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The p attern was given to Moses in the mountain, and skill for its construction was given to Bezaleel (Ex. 3 5 :30 ). «A n d M o s e s s a id u n t o t h e c h ild r e n o f I s r a e l , h a t h c a l l e d b y n am e B e z a l e e l , t h e s o n o f U r i, t o f t h e t r ib e o f J u d a h .” . We are looking, now, a t th e tabernacle, which was God’s meeting-place w ith His redeemed people, Israel— a type of heaven, of Christ and the church (John 1 :1 4 ). We shall learn many precious lessons here, but can give bu t brief suggestions. The Hangings of th e Court were of fine tw ined linen, supported by brass p illars and sockets, w ith silver hooks ahd fillets (Ex. 27), suggestive of God’s w arnings and pre cepts by which our life is steadied and m aintained, and by which we are held in place. The Gate. This was the only entrance to the court. It was made of blue, purple and scarlet, upheld by four brass p illars and sockets (Ex. 27 )— a type of Jesus as revealed in th e four Gospelsc-the only way of access to God. (John 14 :6 ). The B razen A ltar, was made of acacia wood, overlaid w ith brass, on which the offerings were made. I t was seven and one half feet square, suggesting the four-fold aspect of Christ’s work: P rop itiation ,— sin question forever settled. Substitution,— complete salvation for believers. Reconcil iation,— fellowship of believers w ith God. Em ancipation from bondage of sin. Here th e b u rn t offerings, m eat of ferings, peace offerings and trespass offerings were made — a type of Christ’s work (Heb. 10:4-10). The Laver. A vessel of polished brass, containing w ater for the cleansing of hands and feet of the p riests; typical of the work of th e Spirit and the Word of God. The Door a t east of th e tabernacle. Note th a t th e gate was low and wide, bu t the door is high and narrow . Christ is the “ door of the sheep.” The same m aterial was used as in the gate (Ex. 36:37, 38). The Vail was made of blue, purple, scarlet and fine- tw ined linen, upheld by four pillars, and separated the holy place from the holy of holies— a type of the new and liv ing way by which we have access to th e heavenly places (Heb. 10 :19 ). The Candle-stick. This was a lamp stand made of pure gold, having a central sh aft w ith th ree branches on each side, curving upwards. I t stood on th e south side of the holy place and shed light on th e tab le opposite and on th e a lta r of incense,— a type of th e glory of Christ and His church, m anifest in holy communion. The “vine and b ran ches” are one; the oil is th e Holy Spirit. The church is hopeless and helpless w ithout the Holy Spirit. The Table of Shew-bread. Overlaid w ith gold and crown ed w ith gold. This upheld the twelve loaves in the presence of Jehovah. The loaves Were eaten b y .th e priests on the Sabbath day. Christ, in the glory, upholds the believers and we feed upon Him. The Golden A ltar of Incense. Made of acacia wood, cov ered and crowned w ith gold. Here th e incense burned both day and night. This is a type of Christ in th e glory, m ak ing intercession for us (Heb. 7 :2 5 ).. The Holy of Holies. Passing through the veil, we come to th e mercy seat. Into th is presence th e H igh P riest alone could en ter, and he b u t once a year. The a rk was made of the same wood (acacia) covered w ith gold, and upon it was la id -th e cover, called “ th e mercy seat.” Beneath the mercy seat—which was a slab of go ld -crested th e tables of stone (th e ten commandm ents), the rod of Aaron and a pot of m anna. Above the mercy seat, th e cherubim on each side of th e ark , faced each o ther w ith wings outstretched.
world” (Rev. 13 :8 ) Follow this though t in Gen. 4 :7 ; 8:20; 12 f7, 8 ; Job. 1:5. The religious instinct is in man, h u t by reason of his sin, it is incapable of originating a single element of tru e religion. God’s plan is fully developed in th e Scriptures. Note the o rder: Head of a fam ily; assembly; ritu a l; place of worship; order of w orship;— all types and shadows pre figuring Jesus Christ. They were a testim ony (Heb. 3 :5 ); a figure (Heb. 9 :9 ) ; for a season (Heb 9:10-12). The tabernacle was for a saved, separated, sanctified people. It was typical; it was temporary. God had brought
T H E ENCAM PMENT
Israel out of Egypt; He had redeemed them w ith blood; He had separated them from th e Egyptians; He had set them ap a rt for Himself. Now He prescribes the manner and means of th e ir approach to and fellowship w ith Him self. The meeting-place was the tabernacle. The m inistry— th e priests. The means— the a lta r and sacrifices. The measure— a calendar. There were th ree p arts: An outer court, a holy place, and the holy of holies. There were th ree entrances— all facing th e East. There were th ree'v eils— th e colors were blue, purple and scarlet. The m etals used were brass, silver and gold. The outer- coverings were of badger skins, ram s’ skins and goats’ hair. The position of the tribes— th ree on each side,-—th e te n t of Moses and Aaron facing th e entrance. The camp was 3000 feet away from th e Tabernacle. Gershom had charge of th e curtains, cords and cover ings. Kohath, of the holy vessels and ark of God. Merari, of th e frame-work,-—brass, pillars, sockets, etc.,— all ac cording to th e commandment of God given to Moses. Every detail was important. Less th an two chapters of Genesis are given to the account of creation, bu t sixteen chapters are given to th e Tabernacle and ,m atters relating to its stru ctu re and usé. There was nothing left to human ingenuity, or invention (Ex. 25 :40 ). Seven times is this order repeated, and 18 tim es in th e last two chapters we find the words, “As the Lord commanded Moses, so did he.” The Tabernacle is called,— a house of habitation; te n t; an appointed place of m eeting; te n t of m eeting; tabernacle of the congregation, where God met His m inisters and the representatives of His people. It was a holy house, set ap a rt fo r God, by God— a figure of the church. I t speaks of every a ttrib u te of God; every glory of Christ; every doctrine of th e New Testament. God now has a people, numerous in numbers and sep ara ted from th e world. He now furnishes a sanctuary as commanded. (Ex. 25:8, 9; 26: 30).
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