WORD Wednesday IV

The Tabernacle

Keith and I are continuing to read through Exodus and instead of coming up with a set of questions and key terms, we thought it would be nice to explain our understanding of the Tabernacle as described in chapters 25-30.

The above is a diagram of the tabernacle with all its sections in place. The following are scripture references to the different sections of the tabernacle if you chose to look further into it.

• Main Altar/Alter of Offerings - Exodus 27:1-8
• Lavar/Basin of Water - Exodus 30: 17-21
• Holy Place - Exodus 26:33
• Table of Shewbread - Exodus 25: 23-38
• Candlestick/Menorah - Exodus 25: 31-40
• Altar of Incense - Exodus 30: 1-10
• Veil - Exodus 26:33
• Ark of Covenant - Exodus 25:10-22
• Holy of Holies - Exodus 25:22

Ark of Covenant - Only authorized people were allowed to touch the Ark (Ex. 25:10-22) Inside were stone tablets containing the law written by the Lord. The lid represents the presence of God and is the Mercy Seat. Once a year, high priest would enter the Holy of Holies and perform his ordinance at the mercy seat to make atonement for the people (Leviticus 16).
What did the Lord say to Moses about the mercy seat? (Exodus 25:22)

• The Lord told Moses that He would meet him and commune with him above the mercy seat. Moses is to receive more direction for his people here.

Table of Shewbread - (Exodus 25:23-30) Bread was changed each Sabbath day and eaten by priests. Jewish tradition had that there also be wine placed on the table (although this is not directly written in scripture. What can bread (and wine if it was there) represent?

• We believe the bread/wine to represent the body and blood of our Savior.

Sacred candlestick/lampstand - (Ex. 25: 31-40) Frequently called a menorah. The seven candle cups (seven is many times used in the bible to represent completion/perfection) were filled with olive oil, a wick was placed in it and lit. The parable of the 10 virgins can give us a small idea of what this might represent. What do you think?

• We think this could possibly be a means of telling all to be prepared. To light your lights and find your way to God. Because, 'ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.' (Matt 25:13) The 5 wise virgins had their oil for their lamps and hence were ready when their bridegroom came.
  
• Also we feel the candlestick to represent living by the light of the spirit. This is alongside the table of shewbread to represent living by his flesh as well. Live by the light and flesh of Christ!

Altar of burn offerings/Main Altar - All burnt offerings were performed on the altar (Exodus 27:1-8). Sacrifice was the first thing an individual did when entering into the tabernacle (if we wanted to progress further) What do you think the Altar represents?

• The altar represents sacrifice. In order for us to continue to grow and become closer to God, we must be in obedience and sacrifice (Romans 12:1) We must place the animal within us on the altar!

Altar of incense - Hot coals were placed on the altar of incense (Ex. 30:1-10) each morning and each evening when the high priest burned the incense. Read Psalms 141:2, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 8:3-4 and explain what this might represent.

• In our opinion the incense represent prayer. Prayer can only take us closer to God.

Lavar/Water Basin - Priests used the lavar for washing (Ex 30:18-21) in preparation for entering the holy places of the tabernacle. What do you think the Lord was trying to teach His people by putting the lavar in front the entrance to the holier places of the tabernacle?

• We believe that this means we must cleanse ourselves of all unrighteousness as we come closer to God. The lavar may also represent baptism.

Its amazing the symbolism the Lord uses to teach His people. Everything has a deeper significance. These are things we can apply in our daily lives as we strive to reach our Lord and Savior.