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Introduction to the Study of the Tabernacle

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

tabernacle-layout.jpg

The Context of and leading up to Exodus 25

  • Famine Brought Sons of Jacob to Egypt
  • Over 400 years of Slavery
  • God Delivered Israel Out of Egyptian Bondage
  • God is Setting in Order the Principles of Fellowship with God (Commandments and the Tabernacle)

Word Study of "Tabernacle"

First and Last Occurrences

  • The Word Tabernacle is found in 300 verses in the Bible. (280 times in O.T. 20 times in the N.T.: 9 in the Book of Hebrews, 11 in the rest of the N.T.)

  • First Occurrence: Exodus 25:9

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.

  • Final Occurrence: Revelation 21:3

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

  • 04908. mishkan, mish-kawn' from 7931; a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple); specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden walls):--dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent

  • 0168. ohel from 166; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance):--covering, (dwelling)(place), home, tabernacle, tent.

  • 05521. cukkah, sook-kaw' fem of 5520; a hut or lair:--booth, cottage, covert, pavilion, tabernacle, tent.

  • 05520. cok, soke from 5526; a hut (as of entwined boughs); also a lair:-- covert, den, pavilion, tabernacle.

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

  • 4633. skene, skay-nay' apparently akin to 4632 and 4639; a tent or cloth hut (literally or figuratively):--habitation, tabernacle. most common usage [20 verses]

  • 4638. skenoma, skay'-no-mah from 4637; an encampment, i.e. (figuratively) the Temple (as God's residence), the body (as a tenement for the soul):-- tabernacle.

  • 4636. skenos, skay'-nos from 4633; a hut or temporary residence, i.e. (figuratively) the human body (as the abode of the spirit):--tabernacle.

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

  • In the study of the tabernacle we will find keys to our fellowship with God. God desires to dwell in the midst of His people. God gives His people a desire for his presence. (e.g., King David desired to build God a house. David also desired a constant habitation in God's house. ) That desire must be tended to.
  • Key to Our Worship and Service to God, every detail of the tabernacle portrays God’s act of Redemption.
  • The Holiness of God, The Sinfulness of Man, the reconciliation through Jesus Christ and the Salvation of the lost are all portrayed in the main divisions of the tabernacle.

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]

  • Introduction to the Biblical Tabernacle
    • 000_introduction-to-the-study-of-the-tabernacle.md
    • 001_understanding-biblical-typology.md
    • 002_overview-of-the-tabernacle.md
  • Free-Will Offering
  • Ark of the Covenant
  • Mercy Seat
  • Table of Shewbread
  • Golden Candelstick
  • Framework and Coverings
  • Veil
  • Layout of the Tabernacle Furniture
  • The Door
  • Brazen Altar
  • Court and Gate of the Tabernacle
  • Oil for the Lamp
  • High Priest's Garments
  • Priest's Garments
  • Priests and Tabernacle Sanctified (a continual burnt offering)
  • Altar of Incense
  • Atonement Money
  • Laver of Water
  • Anointing Oil of Spices and the Consecrating of Priests and Furniture
  • Sweet Incense
  • Craftsmen Called to Make
  • Sabbaths
  • Tables of Stone
  • Seventh Day Holy, A Sabbath Unto the Lord
  • The Work Wrought
  • First Time the Tabernacle is Set Up
  • Cloud of the Lord
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