The Tabernacle and Christ

Published 1:42 pm Thursday, November 7, 2013

Any student of the Bible knows that there are pictures and types of Jesus throughout the Old Testament. The late Dr. M. R. DeHaan once said “that unless you have found Christ in the Old Testament passages you have not yet found the whole meaning of it”. 

One of the most beautiful pictures of Jesus is found in the Tabernacle. God gave Moses instructions to build it in Exodus 25. It would be a place where God would meet with man. It was called “the tabernacle of the congregation”. The Tabernacle was a moveable tent seventy five feet wide, one hundred and fifty feet long. God always wants to dwell with, have fellowship with, and communicate with His people (Exodus 25:22).

The Tabernacle and its courtyard were constructed according to God’s plan. The Tabernacle helps us understand the steps that God laid out for sinners to approach a Holy God. It was the place where God dwelt with His people for 400 years from Exodus to King Solomon. It was in the center of the camp of the Israelites, surrounded by the 12 tribes. This tells us that today Christ should be the center of our lives.

There are about 50 chapters in the Bible that discuss the Tabernacle. It was a shadow of things in heaven. Hebrews 8:1-5 tell us that the real Tabernacle is in heaven. This is where Jesus Himself, our high priest, is (Hebrews 8:2). The Tabernacle was built out of material that today would cost well over a million dollars. Our salvation cost the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus.

The Tabernacle had seven pieces of furniture. First, Bronze Altar, the place were the animals were sacrificed for sinful people. The blood was important to justify the people before God (Exodus 27:1-8). Jesus is our perfect sacrifice and shed His blood for our sins (John 1:29; Hebrews 10:10; Romans 4:25). Second, Laver of Brass (Exodus 30:18; 38:8).  The priest washed himself here after the sacrifice. We, as children, also need to be cleansed (I John 1:8-9). Third, Golden Candlestick. It was fueled by oil and provided light in this otherwise dark room. Jesus called Himself the Light of the world (John 12:46). We are to be the light in the absence of Jesus (Acts 13:47). Fourth, Table of Shewbread (Exodus 25:23-30). It held the 12 loaves of bread that were eaten by Aron and his sons; replaced every week on the Sabbath. Jesus said He is the “Bread of Life” (John 6:35; 6:51). Fifth, Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:1-10). Incense was to be burned constantly on the altar. Incense represents the prayers of the faithful (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4). Sixth, the Veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil was rent from top to bottom. Now mankind can go directly into the presence of God (Hebrews 4:16). The Seventh, Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat. This was the Most Holy Place where God spoke to the high priest.  Through Jesus, God speaks to Christians today. The Bible says we are all kings and priest. So God deals with us one on one. Trust Him today.

These seven pieces of furniture in the Tabernacle all had a special meaning. Today all you and I need is the Lord Jesus Christ. It is His blood sprinkled on the altar for our sins that is the only perfect sacrifice for our sins. Trust His shed blood today.