THE TABERNACLE PATTERN –Heb. 8:4-5

--A. Ralph Johnson

 

 

 

 


Text Box: AARONText Box: BENJAMIN 

Text Box: MERARITES
Text Box: ISSACHAR
Text Box: GERSHONITES
Text Box: MOSES
Text Box: MANASSEH
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Holy Place
 

Altar
 

Laver
 

Lamps
 

Incense
 

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Ark
 

Holy of

Holies
 

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Text Box: EPHRAIMText Box: PRIESTSText Box: ZEBULONText Box: SIMEONText Box: KOHATHITESText Box: REUBENText Box: GADFver

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE TABERNACLE, or Tent of Meeting, was a portable temple made from free-will offerings of the people.  It could be dismantled and carried from place to place as the Israelites journeyed.  This was a replacement of an earlier tent of meeting.  At the time of Solomon this was again replaced by the building of the permanent temple on a much

grander scale. 

 

The tabernacle was set up at the center of the camp. A pillar of cloud by day and fire by night rested above it.  When this visible sign of God’s presence moved they broke camp and followed in three stages covering three days.  When they camped, ten of the tribes plus the two half-tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh camped around the outer perimeter.  Inside this, on the north, west, and south camped the Levites.  Aaron, Moses and the priests camped to the east by the entrance to the court.

 

THE COURT (perhaps symbolical of faith) was an area, 150 feet by 75 feet, around the tabernacle enclosed by a 7 ½ ft. high fence made of linen curtains suspended from 60 brass pillars in brass bases and topped with silver capitols.  These were held erect by ropes and brass stakes.  Between the pillars ran silver “fillets,” or rods.  The curtains were white, except for 30 ft. across the entrance.  The entrance curtains were embroidered with blue, purple and scarlet.

ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERING (Repentance)

 

Inside the court, near the entrance, was the brazen altar used for burning the sacrifices.  It was 4 ½ ft. high by 7 ½ ft. square, encompassed by a ledge half-way up.  On the sides were brass rings through which poles were passed by which it was carried.

 

It was made of acacia wood covered with brass (or bronze), with brass horns on the corners.  It seems to have been hollow and at each stop it was probably filled with rocks and earth.  God lighted its fire (Lev. 9:24) which was to be kept burning continually (Lev. 6:12-13).  The Altar was open to all of the people but only the priests (Aaron and his descendents) could make the offerings. 

 

The offering had to be without blemish.  The person bringing the offering put his hands on the head of the animal as it was sacrificed, perhaps symbolizing repentance—giving one’s self.  Jesus, the Christ (The Anointed One, Priest after the order of Melchisedec –Heb. 7) was sanctified by offering his own blood for us (Heb. 13:10; 9:11-14).  We serve as priests with him (1Pet. 2:5, 9; Heb. 13:15-16; Rom. 12:1-2).

 

THE LAVER (Baptism)

 

(Symbolic of baptism to enter the church. Ac. 22:16; 2:38; Heb. 10:22; Eph. 5:26; 1Cor. 6:11; Tit. 3:5; Jn. 3:5; 1Cor. 12:13; Rom. 6:3-7; Gal. 3:27).

 

It was between the altar of burnt offering and the door of the Tabernacle.  The Priests washed their hands and feet before entering the Tabernacle (Ex. 29:4).  It was made of the brass mirrors of the women who helped before the Tabernacle (Ex. 38:8).  It consisted of two parts, a bowl and a pedestal.

 

THE TABERNACLE (Figure of the church or kingdom of God)

 

The Tabernacle was located in the rear half of the court.  It was 15 ft. wide, 15 ft. high and 45 ft. long.  It was divided into two areas, the Holy Place in front (30’x15’), and the Most Holy Place (15’x15’) behind.  The back and sides were made of 48 gold-covered acacia wood panels standing upright in silver bases and joined together with long gold-covered bars.  Over this were four coverings.  1. Linen, woven with blue, purple and scarlet with figures of cherubim (angels).  2. A “tent” of goats hair.  3. Rams skins dyed red.  4.  Over everything was a covering of badger (seal or porpoise) skins.

 

THE HOLY PLACE

 

Foreshadowed the church (Ac. 2:42)

 

The Tabernacle was entered through a linen curtain embroidered with scarlet, blue and purple, hung from five gold-covered pillars set in brass sockets.  None but the priests were permitted beyond this point.  The room occupying the front 30ft. of the structure was called the “Holy Place.”  It held three pieces of furniture (cf. Ac. 2:42).

 

THE LAMP STAND, or “candlesticks.” 

The oil represented the Holy Spirit giving light, the word of God (cf. Jn. 10:38) giving light through the word of God (cf. Ps. 119:105; Jn. 1:4-5; 3:19-21; 12:46-48.  Also 2Peter 1:21).

 

To the left of the entrance stood the lamp stand, consisting of a central stem and three branches on each side, on which were seven lamps filled with olive oil lighted each evening.  This was all made of a talent of pure gold elaborately formed with “knops,” flowers and almond blossoms.

 

THE TABLE OF SHOWBREAD (prefiguring the Lord’s Supper)

 

On the right of the entrance stood a table made of acacia wood overlaid with gold having a gold rim around the top and gold rings in the sides for gold-plated staves with which to carry it.  It was 2 ft., 3 in., high by 3 ft. long by 18 in. wide.  Upon it were placed 12 flat unleavened cakes in two piles on dishes.  With these were cups for incense, flagons for drink, bowls for oil—all of pure gold.  Each Sabbath the priests were to eat or burn it and replace it for the next week (Lev. 24:5-9; 1Ch. 9:32).  This symbolizes our communion each first day of the week in remembrance of Jesus’ death for us (Ac. 20:7; 2:42; 1Cor. 10:16-17; 11:17-34).

 

THE ALTAR OF INCENSE  (prayer –Rev. 5:8; 8:3-4)

 

At the back of the Holy Place, next to the curtain separating the Most Holy Place, stood an altar, 3ft high by 18 inches square, made of acacia wood overlaid with gold.  Around the top was an ornamental rim or crown of gold with a golden horn protruding from each corner.  The sides contained the usual rings and staves.  Each morning and evening the priests brought fire from the Brazen Altar and burned incense on it.  Once a year on the Day of Atonement, blood was placed on the horns.

 

THE VEIL

 

This was the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. When Jesus died, It was torn from top to bottom, indicating the way into heaven was now open.  It Represented Christ’s body through which we must pass into heaven  (Matt. 27:51; Heb. 6:19-20; 9:8, 24; 10:19-20).

 

It opened into the 15 ft. cubical called The Most Holy Place, or Holy of Holies.  It was made of linen embroidered with blue, purple and scarlet, with figures of cherubim.  It was suspended from four golden pillars set in silver bases. 

 

THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

(Representing God’s throne in heaven)

 

Just inside the veil was the ark (“chest”), 3 ft long, 27 in. wide by 27 in. high, made of acacia wood overlaid with gold inside and out.  Around the top was an ornamental crown of gold.  On the sides were rings of gold through which staves were passed.  The pure gold cover was called “The Mercy-Seat.” On the ends were two golden cherubim (angels) facing each other with wings outspread over it.  From here Jehovah God often spoke to Moses.  Within the ark was a golden pot holding some manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the two tables of stone upon which were engraved the Ten Commandments.  Later, the writings of Moses were kept beside the ark.  The only light in the room was the glory of Jehovah.

 

Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest brought blood from the Brazen Altar and sprinkle the Mercy Seat.  In the anti-type, Jesus, once for all, provided sanctification through the sprinkling of blood for our sins and then sat down on the right hand of God (Heb. 9:13-14; 10:19, 22; 1Pe. 1:2)