Introduction

A.     After the Red Sea:place>: Water of Marah & the tree cut down and thrown into the water – God’s answer to the bitterness of life is the Cross

B.     Then into the Wilderness and the Manna falls: discovering the Fatherly care of God

C.     Then chapter 17 the battle with the flesh (the Amalekites) "For the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other" (Gal. 5:17:time>); God declares His unending war with Amalek (17:10:time>);

D.     At Sinai God’s never changing holy nature is revealed in His law for relationship with Him. That Tabernacle was the place for worshipping this three times holy God

E.      As you read this passage, you’ll see how God describes the Tabernacle to Moses is from the inside out. This morning we will study it in reverse as we approach God from the outside in when we get to the actual furniture.

I. The Tabernacle’s Appearance (from the inside out)

A. Four sets of curtains

1.      fine white linen with cherubim stitched into the fabric (2 sets of 5 : 42:time>’x6’ = 42x60). They were joined by loops and golden claps. Heaven will be made up of diversity that could only be held together by God. (righteousness)

2.      “we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another (Romans 12:5)”

3.      Goat’s hair – heavy felt like covering that is not seen inside or out held together by brass clasps (sin offering)

4.      Ram skin died red (substitutionary death)

5.      Badger skin (or probably porpoise) i.e. it was a very dark and very dry place. (protection)

      B. Framing system

1.      boards overlaid with gold held together with rings and poles

2.      base was 264 pounds of silver (redemption kept it from blowing away)

3.      redemption is what separates us from this earth

4.      4. Poles: wood overlaid with gold

5.      Built according to the pattern Moses was shown in the Mountain (vs. 30)

      C. The Veil

1.      Artistic design of cherubim

2.      The barrier which kept everyone from seeing the Holy of Holies except on Yom Kippur when the high priest could enter

3.      This is the veil that was torn from the top to the bottom during the crucifixion of Christ (Matt. 27:51)

II. The Tabernacle’s Placement

A.     In the center of all the tribes

1.      3 tribes on each side

2.      Judah:place>:country-region> was the lead tribe

3.      the cloud hovered over it

B.     Surrounded by the priests

III. The Tabernacle’s Furniture

A.     Brazen Altar: Place of Judgment – i.e. the Cross (Christ our Sacrifice)

a.       A hollow box shape measuring 7.5x7.5x4.5 feet

b.      Made of acacia wood and overlaid with brass (copper);

c.       the LARGEST and HIGHEST piece of furniture.
3. There were 4 horns on the 4 corners.

d.      A grated was inside the Altar 1.5 cubits from the Earth (half-way) ; there were rings and staves made of wood and brass.

e.       Utensils included: pans, shovels, basins, fleshhooks, and firepans

f.        The fire was NEVER TO GO OUT

B.     Laver: Cleansing of the Word of God (Eph. 5)

a.       Regeneration; Sanctification; Water Baptism

b.      Polished brass; only the priest had access to it

c.       No specific dimensions given/it stood on a brass “foot”

C.     Table of Shewbread: Christ the Bread of Life

a.       Jesus the Bread of Life (our Manna)

b.      4 corners; 4 feet; 4 gold rings - Four = "world-wide,

c.       Rings signify eternity

d.      Measures 2 cubits x 1 cubit x 1.5 cubit high - same height as Brazen Altar and Mercy Seat.

e.       Double crowned borders space a hand's breadth apart.

D.     Golden Candlestick: Christ the Light of the World

a.       Jesus the light of God/light of the World

b.      Oil of the Lamp is held by the “fruit”

c.       7 branches, one root, 3 branches per side

d.      made of beaten gold

E.      Altar of Incense: “Prayers of the saints” (Rev. ) and Christ’s continual intercession (Heb. 7:25:time>)

F.      Ark of the Covenant:

a.       Made of acacia wood overlaid with gold = Jesus

b.      Inside: tablets of Stone- God’s law; rod the budded – new life; manna – God’s provision

c.       God’s presence between the wings of the cherubim

d.      Mercy seat: place of the sprinkling of the blood

IV. Some Lessons from the Tabernacle

A.     How a Holy God lives with humanity

1.      Jesus the way the truth and the life

B.     People met God representatively not personally

1.      With all the ceremony of approaching God, everything they did spoke of being far from God (those who were afar off have now been brought near)

C.     The Cross changed everything just as the Exodus did for Israel

D.    We are never “out of church”

1.      You are the Temple:place>:City> of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16:time>)

2.      On the outside you look normal and unremarkable but on the inside is the Holy of Holies because Jesus made it possible.