EXODUS CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE -------------------------- The Tabernacle -------------- From the beginning of chapter 25 to the end of chapter 40, with the exception of chapters 32 to 34, which are a parenthesis, God has seen fit to give us a detailed description of the tabernacle, its structure, furniture and priesthood. Only two chapters in Genesis are used to record God's work in creating the world and all that is in it, yet more than 10 chapters are used to describe the tabernacle. 2Ti 3:16 ALL SCRIPTURE [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Ro 15:4 For whatsoever things were written AFORETIME were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. { aforetime, that is in the Old Testament } Pink quotes Adolph Saphir who says that the tabernacle has no fewer than THREE meanings. FIRST, the tabernacle is a type, a visible illustration, of that heavenly place in which God has His dwelling. SECOND, the tabernacle is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the meeting place between God and man. THIRD, the tabernacle is a type of Christ in the Church -- of the communion of Jesus with believers. 1) The first of these meanings is clearly seen in Hebrews 9:23- 24. Heb 9:23 [It was] therefore necessary that the PATTERNS of things in the HEAVENS should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the FIGURES of the true; but into HEAVEN ITSELF, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Compare also: Ps 15:1 <> LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? Re 15:5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony IN HEAVEN was opened: 2) The tabernacle is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, particularly of when He here on this earth in the days of His flesh. And just as God dwells in His holy temple in heaven, He was also in Christ, for Christ was God the Son. 2Co 5:19 To wit, that GOD WAS IN CHRIST, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. The tabernacle was not something that originated in the minds of men but was from God in heaven; so too, the manhood of Christ was not something begotten by man but was a body that God had prepared for Him. Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 3) The tabernacle was a place where God and His people met. Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Mat 18:20) While all believers may meet with God through the Lord Jesus, it is only in the Church, where we GATHER TOGETHER, that Christ is in the midst of them. Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. In all three of these meanings we see the Lord Jesus. So He is the key to the tabernacle. In the volume of the Book it is written of Him. (Ps 40:7; Heb 10:7) We see in John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us..." Dwelt = tabernacled To fix one's tabernacle, have one's tabernacle, abide (or live) in a tabernacle (or tent), tabernacle Some aspects of the tabernacle: 1) It was a temporary appointment. It was a tent that was moved around, from place to place as they journeyed, whereas the temple was a fixed building. So too, the Lord Jesus dwelt among us for less than 40 years and He abode not in one place but moved from place to place as He performed the work that His father had sent Him to do. 2) It was for use in the wilderness. After Israel settled in Canaan, the tabernacle was superceded by the temple. So too, in like manner when Jesus was here on this earth it was as if a wilderness, compared to where He had come from. He was born in a stable and laid in a manger. He said that there was "nowhere for the Son of man to lay His head." (Mat 8:20 and Lu 9:58). Then after His death he was laid in a borrowed tomb. Mt 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 3) The tabernacle was humble, and unattractive in outward appearance. There was nothing in the external to attract the carnal eye. Just plain boards and skins. So too, in Christ the divine majesty of the Godhead was hidden behind a veil of flesh. Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him. 4) The tabernacle was God's dwelling place. There in the midst of Israel's camp the God of heaven took His abode. He manifested His presence with the Shekinah glory. So too for 33 years God dwelt in Israel in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. 5) The tabernacle was the place where God met with man. Ex 25:21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. 22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which [are] upon the ark of the testimony, of all [things] which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. So too, Christ is the meeting place for the sinner and God. Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 1Ti 2:5 For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6) The tabernacle was the center of Israel's camp Nu 1:50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that [belong] to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall ENCAMP ROUND ABOUT THE TABERNACLE. Nu 2:17 Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards. Nu 11:24 And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them ROUND ABOUT THE TABERNACLE. 25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that [was] upon him, and gave [it] unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, [that], when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. So too, the Lord Jesus Christ is our great gathering center. We gather around Him and He is in the midst. Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I IN THE MIDST of them. { midst = middle } I think that we only realize this in the Church. Israel was assembled together around the tabernacle. They were called the "church in the wilderness" Ac 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and [with] our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: 7) The tabernacle was the place where the law was preserved. Deut 10:2 And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them IN THE ARK. Heb 9:2 For there was a TABERNACLE made; the first, wherein [was] the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein [was] the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the TABLES OF THE COVENANT; Speaking of Christ: Ps 40:7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [it is] written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart. 8) The tabernacle was the place where sacrifice was made. In its outer court stood the brazen altar, to which animals were brought, and on which they were slain. We see the typical significance of this fulfilled in the Lord Jesus when He was slain upon the tree. There He was sacrificed upon the cruel cross for our sins, just as in type the animal sacrifices were for the sins of Israel. Heb 10:3 But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year. 4 For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. ... 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all]. 9) The tabernacle was the place where the priestly family was fed. READ Lev 6:16-26 Lev 6:16 And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat: with unleavened bread shall it be eaten in the holy place; in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation they shall eat it. ... 26 The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation. All believers are priests unto God. 1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Re 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Re 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. So too, Christ is the place where we feed. He is the Bread of Life. 10) The tabernacle was the place of worship. This is where the Israelite brought his offerings. It was to it he turned when he desired to worship God. So too, it is too Christ we turn in order to worship God. It is BY HIM and IN HIM that we worship the father. Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name. And also, it is only in the Church that we can worship to the fullest. 11) The tabernacle had but ONE door. There was only ONE entrance into the holy place. So too, Christ is the ONLY way. Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Joh 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 12) The tabernacle was approached through the tribe of Judah. WONDERFUL thought! Nu 2:3 And on the EAST SIDE toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of JUDAH pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab [shall be] captain of the children of Judah. Ex 27:12 And [for] the breadth of the court on the west side [shall be] hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten. 13 And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward [shall be] fifty cubits. 14 The hangings of one side [of the gate shall be] fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three. 15 And on the other side [shall be] hangings fifteen [cubits]: their pillars three, and their sockets three. 16 And for the gate of the court [shall be] an hanging of twenty cubits, [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: [and] their pillars [shall be] four, and their sockets four. 17 All the pillars round about the court [shall be] filleted with silver; their hooks [shall be of] silver, and their sockets [of] brass. Of course, Jesus is "the Lion of the tribe of Judah." (Rev 5:5) 13) The tabernacle hints at the universal Lordship of Jesus Christ. The things that made up the tabernacle. Minerals and animal skins and boards, etc. Hag 2:8 The silver [is] mine, and the gold [is] mine, saith the LORD of hosts. 9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts. Ps 50:10 For every beast of the forest [is] mine, [and] the cattle upon a thousand hills. 14) The tabernacle was ministered unto by the women. They provided the beautiful curtains and hangings. Ex 35:25 And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, [both] of blue, and of purple, [and] of scarlet, and of fine linen. 26 And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' [hair]. Compare: Lu 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that [Jesus] sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind [him] weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe [them] with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed [them] with the ointment. Lu 8:2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. Lu 23:55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. 56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment. Other interesting thoughts: 1) The tabernacle foreshadowed Christ in His first advent; whereas the temple looks forward to His second advent. 2) The tabernacle was first in history while the temple was not built until long afterwards. 3) The tabernacle was but a temporary structure and the temple was a permanent one. 4) The tabernacle was erected by Moses the PROPHET (Christ's office during His 1st advent); the temple was built by Solomon the king (which is the office Christ will fill at His second advent). 5) The tabernacle was used in the wilderness, which points to Christ's humiliation at His 1st advent; the temple was built in Jerusalem, the "city of the great king" (Matt 5:35), which speaks of Christ's future glory as King on this earth. 6) The number FIVE is the most prominent number in the tabernacle, which is the number for grace, and that is what characterized Christ's first advent. Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. The most prominent number in the temple is TWELVE, which is a number that speaks of government and Divine authority. and at His second advent, Christ shall rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and the scripture says that "the government shall be upon His shoulder" (Isa 9:6). 7) The tabernacle was unattractive in its externals which again characterized Christ's first advent; whereas the temple was renowned for its outward glory and Christ will return with great power and great glory. There are three other interesting events which took place: First the tabernacle was given to Moses in the mount directly by Jehovah himself. Then, in chapters 32 and 33 we have a parenthesis which involved Israel's transgression of the holy covenant and their sin of gross idolatry. Finally, from chapter 35 on we have the actual erection of the tabernacle. What does it mean? First, we see that the tabernacle was originally planned in heaven and then shown to Moses in the mount. And likewise Christ's work on earth was no afterthought with God, but was set forth from all eternity, before sin every entered into this world. The fact that Christ was slain for sin was not plan B, as some men may think. He was not taken by surprise when Adam sinned. 1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, Re 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Then with Jehovah showing Moses who was a prophet, the pattern of the tabernacle which WAS TO BE erected, we have the coming of Christ as the lamb slain, pictured in the types and foretold by the prophets. Second, we see Israel's sin in the picture. After God had planned that Christ come into this world and give His life as a substitute for sinners, then sin entered into this world. Adam sinned and plunged the entire human race into depravity. The entire Old testament depicts a fallen and failure prone human race. All the time man was rebelling against God, from Adam's rebellion on, there was already in place in the mind of God the remedy of divine grace in the person of His Son. Third, In the last six chapters we an inspired account of the actual erection of the tabernacle. Here we have the counsels of God perfectly executed. God's plan with Christ was perfectly executed in every detail. God doesn't miss. Compare with Ex 35:30-31 Ex 35:30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; 31 And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; So too Christ had the spirit without measure, and He too was of the tribe of Judah. Verses 1-9, The gold speaks of Christ's Divine glory. The silver speaks of the redemption that He wrought for us. The brass speaks of His capacity to endure the wrath of God for sin in our behalf. The blue tells us of His heavenly origin. The purple of His royal majesty. The scarlet, His earthly glory in a coming day. The fine linen, His holiness which was manifested while He walked on this earth. The goats hair, His atonement. The rams skins, His devotedness to God. The badger skins, His ability to protect His people. The shittim wood, His incorruptible humanity. The oil for the light speaks of His Divine wisdom. The spices, His fragrance unto God. The precious stones, His priestly perfections In Exodus 38:24-31, we can get an idea of the quantities. gold = 1.25 tons silver = 4 tons brass = over 4 tons And with all of the precious stones and fine linen the value of the tabernacle would have been 5 million dollars in Pink's day. Verse 10-16, The ark. Of the seven pieces of furniture found in the tabernacle the ark and the mercy-seat are described first. The are spoken of separately but formed a whole, being that the mercy seat was the lid of the ark. The ark was a wooden chest, slightly over four feet in length and about 2.5 feet broad and high. The wood of which it was made was completely overlaid with gold so that nothing but gold was visible to the eye. Without the ark the rest of the tabernacle worship was meaningless. It was upon it as His throne that God dwelt. The ark was the object to which the brazzen altar pointed, the sacrifice upon it giving access the worshiper right of access to the ark representively in the person of the high priest. Again, the ark itself points to the Lord Jesus Christ, remembering that He is the God of heaven. There were two other arks mentioned in the scriptures before this. The ark of Noah, where he found safety from the storm and flood of God's wrath. Christ is our place of safety from God's wrath. Then Moses was hid in an ark to preserve his life. So to we are hid in Christ that we might be preserved unto life eternal. The fact that there are only two materials, wood and gold, point to Christ's two natures, human and Divine. The fact that the two tables of stone, upon which the ten commandments were written, were stored within the ark along with the words of Christ through the prophet David "Thy law is within my heart" (Ps 40:8; verse 7 proves that it was Christ). The other sacred vessels, which followed, point to His work but the ark reveals His person. they to what He has DONE but this to WHAT HE IS. THE MATERIALS: -------------- Shittim wood - a tree fond in the arid desert now called the acacia seyal. It is the only tree that grows to any size in the desert. It can thrive in very dry soil. It produces a gum that is used in medicinal preparations, which is obtained by piercing the tree at nightfall and letting it ooze out. Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him. Mt 27:29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put [it] upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! Re 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Shittim wood never rotted, which is appropriate for Christ's sinless humanity. In the Septuagint it is always translated "incorruptible wood." Christ was truly and fully man. He is repeatedly called the "son of man." 1Ti 2:5 For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; The gold - The wood was overlaid with pure gold. Gold was the only thing visible. The wood gave the ark its FORM, but the gold covered the form. Let us not look too low at Christ. While He was a man and took upon Himself the form of a servant and became obedient unto death, all the while let us not forget that He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Phlp 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; 11 And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Re 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. When the world looks at Him they see nothing but ordinary wood, but when the true believer looks at Him they see nothing but gold. The union of the two - God manifest in the flesh - the God-man. Here we see in symbolic form the union of the two natures; a scriptural truth and mystery that has been denied by many false teachers and worldly men. 1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. ITS DIMENSIONS: --------------- The ark was two and a half cubits in length, and one and a half cubits in breadth and the same in height. The word half means to cut in two. 2.5 is half of FIVE, the number for grace. 1.5 is half of THREE is the number of the Godhead and of resurrection. The Bible is broken into two. The New testament and the Old Testament. When Christ came the first time we only saw 1/2 of His office, that of priest and servant, but when He comes again we will behold the other half as Lord of Lords, the Almighty God from heaven. 1Ki 10:6 And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. 7 Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen [it]: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. ITS CONTENTS: ------------- Heb 9:3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein [was] the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; Some have thought this to be a contradiction with 1Ki 8:9 1Ki 8:9 [There was] nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made [a covenant] with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt. But this is no contradiction at all. Hebrews deals with the ark while it was in the tabernacle but 1Ki 8 deals with the ark when it was in the temple. The Old Testament only revealed that it was a pot laid up before the testimony, to be kept; whereas the New Testament through the Spirit gives us the other half or full story that it was a golden pot before the testimony in the ark. The manna was the food that God gave to Israel while they were in the wilderness. It had foreshadowed Christ as the bread of life. Joh 6:48 I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. The Old Testament tells us that its measure was omer (Ex 16:16) the measure for a man, but the New Testament tells us that it was a golden pot, the man now glorified in heaven. Aaron's rod that budded (Numbers 17). This took place in a revolt against Moses and Aaron. God manifested who the chosen priest tribe would be by making Aaron's rod to bud. Moses was the prophet who proclaimed God's truth and Aaron was the high priest which expressed God's grace in a mediator. Both were hated without cause. In this miracle we see dead wood made to bud. The dead rod was quickened and fruit appeared. Christ is the resurrection and the life. Not only did He raise from the dead, but He has given spiritual life to men who were dead in their sins and will eventually raise them also from the physical dead. The tables of the law: The first set of tables were not put in the ark, but the second. The first set were broken, so God's broken law was not laid in the ark, but the second set which were not broken. So Christ perfectly kept the law for us and never broke it in any manner. God did not overlook the law to save us, because we could not keep it, but sent His Son who kept the law perfectly as our substitute. Ro 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Isa 45:24 Surely, shall [one] say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: [even] to him shall [men] come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. ITS COVERINGS ------------- It had a lid which was the mercy seat, but that is not what is in focus here. The coverings were what protected the ark when it was carried it from place to place during Israel's journeyings. Num 4:5 And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it: 6 And shall put thereon the covering of badgers' skins, and shall spread over [it] a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof. First, The wrap that the ark was in amounted to a "covering veil." So it was when Christ journeyed in this world. His glory was hidden from the world. From Hebrews 10 verse 20 we see that the vail represented Christ's perfect humanity. It was this vail that God rent in two when Christ was punished for our sins. Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; Second, The vail was then covered with a covering of badgers skins. Pink says that a badger is quite an unattractive animal. From Ezek 16:10 ("shod thee with badgers' skin") we find out that badger skins were used for making sandals. So this would speak of the lowliness and humiliation that Christ undertook in order that we might be made the sons of God. Thirdly, From Numbers we see that this was wholly covered with a cloth of blue. Pink says that blue is the colour of heaven and is ever employed for setting forth celestial things. But Christ is the God-man, which came down from heaven, which is to be testified to the whole world. ITS NAMES --------- 1) "The ark of the testimony" (Ex 25:22). The name by which it is most frequently called. It is used because of the two tables of stone that contain the ten commandments, which are deposited in it for safe keeping. Christ is the center of all God's counsels. Remember the law was given "that sin might abound" (Ro 5:20). And we know that the law was to point men to Christ (Gal 3:24). And we also know that Christ was slain in the mind and purpose of God from before the foundation of the world. (1Pe 1:20). 2) "The ark of the covenant" (Num 10:33). Of course Christ is the "surety of a better testament or covenant" (Heb 7:23). 3) "The ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth" (Josh 3:13). The ark of Jehovah. Certainly Jesus is Jehovah's saviour, the only saviour appointed by which men may be saved. This took place after Israel had crossed Jordon and the unconquered land of Canaan lay before them. So, "the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth" went before them and gave them assurance. When the Lord Jesus returns he will find the land occupied by enemies, but He will make a short work of them and Israel will again inhabit the inheritance. 4) "The ark of God" or 'elohiym {el-o-heem'} (1Sa 3:3) Pink says that God never identified himself with any other vessel of the sanctuary. This points to the absolute deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. 5) "The ark of the Lord GOD" (1Ki 2:26). Notice that GOD is all capitals and Lord is not. It is "Adonai Jehovah." Pink says that "Adonai" always points headship and "Jehovah" is God in covenant relationship. This name appears after a conspiracy to prevent Solomon from securing the throne was put down. 6) "The holy ark" (2Ch 35:3) Of course Jesus is termed that "holy thing." Lu 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. 7) "The ark of thy strength" (Ps 132:8). 1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Christ is "the Mighty God" (Isa 9:6). ITS CAREER ---------- Or its journeyings and history. We saw in Ex 25:12-15 that the ark was to have staves inserted through rings in order that it might be carried. This was used when they went from one camp to another. This would point to the Lord's first advent where he went from place to place and had no place to lay his head. (Mat 8:20). But in the temple the ark was not carried from place to place. This would point to the eternal Lordship of Christ in the millennium and beyond. Verses 17-22, THE MERCY SEAT -------------- The mercy seat was a solid slab of pure gold (vs 17). It formed the lid of the ark of the testimony (vs 21). It had a "crown of gold round about" which prevented the lid from slipping off (vs 11). Or else the crown of gold was built into the ark. It was solid gold and therefore was the most expensive item in the tabernacle. Mercy seat - one Hebrew word, kapporeth {kap-po'-reth}, which comes from another Hebrew word meaning "atonement, purge, reconcile," etc. The mercy seat is the sometimes called "the Propitiatory" derived from the blood of propitiation which was sprinkled upon it. It had the same length and breadth as the ark. On each end were a cherub, each facing inward toward the mercy seat. Pink says that they were not fastened to the mercy seat but were of the same piece of gold that made up the mercy seat. These cherubs had their wings out-stretched high over the mercy seat, thus overshadowing the mercy seat. ITS SIGNIFICANCE ---------------- Ro 3:25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; propitiation = hilasterion {hil-as-tay'-ree-on} This same Greek word appears also in Heb 9:5 Heb 9:5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. In that verse it is translated mercyseat, and this is not a mistake by the translators, because the "cherubims of glory shadowing" it. The verb "to propitiate" means to appease, to make satisfaction. So, according to Ro 3:25, Christ is our "mercy seat" or our "propitiatory" through faith in His blood. Christ is our mercy-seat, but He is so by virtue of the propitiation which He offered to God. The propitiatory or mercy-seat was NOT the place where the propitiation was made, but instead, the place where its abiding value was borne witness to before God. The sacrifice was first made on the altar and then the blood of the sacrifice was brought into the holy of holies and sprinkled on the mercy-seat. Heb 9:7 But into the second [went] the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and [for] the errors of the people: This verse shows us that the priest entered NOT WITHOUT BLOOD. The blood had already been shed on the altar and was now brought into the second ("the holiest of all" Heb 9:3) where the ark and mercy-seat were located (Heb 9:4-5). ---------------- READ LEV 16:1-22 ---------------- Aaron would die if he entered without blood. Christ is not dead, but His blood was accepted. Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. This is the Gospel that we must preach. That Christ who was without sin; the Very Son of God from heaven; suffered, and died, and shed His precious blood as a propitiation for our sins, thereby making perfect and complete satisfaction and obtaining reconciliation and eternal redemption for US. When were our sins purged in the judicial sense? When we believed? or when Christ died, shed his blood and entered the holiest of all with his blood? Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; When did He sit down? Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; He has through this sacrifice OBTAINED eternal redemption for someone! Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, HAVING OBTAINED eternal redemption [for us]. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to 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, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? When were we reconciled? When we believed or when Christ made satisfaction? Ro 5:10 For if, WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES, we were reconciled to God BY THE DEATH OF HIS SON, much more, being reconciled, we SHALL be saved by his life. Notice ALL of the "we" were reconciled and shall be saved. ITS PURPOSE ----------- A SEAT: In the tabernacle there was a table but no chair for Aaron or any of the priests to sit on, because their work was never completed, but needed constant repetition. The fact that there was emphasis on their uncompleted work points to the completed work of Christ. There was a seat however, and it was the mercy-seat, but that was Jehovah's seat. This shows that God would find rest in the sacrifice that he would make in sending His Son. 2Sa 6:2 And David arose, and went with all the people that [were] with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth [between] the cherubims. Ex 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which [are] upon the ark of the testimony, of all [things] which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. Ps 80:1 <> Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest [between] the cherubims, shine forth. How could such a Holy God dwell in the midst of a sinful people? On the ground of accepted sacrifice. His throne was a blood sprinkled throne. A death or sacrifice without bloodletting would have done nothing. The death was a one time thing, especially when we look at the death of Christ, because it was sufficient, but the blood was an abiding witness upon the throne of Jehovah. A THRONE: God is the righteous ruler of the universe Christ died in the stead of sinful people, but there is a sense in which He died on behalf of a Holy God. By Christ's death He manifested God's righteousness. Divine mercy COULD NOT be exercised at the expense of justice. The very character of God as ruler of the universe could not allow such a thing. Ro 3:25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; The sinner is bankrupt, but justice was not robbed by not receiving full payment. Full payment was made by the sinner's Surety. Christ's death was not a side-step of the law, that is a way around it, but instead magnified the law and fulfilled it. If the law could have been sidestepped then their would have been no need for Christ to shed His precious blood, but it was the Holy law that demanded it. I THANK GOD FOR MY SUBSTITUTE!!!!! God's love, mercy and grace were manifested at Calvary as nowhere else; but equally, His holiness, justice and righteousness were also manifested. ITS ORNAMENTATION ----------------- This was in the form of two cherubs, one on each end of the mercy-seat, with wings outstretched over it, thus overshadowing God's throne. This scripture is what Catholics turn to, to support their graven images. But the people never observed these and they were for typical significance, rather than to be gazed upon. Besides God gave command for these to be made. We first read of Cherubims in Genesis 3:24, where they guarded the tree of life. Many times angelic beings are seen in connection with judgement. Mt 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. So perhaps God's judgement and mercy are seen together as ONE piece. We see them in connection with the law: Ac 7:53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept [it]. { disposition = ordinance or arrangement } The law expressed God's righteousness and the book of Galatians states: Ga 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. As the angels looked down toward the law they saw a blood stained covering, the mercy-seat or propitiatory, between them and the law. And we know that Christ is our propitiatory (Ro 3:25). To look down into an uncovered ark, is to look down into a throne of judgement. 1Sa 6:19 And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten [many] of the people with a great slaughter. 20 And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us? 21 And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, [and] fetch it up to you. Their number: TWO This speaks of witness. De 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. Re 11:3 And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. Joh 20:12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Ac 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. They looked down at the mercy-seat. 1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. A PLACE OF COMMUNION -------------------- Ex 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which [are] upon the ark of the testimony, of all [things] which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. The place of sweet communion with God is Christ and His atoning work. It is through faith in what Christ has done and on that ground alone that we have communion with God. Verses 23-30 THE TABLE --------- In this chamber, the holy place, were three pieces of furniture: the table, the candlestick, and the altar of incense (see Ex 30:6-7). Notice the word "ALSO" in verse 23, which links it to verse 22. In verse 22 God spoke of communing with Him over the mercy seat, and then mentions the table. The table is a place of communion or fellowship with God. 1Co 10:20 But I [say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have FELLOWSHIP with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's TABLE, and of the table of devils. Lu 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. David told Mephibosheth, who was lame on his feet, who belonged to the house of Saul, David's enemy, and to whom David showed kindness for Jonathan's sake, and whom David fetched unto himself. "But Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table." (2Sa 9:10). The blood sprinkled mercy-seat speaks of Christ as the BASIS of our fellowship with God. We fellowship with God on the BASIS of the atoning work that Christ performed as our Great High- priest. But the table speaks of Christ as the SUBSTANCE of that fellowship. It is there that He is our bread or food. It is at the table that we sit and eat. ITS COMPOSITION --------------- Like the ark it was made of shittim wood and overlaid with pure gold. Again typifying the union of the humanity and Deity of Christ. It had the same height as the ark. The ark and the table were both ornamented with a crown of gold. They both had rings of gold and staves to carry them. They both had something placed on them; the one a blood stained mercy-seat, and the other twelve cakes of bread. ITS DIMENSIONS -------------- Height same as ark. But the length is 2 cubits. Two is also the number for union or fellowship. "How can TWO walk together except they be AGREED?" (Amos 3:3). ITS CONTENTS ------------ Ex 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway. Twelve loaves. Compare: Lev 24:5-9 In verse 5 the lexicon says for cakes perforated or pierced cakes. Twelve for the number of the tribes of Israel, but the bread did not represent them but their representative. ITS ORNAMENTATION ----------------- A crown of gold, which speaks of Christ glorified. Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. The crown of gold encircled the cakes, preventing them from falling off. Christ will forever be our bread. THE RINGS AND STAVES -------------------- As the children of Israel wandered, so the table followed them. No matter what life brings us, Christ will be there. ITS COVERINGS ------------- Nu 4:7 And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon: 8 And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put in the staves thereof. Here the badgers skins covered the scarlet and the blue; whereas with the ark, the blue covering was last. EXODUS CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE -------------------------- Verses 31-40, The candlestick or lampstand which was in the holy place with the table and the altar of incense. THE LAMPSTAND ------------- It is termed the candlestick in the KJV but would have been better as lampstand. There are no candles burned in it but rather lamps as they were called in verse 37 and which burned oil. Lev 24:2 Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure OIL olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. 3 Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: [it shall be] a statute for ever in your generations. 4 He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually. The lampstand is in the Holy place which was before the most holy place. It was not on the outside but in a place where only the priest went. Now all believers are priests unto God and since the vail has ben rent by Christ's death there is but now one compartment for the believer. We have access to this light. Some have thought that this lampstand points to Christ as the light of the world, but if it did why is not the lamp on the outside where the world may see it. Jesus said, "AS LONG AS I AM IN THE WORLD, I am the light of the world." (Joh 9:5). Since He has been put to death by wicked hands, the world has never again gazed upon the true light. He is hidden from their eyes as being the light. He now resides in the Holy Place in Heaven there in the presence of His Father. Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. A lampstand is made for the night hours and not the daylight hours. It would seem that the lampstand would point to Christ as the light of His people between His two advents. It is to them that He gives light in the interim. When He comes again He will be a light to the world. ITS COMPOSITION --------------- It was made of pure gold beaten. The gold obviously speaks of the Divine side of Christ. There was no wood employed in this vessel. Perhaps the "beaten work" speaks of the sufferings of Christ, but the cherubs of the mercy seat were also beaten work. In the cherubims case the gold pointed to glory as they were called "cherubims of glory" in Hebrews 9:5. Certainly Christ is the light that has been glorified in heaven. ITS CONSTRUCTION ---------------- Described in verses 31-37. There were bowls, knops (buds) and flowers. It had one central shaft and three branches on one side and three on the other so that there would be seven lamps (see vs 37). Perhaps the lamps were separate and were put on the lampstand. Ex 25:37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light OVER AGAINST IT. Seven is the number for completion or perfection. So Christ is the perfect light. This lampstand would also seem to have a double application in pointing to the Holy Spirit. Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the SEVEN Spirits which are before his throne; White light is broken into SEVEN colors when seen in the rainbow. But it was Christ who sent the Holy Spirit. Thus the lamps are supported by the lampstand. Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. The Holy Spirit works as the "Spirit of Christ." Ro 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. The fact that the lamps gave light over against the lampstand (Ex 25:37) points to the fact that the Holy Spirit speaks of Christ and not himself (Joh 16:13-14). ITS ORNAMENTATION ----------------- Three branches out each side. Each branch seemed to have three bowls made like an almond with a knop and a flower (vs 33). Then in the center shaft there were four bowls (vs 34) with a knop and a flower. This may be wrong. The knob seems to portray an unopened bud of the almond tree. So each branch would have the three stages of the almond tree represented; that is, the bud, the flower and the ripened fruit. Compare: Num 17:8 And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. Remember Aaron's rod was a dead rod that budded. This speaks of the resurrection of Christ. It is interesting to note that the almond is the first of all the trees in Israel to bud; and we know that Christ is the first to rise from the dead, being called the first fruits of them that sleep (1Co 15:20). Jesus was called a rod and a branch. Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a ROD out of the stem of Jesse, and a BRANCH shall grow out of his roots: ITS POSITION ------------ Ex 40:24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward. Pink says: West - prosperity and blessing Ex 10:19 And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt. East - sharp distress and Divine judgement Gen 13:11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. Re 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. North - obscure and dark, the direction the evil comes from Jer 1:14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. South - warmth light and blessing hence the "sunny south" Ps 126:4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. Job 37:17 How thy garments [are] warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south [wind]? ITS COVERING ------------ Nu 4:9 And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it: 10 And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put [it] upon a bar. Which things we have already covered previously.