses of that term in Scripture, e.g. "Lion" symbolizes power, whether applied to Satan as "a roaring lion" or to Christ as the "lion of the tribe of Judah."

The Outer Court

The Layout

The Tabernacle was surrounded by a court which was double square one hundred and fifty feet in length and seventy five in width. The court was formed by brass pillars standing upright in sockets of brass. There were 20 on the south, 20 on the north, and ten each of the eastern and western sides. These were connected with hoods and fillets of silver. From these hung curtains of fine twined linen which went all around the court forming a wall. The curtains were seven and a half feet high.

The materials forming the court were:

  1. Fine Twined Linen (type of Divine righteousness)

Compare Revelation 19:7,8 and Philippians 3:9. There was no way of access through this hanging. There were no holes or ill-adjusted corners through which one might slip. There is only one way of approach and that is through the gate.

  1. Brass (type of Divine judgment)

Numbers 21:6-9; Revelation 1:15

  1. Silver (type of Divine Redemption)

Exodus 30:11-16. Note carefully the assocation of the fine twined linen brass and silver. It was through Divine judgment upon the spotless "Sin Offering" that redemption was completed and through redemption that we were made righteous. In Christ, we have our place of redemption with Him in fine twined linen. 2 Corinthians 5:21

A Progressive Experience - Christian Growth

Tracing the Steps of a priest entering the tabernacle, we see a parrallel to the progressive experience (growth) of the Believer.

  1. At the Door (Seeker, Matthew 7:7 - Only Entrance)
  2. Brazen Altar (Saved, Ephesians 2:8)
  3. Laver (Sanctified, Ephesians 5:26)
  4. Holy Place (Service, Hebrews 9:6)
  5. Holy of Holies (Satisfaction, Hebrews 10:19)

The Christian experience is progressive.

Ephesians 4:11-16 — And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

A Warning is given in Isiah 28:

The Instruction of those Drunk on Pleasure, and the Learning of the Rebellious

Isaiah 28:7 — But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. 8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.

In verses 9 & 10, the simple message is mocked. They complain that his instructions had been like a short lesson constantly repeated, as we instruct children -- By the PROPHETS. It is with scorn they speak of God's word. (Thus speak the ungodly to the godly prophet Isaiah...)

Isaiah 28:9-10 — Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

Gill's — In the Hebrew text, is in a rhyming form, and were sung and drawled out by them, "Tsau lotsau, Tsau lotsau, Kau lakau, Kau lakau": this is all he can say to us, and we have from him:

Isaiah 28:11-13 — 11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. 13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

CONTRAST:

2 Timothy 3:7 — Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Free-Will Offering

(Exodus 25:1-9)

Exodus 25:1-9 — 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. 8 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.

Where Did These Former Slaves now in a Desert Get These Riches?

Exodus 12:35-39 — And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: 36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. 37 ¶ And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. 38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. 39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.

God provided the materials to Israel by preparing the hearts of the Egyptians through His mighty hand that the Israelites may in turn have something to offer unto the Lord's service.

What is the Difference between Tithes and Offerings?

Malachi 3:7-11 — Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

The Tithe is a TENTH of our increase which is regulated by God in Scripture. (Malachi 3:1-18;

  1. ma`aser a tenth; especially a tithe:-- tenth (part), tithe(-ing).

The Tithe is a test in OBEDIENCE (the will).

The Free Will Offering is Determined by the heart of the individual. (Regulated by God but a completely voluntary amount ABOVE the tithe)

  1. trumah (Deut. 12:11) a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute:-- gift, heave offering ((shoulder)), oblation

Leviticus 23:33-38 — And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. 35 On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 36 Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein. 37 These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day: 38 Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the LORD.

The Free Will Offering is a test in Commitment/Devotion/Loyalty (the heart).

Deuteronomy 12:11 — Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:

"YOUR CHOICE VOWS" - "Your select or chosen vows." -- pulipit commentary "The vow was purely voluntary; it became obligatory only after it was made."

What Regulations Govern the Free-Will Offerings?

Voluntary Offering on a Voluntary Occassion

Deuteronomy 16:10 — And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God, according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:

It was both appropriate to be given on Feast Days or any time. Even the priests were allowed to eat of the free-will offering of their choosing on the day of the offering or the next (Leviticus 7:16–18).

Leviticus 7:16-18 —

Voluntary but with God Still Leading

The free will offering was to be given freely, as the Lord moved the Israelites’ hearts. -- When the Spirit leads.

Exodus 35:29 — The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.

Though Voluntary, Still Must be My Best

Leviticus 22:21 — And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein. 22 Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not offer these unto the LORD, nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto the LORD. 23 Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted. 24 Ye shall not offer unto the LORD that which is bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut; neither shall ye make any offering thereof in your land. 25 Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption is in them, and blemishes be in them: they shall not be accepted for you.

In the "Choice Vows" is brought my choicest gift.

Malachi 1:14 — But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.

Voluntary and for the Right Reasons

The Reason for the Gift Matters as Does the Quality of the Gift

Amos 4:5 — And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

It was not to be used to gain prestige or because of guilt, inducement, or force.

Voluntarily and Cheerfully

2 Corinthians 9:7 — Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Voluntary with a Variety of Options

Free will offerings did not always have to be animals or grain or drink offerings.

Ezekiel 46:12 — Now when the prince shall prepare a voluntary burnt offering or peace offerings voluntarily unto the LORD, one shall then open him the gate that looketh toward the east, and he shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, as he did on the sabbath day: then he shall go forth; and after his going forth one shall shut the gate.

What Does God Want from Me?

Justice demands thy punishment; Mercy pleads for thy life. Mercy Triumphs over Judgment!

Hosea 11:8 ¶ How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

2 Kings 10:15 — And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.

Proverbs 23:26 — My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

Jer 24:7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

Jeremiah 32:39 And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:

Ark of the Covenant

(Exodus 25:10-16)

I. What Happened to the Ark of the Covenant?

The Ark of the Covenant Disappeared at the time of Jeremiah when the Babylonians besieged Jerusalem. The Babylonians destroyed the temple.

An attempt was made some few years ago to excavate towards the direction of this chamber. This resulted in widespread Moslem unrest and rioting. They stand a great deal to lose if the Ark is revealed - for it will prove to the whole world that there really was a Holy Temple, and thus, that the Jews really do have a claim to the Temple Mount. (The official position of the Islamic Wakf, the body that governs over the Temple Mount, is that there never was a Holy Temple, and that the Jews have no rights whatsoever to the place).

2 Kings 25:8-16 — 2Ki 25:8 ¶ And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem: 9 And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire. 10 And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about. 11 Now the rest of the people that were left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carry away. 12 But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen. 13 And the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of the LORD, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon. 14 And the pots, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away. 15 And the firepans, and the bowls, and such things as were of gold, in gold, and of silver, in silver, the captain of the guard took away. 16 The two pillars, one sea, and the bases which Solomon had made for the house of the LORD; the brass of all these vessels was without weight.

Conspicuously missing are the major items like the ark of the covenant, the table of shewbread, and the altar of incense. The Bible does not mention what happened to these. (The Apocrypha states that Jeremiah hid these in a cave.)

(The English transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning "dwelling" or "settling" and denotes the dwelling or settling of the divine presence of God. ... This term does not occur in the Bible, and is from rabbinic literature.)

The Ark of the Covenant was in Jerusalem just before the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem.

Ezekial 10:4 — Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory.

Ezekial 10:18 — Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.

Ezekial 11:23 — And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city.

II. How Significant is the Ark of the Covenant?

1 Chronicles 28:2,3,6 — Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: 3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood. 6 And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.

Psalm 132:7-8 —We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool. 8 Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.

Psalm 99:5 — Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

Psalm 110:1 — The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Matthew 22:44 — The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? [Mark 12:36; Luke 20:43; Acts 2:35; Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 10:13]

James 2:3 — And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

Acts 7:44-60 — Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. 45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; 46 Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built him an house. 48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? 50 Hath not my hand made all these things? 51 ¶ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. 54 ¶ When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Isa 66:1 ¶ Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

"The Jews gloried much in their temple. But what satisfaction can the Eternal Mind take in a house made with men's hands?" -- Matthew Henry

God dwells, not in temples made with hands. The Temple and the Ark were illustrative and a part of God's revelation of Himself, but they were not the WHOLE revelation.

Matthew 5:34,35 — But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

The idea here is, that God was so glorious that even the earth itself could be regarded only as his footstool. God is much greater than a piece of furniture could ever be.

III. What was the Ark of the Covenant like? (Exodus 25:10-16)

Exodus 25:10 ¶ And they shall make …

1. An Ark

In the English Bible we find 3 "arks" in 200 verses.

All three ARKS are closely connected with the message of Salvation as the primary purpose of each ark was keep safe and preserve.

The word 'Ark' when referring to Noah's ark or the ark of bullrushes that Moses was placed into is the hebrew word 'teebah'. The word used for the Ark of the Covenant is 'arown'.

STRONG'S 08392. tebah perhaps of foreign derivation; a box:--ark. (Noah's Ark, Moses' Ark of Bulrushes)

STRONG'S 0727. 'arown (from 717 in the sense of gathering); a box:--ark, chest, coffin.

2. Of Shittim Wood

Sticks of wood from the shittah tree which probably was an acacia (known for its scourging thorns). The Shittah tree was one of a few trees available in the wilderness that Israel travelled and the wood is dense and extremely strong, making it a great option for any type of wooden construction.

“Because of the slow growth of the tree, the wood is hard and dense. The heartwood is dark red-brown and attractive when polished. This wood is resistant to decay because the tree deposits in the heartwood many waste substances which are preservatives and render the wood unpalatable to insects making the wood dense and difficult to be penetrated by water and other decay agents.” -- Old Dominium University, "Bible Plants"

Acacia wood is mentioned only in connection with the tabernacle and was used for all the structural features of the tabernacle:

3. two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

The Ark's Size was approximately: 52 inches Long × 31 inches high × 31 inches wide. Weight approximately 200 lb to 300 lb.

4. 11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.

5. 12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it. 13 And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. 14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them. 15 The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.

6. 16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.

The Scripture presents this article of the tabernacle as two pieces: 1) The Ark & 2) The Mercy Seat. The Ark was the lower section and a chest or crate while the Mercy seat was the upper section and was a lid over the chest.

The Ark was not an empty box!

Hebrews 9:1-5 — Heb 9:1 ¶ Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

7. The Ark on the Move

Joshua 3:1-4 & mdash; 1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. 2 And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host; 3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. 4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.

Mercy Seat

(Exodus 25:17-22)

I. Holiest of Holies

The Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat are the only furniture in the Holiest of Holies.

Le 16:1 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died; 2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

Only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kuppur) could the High Priest enter beyond the veil into the Holiest of Holies where the Ark was kept. The Holiest of Holies was a 10 cubit square room which housed the most important furniture of the Tabernacle — the ark of the covenant.

tabernacle-layout2.jpg The Holy of Holies is a Type for God's Throne room in Heaven.

Hebrews 9:22-24 — Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23 ¶ 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. 24 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:

II. The Presence of God Rested Between the Cherubim

The Mercy Seat and Cherubim were of one piece solid gold. It was of pure gold that weighed around 566 pounds (@$1320 oz. = $11,953,920).

The first mention of "Cherubmin" is in Geneis 3:24 where their ministry was the gaurd the approach to the tree of life. Guarding the sacred.

Ex 25:18-20 — And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. 20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.

Psalm 99:1 ¶ The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

Psalm 80:1 — Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

III. A Covering

The Mercy Seat formed the lid of the Ark of the Covenant. It functioned as a "covering" for the Ark of the Covenant", and signifies God's "covering" for sin. It is the place where God has shown mercy.

Romans 3:25 — Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; [propitiation = mercy seat]

In the Ark, we find the "Testimony" of God which Christ perfectly fulfilled in life (Hebrews 4:15) and in the mercy seat we see Christ in His death was made a propitiation for us. God's mercy could only rest on a "pedastal" of perfect righteousness.

Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Men Dared not approach the Ark, but God could approach the Brazen Altar. It was blood from the Brazen altar that was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat. Here the Cross and the Throne meet; Here Mercy and Truth are Come Together. God came all the way from the Throne to the Cross, that he might receive to the Throne a "REDEEMED PEOPLE".

IV. The Blood Sprinkling

Leviticus 16:14 Once on the mercy seat (satisfaction to God) Seven times on the Earth (satisfaction to man)

##. V. The Overspread Wings (Mercy and Truth)

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Psalm 25:10 — All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Ps 85:10 — Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Table of Shewbread

(Exodus 25:23-30, "Fellowship")

Introduction

The Materials of the Table of Shewbread

Here again we see the perfect blending of the human and divine nature of Christ.

The Measurements

The Bread

For seven days twelve loaves of fine flour with frankincense were presented before the Lord upon the Table of Shewbread after which time they were replaced by others and then became the food of priests who fed upon them in the Holy Place.

12 is the number of Governmental or Administrative perfection:

7 is the number of perfection and the 7 days that the 12 loaves of bread were presented before the Lord sets forth the perfection of the Divine enjoyment of Christ.

Fulfillments or Antitypes

The 12 Tribes of Israel

The 12 loaves no doubt include in their meaning the 12 tribes of Israel who were also represented in the 12 stones on the High Priest's breastplate. Those stones were a continual memorial unto the Lord of the 12 tribes and His covenant promises unto them.

Exodus 28:29 — And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.

Christ

The table stood toward the north wall of the Holy Place. The table and the 12 loaves shadow forth Christ as presented before God unceasingly in all the Excellency of His humanity and administered as food to the priestly family.

John 6:31-58 — v. 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

1 Peter 2:9 — 1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Revelation 1:6 — And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

The frankincense points out the entire devotion and fragrance of Christ's life Godward.

Song of Solomon 3:6 — Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

Song of Solomon 4:6 — Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

The bread of the tabernacle was made of fine flour and was unleavened (leaven is a type of hypocrisy and mixture of evil) setting forth the perfection of Christ. There was no unevenness (fine flour) in Christ and neither is there any leaven of doctrine or morality in Him (unleavened).

The corn was to be crushed, bruised and baked (the fire of Divine judgment) before it became food for the priests. In many of the details of the Tabernacle and its service we have the sufferings of Jesus Christ typified by the crushing and beating of different substances.

All these different pictures speak to us of the sufferings or our Lord throughout His lifetime. Gethsemane means olive press and it was not only on that last awful night that Christ visited it but " of time resorted thither with His disciples. " His whole life was one of suffering yet " it please the Lord to bruise Him&quot. Why? Because it was through the process of suffering that He was made bread. He was the " corn of wheat " that must fall into the ground and die that the world might be fed with the increase. (John 12:24)

In the Last Supper, Jesus broke the bread and said, "This is my body which is broken for you." He calls Himself the true bread and the living bread which if a man eat, he will live forever. The bread which He gave was His flesh. Priests only could feed upon the Shewbread. Believers now are unto God a Kingdom of Priests and as such they are invited to draw near.

Isaiah 55:2 — … eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

John 6:34 — … Lord, evermore give us this bread

Richard Blanchard (1925-2004) wrote these words in 1964 to the song "Fill My Cup, Lord":

CHORUS Fill my cup, Lord; I lift it up Lord; Come and quench this thirsting of my soul. Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more. Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.

VERSE 1

Like the woman at the well, I was seeking For things that could not satisfy. And then I heard my Savior speaking— “Draw from My well that never shall run dry.”

VERSE 2

There are millions in this world who are seeking For pleasures earthly goods afford. But none can match the wondrous treasure That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.

VERSE 3

So my brother if the things that this world gives you Leave hungers that won’t pass away, My blessed Lord will come and save you If you kneel to Him and humbly pray—

The Church

Not only do we see in the fine flour a type of Jesus Christ, but we see the church identified with Him in the bread.

1 Corinthians 10: 17 — For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Are we willing to fellowship the offerings of our blessed Lord that we might be bread to feed the hungry?

Matthew 14:16 — But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

Questions

  1. Give the Literal Meaning of the word "shewbread"?

  2. What two natures do we see of Christ in the materials of the shewbread?

  3. Describe the table of shewbread?

    1. DIMENSIONS
    2. CROWN
    3. BORDER
    4. DISHES

  4. How are the 12 Tribes foreshadowed?

  5. How is Christ foreshadowed? (the process and ingredients)

  6. How is the Church foreshadowed?

Candlestick

(Exodus 25:31-40)

Exodus 25:31-40 — 31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. 32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: 33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. 34 And in the candlesticks shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. 35 And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. 36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. 37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. 38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. 39 Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. 40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount.

Introduction

The candlestick is the second most costly (the Ark of the Covenant is first) and most elaborately constructed of all the sacred vessels of the Tabernacle. It was made out of a talent of pure gold beaten with hammers until it assumed its proper shape. The seven bowls on the tops of the branches were supplied with pure oil which burned continually.

The Gold

Made with a talent of gold, the Candlestick weighed about 75-110 lbs. and would be worth $1.5 - $2.1 million in gold today.

Gold is a type for Divinity.

Psalm 45:9,13 — 9 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. 13 The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.

Revelation 3:18 — I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Job 23:10 — But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Christ, The True Light

John 8:12 — Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 9:5 — As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

John 1:9 — That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

2 Corinthians 4:6 — For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The Church, The Light

Matthew 5:14 — Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Ephesians 5:8 — For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Revelation 1:12 — And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

Revelation 1:13 — And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Revelation 1:20 — The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Study carefully Revelation 1 and you will find a relative picture with Jesus defining the 7 candlesticks as the seven churches (in Asia).

These seven churches represent the whole church from Pentecost to the Rapture. In Revelation 1, we have a marvelous picture of the Glorified Christ in the midst of His Church. As High Priest, He is there to trim teh wicks and replenish wih the oil of the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is seen in both oil and the fire.

The Word

Psalm 119:105, 130 — 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

2 Peter 1:29A —

The Light

A. Only in God is there light.

Only gold and oil were used in the making of the candlestick.

B. There was no natural light in the Holy place.

We cannot see or understand God by natural means. God alone can illuminate our mind and bring revelation of Himself.

Proverbs 3:5 1 Corinthians 2:14

C. The High Priest kept the candlestick supplied with oil continually.

With snuff dishes he removed the burnt matter that the light should shine undimmed. Christ is our Great High Priest who exercises His High Priestly care over His Church. He gives the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He walks in the midst of His Church to replenish with oil, and trim the wicks. The light was always to burn.

D. The Wicks Speak of Humanity

The wicks set forth our humanity which must be submerged in the oil of the Holy Ghost. Always remember that the precious Hand that is trimming the wick is "nail scarred"! The tongs and snuff dishes were of gold aslo, for the whole matter was a direct result of Divine operation.

Coverings and Framework

(Exodus 26:1-30)

Introduction

The solid framework of the Tabernacle was composed of 48 boards — north: 20, south:20, west: 8. The boards were held together by 5 bars, 4 of which were slipped through rings on the outside and one middle bar which ran through the center of each board. The boards were made of shittim/acacia wood, overlaid with gold, which had for their foundation sockets of silver. The Tabernacle had 3 outer coverings (Badger, Ram and Goat) and beautiful curtains within for both the Holy Place and Most Holy Place.

I. Coverings of the Tabernacle, vs. 1-14

Let's begin by looking at the outside coverings and continue to the inner coverings.

A. The Tabernacle's Exterior had 3 Outer Coverings, 7-14

The sandstorms and winds of the desert were kept on the outside of the Holy and Most Holy by the exterior coverings of the tabernacle.

  1. Badger Skin, vs. 14

Isaiah 32:2 — And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

The badger skin was bleached with the sun and wind and spoke of severity and roughness. The natural man sees Christ only as the carpenter's son. How few have anointed eyes to penetrate and appreciate the mysteries and glories of His character. Man, outside of Christ, sees no beauty in Him. He is blinded and only as the Spirit reveals Christ does man desire Him.

Isaiah 53:2,3 —Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Psalm 22:6 — But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

Jesus was not popular with the world and even the multitude that followed Him did so for "the loaves and fishes", but when He would take them into the deeper spiritual lessons they forsook Him and walked no longer with Him. After all His compassionate ministry their answer was, "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!". The world saw Him in the day of His humiliation and still see Him today, as it were, wrapped in badger skin. No one knew what the Tabernacle was like from the outside view. So with the true Tabernacle, Jesus Christ. We must be in Him to know Him.

Exodus 26:14 —And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers' skins.

Ezekiel 16:10 — I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.

Deuteronomy 29:5 — And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.

- Rely on God and Trust Him with the Results (Their storehouse of badger skins were offered up to the purposes of the tabernacle, even though they had still a long journey ahead of them.)
- There is character needed that we may be able to  endure hardness (2 Timothy 2:3). "Don't take it personal."

In Mark Altrogge's Article "7 Things I've Learned in 30+ Years of Ministry: "If you’re easily hurt or easily discouraged, don’t get into any position of leadership. Listen to critiques. Don’t reject correction. But don’t be easily offended and don’t take things personally."

  1. Ram Skin, vs. 14

14 And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers' skins.

The covering or ram's skin was dyed red. This symbolizes Christ as our Atonement. The badger skin reminds of the humiliation of Christ and the ram skin speaks of the shed blood of Christ.

Isaiah 63:1,2 — Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?

Philippians 2:8 — And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Everywhere there was Ram skin there Badger Skin. Wherever the blood extends, the Omnipotence is there to protect. This is illustrated when God substituted the ram to be offered in place of Isaac. (Genesis 22)

  1. Goat Hair, vs. 7-13

7 ¶ And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. 8 The length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and the eleven curtains shall be all of one measure. 9 And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle. 10 And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops in the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second. 11 And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one. 12 And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle. 13 And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.

In Old Testament worship, the goat was principally used in connection with the the sin offering (Lev. 16). The sins of the congregation were laid upon the head of the scape goat, and he was sent away into the wilderness bearing sin away. Jesus suffered without the camp with our sin laid upon Him that we might be made righteous.

2 Corinthians 5:21 — 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.

The goat's hair speaks of Christ our righteousness. The junction (Ex. 26:10-11) with loops of blue and taches of brass: blue—heaven; brass—Divine judgment. Heaven's grace and meeting man's need through Divine judgment.

B. The Tabernacle's Interior Was Covered with Beautiful Curtains, vs. 1-6

Ex 26:1 ¶ Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them. 2 The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure. 3 The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another. 4 And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of the second. 5 Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is in the coupling of the second; that the loops may take hold one of another. 6 And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.

The beautiful curtains within formed the ceiling for both the Holy Place and the Most Most Holy Place. Contrast the roughness of the badger skin with the curtains of the fine-twine linen. blue, purple, and scarlet with cherubims of cunning work. Here we have two perspectives of Christ. The perspective of the unregenerate man is that from the outside looking on and all he can see are the badger skins. On the other hand, the Believer in Christ has a perspective from within. As the priest would enter the Holy Place his view was illuminated by the seven-fold light of the Golden Candlestick, and around him beautiful curtains of fine white linen. The priest had to exclaim, "He is altogether lovely." The beautiful curtains speak of "Christ our glory".

In these beautiful curtains we also see the perfect unity and consistency of Christ's character. "Everyone of the curtains shall have one measure."

The two sets of five curtains each, coupled together, may illustrate the two great aspects of Christ's ministry: 1) His Ministry God-ward and 2) His Ministry Manward.

"In the loops of blue and taches of gold, we have displayed that heavenly grace and divine energy in Christ which enabled Him to combine and perfectly adjust the claims of God and Man." — C.H.M.

II. Framework of the Tabernacle, vs. 15-30

15 ¶ And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up. 16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board. 17 Two tenons shall there be in one board, set in order one against another: thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle. 18 And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward. 19 And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons. 20 And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side there shall be twenty boards: 21 And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. 22 And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards. 3 And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides. 24 And they shall be coupled together beneath, and they shall be coupled together above the head of it unto one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners. 25 And they shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. 26 And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, 27 And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward. 28 And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end. 29 And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars: and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold. 30 And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount.

A. The Ransom Price

The Silver was brought by command of God. Everything else was a free-will offering, but not so of the silver foundation (see Exodus 30:11-16; 38:25-28). The silver brought amounted to over $200,000. It was the "Atonement Money of the People." In the day of Israel's numbering every man's name who went down in the Book of Numbers brought half a shekel as a ransom for His soul. The Atonement silver is a type of Redemption provided through Christ.

1 Peter 1:18,19 — Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Acts 20:28 — Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Jesus Christ has given Himself as a ransom for us. We must bring his precious blood and offer it to God as a ransom price for our souls. One sum was named and commanded by God as a ransom price, no more, no less was accepted. Only the blood of Jesus Christ will God accept as a ransom price for the soul — nothing else will work.

B. Typical Meaning of the Boards

1. Christ in His Two Natures: Divine and Human

A foundational truth of Christianity is that Christ on earth was both Divine and Human — God manifested in the flesh. (Mark 16:19; John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16)

2. The Church as seen in Christ

a. The Boards were separated from earth by silver, symbolic of redemption. Galatians 1:4

b. As the Boards rested on a foundation of silver, so the Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ and Redemption through His blood, 1 Corinthians 3:11.

c. The Boards were United by "the middle bar". This hidden bar ran rought the midst of the boards, holding them closely together.

This bar is typical of one LIFE (Galatians 20:20) and one SPIRIT (Ephesians 4:3) which unite the Body in Christ.

Ephesians 2:21,22 — In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:13 — For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

d. We may liken the individual boards to an individual Believer.

Those boards were once stately acacia trees planted in the earth, now they are in a different state. The ax has been applied to them. They have been cut down, cleansed, stripped down of their natural beauty and covered with gold. This process speaks to us of the redemption and regeneration of a soul. Each board may represent one once a sinner, now saved by grace. Once part of the old creation, but they have been made to bow and own their lost condition and their earthly glory has been brought to dust.

Ezekiel 16:14 — And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.

They are cut down, that they may be of service to God.

The boards overlaid with gold speaks of the Believer hidden in God. Hidden so that Christ may have pre-eminence. Divine glory and beauty given for eartly glory.

The Boards of the Tabernacle

(Ex. 26:15-29; 35:11; 36:20-34; 38:7; 39:33; 40:18)

Ex .26:15—And thou shalt make **boards **for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up.

The Boards of the Tabernacle represent Baptized Believer’s

B. The framing system for the tabernacle.

  1. (15-25) Boards for the sides of the tent.

"And for the tabernacle you shall make the boards of acacia wood, standing upright. Ten cubits _shall be _the length of a board, and a cubit and a half _shall be _the width of each board. Two tenons _shall be _in each board for binding one to another. Thus you shall make for all the boards of the tabernacle. And you shall make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side. You shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards: two sockets under each of the boards for its two tenons. And for the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, _there shall be _twenty boards and their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under each of the boards. For the far side of the tabernacle, westward, you shall make six boards. And you shall also make two boards for the two back corners of the tabernacle. They shall be coupled together at the bottom and they shall be coupled together at the top by one ring. Thus it shall be for both of them. They shall be for the two corners. So there shall be eight boards with their sockets of silver; sixteen sockets; two sockets under each board.

a. For the tabernacle you shall make the boards of acacia wood: Each board was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. Each board was 15 feet (5 meters) high and 2 feet 3 inches (about .75 meter) wide.

b. Twenty boards for the south side: The north and south sides of the tabernacle had 20 boards each. The back (westward) side was six boards wide with two corner boards, for a total of eight boards across the back.

c. Coupled together at the top by one ring: Each board was joined together by a system of tenons (tabs) with rings, through which ran bars. Each board had four rings through which the bars ran, and the corner boards had eight rings, four on two sides to accommodate the corners.

d. So there shall be eight boards with their sockets of silver; sixteen sockets: Each board rested on two sockets of silver, each socket made with one talent of silver. Therefore each board rested on a base of 264 pounds (120 kilos) of silver.

i. Silver is the metal associated with redemption and payment for sin (Exodus 21:32, Leviticus 5:15, 27:3, 27:6, Numbers 18:16, and Deuteronomy 22:19). Jesus was betrayed for silver (Matthew 26:15). The tabernacle's foundation was silver - pointing to the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.

ii. Perhaps the dual nature of the foundation had to do with the two sources of revelation - the Old and New Testaments.

iii. The silver of redemption also separated the tabernacle from the dirt of the desert floor. Jesus' redeeming work separates us from the world.

The frame held up the tabernacle suggesting "unity". The boards stood "side by side". How did they get the boards to all stand up straight? How do you get unity in Christ = one body? This is what the tabernacle is to teach us. The sockets of silver insured that each plank was positioned properly. Each time they were to be carefully set up after the pattern given from heaven. The silver represented the ransom price for the redemption of the individual from the civil government in the book of Exodus.

How will we stand in God’s presence? The N.T.  fulfillment is seen in:

1 Pet 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

 Each board of the tabernacle had to stand in the silver socket for the frame to be upright. Each believer must be personally standing in the redemption of the Lord Jesus.  The church is not association of believers and unbelievers. The unconverted can not stand alone before God. Those unsure of their salvation, having one foot on the blood of Christ and one foot on performance/self, are not saved. Redemption ground demands both feet standing on the silver of salvation.

How was the tabernacle kept at the proper form and angles? Special "corner" clips or sockets maintained right angles. The temple was built using this same architecture  means by working from the first stone being set properly and the rest of the building being established from that point. The nt uses this analogy of the temple reerring to the cornerstone. If the chief cornerstone was misplaced or in error, the whole building as out square and unstable. What a contrast to the cornerstone and foundation of our faith:

Eph 2:20-22 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 

1 Pet 2:4-8 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Peter uses the picture of the cornerstone to illustrate how God builds His spiritual house where there are to be to sacrifices offered unto God. What is acceptable unto God (what does God like)? God likes the chief corner stone and wants us to be fitted unto it as living stones.

Man rejected God’s corner stone. Peter remembers rebuking Jesus over the same thing,

Matt 16:22  Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Why must Jesus be rejected? God thoughts are not our thoughts, His ways not ours. The Pharisees took Jesus and killed Him and went back to worshipping their god. Are we prepared to let our ideas go and be completely conformed to Him?   We are to come constantly to Him in His word and through His spirit to be shaped, conformed, and changed to His image. 

Has God made provision for there to be practical unity in Christ? What is the key? Notice the word "one" in the following passage:

Eph 4:3-6 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Note: Keep the unity, not create it. One body, not Jew and gentile church, not Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran , etc.  ONE hope, baptism, faith, Lord NOT TWO!  Labels advertise disunity, not harmony. Beware!   Why do we work for unity? How are we to do it?

Eph 4:11-16 And has given some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

We have not yet arrived at the state of full grown spiritual beings. Yet our assurance has already been fulfilled:

Eph 4:7-10 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) The frames all covered in gold and standing in silver looked like one perfect structure. So it is in the spiritual tabernacle:

John 17:22-24 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

The Veil

(Exodus 26:31-33)

Exodus 26:31-37 — 31 ¶ And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: 32 And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver. 33 And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. 34 And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. 35 And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side. 36 And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework. 37 And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.

Introduction

A. Veil on Woman

The use of the veil on woman is much more general in use in modern times (due to the spread of Islam) than in ancient times. In ancient times, the veil was adopted for the most part only in exceptional cases by Jews.

Ruth 3:15 — Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.

Song of Solomon 5:7 — The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

Genesis 24:65 — For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.

B. Moses Veiled

Exodus 33:18 — And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

Moses prayed "Show me Thy glory" and the Lord invited Moses to stand near Him. (This was a hazard, last time in chapter 32 the people sinned when Moses went up into the mount.)

Ex 34:28-35 — And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. 29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. 30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. 31 And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them. 32 And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai. 33 And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face. 34 But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. 35 And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

Was this glory the original condition of man at creation? Adam and Eve walked with God, unaware of their nakedness.

2 Cor 3:7 — But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: [was glorious = came into being with glory]

In veiling himself missed became a type and figure of his own dispensation.

2 Corinthians 3:13 &mash; And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

Not just to hide the brightness from which they shrank (As in Exodus 34:33, Moses veils himself AFTER he speaks the Word of God.), but so they wouldn't see the glory fade Paul wrote that Moses put the veil over his face that they might not see the end, the fading away of that transitory glory.

For the Jew, it was as though it were permanent and unfading.

The end .... Romans 10:4; 1Timothy 1:5 -- aim or intention, it's abolished : brought to nought

No attempt should be made to conceal the gospel anymore! No disguise 2 Cor 2:17

John 16:33-34 the holy ghost discloses not conceals

Hebrews 6:19 Hebrews 10:20

The children of Israel could not bear to look on the glory, even though it was perishing and evanescent. The English rendering, "which glory was to be done away," ( in the act of passing away)

The Antitype of the Veil

The ultimate fulfillment of the type of the Veil of the Tabernacle is the Man Christ Jesus. Hebrews 10 speaks of the Veil as the "His flesh". The Veil is a clearly established type in Scripture.

Hebrews 10:19,20 — Heb 10:19 ¶ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Mark 15:38 — And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

2 Cor 3:15 ,16 — But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

I. The Materials for the Curtains of the Veil

Blue, purple, and scarlet on backdrop of fine twined linen of cunning work with cherubim's. The humanity of Jesus in His perfection was the "cunning work" of God. He was God's great masterpiece. The cherubim speak to us of glorified humanity: humanity in its highest state of perfection. (Some regard the cherubim as a high order of angelic beings.)

It is not clear how thick the tabernacle veil was, but the veil that was used in Herod's temple during Jesus' day was reported by Josephus as being 4 inches thick, was renewed every year, and that horses tied to each side could not pull it apart. Early rabbinic literature (The Mishnah) states that the Temple veil was as thick as a man’s hand. Jewish writings also state that the veil required 60 men to handle it and it would require the strength of a yoke of oxen pulling in opposite directions to rend it.****

This veil served as a great barrier between the Holy Presence of God and His people.

Levitucs 16:1 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died; 2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

II. Three-fold Support of the Veil

(Pillars, Hooks, Sockets)

Exodus 26:32 — And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver.

A. Pillars

4 pillars in number. There are 4 records given us a divenly inspired revelation of Christ's life, death, resurrection and ascension in the gospels.

The 4 pillars may also illustrate the truth found in 1 Corinthians 1:30

1 Corinthians 1:30 — But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Pillars made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. The person of Christ in His human and Divine natures.

B. Hooks of Gold

Divine righteousness.

C. Sockets of Silver

These are a figure of redemption. The redemptive work of Christ is the foundation for all.

III. The Position of the Veil

The veil was positioned between the Holy Place and the Holiest of All. The Veil shut off the Most Holy Place from everyone except the High Priest who could enter the Holiest of All once a year on the day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). When the High Priest did enter, it was with great solemnity and seriousness. The Bells round about the High Priests clothing signaled he was still alive while he ministered in the Most Holy Place to the anxiously waiting nation outside.

Christ fulfills the type of the Day of Atonement both as the Great High Priest and the sacrifice.

IV. The Rending of the Temple Veil, Matthew 27:50-51

Matthew 27:50,51 — Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

A. Jesus Uttered 2 Loud Cries from the Cross

1. First, An Agonizing Cry of Abandonment

Matthew 27:46 — And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

2. Second, A Cry of Victory

Matthew 27:50 — Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

It was this second loud cry, the cry of a conqueror ("It is finished!"), that rent the veil. The victory was evident by the supernatural loudness of the dying Christ's voice. The great work of redemption was completed. Since the fall in the garden, all creation waited for this moment and now with a stroke of the Divine finger "the veil was rent in twain from the top to the bottom".

A way of access to the holy presence of God was provided that all may enter in. The rending of the veil was a sign for what the victory actually was. This tearing of the veil was an interpretation of what happened in the spiritual realm when Christ made His last cry from the cross. Through the rending of the veil and the record of that rending, the Holy Spirit is signifying that the way into the holy of holies is now made manifest.

B. The Veil's Service was Complete

It was about 3 o'clock, the hour of the beginning of the Evening Sacrifice and the priests were ministering before the Veil. The rending of the Veil exposed the absence of the Skekinah Glory. God no longer dwelt between the Cherubims for the Glory now rested in the True Tabernacle, Jesus Christ.

On the day of Pentecost the Glory of God rested within the Living Temple of God as the Holy Ghost filled the individual Believers.

The reign of the Law ended in these Believers and Grace reigned. To the eye of faith only was He manifested (the crowd was confused by what they saw). The type of the Veil was fulfilled in Jesus Christ our Great High Priest who had entered into heaven with His own blood to appear before God for us and the Holy Ghost was sent as the indwelling presence and glory of God.

Hebrews 9:12-14 — Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 4:14-16 — Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 7:25 — Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Ordering of the Furniture of the Tabernacle

(Exodus 26:34-35)

Introduction

Exodus 26:34-35 — And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. 35 And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.

tabernacle-layout.jpg

(Note: The Altar of Incense is not mentioned in this particular Biblical text, but you can find it on the graphic located in the Holy Place. We will consider this in more detail once we study the Altar of Incense in particular.)

Hebrews 10:1 — For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

The law was a shadow of good things to come. We can see the outline of a cross in the furniture arrangement!

cross-shape-layout.jpg

Starting at the foot of the "cross":

1. Brazen Altar

The Brazen Altar was brass (typical of judgment) covered with gold (typical of the Divine nature). We see in its service the message of JUSTIFICATION. Upon it was poured out the blood of sacrifices. Its four horns represent the power of the blood of Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:16-18 — Romans 1:6 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

2. Laver

The Laver was a large bowl filled with water and was also made of brass covered with gold. Its service speaks to us the message of SANCTIFICATION. There is power in the Word of God.

John 17:17 — Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

3. Golden Candlestick

The Golden Candlestick was made of pure gold and its service speaks to us of the UNION of the Church which is His Body with Christ. He is IN US and we are IN Him! He has but ONE Church. The Church's power is in Him and Abiding in Him.

Revelation 1:4,13 — John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

4. Golden Altar of Incense

The Golden Altar of Incense was made of Acacia wood overlaid with pure gold and its service speaks to us of INTERCESSION. The Altar of Incense had four horns as well as the Brazen Altar did. There is power in prayer which is not disconnected from the power in the Blood we saw in the Brazen Altar.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 — Pray without ceasing.

5. Table of Shewbread

The Table of Shewbread was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold and its service speaks to us of COMMUNION. (1 Corinthians 11:23-34)

1 Corinthians 11:23 &madsh; 1Co 11:23 ¶ For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

There is power in communion.

6. Ark of the Covenant

Satisfaction, Restoration of a fallen creation.

7. Mercy Seat

Power of Mercy.

The Door of the Tent

(Exodus 26:36-37)

Exodus 26:36-37 — And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework. 37 And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.

Introduction

(Why study Tabernacle? Because at least 50 chapters (13-Ex, 18-Lev, 13-Num, 2-Deut, 4-Heb) in the Bible tell of the construction, the ritual, the priesthood, the carrying of the tabernacle, and the meaning of it all. Also many other places in Scripture speak in figurative language concerning the tabernacle. In many Bible studies this subject is overlooked and considered insignificant.)

It consisted of hangings of linen on which were woven blue, purple, and scarlet. These are the same materials with which the veil was made, but there were no cherubims on the door as there were on the veil. This door separated the Holy Place from the court of the Tabernacle, serving the same purpose as the veil served for the Holiest of All. The priests, the sons of Aaron, after their service in the court, passed through this door when entering into the Holy Place. For those who came to the Tabernacle with their offerings it was not possible to see beyond the door.

The door stretched across the whole of the east side of the Tabernacle. The door of the tabernacle was 10 cubits long x 10 cubits wide (The entrance gate was 20 x 5 cubits, and the veil was 10 cubits square, it is very interesting that all three entrances totaled 100 cubits each.)

The Hanging of the Door

Upon 5 pillars there were gold rings for the hanging. The hanging was made of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen thread, the work of a weaver (skillfully wrought with needles)

  1. BLUE: Christ's Divine Nature (heavenly)

  2. PURPLE: Christ's Kingdom (royalty)

  3. SCARLET: Christ's Sufferings (the blood)

  4. FINE TWINED LINEN: Christ's Human Nature (spotless humanity)

In Christ was every grace and virtue combined and blended.

Ps 139:15 ...

No Cherubims

The absence of cherubims on the door was striking. Within the Holy Place they were always in sight, whether on the fine linen curtain overhead or on the veil, but on the door and on the gate giving access to the court they were not to be seen. The cherubims were guardians of the presence of God. It has already been noted in these studies, and is worth repeating, that cherubims are first mentioned in Genesis 3. After the Fall the Lord God drove out the man from the garden of Eden and "placed at the east of the garden…Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life" (Gen 3.24). They are not mentioned again until the instruction is given to make two cherubims of gold to be set over the Mercy Seat (Ex 25.18). They jealously cared for the holiness of God.

The closer the worshipper approaches God, the greater awareness there is of His holiness. In the court, grace dominates; no cherubims are in view there but an Altar and a Laver. Moving closer, having washed at the Laver, there is an increasing awareness that He is holy and that the demeanour and conduct of the worshipper must reflect an appreciation of His holiness. The word "holy" (6944) is first used at the burning bush when Moses is told, "Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground" (Ex 3.5). Moses had to realise the holiness that marked the presence of God.

The Door was Suspended on Five Pillars

  1. Made of Shittim wood overlaid with gold. Pointing to the human and divine nature of Christ.

  2. The pillars were five in number

Perhaps here we may find a reference to Isaiah 9:6.

Isaiah 9:6 — For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The pillars on which the door was hung signify responsibility. There were ten Commandments declaring the responsibility of God’s people towards God and towards their neighbour. Here the five pillars have been viewed as signifying the responsibility of the worshipper to observe the Word of God as the Sanctuary is entered, but the fact that they were made of shittim wood overlaid with gold indicates that they speak of the Lord Jesus Christ. Consistency of interpretation demands this. What is seen in the pillars is the One who fulfilled all His responsibilities to God and man. He kept the Law; He was obedient and prepared to go to death; He finished the work which was given Him to do. Entering in through this door there was an awareness that such a privilege was only enjoyed because of the One who fulfilled every responsibility which He was given to undertake. The fulfilment of all of God’s purpose - the redemption of mankind and indeed of the whole universe; the defeat of the forces of evil - was laid on Him and He triumphed and triumphed gloriously.

  1. Foundation (or sockets) of the pillars were of brass.

We can only enter the dwelling presence of God on the ground or foundation that Divine righteousness has judged sin at Calvary.

The brass of which the sockets were made was also used for the Brazen Altar. It signifies that which can withstand the heat and flame of the altar. This the Lord Jesus did when He died on the Cross, and the brass, therefore, speaks of the One who purchased redemption when He went through the flame and heat of Calvary. Brass speaks of the work itself, and the silver sockets, which supported the boards of the Tabernacle and the pillars for the veil, of the price that was paid to accomplish that work.

Psalms 97:2 — ...

  1. The pillars were crowned with gold (Exodus 36:38).

Humanity crowned Christ with thorns, but God placed many crowns upon His head.

Revelation 19:12 — His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

Primary Lesson from the Door

This was the only door of the Tabernacle. There was only one entrance into the court, only one door into the holy place, and only one way into the holy of holies. The Door teaches us of the one and only way into God's presence — Jesus.

John 10:9 — I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

In the tabernacle, the door admitted to:

  1. Light - golden candlestick - a light that was never to go out
  2. Fellowship - table of shewbread
  3. Prayer and Worship - altar of incense
  4. Safety - only a door between, but whatever the turmoil raged without, all was peace within (Psalm 31:20)
  5. Nearness to God - The veil alone separated from the immediate glory of the mercy seat

--This privilege must never be underestimated. !!!

Each entrance in the Tabernacle, the gate, the door, the veil, represented stages in approaching God. In the court, seen in the Brazen Altar and the Laver, there was an appreciation that the shed blood was the only way in, and that it was necessary to be clean. Passing through the door was the act of a priest entering in to worship. The sacrifices on the Brazen Altar were indeed acts of worship, but passing through the door was moving further in. The purpose of the door was to permit priestly worshippers to enter; the purpose of the veil was to prohibit their entrance into the Most Holy. One was a prohibition; the other was an invitation. The priests, moving from the court through the door, signify greater intimacy of worship, an intimacy which today is not limited to one priestly family. "The nearer we approach to God, as His priests, the more intimate our fellowship with Him in heavenly places; the more shall we discern the glories of Christ, and realise his power, majesty and strength."1

Altar of Burnt Offering

(Exodus 27:1-8)

Introduction

Exodus 27:1-8 — And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits. 2 And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass. 3 And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basins, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass. 4 And thou shalt make for it a grate of network of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brazen rings in the four corners thereof. 5 And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar. 6 And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with brass. 7 And the staves shall be put into the rings, and the staves shall be upon the two sides of the altar, to bear it. 8 Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was showed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.

(Exodus 38:1-7; Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22)

The Brazen Altar was the foundation of the whole worship of Israel. There was no approach to God and no worship accepted by by way of the Altar of the blood Atonement. The Brazen Altar was the first object seen upon entering the Outer Court of the Tabernacle. It is a remarkable type of Jesus Christ in His person and His sacrificial work.

Names Given to the Altar

  1. Altar of Shittim Wood, Exodus 27:1
  2. The Brazen/Bronze Altar, Exodus 38:30
  3. "The Altar" by way of pre-eminance, Exodus 29:12
  4. Altar of Burnt Offering, Exodus 35:16
  5. The Altar that is by the Door of the Tabernacle, Leviticus 1:5
  6. My Altar, The Table of the Lord, Malachi 1:7; Lev. 21:6,22
  7. Altar of the Lord, Malachi 2:13

Materials Used in the Construction of the Altar

Both Shittim Wood and Brass (explained later) were used in constructing the Brazen Altar. (Exodus 27:1,2)

  1. Shittim Wood

Shittim or Acacia was a desert growth. This is a type of the flesh and humanity.

Isaiah 53:2 — For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

It was necessary that Christ should become incarnate.

Hebrews 10:5,10 — Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

  1. Brass/Bronze

Deuteronomy 8:7-9 — For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; 8 A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; 9 A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.

Job 28:1,2 — Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it. 2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone.

When the children of Israel were asked to give in the building of the Tabernacle, they gave from what they had received from the spoils given them by the Egyptians, and they had given so much that they were commanded to stop giving. Out of the abundance of what they gave was Bronze. A total of 6,700 lbs. of bronze was given.

In ancient Israel there was no such metal known as brass. During Bible times bronze was an alloy of copper and tin and was used to an enormous extent.

AT THE PRESENT: The term BRASS is applied to an alloy having copper (55%-90%) and zinc (10%-45%) as its essential components. Modern Bronze is an alloy of copper, tin, zinc, phosphorus, and sometimes small amounts of other elements. Bronzes are harder than brasses.

IN THE KING JAMES VERSION: The term translated BRASS could be more accurately translated BRONZE, since the alloy used was copper and tin (Ex 27:4). In some Scriptures just copper is meant (as in Deut 8:9 where a mineral not an alloy is intended). The one Hebrew word for copper and bronze was rendered brass by the King James translators because at that time the word BRONZE had not yet been introduced into the English language. BRASS appears in the English Bible, referring to either pure copper or to an alloy of copper and tin.

The main use for the 6,700 lbs. of bronze was in the tabernacle furniture within the outer court, in the places where exceptional strength and heat resistance was important. Bronze has a melting point of 1,985 degrees. Since the altar was a place where intense heat was present it was overlaid with bronze.

Bronze represents Divine judgment. When Moses raised the bronze serpent (Numbers 21:9) it spoke of the power of the serpent being judged through the raising of the Son of God (John 3:14).

"Bronze," is used in Scripture as the symbol of what is firm, stubborn, strong and enduring, thus we see "gates of bronze" (Ps 107:16), "hoofs of bronze" (Mic 4:13), etc. Is is mentioned in reference to people and cities.

Bronze typifies the divine character of Christ who took upon Himself the fire of God's wrath, holiness and justice by becoming a sin offering.

2 Cor 5:21 — 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.

Matthew 27:46 — And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

continued next:

Dimensions of the Altar

Horns of the Altar

Vessels of the Altar

Grate of the Altar

Fire of the Altar

Lesson #11 Altar of Burnt Offering, Exodus 27:1-8

Introduction (REVIEW)

The Brazen Altar was the foundation of the whole worship of Israel. There was no approach to God and no worship accepted by by way of the Altar of the blood Atonement. It is a remarkable type of Jesus Christ in His person and His sacrificial work.

Names Given to the Altar (REVIEW)

  1. Altar of Shittim Wood, Exodus 27:1
  2. The Brazen/Bronze Altar, Exodus 38:30
  3. "The Altar" by way of pre-eminance, Exodus 29:12
  4. Altar of Burnt Offering, Exodus 35:16
  5. The Altar that is by the Door of the Tabernacle, Leviticus 1:5
  6. My Altar, The Table of the Lord, Malachi 1:7; Lev. 21:6,22
  7. Altar of the Lord, Malachi 2:13

Materials Used in the Construction of the Altar (REVIEW)

  1. Shittim Wood (This is a type of the flesh and humanity. It was necessary that Christ be made flesh.)
  2. Brass/Bronze (Judgment of God and the Endurance of Christ to Withstand the heat.)

Dimensions of the Altar

Exodus 27:1 — And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits.

The Altar of Burnt Offering was seven and a half feet in length and breadth and four and a half feet in height. It was twice the length and height of the Ark of the Covenant.

In fact, it had capacity enough to contain all the other vessels of the sanctuary. This is rich in meaning: within one great sacrifice on the cross every blessing is comprehended.

Romans 8:32 — He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? What does the Believer Have or have access to through Christ being offered up?

altar.jpg

Horns of the Altar

In Exodus 27:2, the horns of the altar are mentioned which are symbol of prevailing might and strength.

These horns pointed in every direction, signifying and presenting salvation to the four corners of the earth (north, south, east, west).

Mark 16:15 — And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Sacrifices were bound to the altar before slain, but it was not nails but love that held Christ on the cross!

Psalm 118:27 — God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar

John 10:18 — No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

1 Kings 1:50 — And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.

Solomon was to be the king after David, but his elder brother, Adonijah, was preferred by Joab, the captain of the host, and by Abiathar, the priest; and, therefore, they got together, and tried to set up Adonijah as king. They utterly failed in this; and when Solomn came to the throne Adonijah was afraid for his life, and fled to the horns of the altar at the tabernacle for shelter. Solomon permitted him to find sanctuary there, and forgave him his offence, and said that if he proved himself a worthy man he should live without further trouble.

Typical of the poor sinner, who flees for refuge to lay hold of the Gospel.

Also we find a solemn lesson in Exodus 21:14.

Exodus 21:14 — But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.

For the presumptous sinner and hyprocrite, the atonement of Jesus provides no shelter while he so continues.

1 Kings 2:28 — Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.

But very soon after Solomon's mercy to Adonijah, Adonijah and his confederates began plotting again, and sought to undermine Solomon now that David was dead. Solomon determined to begin dealing with Joab-the bottom of all the mischief, who, though he had not followed after Absalom in David's time, was now following after Adonijah. No sooner had the king determined upon this, than Joab thought that, as Adonijah had gotten a hold of the horns of the altar successfully before, Joab might repeat it, and have some hope for his life.

He was a man of hoary head, who had thirty or more years before committed two atrocious murders, and now they came home to him. He did not know where to fly except he fled to the horns of an altar, which he had very seldom approached before. As far as we can judge, he had shown little respect to religion during his lifetime. He was a rough man of war, and cared little enough about God, or the tabernacle, or the priests, or the altar; but when he was in danger, he fled to that which he had avoided

Charles Spurgeon "Joab sought to make a refuge of that which he had neglected. Now, I want you to notice that when Joab fled to the tabernacle of the Lord, and took hold of the horns of the altar, it was of no use to him."

1 Kings 2:34 — So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.

Charles Spurgeon "Outward ordinances will avail nothing.... But, secondly, there is an altar-a spiritual altar-whereof if a man do but lay hold upon the horns, and say, "Nay; but I will die here," he shall never die; but he shall be safe against the sword of justice for ever; for the Lord has appointed an altar in the person of his own dear Son, Jesus Christ, where there shall be shelter for the very vilest of sinners if they do but come and lay hold thereon.

Lesson #11 Altar of Burnt Offering, Exodus 27:1-8

Introduction (REVIEW)

There was no approach to God and no worship accepted but by way of the Altar of the blood Atonement. It is a remarkable type of Jesus Christ in His person and His sacrificial work.

Names Given to the Altar (REVIEW)

Materials Used in the Construction of the Altar (REVIEW)

  1. Shittim Wood (This is a type of the flesh and humanity. It was necessary that Christ be made flesh.)
  2. Brass/Bronze (Judgment of God and the Endurance of Christ to Withstand the heat.)

Dimensions of the Altar (REVIEW)

The Altar of Burnt Offering was seven and a half feet in length and breadth and four and a half feet in height. It was twice the length and height of the Ark of the Covenant. It had capacity enough to contain all the other vessels of the sanctuary.

Horns of the Altar (REVIEW)

Vessels of the Altar

Exodus 27:3 — And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basins, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass.

All of the vessels of the altar were made of Brass — a type of judgment.

Great care was bestowed upon these ashes. They were not taken outside the camp and thrown anywhere, but only in a clean place. They were precious because they spoke of Gods acceptance.

Ashes are also a symbol of complete destruction, that is why people would sit in ashes and pour ashes on their head, or clothe themselves in sackcloth and ashes as a sign of grief and mourning.

Ashes were also for cleansing and purification:

Numbers 19:17 — And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel:

The priest would catch the blood in a basin and used it for the sprinkling and for the pouring out at the bottom of the altar.

Grate of the Altar

Exodus 27:4,5 — 4 And thou shalt make for it a grate of network of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brazen rings in the four corners thereof. 5 And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar.

The Brazen Altar was hollow, but on the inside half way from the top was a grating or network of Brass upon which the sacrifices were laid. The grating was the exact height of the Mercy Seat (Half way of 3 cubits = 1.5 cubits). There can be no mercy ministered to us apart from the blood sacrifice. The vilest sinner can obtain mercy through the blood. Even the "good person", if they reject the blood, can claim no mercy.

God is Equal in Mercy and Judgment (Ps 101:1; Rom 11:22).

Fire of the Altar

Leviticus 9:24 — And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire in Leviticus 10:1,2.

Leviticus 6:12,13 — And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings. 13 The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.

Fire symbolical of God's Holiness is expressed in 3 ways:

  1. CONDEMNATION - Genesis 19:24
  2. PURIFICATION - Mal. 3:2,3; Matthew 3:11,12
  3. APPROVAL - Exodus 3:3; Lev. 9:24; 1 Kings 18:38; Acts 2:3

Oil for the Lamp

(Exodus 27:20,21)

Exodus 27:20,21 And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. 21 In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

High Priest's Garments

(Exodus 28:1-39)

Aaron's Sons Garment

(Exodus 28:40-43)

Priests Sanctified for Service

(Exodus 29:1-37)

A Daily and Continual Burnt Offering

(Exodus 29:38-46)

Altar of Incense

(Exodus 30:1-10; 37:25-29)

Introduction

Revelation 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

Sometimes called "smoke", but "fragrance" and "aroma" better describe the presence of the incense.

Psalm 141:1-2 — Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. 2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

The sweet aroma of prayer. The Altar of incense was located in the Holy Place which was 15' wide by 15' high by 30' deep.

Exodus 30:1-10 — 1 And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it. 2 A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same. 3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about. 4 And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it, by the two corners thereof, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it; and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withal. 5 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. 6 And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee. 7 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. 8 And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations. 9 Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon. 10 And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.

Structure & Dimensions

It is called the "golden altar" as it was overlaid with gold and not to be confused with the much larger Altar of Burnt Offering located in the outer court which was overlaid with brass.

The Altar of incense was made of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold. On top of the altar stood a censer or pan of pure gold which the "burning coals" from off the Brazen altar were placed.

............

The horns at each corner were symbolic of power and the efficacy of prayer and worship. The horns pointed in four different directions: north, south, east, and west. (Jacob at Peniel Genesis 32:23-32; Moses Plead on behalf of Israel Exodus 32:11-13; Ezekiel prayed for Israel while among the captives.)

It was 18 inches by 18 inches by 36 inches tall to the base.

Two-Fold Type

The Incense

Atonement Money

(Exodus 30:11-16)

Laver of Water

(Exodus 30:17-21; 38:8; 40:30-32)

Description

Exodus 38:8 — And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

The mirror in Scripture is a symbol of the written Word of God (James 1:23,24). How significant that the mirrors of the women (which were used for the gratification of the flesh but cheerfully surrendered) should now be converted to opposite uses and used to minister to priests and stand through the ages as a type of the Word of God. So the most insignificant thing when dedicated to God can be used for His glory and to bless others.

Function

The laver was filled with water with which the priests washed their hands and feet before attending to the ministry of the Tabernacle. Preparation for the worship, intercession and service, through daily cleansing is the prominent teaching of the laver.

Washing of Hands

The Hands represent the deeds. They must be holy (Psalm 24:3; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

Washing of Feet

The Feet represent the walk. It must be holy (Ephesians 4:17; Psalm 119:9; John 13:5).

Spiritual Cleansing

Washing of the Blood

Hebrews 9:22

Washing of the Word

Titus 3:5 could be literally translated "by the laver of regeneration".

Ephesians 5:25-27; John 17:17; John 15:3.

John 15:3

The Word of God:

  1. Discovers Uncleanness
  2. Points Out the Remedy
  3. Gives Direction to Faith in the Excercises of Cleaning
  4. Assures Faith when the remedy is applied.

Two-Fold Cleansing

When Jesus hung on Calvary, His precious side was pierced adn there came forth blood and water (John 19:14).

The gushing forth of a “fountain of blood” to wash our sins away (Revelation 1:5) is a natural metaphor drawn from this scene, but it is not clear how both blood and water could flow from such a wound. Some have suggested Jesus literally died of a broken heart, with the collapse of the ruptured heart cavity resulting in separation of the watery serum from the clotted blood in the pericardium. On the other hand, Jesus’ death was supernatural; He did not die naturally like others, but volitionally “gave up the ghost” (John 19:30; see note on Luke 23:46), so there may not be a natural explanation for this phenomenon. He had promised to provide “living water” to those who would “come unto me and drink” (John 4:10; 7:37), and the water flowing from His side would at least be symbolic of the “water of life” that would be eternally “proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:1). The blood and water flowing from His opened side thus would represent both the cleansing blood of the slain Lamb and the life-sustaining water from the smitten Rock (Exodus 17:6; I Corinthians 10:4); it might even speak of the opened side of the first Adam, from which God made his bride (Genesis 2:21-24). See also John’s application of the water and the blood in I John 5:6-8.

Here we have represeented the double cleansing. From God's Living Word, Jesus, flowed, when Redemption's work was completed, both blood and water. The Blood flowed for the cleansing of our sin and water speaks to us of the WORD and the SPIRIT. These two cannot be separated. The Spirit acts through the word.

There is a washing of water by the Word which is called the "washing of regeneration" (Titus 3:5).

Titus 3:5 — Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Water as associated with the Holy Ghost sets forth the washing of the Word Through the Spirit. The Word and the Spirit Agree. The Spirit inspired the Book. It takes the Spirit to make the Book "alive".

1 Thessalonians 1:5 — For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

John 7:37-38

The Spirit has come to make His Word alive in us!

Extras and Assignments

Holy Anointing Oil

(Exodus 30:22-33)

Pure myrrh (מר דרור mar deror) 500 shekels (about 6 kg) Sweet cinnamon (קינמון בשם kinnemon besem) 250 shekels (about 3 kg) Kaneh bosem (קְנֵה-בֹשֶׂם kaneh bosm) 250 shekels (about 3 kg) Cassia (קדה kiddah) 500 shekels (about 6 kg) Olive oil (שמן זית shemen zayit) one hin (about 5 quarts according to Adam Clarke; about 4 liters according to Shiurei Torah, 7 liters according to the Chazon Ish)

What about Aaron?

Holy Incense

(Exodus 30:34-38)

34 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: 35 And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: 36 And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy. 37 And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD. 38 Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.

Song of Solomon 1:3 1 —

Exodus 7:1 —

Craftsmen Called to Make

(Exodus 31:1-11)

Sabbaths

(Exodus 31:13-17)

Tables of Stone

( Exodus 31:18; 32; 33; 34; 35:1-19; Tables of Stone & Communicating God's Will)

The People Giving

(Exodus 35:20-29)

Bezaleel and Aholiab

(Exodus 35:30-35; 36; 37; 38; 39)

The Completed Tabernacle

(Exodus 40)

First Time the Tabernacle is Set Up, Exodus 40:1-33

Put the Testimony into the Ark, v.20

Exodus 40:20 — And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:

Mt 23:16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

Mt 23:17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

Ex 16:33 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations. 34 As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.

Ex 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

Ex 25:16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.

Ex 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

De 9:10 And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.

Ps 19:7 ¶ The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Ps 78:5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

Ps 81:5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.

Ps 119:88 ¶ Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

Ps 122:4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.

Ps 132:12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.

Isa 8:16 ¶ Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.

Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.

22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

John’s testimony Joshua’s testimony Jos 12:24 The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one.

Enoch’s testimony Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

God will have a Bride for His Son

The one He sent to become flesh will have one become like Him.

People don’t like perfection, adoption, persecution

1Ki 15:17 And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

1Ki 15:20 So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.

21 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.

1Ki 15:22 Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

What a proof is this that the best believers may fall into unbelief, and trust for a while in an arm of flesh to save them.

Asa was for a while relieved from fear by turning to Syria for help, and therefore no doubt he thought himself right, but we greatly err if we estimate the correctness of our actions by their result.

The Lord was angry with Asa, and as a chastisement his life was a troubled one from that day forward.

He took the temple gold to bribe a heathen king to break his treaties, but his great fault was that he trusted in man rather than in God.

1Ki 15:18 Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,

19 There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; come and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.

Not every testimony is true

1Ki 14:6 And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings.

2Ch 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

2Ch 13:10 But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business:

11 And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.

12 And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.

Mt 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Mr 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Lu 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

Joh 3:32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

5:34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

1Co 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

1Co 2:1 ¶ And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2Co 1:12 ¶ For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

2Th 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

2Ti 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Heb 3:5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Re 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Re 1:9 ¶ I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Glory of the Lord Filled the Tabernacle, Exodus 40:34-38