Old Testament Tabernacle
June 13, 2012
THE OLD TESTAMENT TABERNACLE
The Tabernacle is the special sanctuary tent that God commanded Moses to erect in the wilderness after the exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt. Commissioned by God, the dimensions, materials and furnishings used in the construction of the Tabernacle reflected God`s pattern of worship for Israel during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
BIBLICAL SIGNIFICANCE OFTHE OLD TESTAMENT TABERNACLE
Christians and Jews share a common heritage in the narratives, prophets and laws of the Hebrew Scriptures. The whole of the Bible unfolds the story of God`s desire to have fellowship with humanity. From the beginning of creation, God desired fellowship with those whom He had created. He walked with Adam in the Garden of Eden, and God continued to seek a relationship with mankind, even after Adam and Eve disobeyed Him and fell into sin.
In the book of Exodus, God comes down from heaven to be present with His covenant people. His presence was in the form of a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night that God led the Israelite people through the wilderness on their journey to the Promised Land. During that time, God gave Moses instructions of how to design and construct a unique tent which would be a special dwelling place for His divine glory and presence among His people. The design was practical, symbolic, prophetic and portable.
The writer to the Hebrews in the New Testament clearly reveals how the construction and service of the Tabernacle is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Referring to Jesus, the Gospel of John says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt [literally “tabernacled”] among us, and we beheld His glory….” (John 1:14). Every element of the tabernacle points to God`s love for humanity, His plan of redemption, and the once-for-all, ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
Our pray is that visitors of all ages and faith backgrounds will discover how the amazing symbolism contained within the Tabernacle points clearly to Jesus Christ, the centerpiece of God`s plan of salvation and ultimate expression of God`s desire to have fellowship with humanity on a very personal level.
The Tabernacle
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1. Bronze Altar
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2. Bronze Laver
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3. Golden Lampstand
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4. Table of showbread
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5. Altar of Incense
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6. Ark of the Covenant
Dimensions
45` long x 15` wide x 15` high
Material
Goat`s hair, ram skin, badger pelts, linen, acacia wood, silver, gold
New Testament Significance
Point to communion of believers with Christ. New Testament believers are the dwelling place or “Tabernacle” of God.
THE TABERNACLE FURNISHING
THE BRONZE ALTAR
At the entrance of the courtyard of the Tabernacle is the Bronze Altar where atonement was made for sin. A temporary cover for sin, God allowed the shed blood of an animal to atone for the sin of His people Israel. The people of Israel were required to bring a flawless animal to the Tabernacle where the High Priest would sacrifice the animal on the Bronze Altar, place some of the blood onto the horns of the altar, and completely burn the sacrifice.
Dimensions
7.5` long x 7.5` wide x 4.5` high
Material
Acacia wood covered with bronze
New Testament Significance
The Bronze Altar Point to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and the New Testament sacrament of communion.
Scripture References
Genesis 2:17; 3:21; 4:3-7; Exodus 27:1-8; 40:6; 40:10; 40:29; Leviticus 1; 16:1-2; 16:16; 17:11; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:23; Hebrews 9:25; 10:10; 10:26-31
THE BRONZE LAVER
Beyond the Bronze Altar/Altar of Burnt Offering in the courtyard of the Tabernacle is the Bronze laver where the High Priest would wash himself after making the animal sacrifice at the Bronze Altar/Altar of Burnt Offering.
Dimensions
Unknown
Material
Bronze
New Testament Significance
The bronze laver points to Christ`s cleansing and the New Testament sacrament of baptism.
Scripture References
Exodus 27:1-8; 30:17-21; 40:6-7; 40:10; 40:29-32; Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 10:29
THE GOLDEN LAMPSTAND
Beyond the Bronze Laver in the courtyard of the Tabernacle and inside the first curtain and on the left hand side of the Holy Place is the Golden Lampstand. The lampstand provided a source of light in the Most Holy Place and burned continuously. The lampstand was molded from a single piece of gold, consisting of a single shaft and six branches.
Dimensions
Unknown
Material
Gold
New Testament Significance
The Golden Lampstand points to Christ as the light of the world and foreshadows the enlightening work of the Holy Spirit.
Scripture References
Exodus 25:31-40
THE TABLE OF SHOWBREAD
Inside the first curtain and on the right hand side of the Holy Place is the Table of Showbread. Twelve loaves of bread of fine flour representing the twelve tribes of Israel were placed on the Table of Showbread. The bread was eaten by the High Priest and his sons and replaced each week on the Sabbath with freshly-baked loaves.
Dimensions
38” long x 18” wide x 27” high
Material
Acacia wood covered with gold
New Testament Significance
The Table of Showbread points to God`s provision for the daily needs of His people and Christ as the ultimate provision for salvation as the Bread of Life.
Scripture References
Exodus 25:23-30; Hebrews 9:2
THE ALTAR OF INCENSE
inside the Holy Place and in front of the curtain to the Most Holy Place is the Altar of Incense. The High Priest would burn incense on the Altar of Incense every morning and evening. The four corners of the Altar of Incense were adorned with horns and a crown. The horns of the Altar of Incense were sprinkled with blood from a sin offering once a year on the Day of Atonement.
Dimensions
1.5` long x 1.5` wide x 3` high
Material
Acacia wood covered with gold
New Testament Significance
The Altar of Incense points to the prayer of the believer as a sweet offering to God and intercession on Christ at the right hand of God the Father.
Scripture References
Exodus 30:1-37; Hebrews 9:2
THE ARK OF THE COVENANT AND THE MERCY SEAT
Inside and at the centre of the Most Holy Place is the Ark of the Covenant and Mercy Seat. The Ark of the Covenant was the centerpiece of the Old Testament Tabernacle. The High Priest would sprinkle blood on the Mercy Seat and fellowship with God between the two winged cherubim of the Mercy Seat.
The Ark of the Covenant held three important contents, including the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments (Decalogue), a jar of Manna and Aaron`s budded rod.
Dimensions
45” long x 27” wide x 27” high (Ark)
45” long x 27” wide (Mercy Seat)
Material
Acacia wood covered with gold (Ark)
Gold (Mercy Seat)
New Testament Significance
The fellowship of the Ark of the Covenant points to the New Testament fellowship of Christ. As covenant head, Christ now abides with His spiritual bride, the church. The stone tablets of the Ten Commandments point to Christ`s fulfillment of the Law, the Manna points to Christ as the bread of life and Aaron`s rod to the resurrection of Christ.
The Mercy Seat points to the reconciliation of Christ and eternal rest of God.
Scripture References
John 6:44; Ephesians 2:8-9; Exodus 25:10-22; Hebrews 9:4-5
SACRIFICES OF THE TABERNACLE
SIN OFFERINGS AND GUILT OFFERINGS
The Sin Offerings and Guilt Offerings of the Tabernacle pointed the people of Israel to the need to atone for sin. Sin offerings atoned for wrongs committed against both God while guilt offerings atoned for wrongs committed against fellow men and women Christ is the final and complete atonement for all the wrongs committed against both God and fellow men and women.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Leviticus 4-6; Numbers 15:1-12
BURNT OFFERINGS
The Burnt Offerings of the Tabernacle pointed to Israel`s need to dedicate and devote themselves to God. The burnt offerings were completely consumed. In the same way, Christ, as the final atonement for sin, has completely consumed the sin of His people.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
GRAIN OFFERINGS
The Grain Offerings of the Tabernacle were an expression of Israel`s gratitude to God for forgiveness of sin and the blessings of daily provision. The grain offerings points New Testament believers to the gratitude of the believer for Christ`s work on the cross.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Leviticus 2
PEACE OFFERINGS
The Peace Offerings pointed to the fellowship and peace of God through the shed blood of the animal sacrifices. The priests and Israelite worshippers were allowed to partake of the meat of the sacrificed animals to symbolize communion with God. New Testament believers are invited to share in Christ’s sacrifice at the feast of the Sacrament of Communion.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Leviticus 3; 7:11-38
PRIESTLY GARMENTS
Eight items of clothing are listed for the priest. There were four “inner” garments to be worn by all the priests: breeches, tunic, girdle, and hat. The remaining four articles were “over” garments to be worn by Aaron and the high priests that followed him: robe, ephod, breastpiece, and diadem. While the priestly garments basically served decorative, functional, and symbolic purposes, they also pre-figured the ministry of Christ, our High Priest, who bears our names before God constantly.
PRIESTLY GARMENTS
MITRE (TURBAN)
Inscribed with “Holy to the Lord”; Exodus 28:36
BREASTPLATE
With 12 Precious Stones Sardius, Topz, Carbuncle, Emerald, Sapphire, Diamond, Ligure, Agate, Amethyst, Beryl, Onyx, Jasper; Exodus 28:17-21, 30
CENSER OF BURNING COALS
16:12, 13; Hebrews 9:4
ONYX STONES ON SHOULDERS
names of the tribes of Israel; Exodus 28:9-12; 39:6-7
EPHOD
Exodus 28:4
SASH
ROBE
Hem has decorative bells and pomegranates; Exodus 28:34
FINE LINEN TUNIC
BARE FEET
Required to walk on Holy ground