Tabernacle in the Wilderness Pt. 1

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Tabernacle

 

 

Wednesday 01/17/18 

Message – Tabernacle in the Wilderness Pt. 1

Series: Thru the Bible – Exodus 25-27

***Video is HERE***

 

 

Tabernacle in the Wilderness

Exodus 25

    • God had Moses tell Israel to give towards the construction of the tabernacle as they feel led within their hearts. (Echoed in 2Cor. 8 & 9 for the Gentiles to give towards the needs of the church in Jerusalem and Judea who were in famine – specifically 2 Cor. 9:5-8)
    • God was specific concerning what was allowed to be given:
  • gold, silver, and bronze
  • blue, purple, and scarlet yarn
  • fine linen and goat hair
  • ram skins dyed red and badger skins (could have been a badger, dolphin or dugong [a type of manatee])
  • acacia wood
  • oil for the light
  • spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense
  • onyx along with other gemstones for mounting on the ephod and breastpiece
  • God gives specific instructions for the construction of a sanctuary (a holy or sacred place, later to be referred to as the tabernacle – sometimes called the tabernacle of the Testimony Exod. 38:21; Num. 1:50, 53) and its furnishings.
  • A cubit was the measure of the length from an average elbow to the tip of the middle finger. This was estimated to be between 18-20.8 inches. Many believe the Hebrew measurement to be 18 inches, but since this first mention was given immediately following their captivity in Egypt, it is at least possible that the Egyptian measurement of 20.6′-20.8′ was used.
    • The 1st mention of a cubit BIBLICALLY was for the Ark Noah built, but since it was Moses who recorded the record, God most likely used a modern measurement with which they were familiar to convey the actual size.
  • Acacia wood – One of the most common trees in the savannah of Sudan, often occurring as a pure forest over quite large areas of country. Frequently, it grows in groups or patches, sometimes of considerable size. It has many interesting attributes which add to it’s use for sake of symbolism, such as it does not rot, it has medicinal properties for dysentery, bacterial infections (including leprosy), diarrhoea, to treat hemorrhaging, inflammation of the eye, intestinal ailments, rhinitis, arthritis and bronchitis and is a stimulant.

 

Ark of the Covenant

  • The Ark of the Covenant was:
    • approximately 50” x 30” x 30”. (45” x 27” x 27”)
    • COMPLETELY overlaid with Gold (inside and out)
    • It had a type of inverted crown molding with outward pointing edges
    • It had two rings of gold on each side through which they ran acacia rods covered with gold for carrying the Ark of the Covenant on the shoulders of the priests.
      • These rods were never to be taken out.
    • Inside the ark was place the TESTIMONY God gave to Moses. (The 10 commandments)
      • The word Testimony ment Testimony, precept, warning sign.
  • It’s lid (called the mercy seat) was of pure gold 50” x 30” (45” x 27”)
    • This word “mercy seat” also means propitiation
    • It was decorated with two cherubs.
      • Cherubim – is the plural of cherub.
      • The first mention of these creatures is in Genesis 3:24 where they are said to hold a firey sword which turns, presumably from it’s hilt, and is used by the cherubs east of the Garden of Eden to guard the way to the Tree of Life.
      • Cherubs are described in Ezekiel as:
        • Having basic human form
        • Having 4 wings (two of which reach out from their bodies by which they fly and two which cover their bodies)
        • Hands like a human
        • Straight legs with hooves which sparkled like polished bronze.
        • They have a type of wheel or sphere beside them that is the color of Beryl (presumably yellowish-green) and in which appeared to be another wheel or sphere
        • When the Cherubs move the wheels go with them.
        • Cherubs have 4 heads: one of a lion, one of an eagle, one of an Ox and one of a human.
        • When a Cherub moves it apparently does not turn towards that direction but simply moves that way (presumably straight forward in relation to one of their four faces).
        • Cherubs are also said to have eyes throughout their frame.
    • God resided above this mercy seat (above the propitiation).
    • In front of this Ark was where Moses would speak with God concerning all the commands for the Israelites.

 

The table of bread (Showbread Table)

  • Made of acacia wood overlaid with gold 40” x 20” x 30” (high) (36” x 18” x 27”)
  • Molding all around it approx. 3” high
  • Four rings of gold attached to the four legs on the corners of the table through which you place gilded rods of acacia wood.
  • The plates, cups, pitchers and bowls for drink offerings were to all be made of pure gold.
  • The bread of the Presence was to be on the table before God at all times.

 

The Golden Lampstand (Menorah)

  • Made of ONE PIECE of pure gold – a skilled hammered work.
  • Total of 7 lamps. (3 – 1 – 3)
  • It had a base, a hollow center shaft and 6 hollow branches (3 on each side).
  • It was ornate – each branch having 3 complete Almond blossoms and four on the center shaft.
  • The snuffers and pirepands were also to be made of pure gold
  • All together the weight was to be 75 pounds of gold.

We then read chapter 26 & 27 along with the charts.

Then read some of the connection with the Tabernacle and the New Covenant in Hebrews 9

“(1) Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. (2) For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; (3) and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, (4) which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; (5) and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. (6) Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. (7) But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; (8) the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. (9) It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— (10) concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. (11) But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. (12) Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. (13) For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, (14) how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (15) And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (16) For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. (17) For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. (18) Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. (19) For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, (20) saying, “THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT WHICH GOD HAS COMMANDED YOU.” (21) Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. (22) And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. (23) Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (24) For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; (25) not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— (26) He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. (27) And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, (28) so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”

There is more information in the audio/video of the actual message. I hope you listen, learn and enjoy!

…Blessings! 

 

I hope this teaching will challenge you and encourage you to place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

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Blessings!

 

Pastor Mark

View posts by Pastor Mark

Hi my name is Mark and though I am opposed to titles, I am currently the only Pastor (shepherd/elder) serving our assembly right now.

I have been Pastoring in one capacity or another for nearly 30 years now, though never quite like I am today.

Early in 2009 the Lord revealed to me that the way we had structured our assembly (church) was not scriptural in that it was out of sync with what Paul modeled for us in the New Testament. In truth, I (like many pastors I am sure) never even gave this fundamental issue of church structure the first thought. I had always assumed that church structure was largely the same everywhere and had been so from the beginning. While I knew Paul had some very stringent things to say about the local assembly of believers, the point of our gatherings together and who may or may not lead, I never even considered studying these issues but assumed we were all pretty much doing it right...safety in numbers right?! Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong!

So needless to say, my discovery that we had been doing it wrong for nearly two decades was a bit of a shock to me! Now, this "revelation" did not come about all at once but over the course of a few weeks. We were a traditional single pastor led congregation. It was a top-bottom model of ministry which is in part biblical, but not in the form of a monarchy.

The needed change did not come into focus until following 9 very intense months of study and discussions with those who were leaders in our church at the time.

We now understand and believe that the Bible teaches co-leadership with equal authority in each local assembly. Having multiple shepherds with God's heart and equal authority protects both Shepherds and sheep. Equal accountability keeps authority and doctrine in check. Multiple shepherds also provide teaching with various styles and giftings with leadership skills which are both different and complementary.

For a while we had two co-pastors (elders) (myself and one other man) who led the church with equal authority, but different giftings. We both taught in our own ways and styles, and our leadership skills were quite different, but complimentary. We were in complete submission to each other and worked side-by-side in the labor of shepherding the flock.

Our other Pastor has since moved on to other ministry which has left us with just myself. While we currently only have one Pastor/Elder, it is our desire that God, in His faithfulness and timing, may bring us more as we grow in maturity and even in numbers.

As to my home, I have been married since 1995 to my wonderful wife Terissa Woodson who is my closest friend and most trusted ally.

As far as my education goes, I grew up in a Christian home, but questioned everything I was ever taught.

I graduated from Bible college in 1990 and continued to question everything I was ever taught (I do not mention my college in order to avoid being labeled).

Perhaps my greatest preparation for ministry has been life and ministry itself. To quote an author I have come to enjoy namely Fredrick Buechner in his writing entitled, Now and Then, "If God speaks to us at all other than through such official channels as the Bible and the church, then I think that He speaks to us largely through what happens to us...if we keep our hearts open as well as our ears, if we listen with patience and hope, if we remember at all deeply and honestly, then I think we come to recognize beyond all doubt, that, however faintly we may hear Him, He is indeed speaking to us, and that, however little we may understand of it, His word to each of us is both recoverable and precious beyond telling." ~ Fredrick Buechner

Well that is about all there is of interest to tell you about me.

I hope our ministry here is a blessing to you and your family. I also hope that it is only a supplement to a local church where you are committed to other believers in a community of grace.

~God Bless!