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.
The Lampstand and all its accessories were to be made from a talent (about 75 lbs) of pure gold.
It was to be carried in a frame (see Numbers 4:9-10).
Exodus 25:40 - See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.
(John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Revelation 1:12, 20)
-The Tabernacle-
The Tabernacle needed to be portable so, it was made up of individual parts that could be disassembled and reassembled easily. Think of it as a Tabernacle “flat-pack” from Ikea.
The roof was to be 4 layers made of fine linen, goat hair, ram’s skin dyed red and a waterproof top of sea cow skin.
The frame was to be made of acacia wood planks covered with gold, which would be set into silver bases.
It was to be 15 ft wide and 45 ft long divided into the Holy Place (30 ft) and the Most Holy Place (15 ft).
A curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim worked into it was to separate the Holy from the Most Holy.
• The Ark would go into the Most Holy Place.
• The Table of Shew Bread would go into the Holy Place on the north side.
• The Lampstand be placed opposite the Table on the south side.
The entrance curtain was to be made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen.
The Tabernacle Complex had 2 sections – The Tabernacle (the Holy and Most Holy Places) and the Courtyard.
-The Altar of Burnt Offering-
Upon entering The Courtyard, the 1st thing encountered was the Altar of Burnt Offering. The Altar was the place where reconciliation began and it was the only authorized place for burning the sacrifices. The fire was to be kept burning. It must never go out (see Leviticus 6:12-13).
The Altar was to be made of acacia wood 7 ½ ft square x 4 ½ ft high. A horn was to be placed in each corner and then the entire altar was to be overlaid with bronze. All its utensils were also to be made of bronze.
It was to be hollow with a bronze grate insert.
It was to be carried by acacia poles covered with bronze inserted into bronze rings attached halfway up the altar.
Christians are far removed from animal sacrifice, however, at the core of Christian faith is the death of Jesus and his sacrifice finds its origin in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament.
For the Children of Israel, the animal sacrifices connected to the Sanctuary Services were a daily reminder that an innocent life was taken for what they were guilty of. The animal stood in the place of the penitent sinner.
According to the New Testament, those same animal sacrifices pointed to the ultimate, one-time sacrifice of Jesus (John 1:29; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 5:9). Jesus’ sacrifice is the only way of dealing with the sin problem because it is the only way God can extend us mercy without compromising justice. When a person believes, confesses and repents, a great exchange occurs. Jesus takes their sins and in exchange gives them His righteousness – All because blood was shed.
-The Courtyard-
The courtyard was to be in the shape of a rectangle – 150 ft on the north and south sides by 75 ft on the east and west sides. The curtains were to be 7 ½ ft high and made of finely twisted linen. They were to be suspended between posts and bases made of bronze.
The entrance to the courtyard was to be on the east wall and was to be a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen.
In this way, when the people faced the Tabernacle, they would be facing west, their backs to the rising sun. This was an important detail. God did not want them to equate worship of him with the worship of the rising sun.
Exodus 40:6-8 - Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle; place the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar and put water in it. Set up the courtyard around it and put the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard.
The Courtyard was as far as an ordinary Israelite could go. Priests were allowed into The Holy Place. Only the High Priest was allowed into The Most Holy Place.
-Priestly Attire (ch. 28-29)-
The High Priest wore elaborate garments including a robe (blue – gold bells and pomegranates attached to the hem), Ephod (blue, purple and scarlet), breastplate, turban (with a gold plate engraved with “holiness to the Lord”).
The Ephod and Breastplate: The Ephod was a tunic made of blue, purple and scarlet joined at the top by clasps with engraved onyx stones - 6 tribes engraved on one stone, 6 on the other. Over the Ephod was the Breastplate which contained 12 precious stones - one tribe name was engraved on one stone.
o Represents 2 realities: God carries us and we are close to His heart.
Urim (no)/Thummim (yes) were placed inside the Breastplate and were to be used to discern the will of God in times of Crisis. (see 1 Samuel 28:6 – Saul)
The Regular Priests wore a long tunic with sleeves made of white linen, under garments, a linen hat and a sash.
Aaron and His sons were to be consecrated: This involved burnt offerings, washing the priests, dressing them and anointing their heads with a very specific oil recipe. Every future priest must be anointed and ordained before they could go into God’s presence.
-The Altar of Incense-
The Altar of Incense was to be made of acacia wood with horns at each corner and completely overlaid with gold. A gold molding encircled the top and gold rings were placed just under the molding.
It was to be square, 1 1/2 ft x 3 ft high.
It was to be placed in front of the curtain separating the Holy from the Most Holy Place.
Aaron was to burn fragrant incense on the altar twice per day.
It was to be carried by acacia poles covered with gold inserted into the gold rings.
The incense was a symbol of the prayers and intercession of the people going up to God (Revelation 8:3-4).
-Ransom Money-
When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the LORD a ransom for his life at the time he is counted.
Receive the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the Tent of Meeting. It will be a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD, making atonement for your lives.
(Matthew 20:26-28; Mark 10:45; 1 Timothy 2:5-6)
-The Bronze Basin-
The Bronze Basin was to be used for washing. Aaron and his sons were to wash their hands and feet before presenting a Burnt Offering to Yahweh and before they entered the Tabernacle.
It was to be filled with fresh water – “Living Water” in Hebrew.
It was to be placed between the Tabernacle and the Altar of Burnt Offering.
(Jeremiah 2:13; John 3:5; 4:10-14; 13:5-8)
God chose specific men to carry out his plan.
Both the oil and incense were to be made from a special combination of ingredients that could only be used in Tabernacle service. The making and use outside the Tabernacle was forbidden.
Exodus 29:46 - And they shall know that I am the LORD their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them; I am the LORD their God.
Finally, God linked the sacred space with sacred time by repeating the Sabbath Law (Exodus 31:12-17).
Exodus 31:18 - When Yahweh finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.
Until Next Time……………..
