#1198 Seeing Red Part 3 "The Tabernacle of Testimony"

 

13children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ ”… John 1: 13-15

So we discussed the law, that it taught us about the void between God and man, that sin entered the world and death by sin, and how the law exposes us, indicts us as sinners, but it is not able to save. As Spurgeon described it, "the law is the needle, and you cannot draw the silken thread of the gospel through a man's heart unless you first send the needle of the law to make way for it." So how can men be made right with God? How can a man approach God? Well, in the story of the tabernacle, we have a picture of that approach, the plan of God, the redemptive story. This is why one of the names for the tabernacle is "The Tabernacle of the Testimony".  It is a shadow, foretelling of Christ. 

11But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. 12He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption. Hebrews 9: 11-12

In Exodus 25 we see God give Moses the order to commission the Tabernacle, to ask the people to bring in a free will offering, out of the abundance of their hearts, and the people bring in so much that the leadership has to tell them to stop. 

The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give. 3 These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; 4 blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; 5 ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood; 6 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 7 and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

8 “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you. Exodus 25: 1-8

Let's look at some of the items they brought for the building of the tabernacle:

1. Gold, it is precious, not easily found, and it is associated with royalty, like the gifts that the Magi brought for a new born King, Who was Christ. They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold is also bright and reflective, it is used to represent holiness, being set apart, because it goes through a process called refinement to remove it's impurities, the dross. This is a place being set apart for the presence of God, Who is holy.

2. Silver, also valuable and highly reflective, must be purified by fire as well. This also points to the purity of the God they seek, and the purity that God requires of His people.

…2But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. 3And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. 4Then the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in days of old and years gone by.… Malachi 3: 2-4

3. Bronze, another metal, and not considered as precious, but it holds up well to heat and is used for the first of the furnishings, the altar, as we enter the courtyard, and then for the basin. You will quickly notice something in your progression through the tabernacle, that there is a progression in the metals as well. On the outside of the tent is the bronze, and inside, covered by the skins and linen, not visible from the outside, are the things covered in the precious gold.  

That there is a tabernacle is a revelation to us as to the approach to God, that He chooses the way, it is on His terms, and I think you will soon see, that it is also in Him, by His grace and through His sacrifice that this meeting can take place. There is no other way, anyone who tries to come by some other way is a thief and a robber, and anyone who teaches another way is a false prophet. Our culture today would not see this as very inclusive, but God has warned that the way leading to life is narrow, and He is God, so I believe Him to be in the right. 

…8All who came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.… John 10: 8-10

5“Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”… John 14: 5-7

There were two priests, sons of the High Priest, Aaron, who did not take the exclusive nature of this calling seriously enough, and their names were Nadab and Abihu. They have become forever a warning to all that we should resist every temptation to gaze upon these things lightly, or to walk in a manner unworthy of the calling. This most certainly applies to those who would water down the gospel as well.

1Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. 2So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD. 3Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’ ” But Aaron remained silent.… Leviticus 10: 1-3

…28Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”… Hebrews 10: 28-30

So as we enter the courtyard we come upon the altar, the courtyard representing the earth, separate from the things inside the tent, and this is the place where God first reaches out to us. This is where the sacrifice occurs. This is where we would bring the lamb, one without spot or blemish, and this is the visual image of another exclusive claim, rejecting all other ways, refusing inferior works.

…21In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship. 22According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.… Hebrews 9: 21-23

Next we come to the bronze water basin, so after the priest had sacrificed the lamb, they then went to the basin to be ceremonially cleansed. The altar was for atonement, for the remission of sin, where a lamb or bull was ceremonially killed in place of the sinner who deserved to die. Something innocent paid for something unclean. Now we come to the water, where the sinner, who was forgiven by merit of the other's life, is now made clean. This is symbolic of the work of the Holy Spirit, regeneration and sanctification, wherein we are conformed more and more to the image of God's Son.

…4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,…

7so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life. Titus 3: 4-7

“You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it, 19 with which Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet. 20 When they go into the tent of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn a food offering to the Lord, they shall wash with water, so that they may not die. 21 They shall wash their hands and their feet, so that they may not die. It shall be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his offspring throughout their generations.” Exodus 30: 18-21

Now the priests were clean, and so this brings us to the tent, the tabernacle, dwelling in the center. This first room is called the Holy Place, which is symbolic of Heaven. On one side of the room we have a lampstand (menorah), and it was the priests' duty to keep this clean and constantly supplied with oil. It gives light in this place which is covered in layers of fabric and animal skin, a place that would otherwise be dark to us. We have no way of knowing or understanding these things unless God reveals them to us, Christ is the true light, and those that follow Him become the light of the world.

…12Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest. 14The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire.… Revelation 1: 12-14

…3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.… John 1: 3-5

…15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 17Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.… Matthew 5: 15-17

In the same room is a table with bread on it, and this is called Show Bread which means "Bread of His Presence", and everything preceding this has led to this, which is a relationship with God, the breaking of bread, communion. This is the most costly meal ever.

…29You are also to make the plates and dishes, as well as the pitchers and bowls for pouring drink offerings. Make them out of pure gold. 30And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times. Exodus 25: 29-30

…34“Sir,” they said, “give us this bread at all times.” 35 Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst. 36But as I stated, you have seen Me and still you do not believe.… John 6: 34-36

…23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, 24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”… 1 Corinthians 11: 23-25

Also in that room is an altar of incense, and the incense burned there was measured out by a recipe given to them by God, and not to be used anywhere else or sold. It was special to Him, revealing that the sacrifice before was a sweet savor to Him, His sacrifice was pleasing. The incense also represents the prayers going up to the Father on behalf of the people. 

…6And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” 7 During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. 8Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered.… Hebrews 5: 6-8

…24But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. 25Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. 26Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.… Hebrews 7: 24-26

Now we come to a veil that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, which would represent God's throne room. The veil has a type of angel called cherubim woven into the fabric as a pattern, for heaven is full of such as praise the majesty of the Creator. 

31Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it. 32Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood, overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases. 33And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.… Exodus 26: 31-33

Are you getting the picture yet? As it is Christ, in Him, His perfect life, His death and resurrection that grant us entry. He is the sacrificial Lamb, the sinless life credited to my account, the Bread of Life, the Light, and when He died on the cross He makes reference to this scene, the tabernacle, the sacrificing of the priests, and He says, "it is finished". He has fulfilled it all. 

…50When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. 51At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. 52The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.… Matthew 27: 50-52

19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, Hebrews 10: 19-20

So here we are, in the throne room of God, and it is no light thing; it is the most expensive gift ever given, completely undeserved by us, and totally upon the sacrifice of another. Only once a year did the high priest enter the Most Holy Place, and when he did it was to sprinkle blood from the sacrifice of the bronze altar onto the Ark of the Covenant. In this room is the ark, and it is a box with two cherubim on it that are facing each other. This is the throne of God here on earth, His footstool, the place where His presence comes to dwell with man. Inside of the Ark are the tablets whereon were engraved the law, on one side man's duty to God and the other man's duty to those made in the image of God. It reminds us that we have fallen short of this, that we are all transgressors of the law, that God is holy and we are not. It is an amazing place, for inside the ark is God's law, His broken law, which declares that all lawbreakers are subject to death and eternal damnation. The lid of this box is called the mercy seat, and this is where the blood is sprinkled and the presence of God, the Shekinah glory rests above this. All that separates the glory of God from His broken law is a blood stained mercy seat. The blood is the satisfaction for God's justice. 

…23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 25God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.…

…26He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus. 27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith. 28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.… Romans 3: 23-28

Aaron's rod was also in the Ark of the Covenant, as well as a jar of manna which shows God as the provider and sustainer of His people, that they should always look to Him from Whom all blessings and life itself comes.

There is so much with the tabernacle, but I am going to end with a few final things to consider, and one being that the tabernacle is layers of fabric with layers of animal skin over it. So the people of Israel are encamped about this place, and everything inside is covered by this skin, that is what separates them from a holy God, a God Who is a consuming fire. This takes us back to the garden yet again, where God covered Adam and Eve with skins of innocent animals. Everything about the tabernacle teaches us about Christ and God's redemptive plan for His people. Even when the High Priest entered, he entered with the precious stones and gems that were mounted on his ephod, twelve of them, each representing one of the twelve tribes. Surely He has born our griefs and carried our sorrows.

…20Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. 21God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5: 20-21