The Ark of the covenant

Scripture: Exodus 25:10-22

In the tabernacle the ark of the covenant resided in the holy of holies. This piece of Tabernacle furniture is associated with the immediate presence of God. The ark is a wonderful picture of Christ as the mediator between God and men. It is in Him that God dwells among sinful men. It is in Him that God communicates to men, Exodus 25:22. Though the ark was concealed behind the veil — not to be looked on by any save the High Priest once a year and even on the move the ark was wrapped in the vail — the ark was known by the people through the Scriptures to be of special importance in the Tabernacle. What we may never see with the natural eye may be known to us by the Scriptures and seen with the eye of faith! The OT people of God looked forward to a day when the veil would be removed and when God’s Lamb would die for sin full access to the immediate presence of God would be enjoyed. The ark as the symbol of God’s presence among them was the focal point of all the ritual of the Levitical age.

As NT saints we have the vantage point of looking on the ark through the rent veil and with the light of full gospel revelation. Looking on the ark in that light we may see Christ clearly where the OT believer only saw Him dimly and concealed in shadowy type. (more…)

The Vail

Scripture: Exodus 26:31-33

The vail brings before us a subject that is one of the great underlying themes of the Tabernacle — access to the presence of God. There were three doors or entrances in various parts of the Tabernacle structure. The first was the gate in the linen fence that suurounded the Tabernacle court; the second was the door of the Tabernacle proper; the third was the vail that hung before the holiest of all. Each of these doors emphasizes the gospel truth that there is one way to God — through Jesus Christ alone, John 14:6. The first door opened to the brazen altar; the second, to fellowship with God here on earth; and the third opened into the immediate presence of God. At each point Christ is the only way to the Father. (more…)

The golden altar

Scripture: Exodus 30:1-10

There were two altars in the Tabernacle — the brazen altar at the gate and the golden altar in the holy place. One was visible to all and the other only to the priests. Both are necessary to a full revelation of the ministry ofChrist as the priestly mediator for His people. In His humiliation He offered Himself a sacrifice to satisfy Divine justice and in His exaltation He offers intercession and praise on the behalf of His people. Both views of Christ are necessary to communion with God. Cp Psalm 84:3. (more…)

The Shewbread Table

Scripture: Exodus 25:23-30

The great theme of the Tabernacle was the terms on which God and man could meet together and commune together. It was a place of fellowship with God. Cp Exodus 25:22. Various aspects of that great subject are expressed in the component parts of the Tabernacle structure. We have seen the necessity of Christ in the matter, the need for atonement, cleansing, redemption etc. The thought presented to us in the Table is obviously of a meal — eating and drinking with God, guests at His table, enjoying communion with Him. The idea of communion with God under the imagery of a meal is still before us in the church of Christ — the Lord’s supper, 1 Corinthians 10:16 (more…)

The golden candlestick

Exodus 25:31-40

The Tabernacle building consisting of the Holy place and the Holiest of all was the place of fellowship and communion with God. It was the preserve of those who were priests. Since in the NT age all believers are priests, 1 Peter 2:9, the sanctuary represents the fellowship all saints are to have with God. Each has the duty and the privilege of entering the sanctuary and enjoying communion with Him. In some sense this sanctuary represented Heaven. The golden glory, the cherubim overhead — but it was heaven upon earth. It was an experience of glory that was enjoyed while standing on the sands of the desert! This is what the place of worship is to be for the believer. Whether or not you are ready for Heaven is indicated by your experience in the place of worship here on earth.

In the holy place there were 3 items of furniture — each representing Christ in some aspect of His ministry for His people. First we will consider the golden lampstand.

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The boards and bars

Exodus 26:15-30

In considering these component parts of the Tabernacle we come to consider that which gave structure and form to the dwelling place of God among men. The Tabernacle – ‘dwelling place’ of God – was nothing without these boards and bars. They are a powerful illustration of the person of Christ as God incarnate. The curtains speak of His work as the suffering, substitute sin offering sent from Heaven but His work is necessarily linked with His Person. The two cannot be separated without a collapse of any meeting place with God. To trust Christ’s work is to trust Him, to trust Him is to trust His work. As in the other constituent parts of the Tabernacle, Christ is to the fore here. (more…)

The coverings

Scripture: Exodus 26:1-14

There are 4 coverings to consider. Strictly speaking the word Tabernacle, Exodus 26:1 is used only of the 10 curtains of fine twined linen which were embroidered with blue, purple and scarlet. There is a distinction made between the tabernacle, the tent formed by the curtains of goats’ hair; and the other coverings which were placed over these two sets of curtains. Three Hebrew words are used:

1. mishkan — ‘a dwelling place’, Exodus 26:1. This used only of the inner curtains, Exodus26:1, 7. The emphasis is on the place where God resides continually.

2. ohel — a tent, Exodus 26:7 (covering = ‘tent’), Exodus 26:11-14. This describes the curtains of goats’ hair. The emphasis in this word is upon a meeting place with God, Exodus 27:21.

3. micseh — covering, Exodus 26:14. These concealed the other layers of curtains from view.

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The brazen altar

Scripture: Exodus 27:1-8, 38:1-7

The court that signified the separated place where God was to be met with by fallen men contained two pieces of furniture, the altar and the laver. The Tabernacle was given as a revelation of Christ’s person and ministry. As the approaching worshipper came to the Tabernacle he entered into a progressive revelation of Christ and His work. At first he saw that which was a representation of Christ as the door to God’s presence and favour. Then he was confronted with the altar which elaborated on how Christ was the door to fellowship with God. Here he learned lessons on how it could be that he had access within the pure white fence, how he could be justified before God and enjoy fellowship with the Holy One. The closer we get to God the more we will learn of Christ. In Revelation 5:5-10 those saints in Heaven are represented as learning of Christ in adoring wonder.

The brazen altar was the place where sin was judged and its guilt dealt with. It was a place of death, fire, blood shedding and substitute suffering to make atonement and produce peace with God. The brazen altar brings us to the work of Christ at Calvary as He suffered for the sins of His people. (more…)