By
Thomas J. Mowery
"A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true
tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." (Heb 8:2 KJV)
"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 8:5 KJV)
"For whatsoever things were written
aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and
comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Rom 15:4 KJV)
To many, the Tabernacle which was erected
in the wilderness by the Israelites under the leadership of Moses, is a
distant thing in the past which might not be of much interest. However,
the Tabernacle (as all things in the Scriptures) can be related to the
believer’s life. While all things recorded in the Scriptures cannot be
applied Doctrinally to the present day Believer who is "rightly dividing
the word of truth" but, all things recorded can be applied Spiritually.
The Tabernacle is a beautiful picture of things which directly affect the
Believer today! Dr. M.R. DeHaan said "There is no portion of Scripture
richer in meaning , or more perfect in it’s teaching" (Olford 15). As the
Apostle Paul pointed out in the above verse to the Romans, God provided us
with His written Word for our learning that we might know more about
ourselves, Him, His promises, His attributes and most importantly His
desire to redeem us. A study of the Tabernacle, and the symbolism
associated with it, is most beneficial to any serious student who desires
to know more of our God and the future prepared for us. Very clearly, God
intended for us to spend some time reading on this subject as "It is most
remarkable to discover that no less than fifty chapters in the Old and New
Testaments are devoted to the construction, ritual, and priesthood of the
Tabernacle and the meaning ... (whereas) ... the whole story of creation
takes up only two chapters of the book of Genesis" (ibid 22).
Exodus 25:8,9 says: And let them make me a
sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. 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.(KJV). The Tabernacle had
three purposes which were designed by God. The first purpose was for the
Tabernacle to be a place of worship. God instituted the tabernacle as a
place where He could meet "His people". This was the first time since the
days of "walking in the garden" that God had a place where the people
could congregate before Him. In Exodus 29:43 God said that this was to be
a place where He could "meet" with the children of Israel and in verse 45,
God said that it was a place where He could "dwell" among the people.
Secondly, the Tabernacle was to be a place of witness. It witnessed of the
presence of God..."and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle" (Ex.
40:34 KJV). Ex. 40:38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by
day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel,
throughout all their journeys. (KJV). The tabernacle also witnessed to the
purity of God. Everything having to do with the tabernacle had the
strictest of regulations concerning their construction, materials used ,
their consecration for use and also, their method of use. Everything about
the tabernacle suggested holiness and was a picture of a holy God who will
accept nothing less than the very best. Even the priests garment was to
have a gold plate which read: "HOLINESS TO THE LORD." (Ex.28:36) The
ultimate purpose of the tabernacle was "to point to the coming of Him in
whom all object lesson are fulfilled" (Olford 33). As the book of Hebrews
tells us, the tabernacle was "a figure for the time then present...until
the time of reformation." (9:9,10). The tabernacle was a place where God
would dwell among His people and symbolized the relationship that He would
one day have where He would indwell His people. The tabernacle symbolized
the body of Jesus Christ in it’s two basic materials: gold and wood. "The
gold, of course, speaks of Christ’s deity, while the wood typifies His
humanity" (ibid 34).
The actual Tabernacle was surrounded by a
linen outer wall which made up the perimeter of the outer court. This
outer wall is said to be 75 x 150 x 71/2 feet in measurement.
Interestingly enough, back in the day of the tabernacle, there was in the
middle of the wilderness this structure that could been seen for miles,
presumably. This white linen wall stood tall enough that no one could see
into it. Anyone looking upon this wall could see a symbolic picture of
righteousness. It was white, a long time symbol of purity, and was made of
linen which is spoken of in Rev. 19:8 "And to her was granted that she
should be arrayed in fine linen , clean and white:
for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." (KJV).
Here could be seen a picture of Jesus Christ for it is recorded that our
righteousness is as "filthy rags" by the prophet Isaiah and that we should
have righteousness through "faith of Christ" (Phil3:9). If one were to
enter into this outer court they would have found that just as there is
only one way to the Father, God in heaven, there was only one entrance
into the outer court. God specifically said that the entrance was to be on
the east side and that the approach to God was westward. Always in the
scripture the way of God is from east to west. "When you enter the
Tabernacle, you enter from east to west. The approach to God on the ground
is east to west; the approach to God in the universe is south to north. On
the ground it’s east to west. When God drove Adam and Eve out of the
garden of Eden, He drove them west to east. When Cain left the presence of
the Lord, he went west to east. When Jacob backslid, he went west to east.
When the Jews went into captivity, they went west to east. When God called
the Jews out, He called them out east to west. When they came out of
Egypt, he wouldn’t even let them come into the promised land south to
north. After the incident at Kadesh-barnea, they had to go clear around
Jordan and come in east to west. The approach to God is east to west." (Ruckman
3). Upon one’s entrance into the outer court, the first thing to be seen
was that of a perpetual burning fire upon the brazen altar. This altar is
symbolic of the sacrificial substitution of Jesus Christ’s body and blood
at Calvary. The very first thing that one sees in the Tabernacle is a
symbol of their sin and the penalty for it. "For the wages of sin is
death.." and right there facing the entrance is the substitutionary death
of an animal. It is the same way with the believer today. One cannot come
to God until he enters in first of all by God’s entrance, and that is
followed by facing his own guilt and sin which before God must be paid
for. Much like salvation, the fire upon this altar was instituted by God,
kindled by God and was always available: Lev 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.
The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it
shall never go out.(KJV) Lev 9:24 And there came a fire
out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt
offering ...(KJV). This altar was made of shittim wood covered with brass
which shows a potential corruptibility in the wood and yet strength in the
brass coating . "The altar , like Christ, the Son of Man, must have a
twofold nature. The type is perfect; the wood speaks of the truly human
sympathy of Jesus, while the brass speaks of the strong, enduring
character of the Divine One - these two elements in One, and that for the
salvation of man." (Smith 28). After the brazen altar, the next item in
the outer court is the laver. The laver also is brass and it contains
water for purification. This is not a picture of "baptismal regeneration"
for it obviously follows the altar which pictures the blood sacrifice at
calvary for regeneration of the believer. This water is that of
purification of the believer in his daily walk . "The laver was filled
with water, the water is a type of the Word; the laver, of the Spirit. The
great truth here is the ministry of the Word in the power of the Holy
Ghost." (ibid 33). This truth was expressed by the Apostle Paul in
Ephesians:, speaking of Jesus: "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with
the washing of water by the word,"(KJV).Just as the priest
would get his feet dirty from walking in and out and in and out on the
dirt floor, the believer gets dirty from the corruption of this world and
so he must daily wash himself in the word (Ps 119:9 Wherewithal shall a
young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
KJV).
Now then, the actual Tabernacle is a
structure within the outer court, on the west end. It is 45 x 15 feet in
measurement. In this tabernacle were two places. The first was the Holy
Place and the second, the Holy of Holies. Inside the Holy Place were the
Table of Shewbread, the Golden Candlestick, and the Altar of Incense. This
structure was covered with four different coverings. These were each
significant in that they all were complete in and of themselves yet four
separate parts as our Saviour is many different characters yet wholly one.
The four coverings were badger’s skin, ram’s skin dyed red, goat’s hair
and fine twined linen, from the outer layer to the inner layer. "In the
badger’s skin covering we see in Matthew’s Gospel Christ as a King in
disguise; in the covering of rams skins dyed red we have in Mark’s Gospel
Christ as the suffering Servant. In the third covering of goat’s hair
(white) we may see in the Gospel of Luke Christ as the Son of Man , pure
and holy, obedient and pleasing to God. In the innermost covering of
fine-twined linen we recognise in the Gospel of John Christ the Son of God
and the image of the Invisible One" (Smith 15). It has often been alluded
to the fact that badger’ skin is not attractive to look upon and the
co-relation of Jesus Christ as described by the prophet Isaiah( he hath no
form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we
should desire him. Is 53:2 .KJV). And yet, Jesus possessed an inner beauty
which is unmatched by any other person to walk the face of this planet,
which is much like the inner beauty of the "fine twined linen" covering
which could only be seen from the inside of the Holy Place. To many,
Christianity looks from the outside, to be a tough life and lacking so
many "things" yet those who ever have the experience of true Christianity
find that it is beautiful on the inside. There are many other beautiful
symbols that can be reached when the coverings are actually looked at in
detail considering their colors and materials; which space will not allow.
Upon entering the Holy Place, on the right
hand side of the room was the Table of Shewbread which had twelve loaves
on it. The twelve loaves represented each of the twelve tribes of Israel
and they were baked daily. In this we can see a picture of God’s daily
provision as can be supported in Matthew 6:11 (Give us this day our daily
bread.KJV). There are times in many people’s lives when they just don’t
see how they will get through, but God said He would supply all our needs.
Just as God provided manna in the wilderness, He gave the Table of
Shewbread to "shew" them that He would provide for them daily. This table
was made of shittim wood and overlaid with gold which shares the same
characteristics as the brazen altar. There is wood representing humanity
and pure gold representing Jesus’ purity and deity. For the Christian
today this also takes application as Jesus is the "bread of life" who
sustains and saves us.
The second item in the Holy Place was the
Golden Candlestick made of solid gold. "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 8:12 KJV). This
candlestick takes interesting value in the new Christian’s life as he has
come to Jesus for salvation, he has to look for Jesus to show him the way
because it is new and difficult. In the Tabernacle, the priest entering
the Holy Place may have just come in from the bright sunlight and finds
new illumination from this golden candlestick. to light his way. "There
was fine twined needlework of blue, purple, scarlet, silver and gold with
cherubim and palm leaves all over that thing. The thing was beautiful
inside. Inside. See? I mean, the Lord comes in there and turns on the
lights!" (Ruckman 11).
The final item in the Holy Place before
entering the Holy of Holies is and item dealing with prayer. This is the
Altar of Incense which is also made of gold covered shittim wood. This
altar could stand for two types of prayers. The first is the prayers of
the saints coming up before God (Ps. 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth
before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening
sacrifice. KJV). This altar was not one of sacrifice, but rather one
showing the fellowship between the believer and God in communication. Just
as can be seen in the Revelation, incense is symbolic of prayers. Rev
8:3-4 "And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden
censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it
with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the
throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the
saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand."(KJV). Secondly,
the altar of incense could represent the prayers of Jesus as He makes
intercession for us as He did in the "High Priestly" prayer of John
chapter 17.
Finally, before entering the Holy of
Holies, which was the most sacred dwelling place of God, there was a veil
separating the two rooms. Through this veil, only the High Priest was
allowed to pass but once a year on the Day of Atonement. It was behind
this veil that the Ark of the Covenant rested where the Mercy Seat was. It
was behind this veil that the High Priest would pass annually to place the
blood on the Mercy Seat. Hebrews 10:20 speaks of the veil as being Jesus’
flesh, which He passed through and placed the blood of redemption at the
Mercy Seat of God in heaven. When Jesus died and his human flesh was
destroyed, the veil in the temple was torn in two. The job was completed
for all those who would believe. The final sacrifice was placed on the
Mercy Seat.
The Ark of the Covenant which had the Mercy
Seat on it was here in the Holy of Holies. Interestingly enough, the
height of the Mercy Seat was one and a half cubits just as the grate in
the brazen altar. The point is that if you were to stand before the brazen
altar, you could not see the mercy seat or the presence of God without
first looking directly through the brazen altar (symbolically, the shed
blood of Jesus). Just as Jesus said " No man cometh unto the Father, but
by me." Hebrews 9 tells us that this "way into the holiest of all was not
yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which
was a figure for the time then present..." Jesus Christ, at Calvary shed
His own blood , the only blood capable of washing away sins and became the
final sacrifice for all mankind. As Paul wrote in Romans 5 1:2 Therefore
being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we
stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (KJV). To the Jewish
people this idea of "access" to God was a new concept as only the High
Priest had access to the very presence of God. Whereas, the believer today
can "come boldly unto the throne of grace" and find forgiveness, love and
victory.
The Tabernacle, although very necessary to
the nation of Israel, was a sign of things to come. Some of these we can
see in our own Christian life today. Some we can see in history through
the life of Jesus Christ. And some we will see in the future when we meet
our God and Saviour one day in heaven. Regardless, the study of the
Tabernacle is for anyone a valuable experience in the life and works of
Jesus Christ.
Works Consulted
Holy Bible, King James 1611, Authorized Version.
Kiene, Paul F. The Tabernacle of God in the Wilderness of Sinai.
Grand Rapids, Mich. Zondervan Pub. 1977.
Olford, Stephen F. The Tabernacle, Camping with God. Neptune,
N.J., Loizeaux Brothers. 1971.
Ruckman, Peter S. The Tabernacle Pensacola, Fla. Bible
Baptist Bookstore, 1985.
Smith, James Handfuls On Purpose. Grand Rapids, Mich., Wm. B.
Eerdman’s Pub Co. 1971.
 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.
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