The Tabernacle (Part I)

Lesson Content

God has always been desirous of dwelling among His people. He created the first man Adam and put him in the garden of Eden (Gen.2:8). Eve was given as a help meet for him. God visited them in the garden and they had the unique privilege of having close communion with God. In this manner God dwelt with man. But man fell in sin because of disobedience. Therefore, God had to drive him away from the garden. Nevertheless, God’s desire of dwelling among His people continued. He then sep arated a group of people through Abraham and his seed — the Israelites, who were in bondage in the land of Egypt for four hundred years. Later God heard their cry and redeemed them from their oppressors. He brought them to the wilderness. In the wilderness, the Lord asked Moses to make a sanctuary for Him so that He may dwell among the Israelites (Exo.25:8). He thus revealed His desire of dwelling among His people. This tabernacle was made according to the pattern shown by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. In order to receive it, he had to go to the top of the mount and stay alone in the presence of God without eating or drinking for forty days. Similarly, God reveals His

plan concerning the Church to the apostles who forsake their earthly and carnal attachments and live in His presence, being separated unto Him. The work of building the tabernacle was given to Bezaleel and Aholiab and to every wise-hearted man in whom the Lord put wisdom and understanding to know how to work (Exo.36:1,2). The Lord called Bezaleel by name and filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship (Exo.31:2,3). The tabernacle was built with the willing offerings given by the Israelites (Exo.25:2). This shows how the Lord expects us to willingly and wholeheartedly give ourselves and all that we have to the Lord (II Cor.8:5). The tabernacle is a shadow of the following:

(i) The Lord Jesus Christ (Jn.1:14). (ii) The Spirit-baptized believer (I Cor.3:16). (iii) The Spirit -baptized Church (I Cor.3:9; Eph. 2:19-22). (iv) The Eternal habitations (New Jerusalem, New Heaven and New Earth) (Rev.21:1-3). In the tabernacle, there were three main parts:

(i) The outer court (ii) The holy place (iii) The most holy place These places were separated by curtains. In the outer court and the holy place, the priests could minister whereas in the most holy place only the high priest could enter. The Levites who ministered in the outer court helped the high priest and t he priests in the service of the tabernacle. The tabernacle had only one door. This door signifies the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him alone can one reach the eternal habitations.

Moral

If we want to attain the highest and the best that God has reserved for us, we must be willing to pay the price and forsake all our earthly gain and greatness and glory.