Sermon Central
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Blueprint For The Sanctuary Series
Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Mar 20, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: More than anything, God wanted to be known, so He would pitch His tent in the very center of the camp of Israel. It was to be a place where God and humans would meet.
March 22, 2025
In between the giving of the law and the worship of the golden calf are the chapters that contain the detailed description of the design and function of the Earthly Tabernacle (Exodus 25-31).
Last week, God initiated, and Israel willingly entered into, a permanent covenant relationship and now Moses was up on the mountain receiving the Blueprints of what was to become the center of Israelite life and the symbol of that covenant relationship…..
Exodus 25:8-9 - "Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.” (See John 1:14 and Hebrews 8:1-5)
More than anything, God wanted to be known, so He would pitch His tent in the very center of the camp of Israel (Numbers 2:2). It was to be a place where God and humans would meet. But because God is holy the Tabernacle was to be constructed in such a way as to reveal his holiness yet also create a level of accessibility.
The Tabernacle was also to be the visible demonstration of the Plan of Salvation.
Everything about the Earthly Tabernacle – the building, the furniture, the priests, the services – provided a “touchable picture” and was to be used as a teaching tool – to help the people better understand the meaning of the Great Plan that would destroy sin and redeem God’s faithful.
• In the Old Testament there are 90 chapters devoted exclusively to the subject of the Sanctuary.
• In the New Testament Jesus’ earthly ministry, crucifixion and heavenly work are described largely in the language of the Sanctuary.
• In Revelation every major section of the book is introduced by scenes from the Heavenly Sanctuary.
Yahweh began by instructing Moses to take up a freewill offering. The people were to bring gold, silver, bronze, fine linen of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, goat hair, ram skins dyed red, the hides of sea cows, acacia wood, olive oil, spices, onyx stones and other gems.
But then he did something interesting, instead of starting with the “bones” of the structure, he began with the furniture.
The Most Holy Place
-The Ark of the Covenant-
The Ark was to made of acacia wood – 3 3/4 feet long x 2 1/4 feet wide and high (based on the 18 inch = cubit measurement).
It was to be overlaid with pure gold, both inside and out, with a gold molding around it.
It would contain 3 items (see Hebrews 9:4):
• A pot of manna as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and care (Exodus 16:1-34).
• Aaron’s staff that budded as a reminder of God’s authority (Numbers 16:1-17:13).
• The stone tablets containing the 10 “words” (Commandments) as a reminder that God’s law is deeply rooted in his holiness. They are not a set of random requirements, but a revelation of the very nature of God and what “be holy as I am holy” looks like. (Exodus 25:21; 31:18 and Deuteronomy 10:5)
The cover – mercy seat – was to be made of pure gold. 2 cherubim, made of hammered gold, were to placed on either end of the mercy seat, facing each other - This was place where God’s holiness and justice met his mercy.
It was to be carried by poles, made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, inserted into gold rings attached to each foot. The poles were never to be removed.
Exodus 25:22 - There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.
This was the only piece of furniture in the Most Holy Place and it represented the Heavenly Throne – the very presence and power of God. Only the High Priest was allowed access and that was just one day per year – on The Day of Atonement (see Leviticus 16).
Holy Place
-The Table of Shew Bread-
The table was to be made of acacia wood - 3 feet long x 1 1/2 feet wide x 2 1/4 feet high.
It was to be overlaid with pure gold with a gold molding around it.
It was to be carried by poles, made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, inserted into gold rings attached to the four corners of the table.
The plates, dishes, pitchers and bowls were all to be made with pure gold.
Exodus 25:30 - Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times. (see Leviticus 24:5-9)
(Matthew 26:26 John 6:35)
-The Lampstand-
The Lampstand, the buds and the branches, were to be hammered gold made as one piece.
The 7 lamps were to light the space in front of it. Only top-grade olive oil was to be used to light the lamps and they were to burn constantly.
