Tabernacle Imagery Builds Psychological Model For Christian Counseling # 3 Series

II. How does the Tabernacle show how to come into a Right Relationship with God?

Now we ask the question, “How does the tabernacle show how to come into a right relationship with God?” The tabernacle of Moses shows that pattern. However, due to the changes in the old covenant to make it a new covenant, that pattern is not to be taken literally, but spiritually. This new spiritual pattern in Hebrews shows how the tabernacle can be used as a model for developing a biblical psychology for counseling.

The furnishings in the tabernacle show the way to achieve a right relationship with God. When the furnishings are given spiritual applications under the new covenant, they reveal the intimate divine/human union. This union is essential for developing a biblical Christian psychology (Heb 3:14; 6:4; Gal 2:20). The six furnishings in the tabernacle show or explain the way unto God. The verses in Hebrews will not be cited in this reading. The six furnishings are:

1. Jesus is the Lamb of God who was sacrificed and placed on the altar of burnt sacrifice and then resurrected (Heb 9:26). The Christian must die to self in order to be resurrected anew in Christ (Rom 6:4; 7:6).

2. Jesus is the word that the water in the laver represented, which washes the Christian clean from sin (Heb 9:13-14). The Christian has to wash in the word of God daily to free his/herself from the defilements of the day (Eph 5:26).

3. Jesus is the light in the lamp stand that shines upon the Christian revealing his/her true self in Christ (Heb 1:3). The Christian has a faulty view of self, until they read in God’s word how God views His child as being whole and complete (Heb 13:20-21;.1 The 5:23).

4. Jesus is the bread of life which was symbolized by the physical bread upon the table of shewbread (Heb 13:9-10). As we feast on the body of Christ, the church, we are feasting on Jesus, who is present in each Christian. This feasting on the presence of Christ in others and through the written word changes our attitudes and spirit to Christ-likeness (Joh 6:51-53, 58).

5. Jesus is our intercessor who prays for us, with us, and in us at the spiritual golden altar of incense (Heb 5:7; 7:25; 13:18). The golden altar of incense explains what kind of prayers the Christian is to offer up to God. They are to be praises and thanksgivings for our forgiveness. King David teaches that these praises can be offered in song (1 Chr 6:31; 2 Chr 29:27).

6. Jesus is the High Priest who enters the holy of holies to sit at the right hand of the Father (Heb 1:3, 13; 8:1; 9:24*; 10:12; 12:2). The Christian is invited to come and stand with/beside Him (Heb 4:16; 7:19, 25; 10:22; 12:22).

This spiritual walk through the tabernacle places the Christian in a right relationship with God. This walk brings the Christian into union with God. This is possible, because of the new covenant.