Tabernacle As a Picture of the Garden of Eden Build Me a Sanctuary that I may dwell in them, Exodus 25:8 God wanted relationship with His people but needed a place to protect His people so His glory would not destroy them. The sacrificial system was there to cover the sin of the people. Every time you sin, you must bring a sacrifice to pay for (cover) it. Leviticus chapters 1-8. It was a Life exchange so the people wouldn t die for their sin and could remain alive to be in relationship with God. The Life is in the blood and is given to make atonement for the soul, Lev.17:11. See also Gen.9:4; Lev.3:17; 7:26-27; 19:26; Deut.12:15-16, 22-24. God asked that the Tabernacle be built facing the East, Ex.27:13-16. Pagans worship their gods while they face the East (the rising sun) and they built their temples facing the East. God said His people need to bring Him their sacrifices to the Tabernacle, Lev.17:5. Moses, Deut.30:15-20; and Joshua, Josh.24:14-25; both challenged the people to choose who they will serve. They had to show their choice and turn their backs on the false gods. The Garden was where God walked and communed with man, Gen.3:8a. Man was in God s glory or had God s glory dwelling in him, but when he disobeyed God and sinned, he lost God s glory and was outside and naked, Gen.3:7. God made the 1 st sacrifice in the Garden of Eden when He clothed Adam and Eve with tunics of skin, Gen.3:21. He shed the blood of the innocent to pay for the sin of the guilty. He instituted the Life exchange sacrifice system. Adam and Eve were thrown out of the Garden of Eden towards the East, Gen.3:23-24. Paul tells us in 1 Cor.10:20-21, that we must make the same choice of who to serve, today. You cannot drink the cup of The Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord s table and of the table of demons.
God asked for golden Cherub angels to be embroidered on the Perochat curtain before the Holy of Holies, Ex.26:31-33. God set Cherubim East of Eden to guard the way back to the Tree of Life so Adam and Eve couldn t return and eat of the fruit of the tree and be stuck in sin forever, Gen.3:22-24.
The Serpents At the burning bush, Moses s rod became a Nachash or Snake (later called a serpent), Ex.3:2-4 In Pharaoh s court, Aaron s rod became a Tanin or crocodile (later called a serpent), Ex.7:9-12. The Egyptians believed that the crocodile god protected Pharaoh, so when God s crocodile ate up all Pharaoh s magicians crocodiles, God was demonstrating that he was greater and was removing Pharaoh s perceived protection. Israel s release from Egypt Then the 10 th plague was the death of the 1 st born. Pharaoh was considered the god-inresidence in Egypt and he couldn t protect his 1 st born or those of his people; but God protected His people s 1 st born by the blood of the Passover Lamb. So He told Moses to dedicate the 1 st born male of Israel to Him, Ex.13:2. After this plague Pharaoh released the Children of Israel, Ex.12:31-32. Egyptian Backstory God promised Abraham a Nation, a Land, and a Seed. Abraham s grandson, Jacob and his family (70 people), went into Egypt. They ended up being slaves for 400 years, as God had told Abraham; and they left 430 years later (as a Nation), to the day that they had entered, Ex.12:40-41. They also left wealthy as God had promised, Gen.15:13-16. From there, God led them to the Promised Land. Messiah is The Seed. The Ten Plagues God then sent 10 plagues that were in effect, attacks on the most revered Egyptian gods; to show that they were not gods at all, but false images, Deut.6:22. It showed that only God was Almighty. (See the extra study notes on this subject). We see the 9 th plague was darkness. God turned the sun off (Ra), and instructed Moses to tell the people to go to the Egyptians and ask for gifts, Ex.3:21-22; 11:2-3; 12:35-36. This is when the nation of Israel gained the wealth promised by God.
The Journey to Mt. Sinai After the Passover meal, the nation was released and God led them to Mt. Sinai. This was about 7 weeks (Passover to Shavuot); in the 3 rd month after leaving. At Mt. Sinai, God made a covenant with the people, and they agreed to obey and to listen to Him, Ex.19. The Giving of the Law God called Moses up to Him on the mountain, and there God gave him the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments, and all the instructions about the Tabernacle, Ex.24. Moses was with God 40 days and 40 nights, which is just 6 weeks. The Breaking of the Covenant The people, after 6 weeks of waiting at the base of the mountain, thought Moses was dead, so demanded of Aaron to build them gods they could follow, Ex.32. Aaron went ahead and built a golden calf and altar, and the people broke their covenant with God and returned to pagan idol worship of false gods. God called Sinai His marriage covenant, Jer.2:2-3, and when it was broken, He called it adultery and prostitution, Jer.2:4-37; 3:1, 6, 8; 5:7; 9:2; 13:27; 23:10. The Law Broken and Servers Exchanged When Moses returned and saw the sin of the people, he threw down the stone tablets and they broke, Ex.32:19. After he made the people drink the dust of the idol, Moses called out to ask who would come out to him to stand on behalf of God. The 1 st born who were dedicated to God didn t come, only Moses s tribe the Levites came, Ex.32:26. So God exchanged the 1 st born for the Levites, Nu.3:12-13, 40-48. The Priests are Levites. Only the Priests and Levites could enter the courtyard, Nu.3:6-10. Only the Priests and High Priest to the Holy Place, and only the High Priest on Yom Kippur, to the Holy of Holies, Lev.16.
The Journey to the Promised Land begins Then God told them to pack and follow Him to the Promised Land. God led by the pillar of cloud by day, and fire by night, Ex.40:36-38; Nu.10:34; they only moved when the pillar moved, Nu.9:15-23. For 11 days the nation travelled toward the Promised Land. Every time something happened that the people didn t like, they complained and said, why did you bring us here; we re going to die, Ex.5:21; 14:11; 15:24:16:2-3; 17:3; Nu.11:1, 5; 14:1-3;16:13-14; 20:3-5; 21:5. God finally gave them what they kept talking about and that unbelieving generation died in the wilderness and Joshua and Caleb (who believed God), led the Children into the Promised Land 40 years later, Nu.14:20-35. Building the Tabernacle The Spirit of the Lord came upon Batzalel (in the shadow of God) and gave him the talent to build what God asked; and Aholiav (tent of father) with talent to teach people, Ex.31:1-6; 35:30-36:2; 38:22-23. The people brought their treasures and came to build the pieces God had asked for. When all was ready, Moses came and inspected them and they put up the Tabernacle and dedicated it, Ex.40; Nu.7. That was around 8-9 months. There at Mt. Sianai they celebrated the 1 st anniversary of Passover, Nu.9:1-14.
Tabernacle As a Picture of the Messiah Build Me a Sanctuary that I may dwell in them, Exodus 25:8 In the Hebrew language the word for Sanctuary is Mishchan (place to dwell), and He couldn t literally dwell in them as they are still under the temporary covering of the sacrificial animal blood. The Tabernacle in the midst of the tents of the people is a picture of God s intent to return to live in the creature He created to dwell in, Gen.2:7. The fulfilment of God s intent we see in John 17:20-21, when Messiah prays for the disciples and those who believe because of their testimony (that includes us who believe today and in the future), Father, as You and I are One so may they be One in Us. In fact, John chapters 14-17 are full of such statements. God told Moses to take what was available to build the Tabernacle, so in the desert are Acacia trees. Very hard wood, twisted and thorny. They hardly get any water. Most of the wood, after it was joined together and shaped, was covered for service. Before we come to God we are out in the spiritual desert and are like the hard, twisted, thorny trees; bitter and unforgiving, but when we come to God and confess our sin and ask for forgivness, we are then available to Him. He shapes us for His service and He covers us.
God asked for the Tabernacle to be built facing the East, Ex.27:13-16 (like all the pagan temples facing the rising sun). The pagans worship towards the East; Adam and Eve were thrown out of Eden toward the East. In Leviticus 17:3-6, 8-9, God says to Moses to tell the people to bring Him their sacrifices. Joshua later also challenges the people, Josh.24:15, choose this day whom you will serve. By bringing the sacrifices and offerings to the entrance of the Tabernacle, the people turned their backs to the false gods (in the East). The Priests had to present the sacrifices on behalf of the people, Lev.17:6. Anyone else coming close had to die, Nu.1:51; Nu.3:10, 38; Nu.18:4, 7. The Priests were the mediators between the people and God. Paul tells us we must make the same choice today, 1 Cor.10:21, we can t fellowship at God s table and the table of demons. We must choose who to serve. Messiah is our mediator between us and God, 1 Tim.2:5; Heb.8:6; 9:15; 12:24. Notice also, those willing to stand for God, Ex.32:26, and those willing to bring of their treasure, Ex.25:2-8. God leaves the choice to the people, but warns them they will live with the consequences of their choice; good or bad, Lev.26; Deut.28. God shows us what has to be done, there is no other way, but He will never take slave labor; we must choose and live with the consequences of our choice.
Fire came from God to start the Altar fire, Lev.9:24, and the Priests had to never let it go out, Lev.6:9-13. The Lord thy God is a consuming fire, Deut.4:24. So God sent it and the Priests had to maintain it; to add wood and keep the fire burning and to take some with them when they moved. Also to add oil to the Lampstand to keep the light burning, Lev.6:9-13; Ex.30:7-8. Only this Holy Fire could enter to the Holy Place, Lev.16:12. Yeshua sent the Holy Spirit to us. There are references to Him as Fire, for our God is a consuming Fire, Heb.12:29. The Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire, Acts 2:3-4, as promised in Luke 3:16, with the Holy Spirit and with fire. We must maintain the relationship (Matt.25:1-13) just as the Priests had to keep the fire burning. The Holy Spirit comes to live in us and we become living temples of the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor.3:16-17; Eph.2:21-22. The Life is in the blood and no-one was permitted to eat or drink it, Gen.9:4; Lev.3:7; 7:26; 17:12; Deut.12:16, 23; 15:23; it had to be poured out in atonement for sin, Lev.17:11, 14. The blood of the sacrifices had to be poured out around and sprinkled on the horns of the Altar, Ex.29:12; Lev.4:7, 18; 9:9; etc. The Blood of Yeshua was shed at the cross to atone for our sin, 1 Peter 1:19.
The Passover Lamb had to be a young male up to 1 year old, without spot or blemish. It had to live in your house with you for 4 days; then it was to be declared pure, sacrificed, the blood put on the door posts and the body eaten by everyone, Ex.12. The coals from the sacrificial Altar were put outside the camp in a clean place, Lev.6:10-11.The guilt sin offering, when the blood went in to be poured out at the Altar (along with the fat and the kidneys), the body was carried outside the camp and burnt on the Holy coals, Ex.29:14; Lev.4:11-12; etc. The other sacrifices, permanent whole lamb, peace and thanksgiving; the whole or portion was burnt on the Altar, and the ash became part of the Holy coals. There was a sacrifice also for unintentional sin, Nu.15:22-31. Messiah (Christ) is our Passover Lamb. He entered Jerusalem on a colt of a donkey as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9; Matt.21:1-10. He was 4 days teaching and cleaning up the Temple spiritually ; then He was arrested on the 4 th evening and taken to trial all night. He was declared pure by Pontius Pilate and King Herod; and then crucified (sacrificed), Matt.27, and the other gospels. The Last Supper with the disciples followed the Passover pattern, but after the meal He blessed the wine and told the disciples that it was His blood of the new covenant shed for them and for many; take, drink, Matt.26:26-28. This was the 1 st time in scriptures that anyone was told to drink the symbol of blood. Yeshua was declaring that He was The Seed of woman that would crush Satan s head, Gen.3:15; He was The Seed promised to Abraham through whom all the nations would be blessed, Gal.3:16; He was the Messiah who came to take All the sin and give All His Life in return. So every time we celebrate this Communion the bread and wine, we are to remember Him, 1 Cor.11:24-25. Messiah came to fulfil the Law and as our sin sacrifice, He was crucified outside the city (outside the camp), Heb.13:11-13. Yeshua was our whole Lamb sacrifice and our Peace and Thanksgiving sacrifices. He even paid for our unintentional sin. If God revealed all our sin at once, we will not survive. Christ paid and as The Holy Spirit reveals an attitude, behavior, intention, etc., that is not of God; we need to confess, repent and renounce that sin and ask Him to replace it with His attitude, behavior, intent, etc. Be transformed by the renewing of our minds, Rom.12:2. Replace our old attributes for those of The Holy Spirit, Gal.5:22-26, The Fruit of The Holy Spirit.
The Courtyard was 50 by 100 cubits. The posts were from Acacia wood and all had Copper bases and Silver tops and white linen all around except for the entrance on the East side, Ex.27:9-19; 38:9-20. In here were all the copper items; The Sacrificial Altar covered with copper, Ex.27:1-8; 38:1-7, and The washbasin made of pure polished copper mirrors, Ex.30:17-21; 38:8. This is where the sacrificing and cleansing took place. The Courtyard was where Redemption takes place. The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, Is.11:2, when we understand we have sinned and need a savior and get wisdom to come to Yeshua. I am redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, out of the hand of my enemy Satan. If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, 1 Jn.1:9. The Altar=The Cross=Judgement/Payment Washbasin=Word/Water of God=Cleansing We are in Christ when we are redeemed. The Holy Place internally was 10 by 10 by 20 cubits and had an entrance on the East end, Ex.26:35-37. In here were most of the Golden items; The Table of Shewbread covered with gold, Nu.25:23-30; 37:10-16; The Menorah was solid gold, Nu.25:31-40; 37:17-24; and The Incense Altar covered with gold, Nu.30:1-10; 37:25-29. The High Priest entered to represent the people before God, present the Incense as Prayer, Praise and Worship; the Priests, to keep the Light of God s presence, eat and replace the bread once a week, Lev.24:5-9, as a representation of God s covenant to totally provide for Israel, Ex.19:3-6. The Holy Place was where Sanctification takes place. The Spirit of Counsel and Might, Is.11:2, where we receive God s advice and His strength. The bread on the Table=Yeshua, The Bread of Life offered once for all, sanctifies us, Heb.10:10. The Menorah=Holy Spirit. He sanctifies us and our offerings, 1 Cor.6:11; Rom.15:16. The Incense Altar=Prayer, Praise and Worship. Sanctified by the Word of God and prayer, 1 Tim.4:5. See also; 1 Cor.1:2; 2 Tim.2:21; Heb.2:11.
The Holy of Holies internally was 10 by 10 by 10 cubits and had an entrance on the East end, Ex.26:30-34. In here was The Ark of the Covenant; which was a box of Acacia wood covered in gold and a lid with 2 Cherub angels, all of solid gold, Ex.25:10-22; 37:1-9. Inside were the Stone Tablets of The Law, Deut.10:1-5 (the Book of the Law was beside the Ark, Deut.31:26); and outside in front, The Golden Bowl of Manna, Ex.16:33-34; and Aaron s Rod that Flowered and Fruited with ripe Almonds, Nu.17:10. Almond is the first to flower and the last to set its fruit. The Holy of Holies is where Glorification takes place. The Spirit of Intimacy and Reverence (Fear of the Lord), Is.11:2, where we are in Awe of God and in Intimate relationship with Him. Hebrews is the only book in the Bible that places all the items inside The Ark, Heb.9:4, as the writer is talking about Christ as the fulfilment, and these all represent Messiah. The Ark where God is enthroned between the Cherubim and holding the symbols of The Messiah; The Word of God, Jn.1:14; The Bread from Heaven, Jn.6:48-51; The Resurrection and The Life, Jn.11:25; The Alpha and Omega, Rev.21:6. We are being transformed into the same image (of the Lord) from glory to glory.., 2 Cor.3:18; Rom.9:23; 1 Cor.2:7.
The Pure Metals used in The Tabernacle: Copper: soft and pliable, able to be beaten and molded into shape but not melted until super-heated to 1085oC. Gold: soft and pliable, able to be beaten and molded into shape but not melted until superheated to 1065oC. Silver: soft and pliable, able to be beaten and molded into shape but melts at 961oC. Notice God asked for Copper and Gold to cover the wood of the 2 Altars respectively; so the wood, sealed in these metals so oxygen doesn t get in, would be protected from the fire. In ancient cultures and in some still today, the metals represent: Copper = Judgement Gold = Righteousness Silver = Redemption God warns against using mixes, Lev.19:19, so lets look at Brass and Bronze. Brass (Cu 65%, Zn 15%) melts at 900oC Bronze (Cu 90%, Sn 10%) melts at 850oC So Brass or Bronze would eventually buckle and crack with a constant fire; air gets in so the wood would burn and the Altar collapse. In most cultures today: The Colours used in The Tabernacle: Fine twisted Linen = White Blue Yarn Purple Yarn Scarlet Yarn To be used in: Covering curtains, Ex.26:1 Courtyard Entrance curtain, Ex.27:16 Holy Place Entrance curtain, Ex.26:36 Holy of Holies Entrance curtain, Ex.26:31 (with golden Cherubim) Fine Linen to make the Courtyard (surrounding) curtains. White = Purity Blue = Heaven Purple = King (Royalty) Scarlet = Blood If we mix Blue and Red (Scarlet), we get Purple every time. So it is a representation of The Messiah, our King, who is fully God, from Heaven, and fully man, from Earth. Earth-Adama-Adam-Dam (blood). Covering; we are In Christ, Jn.15:5; 17:21; Gal.3:27. Entrance; He Is The Way, Jn14:6 He is The Truth, Jn.1:17 He is The Life, Heb.9:7-8; Gen.3:24 Surrounding; He will never leave us (surrounds and protects us), Heb.13:5; Deut.31:6
In The Courtyard The Altar: 5 by 5 by 3 cubits high. Acacia wood covered with Copper. It had no steps but a ramp so the Priests could work modestly without exposing themselves (also pagan altars have steps, usually with gods painted or carved on them). It had rods so the Levites could hand-carry it when they moved, Ex.27:1-8; 38:1-7. Copper = Judgement The blood poured out at the Altar was to atone (pay) for the sin of the people. The Cross: Where the sin of the world was judged; and where the Blood of Messiah was poured out to pay for our sin, Heb.9:14-15, 28. The Washbasin: No measurements and no wood as a basis. No rods but a frame to put under when it was needed to be carried (presumably like the Lampstand), Nu.4:10. It was built from pure polished copper mirrors, Ex.30:18; 38:8; 40:30. The Levites had to constantly bring Living water from a spring to keep filling the basin (the Levites were to assist the Priests, Nu.3:6-9; Lev.8:22-26), as the Priests took water out to wash their hands and feet before every offering and before going to minister in The Holy, Ex.30:19-22; 40:31-32. God s Word is like water that cleanses, Ps.51:2, 7; 119:9; Eph.5:26. God put no limits on the water; we can t limit God s word. The Living Water/Word: Yeshua is The Word of God, Jn.1:14, The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He called out in the Temple, come to Me and I will give you springs of Living Water, Jn.7:37-38. He said to the woman at the well in Samaria, if only you knew who is asking for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you Living water, Jn.4:10, 13-14. Yeshua gives unlimited cleansing. God s Word is like a mirror, James 1:22-25.
The Building: 48 panels, 10 by 1 ½ cubits each. Acacia wood covered with beaten gold (righteousness); 20 on each side, 6 across the back and 1 extra on each corner at the back. Each panel had 2 solid silver (redemption) bases to stand in. Each side had 5 rods to hold it together; 1 rod through the middle of the wood of the panels, and 4 on the outside which were held in place by rings attached to the panels. It made a strong building but easy to dismantle and pack onto 6 ox carts, along with all the courtyard pieces, to be transported, Ex.26:15-30; 36:20-34. There were 8,580 Levite men from age 30-50 who were responsible for packing, moving, and reconstructing the Tabernacle, Nu.4:47-49. Each was told by name what his job was, Nu.4:19. They were supervised by Aaron s sons Eliezer and Itamar, Nu.3:32; 4:16, 28, 33; Lev.8:22. The Body of Messiah: When we confess our sins, are forgiven and the Holy Spirit lives within us we are available to God and He shapes us for His service. We are each clothed in the Righteousness of The Messiah, 2 Cor.5:21; Phil.3:9; Eph.6:14; Is.61:10. We are each standing in His redemption, Rom.3:24; 1 Cor.1:30; Eph.1:7; Col.1:14; Heb.9:12. And corporately we are held together by the 5 gifts (ministries) Messiah gave to equip us for the work of service, Eph.4:11-13. Individually we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, 2 Cor.6:16, and corporately we are the Body of Christ, Rom.12:5. Living stones jointly supplied, 1 Pet.2:5. Each of us has a specific job; we can t all do the same thing. We are members of one body, each with a part to play so that the whole body functions properly, 1 Cor.12.
The Coverings: 4 layers of coverings were over the building; 2 from material against the building and 2 from leather open like an awning, Ex.26:1-14; 36:8-19. The first material was fine linen made from the 4 colours mentioned earlier. Each of the 10 curtains had a golden Cherub angel embroidered on it, Ex.26:1 and they were 28 cubits long, Ex.26:2, so they covered from the top of the base over the building to the base on the other side. They had 50 loops of blue thread along the edges and were join by gold clasps, Ex.26:3-6. The second material was woven goat hair and was 30 cubits long, so covered from the ground, over the building to the ground. They were joined with copper clasps. There were 11 curtains and the extra hung over the back of the building, Ex.26:7-13. The third covering was from Ram skins dyed red, Ex.26:14. The forth covering was from Tachash (some marine animal? Whale, Dolphin, Sea lion, Sea cow), a very thick skin, Ex.26:14. You don t see the treasure or the colours. We are in Messiah and He in us: The colours representing the Messiah; He is fully God and fully man, and He covers us. We are in Him, and He in us, Jn.14:20. Our muscles look like fibers woven together. Then we have blood vessels supplying the muscles and skin. Then about 7 layers of skin like thick marine animal skin? When the Holy Spirit lives within, we carry the treasure of Heaven in bodies of flesh and blood, 2 Cor.4:7. People just see us as human (like a tent), they don t see the treasure inside; unless we open up and share with them!
The only wood not covered are the posts all around the courtyard. They were acacia posts with Copper (Judgement) bases and Silver (Redemption) tops. Pure linen surrounded the courtyard, Ex.27:9-19; 38:9-20. Messiah is the only pure human and He paid for our judgement; He brought us redemption. He promised He would never leave or forsake us, Jn.14:18; Heb.13:5; Deut.31:6, 8; Josh.1:5. It s a picture of Him surrounding us. Three Entrances: The only way into the courtyard was through a 4-coloured curtain with 4 Acacia posts. The posts had copper bases and silver tops like the courtyard posts, Ex.27:16; 38:18-19. The only way into The Holy was through a 4- coloured curtain with 5 Acacia pillars covered in gold. The pillars had copper bases, Ex.26:36-37; 36:37-38. The only way into The Holy of Holies was through a 4-coloured curtain with gold Cherub angels embroidered on it and with 4 Acacia pillars covered in gold. The pillars had silver bases, Ex.26:31-33; 36:35-36. Three sections: The Messiah is the way back to God, Jn.14:6. He paid for our sin and redeemed us. Moses wrote 5 books of the Law which brought judgement, and is the foundation of the old covenant. 5 Pillars represent Grace. Messianic colours in the curtain. We see in Jn.1:17 that the Law came through Moses, but Grace and Truth through Christ. There are 4 Gospels on the redemption Christ brought, and these are the foundation of the new covenant. God had Cherub angels guarding the way to the tree of Life in the Garden of Eden, Gen.3:24. God tore this curtain in the Temple when Christ paid the price on the cross, Matt.27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45; Heb.10:19-22.
Inside the Holy Place The Table: 2 by1 by 1 ½ high. Acacia wood covered with gold and rods to hand-carry. On it were 12 unleavened breads that the Priests had to eat every Shabbat and replace with fresh loaves, Lev.24:5-9. It was a picture of God s covenant promise to always provide Israel with what they needed to live on. Ex.19:4-6. They had total provision, guidance and protection but they always complained about something! why did you bring us here, we are going to die, Ex.14:11; 16:2-3; 17:3. Even after the proof of abundant provision in the Promised Land, they cried all night about the giants; so God said in the morning, I took you out of Egypt; you saw My wonders; and you STILL don t believe Me!! As you have said to Me so I will give you; you will die, Nu.14:20-35. They ended up bringing judgement on themselves. Except for Joshua and Caleb who believed God; they led the Children into The Land, Nu.14:30-31, 38. God s Provision: Yeshua is the Bread of Life, Jn.6:51. Yeshua gives us what we need for Life and Godliness, 2 Pet.1:3. We will be tested, James 1; 1 Pet.4:12, 17, and the Bible warns us to learn from the Children of Israel, 1 Cor.10:5-11. Rom.1:24, 26, 28, warns us that God will hand us over to our own desires; not a good place to be, as we don t know what is really good for us or not. Faithful is He who promised, He will do it, 1 Thes.5:24. Put on the whole armor of God, and having done all; stand, Eph.6:13.
The Lampstand: No measurements and no wood. No rods but a frame that was put under when it needed to be carried, Nu.4:10. It was made from one piece of pure gold, beaten into shape. The Menorah had 7 branches; 1 central and 3 pairs. We only know the weight, 1 talent (about 40kg), Ex.25:31-40; 37:17-24; Nu.8:1-4. It had the oil lamps on top of the branches and the priests had to fill the oil and trim the wicks to keep it burning (maintain it), Ex.27:20-21; Lev.24:1-4. It was the only light in the Holy Place. The priests also had to be anointed with special oil to be dedicated to serve God, Ex.30:30. Is.11:1-2, says that on the rod from Jesse s root (Messiah) would come the 7 Spirits of God, v2 names them. The Spirit of the LORD The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding The Spirit of Counsel and Might The Spirit of Intimacy and Reverence (Fear of the Lord). The branches had Almond flowers and nobs as a decoration. In Hebrew Almond (Shaked) means to diligently watch, be alert, be awake, God showed Jeremiah the prophet, an Almond branch because He said He is watching over His word to fulfil It, Jer.1:11-12. The prophet had to announce God s word; the Almond tree is the first to flower and announce spring every year. God took Israel out of Egypt with its pagan worship, but then He had to work at getting the pagan mentality out of them. The Light: We can t limit The Holy Spirit. God did everything to restore our relationship with Him, He started the fire, and we must maintain this relationship. If you don t feel close to God, guess who moved! Christ is the Light of the world, Jn.8:12. The oil represents the work of the Holy Spirit; Christ said to wait until the Holy Spirit anoints us with power, Acts 1:4-5, 8; we can t serve God without the Holy Spirit, Jn.15:4-5. At Christ s baptism the Holy Spirit came to dwell, Matt.3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:21-22. Rev.3:1, Yeshua says He is the one that has the 7 Spirits of God, He is referring to Is.11:1-2. Christ said that when the Holy Spirit comes, He will take Yeshua s words and continue to teach us and remind us of what He said, Jn.14:26; 16:12-15. God took us out of Satan s kingdom of darkness into His kingdom of Light. We grew up learning how to hate, be jealous, unforgiving, etc.; all Satan s ways, but now God wants all that stinking thinking and behavior out and His in; The Fruit of the Spirit, Gal.5:22-23. We need to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, Rom.12:2. We are to take every thought captive unto Christ, 2 Cor.10:5. As we walk with the Spirit we will grow into the image of Christ, 2 Cor.3:18.
The Incense Altar: 1 by 1 by 2 cubits high. Acacia wood covered with gold and rods to hand-carry, Ex.30:1-6; 37:25-28. Only the Holy coals from the sacrificial altar could enter to The Holy Place, Lev.16:12; Lev.10:1 (unauthorized fire), Ex.30:9-10. Special incense was to be made to burn on the altar, and put on every evening and morning, Ex.30:7-8. It had a lot of spices so was a sweet smelling incense, Ex.30:34-38, 37:29. Incense is likened to prayer, intercession, praise, worship and thanksgiving, Is.60:6; Jer.17:26; Ps.141:2; Ps.34:1, etc. Our Sweet Incense: We see in the Psalms and the writings of the prophets that our prayer praise and worship is like sweet incense to the Lord; our response of thanksgiving for what the Lord has done for us. Also in Rev.8:3-4, an angel was give much incense to burn with the prayers of the saints. Yeshua ever lives to intercede for us, Heb.7:24-26; so this is what He is still doing for us. Our submission to God in our prayer praise and worship is a powerful weapon against our enemy Satan, James 4:7. The Priests: The sons of Aaron were consecrated to serve the Lord and present the offerings to the Lord on behalf of the people, Ex.28:1; Lev.9:7; Lev.10:17-18. They wore pure linen trousers, a linen robe, a sash of the 4 colours and a linen headcovering, Ex.28:39-43; 29:8-9; 39:27-29. We are Priests: Yeshua has made us a kingdom and priests to serve God, Rev.1:6; 5:10; 20:6. We have the ministry of reconciliation, 2 Cor.3, 4, 5:11-21.
The High Priest: God appointed Aaron as the 1 st High Priest, Ex.28:1. He told Moses to have skilled people to make robes and items of clothing to give the priests dignity when the serve Him, Ex.28:2-5. (Description in Ex.39:1-31). The High Priest was to dress in a fine linen tunic with a robe of blue over that, Ex.28:31-32. This robe had blue, purple, and red pomegranates with bells of gold between them so he could be heard ministering daily before the Lord in the Holy place, Ex.28:33-35. (not on Yom Kippur. See later). Over the blue robe was an Ephod woven in the 4 colours and gold thread, Ex.28:6-7. Attached to this was a woven breastplate with 12 precious stones set in gold and each having a name of a son of Jacob, Ex.28:15-30. Also on his shoulders, engraved in black Onyx (6+6), again the 12 names in order of birth, Ex.28:9-14. The High Priest had to carry or represent Israel over his heart and on his shoulders as he went before the Lord, Ex.28:12, 29-30, as a memorial continually before the Lord. On his forehead was a gold band engraved Holy to the Lord and tied with a blue cord, Ex.28:36-38. All his service was Holy to the Lord; that the gifts of the people may be acceptable before the Lord, Ex.28:38. On his head was a turban of fine linen, Ex.28:39. The linen undergarments for the High Priest and Priests were to cover the body when they went in to minister, Ex.28:42-43. Messiah is our High Priest: We see in Heb.6:20; 10:21, that Yeshua is our great High Priest, so He carries or represents us daily by name before the Father, over His heart and on His shoulders. The Good Shepherd who goes to find the lost sheep and carry it home on His shoulders, Luke 15:4-6; Jn.10:1-18. The names of the sons of Jacob represent Messiah; Reuben Behold a son Simeon He heard my voice Levi Joined Judah Praise the Lord Dan Judge Naphtali Mighty struggles Gad Good fortune Asher Happy Issachar He will bring reward Zebulun Dwelling, place of honor Joseph Fruitful Benjamin Son of my right hand Notice that Ben s mother had first called him Ben-Oni, son of my suffering, as she was dying, but Jacob changed it to Benjamin. So Yeshua is son of suffering, Is.53; but He is now seated at Father s right hand, Col.3:1.
Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement was the only day that the High Priest could enter to the Holy of Holies, Lev.16.(he was the only one permitted to enter but it mentions Moses was in there at least on the day of dedication of the Tabernacle, Ex.40:20-21). He only wore white linen, Lev.16:4, which means he laid aside all his glorious robes and dressed humbly to minister before the Lord. First he had to take hot coals from the altar and some of the fine incense and put it inside the Holy of Holies, Lev.16:12-13. Then he took the blood of a bull sacrificed for him and his family and sprinkled the blood on the atonement cover of the Ark, Lev.16:6, 11, 14. Then he could take the blood of the goat chosen to die for Israel and sprinkle it on the atonement cover, Lev.16:7-9, 15. Then he would sprinkle some of the blood of both sacrifices on all the Holy Items to purify them, Lev.16:16, 18-20. Then he would take the live goat and lay his hands on its head and confess the sins of the nation and give it to someone especially chosen to take it way out into the desert and release it (to take away the sin), Lev.16:7-10, 20-22. He had to do all this work on his own, no one was to be in there, Lev.16:17. Then he would take water into the Holy Place, take off his linen robe and wash. Then he would put on all his high Priestly robes and go out in front of the people to finish Yom Kippur, Lev.16:23-34. Messiah has Atoned for us: Yeshua came humbly as a pure man to do the Fathers will, Jn.5:19, 30; 8:28. He laid aside His glory (emptied Himself), Phil.2:6-8; Heb.2:6-9; 5:5. He was empowered by the Holy Spirit, Matt.3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34. He was sinless as His seed is from the Father not Adam; so He was born without sin and He chose to NOT sin but lived in complete obedience to God, Phil.2:8. He did not need the blood of bulls to atone for Him; He was the pure sinless sacrifice so could take His own blood to the Heavenly Tabernacle, Heb.7:24-28; 8:2; 9:11-28. Yeshua did not come to cover our sin; He came once and for all time to Pay for our sin, to Cleanse us from sin, and to Take Away our sin. He is now in heaven, in all His glory, and SEATED at the right hand of the Father, Mark 16:19; Col.3:1; Heb.1:3; 10:12. The WORK of Salvation is finished (the High Priest never sat down but was on duty every day and once every year he had to do the work of atonement in the Tabernacle). He will come again to Earth in all His Glory, Rev.1:7, every eye WILL see Him; there will be no mistake as to who He is.
So every day the blood of all the sacrifices; bull, goat, lamb, doves (for the poor people), covered the sin on the Sacrificial altar in the courtyard; but 1 day a year the blood went all the way in to Pay for the sin; then all the way out to cleanse from the sin; and then all the way away to take away the sin. The Holy of Holies curtain was torn from top to bottom in the Temple when Messiah paid the price for our sin on the cross; that we may enter in back to God s presence, Matt.27:50-51; Mark 15:37-38; Luke 23:44-46; Heb.10:19-22. Inside The Holy of Holies The Ark of the Covenant: 2 ½ by 1 ½ by 1 ½ cubits high. Acacia wood box covered with gold inside and out, with 2 acacia rods covered in gold for hand-carrying. These were on an East/West orientation so they must have touched the back wall and the Perochat (Holy of Holies curtain), so where they touched could be seen from inside the Holy place, 1 kings 8:8. The Ark was in the middle of the Holy of Holies. There were 7 Holy Items of furniture but they only carried 6 because the lid of the Ark was the 7 th and always remained on top of the box section of the Ark. The Atonement cover was 2 ½ by 1 ½ cubits and was made from solid pure gold with solid gold Cherub angels, one on each end with their wings covering and their heads bowed watching the atonement cover, Ex.25:10-22; 26:34; 37:1-9. There are no measurements or detailed description of the Cherubim. We are NOT to worship angels; God just wants us to be aware of their presence. Batzalel built them (he was filled with the Holy Spirit), and the priests never saw them; they had to cover the Ark with the Perochat The Ark of the Testimony: The Ark of the Covenant was also called the Ark of the Testimony because of the things associated with it that testify to God s provision. The book of Hebrews is the only book in the Bible that puts all the items inside the Ark, Heb.9:4. Hebrews is talking about the fulfilment of the Tabernacle in Messiah. Messiah is the Word of God (Testimony/Law) Messiah is the Bread from Heaven (Manna) Messiah is the Resurrection and the Life (rod that came to life) It is interesting to note that Aarons staff was an Almond (like Jeremiah s vision). The Almond is the first tree to flower every Spring but it is the last to set the fruit 8-9 months later. Messiah is The First and the Last, Alpha and Omega, Aleph and Tav, The Beginning and the End, Rev.1:8, 11; 21:6; 22:13. He is the First fruit from the dead, 1 Cor.15:20 23.
curtain without sneaking a peek at the Ark, Nu.4:5-6. Inside the Ark were the stone tablets of the Law, Ex.25:21; Deut.10:1-5; 1 Kings 8:9. Outside in front of the Ark was a golden bowl of Manna, Ex.16:32-34; and Aaron s staff which sprouted overnight, Nu.17:5. Not only sprouted, but budded, blossomed and produced ripe almond fruit. God told Moses to put the almond staff of Aaron in front of the Testimony as a sign, Nu.17:8-11. It is worth thinking about how the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur. When God s presence came to camp, every one fell on their faces, no-one could stand or enter His presence, Ex.40:34-35; Lev.9:24; So the High Priest would not have walked or stood inside the Holy of Holies; he most likely went under the curtain on his hands and knees. Also there was no natural or artificial light in there and we are not told if God s express glory (shekinah) was glowing to give light, Ex.29:43; 40:34-35, so it could have been pitch black and anyway very clouded with the smoke of incense. He went in between the rods, Lev.16:12, 15; so he was guided to the right place. Ps. 23:4, Thy Rod and Staff, they guide and discipline me. He would just have to kneel where he was and sprinkle the blood on the atonement cover.
The Holy Items: The Altar, Washbasin, Incense Altar and Ark were in line from East to West in the entire complex and then the Table and Lampstand in orientation North to South in the Holy Place. This makes the sign of a cross as the foundation of the Tabernacle. God put before us Life and Death; Blessing and Cursing and told us what He wants; Choose Life, Deut.30:19. He is not willing that any should perish, 2 Pet.3:9; Deut.4:29-31. The Cross: In Heb.9:3-4, it talks about the Golden altar in front of the Ark. Hebrews is talking of the fulfilment in Messiah so the curtain has been torn and the symbol of the cross is the foundation of the Tabernacle. The Lamb was slain from before the foundation of the Earth, Rev.13:8. So God knew what was going to happen before He started creating. This is His 1 st plan; to come in person, suffer and die for a creation He had not begun to make. He didn t ask Adam and Eve, where are you?, because He didn t know; He asked so they would come out of hiding and fess up to what they had done. That s what we must do, 1 John 1:9, IF we will confess our sin. Confess, Repent, Believe, Receive; Choose to refuse, you lose. 1 Jn.1:9; Matt.3:2; Jn.3:16. Rom.3:23; 6:23. We have all sinned and the wages for sin is death. Somebody has to pay! Christ paid. So if we come how He has told us then we are forgiven and paid for by His blood; but if we don t, then we have to pay for our own sin at the end of the age and be eternally separated from God, Rev.2:11; Matt.13:40-42, 49-50. Messiah has already paid so we don t have to experience this terror, Matt.27:46; Mark 15:34, He experienced this terror on our behalf.
Final Encouragement I would encourage you all to be like the Bereans who Paul commended because they went back to scripture and checked out everything they heard to make sure it was true, Acts 17:11. We are in the end of days where, if it were possible, even the elect will be deceived, Matt.24:24, Mark 13:22. Satan can counterfeit to a limited extent miraculous things, as in Pharaohs' court and some of the plagues. Satan will give deceptive power to those who follow him, Rev12:13-14; Rev.18:23; Rev.19:20. Paul said that Satan can appear as an angel of light, 2 Cor.11:14-15. Don't be lead astray by a different gospel, Gal.1:8. So check out everything you see and hear (including this transcript) with the word of God; no matter how wonderful it appears. The book of Hebrews chapters 1-10 is all about Yeshua, who He is and what He has done. (All the New Covenant is about Yeshua). The only scriptures the early church had was what we call the Old Testament. There is nothing in the New Testament that has not first been stated in the Old. As it has been told to me: 'The New in the Old is concealed and the Old in the New is revealed'. May God continue to reveal to you His purposes as you diligently search His Word and seek His face, Heb.11:6. You will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul, Deut.4:29. At all cost, do what it takes to become and stay one of God s special treasure. Phil.3:8-15, 20-21. Jesus said the scriptures testified of Him, Jn.5:39. He also expounded the scriptures to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Luke 24:27. Paul says to Timothy in 1Tim.3:16 and without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
For a more expanded Tabernacle Transcript of the tour given by Alimae Berean at the Tabernacle in Timna Park; there is an e-book available for purchase in the shop on this website, along with books in the God s Plan series as they are published. God s Mud Baby God s Global Reset God s Earthly Thoroughfare God s Ground-plan for Salvation This has been updated on 16-6-16 Copyright: Alimae Berean 2010 God s Mud Baby is available