The Design Of The Tabernacle Comes From God
(Part One)
Our Text:
Exodus Chapters 25-27
The Theme of this lesson is simple and is given by God Himself, as God told Moses:
Exo 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; [that I may dwell among them].
Exo 25:9 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.
The study of the Tabernacle will open our eyes to Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. If we seek wisdom in a word picture of God's Word there is no better place to start than with the Tabernacle.
What is "wisdom"?
Wisdom is an action we can only take after we have been filled with knowledge.
If a man does not know Our Lord then they are not very wise:
Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Pro 9:11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
We can even live longer knowing the things of God!
We can gain much knowledge of Jesus and His Ministry by understanding the design and use of the Tabernacle.
The story of the Tabernacle represents Our Creator, Our Lord and Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Every piece of furniture, every feature and every service in the Tabernacle teaches us something about Jesus Christ and His Church and His Ministry here on this earth.
It was in the forty days Moses spent with God that God gave him the exact detail in every way of His Tabernacle.
To compare, God used just two chapters in Genesis to tell us of His creation but God will use 50 chapters in His Holy Word to teach us of His Tabernacle. When we skip over these scriptures or think they are boring then we have missed a very important part of God's teaching and the purpose of Jesus Christ.
The Tabernacle was real important to God!
BUT WE KNOW: God has one rule for His Word for us all:
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The key word in this passage is the word "ALL"!
We as believers cannot neglect any portion of God's Word without suffering loss.
This includes the Old Testament:
The Apostle Paul wrote:
Rom 15:4 [For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning], that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
That "aforetime" would be the Old Testament to us just as it has been since the beginning of the Church Age.
The Tabernacle has at least three meanings in "Typology":
1.) The Tabernacle is a 'Type" of God's Heavenly dwelling.
Paul wrote of the Tabernacle sacrifices:
Heb 9:23 It was therefore necessary that [the patterns] of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
In other words we have in the ministry of the Tabernacle a "pattern" or a "shadow" of the things of Heaven.
2.) The Tabernacle is a "Type" of Jesus Christ.
Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
Heb 10:8 Above when he said, [Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.]
3.) The Tabernacle is a 'Type" of Christ in His Church.
Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 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.
What did God say in Exodus 25:8 "make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.
We should be overwhelmed with joy knowing Our Saviour, Our God wants to live with us!
SO:
The "Key" to unlocking the understanding of the Tabernacle, is Jesus Christ.
Joh 1:14 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.
That word "dwelt" comes from a Greek word that means "to tent or to tabernacle with us".
We know that the "Lamb" "Our Lord" was ordained before the foundation of the world:
The Bible says:
1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1Pe 1:20 [Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world], but was manifest in these last times for you,
If Christ existed before the Tabernacle and He did, it can be said that the Tabernacle was then designed to show us God's, Christ Child, God's Lamb whose name we call Jesus!
We read these words especially around Christmas:
Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luk 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
So Christ was born, lived, and died, in exact accord with God's prophetic plan given to us from the Old Testament.
*****Our Text:
Exo 25:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
Exo 25:3 And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,
Exo 25:4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
Exo 25:5 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,
Exo 25:6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
Exo 25:7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
Exo 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
Exo 25:9 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.
Before God brought Israel out of Egypt, He provided through the Egyptians, more than enough material for building the Tabernacle.
God had told Abraham:
Gen 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
Gen 15:14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
God had told Moses:
Exo 3:21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:
Exo 3:22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
What did Israel do?
Exo 12:35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
Exo 12:36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.
You see Jehovah God knows everything that will happen in the future and makes things available for His plan to work just as He designed. We know God told Abraham about this over four hundred years before it took place.
God owns this world we live in and everything in it. Even we His believing children are not our own owner:
1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
We are only stewards of what God has placed in our care!
God used this material to teach, just as He uses everything that comes across our life to teach us. God will now teach Israel the art of "giving" and "giving willingly".
Remember these lessons are more for God's Church than they were for Israel in this time of Moses.
We know that this as taught by the Apostle Paul and was acted on by the Church:
2Co 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2Co 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
The gift of "Giving" is a gift that the Holy Spirit places in the believer:
Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Rom 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Rom 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: [he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity]; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
We see that these children of Israel, having that same joy at this time, willingly brought more than enough:
Exo 36:3 And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.
Exo 36:4 And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;
Exo 36:5 And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.
For a proper study of the Tabernacle there are some keys to remember:
The Materials and colors:
1.) Gold--------------Represents the "deity and glory" of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2.) Silver-------------Represents the "Atonement"
Exo 30:14 Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD.
Exo 30:15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.
Exo 30:16 And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, [to make an atonement for your souls].
3.) Brass------------Represents "Judgment"
Deu 28:23 And thy heaven that is over thy head [shall be brass], and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.
Deu 28:24 The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed.
4.) Blue-------------Represents "The Heavenly One"
5.) Purple-----------Represents "The Royal One"
6.) Scarlet-----------Represents "The Suffering Servant" (Atoning Blood)
7.) Fine Linen-------Represents The "Righteousness" of the Saints.
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.
8.) Goats Hair------Represents:
A.) The "Fatal Sin" of man.
Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Rom 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
B.) Plus the "Sin Offering". (Remember The Scape Goat and the Slain Goat)
Isa 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
9.) Ram's Skins dyed red-----Represents "Consecration" (obedient unto death)(to set apart for religious use)
10.) Badgers Skins------------Represents "The Unlimited protection in Jesus Christ"
11.) The Shittim Wood--------Represents "The Incorruptible Humanity of Jesus Christ"
Psa 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
12.) The Oil-------------------Represents "The Holy Spirit" The Spirit of Christ Jesus.
1Pe 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
13.) Sweet Spices-------------Represent "The Beautiful Fragrant Life Of The Believer"
Exo 30:34 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:
Exo 30:35 And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:
Exo 30:36 And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.
Nothing will be sweeter than the day we meet Our Lord!
14.) The Veil----------------Represents "Through the Flesh of Jesus"
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
**********There is also "Symbolism" attached to the "numbers" and "measurements" used in the construction of the Tabernacle:
One----------Unity (in marriage two joined as One)
Two----------Fellowship, (Union with Christ, Any Two are a Witness).
Three---------The Holy Trinity, The Triune Godhead
Four----------The Earth (The four winds, the four corners of)
Five-----------"Grace"
Six------------Man, Human weakness, Short of perfection (Rom 3:23)
Seven---------"Perfection"
Eight---------A New Beginning
Nine----------Spiritual Fruit (Galatians 5:23-25)
Ten-----------Responsibility on Earth; "Completeness"
Eleven--------Human Failure; Confusion; Judgment
Twelve-------The Number For Human Government (Twelve tribes. twelve Apostles)
Forty---------"Testing" Probation (Jonah 3:4; Luke 4:2, Moses)
Fifty----------The Year of the Jubilee
*****The Measurements:
1 and 1/2 cubits = Three (The Trinity)
2 and 1/2 cubits = Five (Grace)
*****Other things:
baking, beating, bruising, burning, crushing, piercing, roasting = The Suffering of Christ Our Lord
Exo 39:3 And [they did beat the gold] into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.
Exo 12:9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, [but roast with fire]; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. (The "Roasted Lamb")
God will begin the construction of the Tabernacle with the making of the furniture and the first piece was the "Ark".
*****Our Text:
Exo 25:10 And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Exo 25:11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.
Exo 25:12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.
Exo 25:13 And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
Exo 25:14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.
Exo 25:15 The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.
Exo 25:16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
(Also Exodus 37:1-5)
The Ark was made of "Shittim Wood". This wood is sometimes referred to as "Iron Wood". It comes from the acacia family of trees. Even though the average height of this tree is only about 25 feet it is a valuable tree. This hard wood is resistant enough to heat and decay that it is said to be indestructible.
This is why this wood is a "type" of Christ Jesus:
Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me
Act 13:35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
The Ark was overlaid with "Gold" within and without. This is to remind us thar Christ Jesus retained His full "deity" in His union with His humanity. Throughout the Tabernacle, the wood is a "type of Christ and the gold is a "type" of His deity.
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Jesus Christ was God in the flesh!
Jesus Christ needed to be totally God and totally Man in One Body for His work on this earth!
The "Ark" emphasizes the "Person" of Jesus and we will see that the "Mercy Seat" will emphasize His "Purpose".
The Atonement was equally on His "Godhood" and on His "Manhood".
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
The "Crown of God" upon the "Ark" foreshadows the "Man" Christ Jesus as King and King of Kings.
Rev 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
What do the dimensions of the "Ark" reveal?
Length 2 and 1/2 cubits = five and five = "Grace"
Breadth and Height 1 and 1/2 cubits = three and three = "The Trinity"
Vertical girth 4 times 1 and 1/2 = 6 and 6 = "the Number of Man"
Horizontal girth 2 times 2 and 1/2 plus 2 times 1 and 1/2 = 5+3 = 8 which = "The New Beginning"
The Bible plainly teaches that the "Trinity" by "Grace" offers "Man" a "New Beginning"!
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
This "Ark" was to be carried in high respect and reverence:
1Ch 15:15 And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.
*****What was supposed to go into this "Ark"?
1.) The Tablets of Stone, (The Testimony) The Ten Commandments:
God's Law was kept only by Jesus Christ. All others have kept the broken Laws.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Only in Christ Jesus can we be pardoned, cleansed, and safely covered by the Mercy Seat that was sprinkled with the innocent "Blood".
2.) The Golden Pot of Manna is a "type" of Jesus Christ as the "Bread of Life":
Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Joh 6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
3.) Aaron's Rod: This depicts a "type" of the "Resurrection of Jesus Christ":
Life that came from death, Christ "Our Mediator" rose from the dead. Our Life is in Him because it is He that is Life.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: [because I live, ye shall live also].
Our safety is not in the "Ark" but our safety is in He that "Sits on the Ark"!
*****Our Text:
Exo 25:17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
Exo 25:18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
Exo 25:19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
Exo 25:20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
Exo 25:21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
Exo 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
As the "Ark" emphasized the "Person" of Christ, the "Mercy Seat" will emphasize the "Purpose of Christ". The "Mercy Seat" was a plate of pure gold, no wood. Only the "Deity" can offer saving mercy!
Only the blood of the "Sinless Lamb of God" could be used to save mankind.
Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
God met with Moses on the "Mercy Seat":(Verse 22)
Num 7:89 And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.
This "Mercy Seat" is then a "type" of Jesus Christ.
Psa 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Christ our "Mercy Seat" is a place of rest for our sin-sick soul.
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: [and ye shall find rest unto your souls].
It is only in Jesus Christ where God rest His lawful case against us:
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Only through "His Blood" sprinkled "Mercy Seat" can there be "Atonement for the Soul"
Exo 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and [when I see the blood, I will pass over you], and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
The "Mercy Seat" has the same dimensions as the Ark which is Our New Beginning.
The Length plus the Breadth (2 1/2 + 1 1/2) = 4. Four being the number of the earth shows that there will even be a "New Earth" when Jesus returns:
Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
We must not forget we cannot use "types" to establish Doctrine, but we can use "types" to illustrate Doctrine that is already established by the Scriptures!
Because the thickness of the "Mercy Seat is not stated we can say that the dimensions are boundless, infinite. This is the truth of God's "Grace" and His Mercy"!
However the "Mercy Seat" is exactly the same width and length of the Ark so there is only enough of God's "Mercy and Grace" to cover only those that "Believe".
There is coming a day when God will show His "Wrath" without "Mercy"!
Rev 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
The golden crown upon the Ark proclaimed Jesus as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords", His Deity and His Humanity inseparable. This "Mercy Seat" fits down right inside that golden crown and is secured in place by it.
This "Rightful Position" is forever secure, regardless of those that do not believe or any demonic force.
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
There is no other:
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
*****The Cherubim:
The Bible teaches us that the "Angels" are ministering spirits:
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
We know also that "Angels" can take on the form of man when needed for man's benefit.
The "Cherubim" are the "Guardians of God's Holiness'!
Over the Mercy Seat there were two Cherubim beaten out of One piece of Gold:
In "type" the "One Piece" gives recognition of Christ as the "Creator":
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (The One)
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (The One by Him and for Him)
Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and [they who are sanctified are all of one]: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
No doubt it took a special skill to do this from one piece of Gold:
Exo 31:2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
Exo 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
Exo 31:4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Exo 31:5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
Exo 31:6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
Exo 35:30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
Exo 35:31 And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
Exo 35:32 And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Is there anything to hard for God?
"Beating" denotes suffering. If the angels can rejoice when a sinner repents then they probably suffer grief when a soul goes astray. Remember they base their joy on the "One" that sits on the throne. We know He can be grieved.
Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Mat 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven [their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven].
These "Cherubim" focus steadily on the "Shekinah Glory" which shows their interest in the Plan of God. They want God to be happy!
1Pe 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; [which things the angels desire to look into].
In this we can see that God is teaching the angels by the Church. How can we fail Him as we do?
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Oh What a Saviour!
*****The Shekinah Glory:
Even though the word "Shekinah" is not found in the Bible it is the name given to the manifestation of God's presence.
The Shekinah Glory is that flame of Glory, enclosed in a cloud for man's protection.
Lev 16:2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, [which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat].
What we know from God's Word is that the Shekinah Glory of God left the Mercy Seat for good in the time of Ezekiel:
Eze 8:1 And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me.
Eze 8:2 Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber.
Eze 8:3 And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.
Eze 8:4 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.
Eze 8:5 Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.
Eze 8:6 He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations.
The Shekinah Glory of God began departing from apostate Israel:
1.) It left the Mercy Seat and stood over the threshold of the Temple:
Eze 10:4 Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory.
2.) It left the threshold and hovered over Jerusalem:
Eze 10:18 Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.
Eze 10:19 And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD'S house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
Eze 11:23 And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city.
3.) It went up from the midst of the Jerusalem and stood on the Mount of Olives;
Eze 11:23 And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city.
4.) After this we do not read of the Shekinah Glory of the Lord except through the prophets until Jesus is born:
Luk 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
5.) For 33 years the "Glory" of the Lord shined inside of Jesus here on this earth:
Joh 1:14 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.
6.) Just once on the "Mount of Transfiguration", Our Lord let it shine through;
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Mar 9:3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
Luk 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
7.) Forty days after Jesus was risen from the dead, He again went to the Mount of Olives, where he ascended again from the same Mount from which Ezekiel had seen the "Glory" of God 600 hundred years earlier.
Luk 24:50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
Luk 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
8.) Ten days later the "Glory of the Lord" reappeared in the form of "cloven tongues like as of fire"
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Today the "Glory of God indwells His Church, awaiting the Rapture, to ascend once more into Heaven.
It is a shame there are some that make God's Glory nothing more than some imaginary angelic language.
*****Our Text:
Exo 25:23 Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Exo 25:24 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.
Exo 25:25 And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.
Exo 25:26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
Exo 25:27 Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
Exo 25:28 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.
Exo 25:29 And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.
Exo 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
I.) The Table for the "Shewbread":
The table made of wood, represents Jesus Christ in the flesh. Being overlaid with Gold tells us of His pure deity.
"He became fully Man to be made "The Living Bread" for all of us and he retained His deity that he might be "Our Eternal Life".
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
The Table was 1 cubit wide = (unity)
The Table was 2 cubits long = (fellowship, union with Christ, and the 2 cubits would also = (The Trinity)
This table reminds is of the Lord's Table:
To the Church:
1Co 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
True fellowship then depends on "unity" with Christ and all fellowship with Christ Jesus involves the "Holy Trinity".
As the priests of the Tabernacle had fellowship at this table, The Church can have fellowship with Our Own High Priests, Jesus Christ!
Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
There was a border all the way around this table that was also crowned with gold. This is the only place in the construction of the Tabernacle that a measurement call a "handbreadth" is used.
This border enclosed 12 loaves of the ''Shewbread". These 12 loaves represented the 12 tribes of Israel. This "handbreath" then reminds us of the protecting "Hand" of Our Lord. The crown of God is the symbol of His authority and His "power" to protect His Own:
Isa 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
Isa 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
II.) The "Shewbread":
The "Recipe"
Lev 24:5 And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.
Lev 24:6 And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD.
Lev 24:7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Lev 24:8 Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.
Lev 24:9 And it shall be Aaron's and his sons'; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.
1.) The "fine flour".
This speaks of uniform perfection. The pure life of Christ. Man was not saved just by the Pure Life of Christ but by His "Atoning" death.
2.) "Baking" tells us of His suffering and His death.
3.) Christ "Crucified" then is the "True Bread" from Heaven.
Joh 6:50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Joh 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
4.) "Cakes" :
A cake in the days of this Tabernacle was punctured.
The body of Jesus Christ was punctured in "five" places on the cross. Five = Grace.
5.) The "Shewbread" was "Hallowed Bread':
1Sa 21:6 So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.
This bread was intended for the priests:
Mat 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
Mat 12:4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
Now the true disciples of Jesus Christ are "The Holy Priesthood":
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
All "born again" Christians have access to the "True Bread" from Heaven!
III.) The "Lampstand":
*****Our Text:
Exo 25:31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
Exo 25:32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:
Exo 25:33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.
Exo 25:34 And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.
Exo 25:35 And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.
Exo 25:36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.
Exo 25:37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
Exo 25:38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
Exo 25:39 Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.
Exo 25:40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
The "Lampstand" is not a candlestick but it is a lamp that uses "Oil".
There are no dimensions given for the "Lampstand" and it was made of "Gold".
This speaks of the fact that Christ Jesus has no boundaries nor limitations.
The "talent of Gold" speaks of the enormous price Jesus paid for our redemption.
This "lampstand" was hammered out of "one" piece of Gold that at today's rate would be worth about a million dollars not considering the skill to produce such a treasure.
The "Three Sets"
Represent three stages of maturity:
a.) buds
b.) blossoms
c.) mature almonds
This speaks of perpetual fruitfulness, which can come only through Jesus Christ
John said:
Rev 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Rev 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Rev 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
This seven-branched "Lampstand" was supported by "One Central Stem"
Seven speaks of "perfection"
There were six branches which is the "number of man"
Man always comes up short of perfection!
Jesus said in His Words:
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Inside the Tabernacle there were no windows, no natural light, nor any other lamp. This was the only light.
Jesus Christ is the true light:
Joh 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Joh 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Since Christ Jesus ascended back to Heaven, it is the Church that is suppose to be the "Light" until the Rapture:
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Jesus said that that His Church(His Saints), though persecuted and many martyrd would never perish:
Luk 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Luk 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
To be continued in next lesson.
Let's Pray!
(Part One)
Our Text:
Exodus Chapters 25-27
The Theme of this lesson is simple and is given by God Himself, as God told Moses:
Exo 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; [that I may dwell among them].
Exo 25:9 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.
The study of the Tabernacle will open our eyes to Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. If we seek wisdom in a word picture of God's Word there is no better place to start than with the Tabernacle.
What is "wisdom"?
Wisdom is an action we can only take after we have been filled with knowledge.
If a man does not know Our Lord then they are not very wise:
Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Pro 9:11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
We can even live longer knowing the things of God!
We can gain much knowledge of Jesus and His Ministry by understanding the design and use of the Tabernacle.
The story of the Tabernacle represents Our Creator, Our Lord and Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Every piece of furniture, every feature and every service in the Tabernacle teaches us something about Jesus Christ and His Church and His Ministry here on this earth.
It was in the forty days Moses spent with God that God gave him the exact detail in every way of His Tabernacle.
To compare, God used just two chapters in Genesis to tell us of His creation but God will use 50 chapters in His Holy Word to teach us of His Tabernacle. When we skip over these scriptures or think they are boring then we have missed a very important part of God's teaching and the purpose of Jesus Christ.
The Tabernacle was real important to God!
BUT WE KNOW: God has one rule for His Word for us all:
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The key word in this passage is the word "ALL"!
We as believers cannot neglect any portion of God's Word without suffering loss.
This includes the Old Testament:
The Apostle Paul wrote:
Rom 15:4 [For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning], that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
That "aforetime" would be the Old Testament to us just as it has been since the beginning of the Church Age.
The Tabernacle has at least three meanings in "Typology":
1.) The Tabernacle is a 'Type" of God's Heavenly dwelling.
Paul wrote of the Tabernacle sacrifices:
Heb 9:23 It was therefore necessary that [the patterns] of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
In other words we have in the ministry of the Tabernacle a "pattern" or a "shadow" of the things of Heaven.
2.) The Tabernacle is a "Type" of Jesus Christ.
Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
Heb 10:8 Above when he said, [Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.]
3.) The Tabernacle is a 'Type" of Christ in His Church.
Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 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.
What did God say in Exodus 25:8 "make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.
We should be overwhelmed with joy knowing Our Saviour, Our God wants to live with us!
SO:
The "Key" to unlocking the understanding of the Tabernacle, is Jesus Christ.
Joh 1:14 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.
That word "dwelt" comes from a Greek word that means "to tent or to tabernacle with us".
We know that the "Lamb" "Our Lord" was ordained before the foundation of the world:
The Bible says:
1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1Pe 1:20 [Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world], but was manifest in these last times for you,
If Christ existed before the Tabernacle and He did, it can be said that the Tabernacle was then designed to show us God's, Christ Child, God's Lamb whose name we call Jesus!
We read these words especially around Christmas:
Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luk 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
So Christ was born, lived, and died, in exact accord with God's prophetic plan given to us from the Old Testament.
*****Our Text:
Exo 25:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
Exo 25:3 And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,
Exo 25:4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
Exo 25:5 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,
Exo 25:6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
Exo 25:7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
Exo 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
Exo 25:9 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.
Before God brought Israel out of Egypt, He provided through the Egyptians, more than enough material for building the Tabernacle.
God had told Abraham:
Gen 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
Gen 15:14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
God had told Moses:
Exo 3:21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:
Exo 3:22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
What did Israel do?
Exo 12:35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
Exo 12:36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.
You see Jehovah God knows everything that will happen in the future and makes things available for His plan to work just as He designed. We know God told Abraham about this over four hundred years before it took place.
God owns this world we live in and everything in it. Even we His believing children are not our own owner:
1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
We are only stewards of what God has placed in our care!
God used this material to teach, just as He uses everything that comes across our life to teach us. God will now teach Israel the art of "giving" and "giving willingly".
Remember these lessons are more for God's Church than they were for Israel in this time of Moses.
We know that this as taught by the Apostle Paul and was acted on by the Church:
2Co 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2Co 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
The gift of "Giving" is a gift that the Holy Spirit places in the believer:
Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Rom 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Rom 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: [he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity]; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
We see that these children of Israel, having that same joy at this time, willingly brought more than enough:
Exo 36:3 And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.
Exo 36:4 And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;
Exo 36:5 And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.
For a proper study of the Tabernacle there are some keys to remember:
The Materials and colors:
1.) Gold--------------Represents the "deity and glory" of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2.) Silver-------------Represents the "Atonement"
Exo 30:14 Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD.
Exo 30:15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.
Exo 30:16 And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, [to make an atonement for your souls].
3.) Brass------------Represents "Judgment"
Deu 28:23 And thy heaven that is over thy head [shall be brass], and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.
Deu 28:24 The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed.
4.) Blue-------------Represents "The Heavenly One"
5.) Purple-----------Represents "The Royal One"
6.) Scarlet-----------Represents "The Suffering Servant" (Atoning Blood)
7.) Fine Linen-------Represents The "Righteousness" of the Saints.
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.
8.) Goats Hair------Represents:
A.) The "Fatal Sin" of man.
Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Rom 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
B.) Plus the "Sin Offering". (Remember The Scape Goat and the Slain Goat)
Isa 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
9.) Ram's Skins dyed red-----Represents "Consecration" (obedient unto death)(to set apart for religious use)
10.) Badgers Skins------------Represents "The Unlimited protection in Jesus Christ"
11.) The Shittim Wood--------Represents "The Incorruptible Humanity of Jesus Christ"
Psa 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
12.) The Oil-------------------Represents "The Holy Spirit" The Spirit of Christ Jesus.
1Pe 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
13.) Sweet Spices-------------Represent "The Beautiful Fragrant Life Of The Believer"
Exo 30:34 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:
Exo 30:35 And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:
Exo 30:36 And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.
Nothing will be sweeter than the day we meet Our Lord!
14.) The Veil----------------Represents "Through the Flesh of Jesus"
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
**********There is also "Symbolism" attached to the "numbers" and "measurements" used in the construction of the Tabernacle:
One----------Unity (in marriage two joined as One)
Two----------Fellowship, (Union with Christ, Any Two are a Witness).
Three---------The Holy Trinity, The Triune Godhead
Four----------The Earth (The four winds, the four corners of)
Five-----------"Grace"
Six------------Man, Human weakness, Short of perfection (Rom 3:23)
Seven---------"Perfection"
Eight---------A New Beginning
Nine----------Spiritual Fruit (Galatians 5:23-25)
Ten-----------Responsibility on Earth; "Completeness"
Eleven--------Human Failure; Confusion; Judgment
Twelve-------The Number For Human Government (Twelve tribes. twelve Apostles)
Forty---------"Testing" Probation (Jonah 3:4; Luke 4:2, Moses)
Fifty----------The Year of the Jubilee
*****The Measurements:
1 and 1/2 cubits = Three (The Trinity)
2 and 1/2 cubits = Five (Grace)
*****Other things:
baking, beating, bruising, burning, crushing, piercing, roasting = The Suffering of Christ Our Lord
Exo 39:3 And [they did beat the gold] into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.
Exo 12:9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, [but roast with fire]; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. (The "Roasted Lamb")
God will begin the construction of the Tabernacle with the making of the furniture and the first piece was the "Ark".
*****Our Text:
Exo 25:10 And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Exo 25:11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.
Exo 25:12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.
Exo 25:13 And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
Exo 25:14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.
Exo 25:15 The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.
Exo 25:16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
(Also Exodus 37:1-5)
The Ark was made of "Shittim Wood". This wood is sometimes referred to as "Iron Wood". It comes from the acacia family of trees. Even though the average height of this tree is only about 25 feet it is a valuable tree. This hard wood is resistant enough to heat and decay that it is said to be indestructible.
This is why this wood is a "type" of Christ Jesus:
Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me
Act 13:35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
The Ark was overlaid with "Gold" within and without. This is to remind us thar Christ Jesus retained His full "deity" in His union with His humanity. Throughout the Tabernacle, the wood is a "type of Christ and the gold is a "type" of His deity.
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Jesus Christ was God in the flesh!
Jesus Christ needed to be totally God and totally Man in One Body for His work on this earth!
The "Ark" emphasizes the "Person" of Jesus and we will see that the "Mercy Seat" will emphasize His "Purpose".
The Atonement was equally on His "Godhood" and on His "Manhood".
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
The "Crown of God" upon the "Ark" foreshadows the "Man" Christ Jesus as King and King of Kings.
Rev 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
What do the dimensions of the "Ark" reveal?
Length 2 and 1/2 cubits = five and five = "Grace"
Breadth and Height 1 and 1/2 cubits = three and three = "The Trinity"
Vertical girth 4 times 1 and 1/2 = 6 and 6 = "the Number of Man"
Horizontal girth 2 times 2 and 1/2 plus 2 times 1 and 1/2 = 5+3 = 8 which = "The New Beginning"
The Bible plainly teaches that the "Trinity" by "Grace" offers "Man" a "New Beginning"!
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
This "Ark" was to be carried in high respect and reverence:
1Ch 15:15 And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.
*****What was supposed to go into this "Ark"?
1.) The Tablets of Stone, (The Testimony) The Ten Commandments:
God's Law was kept only by Jesus Christ. All others have kept the broken Laws.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Only in Christ Jesus can we be pardoned, cleansed, and safely covered by the Mercy Seat that was sprinkled with the innocent "Blood".
2.) The Golden Pot of Manna is a "type" of Jesus Christ as the "Bread of Life":
Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Joh 6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
3.) Aaron's Rod: This depicts a "type" of the "Resurrection of Jesus Christ":
Life that came from death, Christ "Our Mediator" rose from the dead. Our Life is in Him because it is He that is Life.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: [because I live, ye shall live also].
Our safety is not in the "Ark" but our safety is in He that "Sits on the Ark"!
*****Our Text:
Exo 25:17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
Exo 25:18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
Exo 25:19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
Exo 25:20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
Exo 25:21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
Exo 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
As the "Ark" emphasized the "Person" of Christ, the "Mercy Seat" will emphasize the "Purpose of Christ". The "Mercy Seat" was a plate of pure gold, no wood. Only the "Deity" can offer saving mercy!
Only the blood of the "Sinless Lamb of God" could be used to save mankind.
Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
God met with Moses on the "Mercy Seat":(Verse 22)
Num 7:89 And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.
This "Mercy Seat" is then a "type" of Jesus Christ.
Psa 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Christ our "Mercy Seat" is a place of rest for our sin-sick soul.
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: [and ye shall find rest unto your souls].
It is only in Jesus Christ where God rest His lawful case against us:
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Only through "His Blood" sprinkled "Mercy Seat" can there be "Atonement for the Soul"
Exo 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and [when I see the blood, I will pass over you], and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
The "Mercy Seat" has the same dimensions as the Ark which is Our New Beginning.
The Length plus the Breadth (2 1/2 + 1 1/2) = 4. Four being the number of the earth shows that there will even be a "New Earth" when Jesus returns:
Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
We must not forget we cannot use "types" to establish Doctrine, but we can use "types" to illustrate Doctrine that is already established by the Scriptures!
Because the thickness of the "Mercy Seat is not stated we can say that the dimensions are boundless, infinite. This is the truth of God's "Grace" and His Mercy"!
However the "Mercy Seat" is exactly the same width and length of the Ark so there is only enough of God's "Mercy and Grace" to cover only those that "Believe".
There is coming a day when God will show His "Wrath" without "Mercy"!
Rev 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
The golden crown upon the Ark proclaimed Jesus as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords", His Deity and His Humanity inseparable. This "Mercy Seat" fits down right inside that golden crown and is secured in place by it.
This "Rightful Position" is forever secure, regardless of those that do not believe or any demonic force.
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
There is no other:
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
*****The Cherubim:
The Bible teaches us that the "Angels" are ministering spirits:
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
We know also that "Angels" can take on the form of man when needed for man's benefit.
The "Cherubim" are the "Guardians of God's Holiness'!
Over the Mercy Seat there were two Cherubim beaten out of One piece of Gold:
In "type" the "One Piece" gives recognition of Christ as the "Creator":
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (The One)
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (The One by Him and for Him)
Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and [they who are sanctified are all of one]: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
No doubt it took a special skill to do this from one piece of Gold:
Exo 31:2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
Exo 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
Exo 31:4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Exo 31:5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
Exo 31:6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
Exo 35:30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
Exo 35:31 And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
Exo 35:32 And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Is there anything to hard for God?
"Beating" denotes suffering. If the angels can rejoice when a sinner repents then they probably suffer grief when a soul goes astray. Remember they base their joy on the "One" that sits on the throne. We know He can be grieved.
Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Mat 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven [their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven].
These "Cherubim" focus steadily on the "Shekinah Glory" which shows their interest in the Plan of God. They want God to be happy!
1Pe 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; [which things the angels desire to look into].
In this we can see that God is teaching the angels by the Church. How can we fail Him as we do?
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Oh What a Saviour!
*****The Shekinah Glory:
Even though the word "Shekinah" is not found in the Bible it is the name given to the manifestation of God's presence.
The Shekinah Glory is that flame of Glory, enclosed in a cloud for man's protection.
Lev 16:2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, [which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat].
What we know from God's Word is that the Shekinah Glory of God left the Mercy Seat for good in the time of Ezekiel:
Eze 8:1 And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me.
Eze 8:2 Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber.
Eze 8:3 And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.
Eze 8:4 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.
Eze 8:5 Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.
Eze 8:6 He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations.
The Shekinah Glory of God began departing from apostate Israel:
1.) It left the Mercy Seat and stood over the threshold of the Temple:
Eze 10:4 Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory.
2.) It left the threshold and hovered over Jerusalem:
Eze 10:18 Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.
Eze 10:19 And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD'S house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
Eze 11:23 And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city.
3.) It went up from the midst of the Jerusalem and stood on the Mount of Olives;
Eze 11:23 And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city.
4.) After this we do not read of the Shekinah Glory of the Lord except through the prophets until Jesus is born:
Luk 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
5.) For 33 years the "Glory" of the Lord shined inside of Jesus here on this earth:
Joh 1:14 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.
6.) Just once on the "Mount of Transfiguration", Our Lord let it shine through;
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Mar 9:3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
Luk 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
7.) Forty days after Jesus was risen from the dead, He again went to the Mount of Olives, where he ascended again from the same Mount from which Ezekiel had seen the "Glory" of God 600 hundred years earlier.
Luk 24:50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
Luk 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
8.) Ten days later the "Glory of the Lord" reappeared in the form of "cloven tongues like as of fire"
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Today the "Glory of God indwells His Church, awaiting the Rapture, to ascend once more into Heaven.
It is a shame there are some that make God's Glory nothing more than some imaginary angelic language.
*****Our Text:
Exo 25:23 Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Exo 25:24 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.
Exo 25:25 And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.
Exo 25:26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
Exo 25:27 Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
Exo 25:28 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.
Exo 25:29 And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.
Exo 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
I.) The Table for the "Shewbread":
The table made of wood, represents Jesus Christ in the flesh. Being overlaid with Gold tells us of His pure deity.
"He became fully Man to be made "The Living Bread" for all of us and he retained His deity that he might be "Our Eternal Life".
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
The Table was 1 cubit wide = (unity)
The Table was 2 cubits long = (fellowship, union with Christ, and the 2 cubits would also = (The Trinity)
This table reminds is of the Lord's Table:
To the Church:
1Co 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
True fellowship then depends on "unity" with Christ and all fellowship with Christ Jesus involves the "Holy Trinity".
As the priests of the Tabernacle had fellowship at this table, The Church can have fellowship with Our Own High Priests, Jesus Christ!
Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
There was a border all the way around this table that was also crowned with gold. This is the only place in the construction of the Tabernacle that a measurement call a "handbreadth" is used.
This border enclosed 12 loaves of the ''Shewbread". These 12 loaves represented the 12 tribes of Israel. This "handbreath" then reminds us of the protecting "Hand" of Our Lord. The crown of God is the symbol of His authority and His "power" to protect His Own:
Isa 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
Isa 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
II.) The "Shewbread":
The "Recipe"
Lev 24:5 And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.
Lev 24:6 And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD.
Lev 24:7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Lev 24:8 Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.
Lev 24:9 And it shall be Aaron's and his sons'; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.
1.) The "fine flour".
This speaks of uniform perfection. The pure life of Christ. Man was not saved just by the Pure Life of Christ but by His "Atoning" death.
2.) "Baking" tells us of His suffering and His death.
3.) Christ "Crucified" then is the "True Bread" from Heaven.
Joh 6:50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Joh 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
4.) "Cakes" :
A cake in the days of this Tabernacle was punctured.
The body of Jesus Christ was punctured in "five" places on the cross. Five = Grace.
5.) The "Shewbread" was "Hallowed Bread':
1Sa 21:6 So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.
This bread was intended for the priests:
Mat 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
Mat 12:4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
Now the true disciples of Jesus Christ are "The Holy Priesthood":
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
All "born again" Christians have access to the "True Bread" from Heaven!
III.) The "Lampstand":
*****Our Text:
Exo 25:31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
Exo 25:32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:
Exo 25:33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.
Exo 25:34 And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.
Exo 25:35 And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.
Exo 25:36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.
Exo 25:37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
Exo 25:38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
Exo 25:39 Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.
Exo 25:40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
The "Lampstand" is not a candlestick but it is a lamp that uses "Oil".
There are no dimensions given for the "Lampstand" and it was made of "Gold".
This speaks of the fact that Christ Jesus has no boundaries nor limitations.
The "talent of Gold" speaks of the enormous price Jesus paid for our redemption.
This "lampstand" was hammered out of "one" piece of Gold that at today's rate would be worth about a million dollars not considering the skill to produce such a treasure.
The "Three Sets"
Represent three stages of maturity:
a.) buds
b.) blossoms
c.) mature almonds
This speaks of perpetual fruitfulness, which can come only through Jesus Christ
John said:
Rev 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Rev 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Rev 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
This seven-branched "Lampstand" was supported by "One Central Stem"
Seven speaks of "perfection"
There were six branches which is the "number of man"
Man always comes up short of perfection!
Jesus said in His Words:
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Inside the Tabernacle there were no windows, no natural light, nor any other lamp. This was the only light.
Jesus Christ is the true light:
Joh 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Joh 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Since Christ Jesus ascended back to Heaven, it is the Church that is suppose to be the "Light" until the Rapture:
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Jesus said that that His Church(His Saints), though persecuted and many martyrd would never perish:
Luk 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Luk 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
To be continued in next lesson.
Let's Pray!
