From: Jesus and the=20
Tabernacle! by: Bill Bratt=20
Email: http://www.zoo=
mnet.net/~bbratt/bbratt@zoomnet.net=20
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the =
Word was=20
God. {2} He was in the beginning with God. {3} All things were made =
through Him,=20
and without Him nothing was made that was made" (John 1:1-3 NKJV). These fascinating verses indicate that Jesus was the Word and that He =
has=20
existed from all eternity. He was a real Person who lived with God and =
was part=20
of the God family. He was the Word or spokesman for God. Jesus is the =
focus or=20
center of the entire Bible. (Request our free article: "Jesus is Your:". This article reveals the =
many=20
jobs and functions of Jesus, such as: He is our Saviour, Lord, King, =
Friend,=20
Apostle, High Priest, Shepherd, etc. ) Let=92s continue in John 1:14 "And the Word became flesh and =
dwelt among=20
us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the =
Father,=20
full of grace and truth." Jesus became flesh when He was born of the virgin Mary as a baby in a =
manger=20
at Bethlehem. He gave up His Godhead to become human and dwell with =
sinful=20
man. Jesus Tabernacled Among Us! Now, let=92s focus in on the phrase: Jesus =
"dwelt among=20
us". The following quotation comes from the Believer=92s =
Bible=20
Commentary: "The word "dwelt" means "tabernacled" or "pitched His =
tent."=20
His body was the tent in which He lived among men for thirty-three =
years".=20
Other sources agree that the word "dwelt" = means=20 "tabernacled". Under the verse John 1:14, see Adam Clarke=92s = Commentary, The=20 Wycliffe Bible Commentary and The Companion Bible.
Jesus came down to the earth and "pitched His tent" = and=20 "tabernacled" among us. Jesus lived as a human being upon this earth and = He=20 suffered (1 Peter 4:1) and He died for us (John 3:16).
The Tabernacle!
God commanded that Moses build the Tabernacle. God = gave Moses=20 many instructions in how to build the Tabernacle. The intricate details = that God=20 gave to Moses in how to build this portable tent sanctuary are revealed = in=20 Exodus chapters 25-31 and 35-40.
The word "Tabernacle" occurs 328 times in the King = James=20 version of the Bible. "Fully fifty chapters in the Bible are devoted to = the=20 Tabernacle, showing its importance in God=92s sight".... "Each part of = the=20 Tabernacle teaches us spiritual lessons concerning the Person and work = of Christ=20 and the way of approach to God".
(2)The Tabernacle was a place where God might dwell = among His=20 people. It played an important part in the life of Moses and the ancient = Israelites.
The following excerpt will give us an overview of the = Tabernacle: "Tabernacle (tab'er-nak-l, tent), portable sanctuary that = served as=20 a place of worship for the Israelites from the time of the wilderness = wanderings=20 until the building of the temple by Solomon; typified God dwelling with = His=20 people (Exod. 25:8); variously called (Exod. 25:9; 26:9; 33:7; 39:32; I = Chron.=20 6:48; 9:23; 17:5; 2 Chron. 24:6); described in Exod. 25:10-27:19, 35-38; = tabernacle stood in a court 150 feet long and 75 feet wide, the sides of = which=20 were covered with linen curtains, which were fastened to 60 supporting = pillars=20 of bronze. Within the court was the great altar of burnt offering (Exod. = 27:=20 1-8) and the bronze laver used by the priests for ritual ablutions = (Exod. 30:=20 17-21)".
(3)"The tabernacle, which stood at the west end of the = court, was a=20 wooden structure 45 by 15 feet, divided by a heavy veil into two parts, = a holy=20 place and a most holy place. This was covered on the inside with = embroidered=20 linen tapestry and on the outside with double blankets of skin. The holy = place=20 contained the table of showbread, a golden candlestick, and the altar of = incense. The most holy place, or Holy of Holies, had in it only the ark = of=20 covenant, a small box-like structure of wood covered with gold in which=20 therewere the tablets of the law, a pot of manna, and Aaron's rod (Exod. = 25:16,=20 22; Heb. 9:4). The tabernacle was set up at Sinai the beginning of the = second=20 year after leaving Egypt (Exod 40:2 17); for 35 years it stood at = Kadesh, and=20 always preceded the Israelites when on the march (Num. 10:33-36). Later = it was=20 stationed at Gilgal (Josh. 4:19), Shiloh (Josh. 18:1), Nob (I Sam. = 21:1), Gibeon=20 (I 16:39; 21:29). David moved it to Jerusalem. It was superseded by the = building=20 of the temple. The old tabernacle was but a shadow of the true ideal = (Heb. 8:5;=20 10:1)".
(4)Jesus and the = Tabernacle!
Let=92s compare the Old Testament Tabernacle with Jesus = in the New=20 Testament who tabernacled "among us".
The writer of the book of Hebrews says that Jesus is = a perfect=20 tabernacle: "But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, = with the=20 greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, = not of=20 this creation" (Heb 9:11 NKJV).
Jesus is our Gate!
As we approach the Tabernacle we would head for the = entrance or=20 the Gate: "For the gate of the court there shall be a screen twenty = cubits long,=20 woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by = a=20 weaver. It shall have four pillars and four sockets" (Exod. 27:16 = NKJV).
The Tabernacle stood in a court 150 feet long and 75 = feet wide.=20 The gate was in the 75 foot section which was on the east side and the = gate=20 measured 30 feet in length.
(Note: We will assume that a cubit is approximately = 18=20 inches.)
Jesus is our gate, our entrance to the Father and to = eternal=20 life. He is our saviour and redeemer: "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, = the=20 truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me"" = (John 14:6=20 NKJV).
Jesus is our Sacrifice and Atonement!
As we continue in the court of the Tabernacle we = would first=20 come to the bronze or brazen altar of burnt offering: ""You shall make = an altar=20 of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar shall = be=20 square; and its height shall be three cubits. {2} "You shall make its = horns on=20 its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it. And you shall = overlay=20 it with bronze. {3} "Also you shall make its pans to receive its ashes, = and its=20 shovels and its basins and its forks and its firepans; you shall make = all its=20 utensils of bronze. {4} "You shall make a grate for it, a network of = bronze; and=20 on the network you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners. {5} = "You=20 shall put it under the rim of the altar beneath, that the network may be = midway=20 up the altar. {6} "And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of = acacia wood,=20 and overlay them with bronze. {7} "The poles shall be put in the rings, = and the=20 poles shall be on the two sides of the altar to bear it. {8} "You shall = make it=20 hollow with boards; as it was shown you on the mountain, so shall they = make it"=20 (Exod. 27:1-8 NKJV).
This bronze altar measured 7-1/2 feet square and = 4-1/2 feet=20 high. This was the great altar for the sacrifice of animals signifying = the=20 shedding of blood which is required for atonement which is basic to = man=92s=20 approach to God. This would symbolize the death of Christ, as our burnt=20 offering, who offered Himself without spot to God.
The Apostle Paul said that Jesus was sacrificed for = us:=20 "Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since = you truly=20 are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us" = (1 Cor=20 5:7 NKJV). Blood must be shed for the remission of sin: "And according = to the=20 law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of = blood=20 there is no remission" (Heb 9:22 NKJV). Jesus was sacrificed to bear the = sins of=20 all mankind: "so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To = those who=20 eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for=20 salvation" (Heb 9:28 NKJV).
Jesus is our Cleansing and Sanctification!
As we continue our journey in the court of the = Tabernacle we=20 would next come to the bronze laver.
"Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: {18} "You = shall also=20 make a laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing. You = shall put=20 it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. And you shall put = water in=20 it, {19} "for Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet = in water=20 from it. {20} "When they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they = come=20 near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the = LORD, they=20 shall wash with water, lest they die. {21} "So they shall wash their = hands and=20 their feet, lest they die. And it shall be a statute forever to them; to = him and=20 his descendants throughout their generations"" (Exod. 30:17-21 = NKJV).
This bronze laver was made of bronze mirrors donated = by the=20 women: "He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the = bronze=20 mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle = of=20 meeting" (Exod. 38:8 NKJV).
This bronze laver was a basin in which the priests = would wash=20 their hands and feet before they entered the Tabernacle. The priests = went=20 barefoot during their ministrations of their duties.
The laver symbolizes that we are to be spiritually = and morally=20 clean before entering any service to God: "Let us draw near with a true = heart in=20 full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil = conscience and=20 our bodies washed with pure water" (Heb 10:22 NKJV).
Jesus is our cleansing and sanctification: "that He = (Jesus)=20 might sanctify and cleanse her (the Church) with the washing of water by = the=20 word, {27} that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not = having=20 spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and = without=20 blemish" (Eph 5:26-27 NKJV).
How does Jesus sanctify us and make us holy? By = God=92s word=20 which is truth. "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John = 17:17=20 NKJV).
Jesus is the Door!
We now come to the Tabernacle, which stood at the = west end of=20 the court. It was a wooden structure 45 by 15 feet and was divided by a = heavy=20 veil into two parts, a holy place and a most holy place. On top it was = covered=20 with four coverings: a fine woven linen with artistic designs of = cherubim, next=20 was "the tent" made of goats=92 hair, the third covering was made of = ram=92s skins=20 and the fourth covering was made of badgers=92 skins.
The tent door was made of fine woven linen: ""You = shall make a=20 screen for the door of the tabernacle, woven of blue, purple, and = scarlet=20 thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver" (Exod. 26:36 NKJV).
The linen curtains were made of different colors. The = white=20 color symbolized purity, blue the color of heaven, purple the color of = royalty=20 and scarlet the color of blood. These symbols represented the various = aspects of=20 the personal work of Christ.
Now let=92s notice that Jesus is the door that we = must go through=20 to gain salvation: "But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the = sheep.=20 {3} "To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he = calls his=20 own sheep by name and leads them out. {4} "And when he brings out his = own sheep,=20 he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. = {5} "Yet=20 they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for = they do not=20 know the voice of strangers." {6} Jesus used this illustration, but they = did not=20 understand the things which He spoke to them. {7} Then Jesus said to = them again,=20 "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. {8} "All who = ever=20 came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. = {9} "I=20 am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in = and out=20 and find pasture" (John 10:2-9 NKJV).
Jesus is our shepherd and the door to the sheep (vs. = 7). Once=20 we go through the door it is Jesus=92 job to care for and protect us, = His sheep.=20 It is our job to know our Shepherd=92s voice and we can only do that by = reading=20 the Bible. Let=92s notice another verse that says that Jesus is the = door:=20 ""Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and = opens the=20 door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me" (Rev 3:20 = NKJV)=20 .
Jesus is the Light of the World!
We have entered the Holy Place through the door of = the=20 Tabernacle. On the left (south) side of this room we see the Golden = Lampstand or=20 Candlestick.
"You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the = lampstand=20 shall be of hammered work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its = ornamental=20 knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece. {32} "And six branches shall = come out=20 of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three = branches of the lampstand out of the other side. {33} "Three bowls shall = be made=20 like almond blossoms on one branch, with an ornamental knob and a = flower, and=20 three bowls made like almond blossoms on the other branch, with an = ornamental=20 knob and a flower; and so for the six branches that come out of the = lampstand.=20 {34} "On the lampstand itself four bowls shall be made like almond = blossoms,=20 each with its ornamental knob and flower. {35} "And there shall be a = knob under=20 the first two branches of the same, a knob under the second two branches = of the=20 same, and a knob under the third two branches of the same, according to = the six=20 branches that extend from the lampstand. {36} "Their knobs and their = branches=20 shall be of one piece; all of it shall be one hammered piece of pure = gold. {37}=20 "You shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall arrange its lamps so = that=20 they give light in front of it. {38} "And its wick-trimmers and their = trays=20 shall be of pure gold. {39} "It shall be made of a talent of pure gold, = with all=20 these utensils" (Exod. 25:31-39 NKJV).
The natural light was shut out of the tabernacle and = the=20 lampstand provided the light inside the tent.
The world is like the darkness inside the tabernacle. = We need=20 Jesus as a lampstand to give us light: ""And this is the condemnation, = that the=20 light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, = because=20 their deeds were evil" (John 3:19 NKJV).
Jesus is the light of the world: "Then Jesus spoke to = them=20 again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not = walk in=20 darkness, but have the light of life"" (John 8:12 NKJV).
Jesus is the Bread of Life!
We now look to the right (north) side of the Holy = Place and see=20 the Table for the Showbread: ""You shall also make a table of acacia = wood; two=20 cubits shall be its length, a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half = its=20 height. {24} "And you shall overlay it with pure gold, and make a = molding of=20 gold all around. {25} "You shall make for it a frame of a handbreadth = all=20 around, and you shall make a gold molding for the frame all around. {26} = "And=20 you shall make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings on the four = corners=20 that are at its four legs. {27} "The rings shall be close to the frame, = as=20 holders for the poles to bear the table. {28} "And you shall make the = poles of=20 acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be carried = with=20 them. {29} "You shall make its dishes, its pans, its pitchers, and its = bowls for=20 pouring. You shall make them of pure gold" (Exod. 25:23-29 NKJV).
This Table for the Showbread is about 3 feet long, = 1-1/2 feet=20 wide and 1-1/4 feet high made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure = gold. The=20 showbread that was placed on the golden Table was made of fine wheat = flour and=20 baked into 12 loaves, which was renewed every Sabbath and was to be = eaten only=20 by the priests. This Bread looked forward to Jesus Christ, the Bread of=20 life.
"For the bread of God is He who comes down from = heaven and=20 gives life to the world. {34} Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this = bread=20 always." {35} And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who = comes to=20 Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst" = (John=20 6:33-35 NKJV).
Jesus is Our Intercessor!
As we look straight toward the west side of the Holy = Place we=20 see the Altar of Incense.
"You shall make an altar to burn incense on; you = shall make it=20 of acacia wood. {2} A cubit shall be its length and a cubit its width; = it shall=20 be square; and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one = piece=20 with it. {3} And you shall overlay its top, its sides all around, and = its horns=20 with pure gold; and you shall make for it a molding of gold all around. = {4} Two=20 gold rings you shall make for it, under the molding on both its sides. = You shall=20 place them on its two sides, and they will be holders for the poles with = which=20 to bear it. {5} You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay = them with=20 gold. {6} And you shall put it before the veil that is before the ark of = the=20 Testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony, where I = will meet=20 with you. {7} Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense every morning; when = he tends=20 the lamps, he shall burn incense on it. {8} And when Aaron lights the = lamps at=20 twilight, he shall burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before the = LORD=20 throughout your generations" (Exod. 30:1-8 NKJV).
This Altar of Incense is 18 inches square and 3 feet = high and=20 is made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold. Incense was to be = burned on=20 the altar every morning and every evening. The incense signifies prayer = which is=20 like a sweet smelling odor that ascends to heaven.
"Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and = stood at=20 the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the = prayers=20 of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. {4} = And the=20 smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before = God from=20 the angel's hand. {5} Then the angel took the censer, filled it with = fire from=20 the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, = thunderings,=20 lightnings, and an earthquake" (Rev 8:3-5 NKJV).
"The incense altar pictures Christ as the = believer=92s=20 intercessor through whom the believer=92s prayer and praise rise up to = God."=20
(5)Jesus is our intercessor before God the Father: "It = is Christ=20 who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand = of God,=20 who also makes intercession for us" (Rom 8:34 NKJV). See also Heb = 7:25.
The Flesh of Christ!
As we proceed beyond the Altar of Incense we come to = the inner=20 Veil.
"You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and = scarlet=20 thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design = of=20 cherubim" (Exo 26:31 NKJV).
This inner veil was made of the finest linen, blue, = purple and=20 scarlet, exquisitely embroidered with Cherubs. It separated the Holiest = of=20 Holies from the Holy place.
Now let=92s notice what was going on when Jesus was = dying on the=20 cross.
"Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there = was=20 darkness over all the land. {46} And about the ninth hour Jesus cried = out with a=20 loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My = God, why=20 have You forsaken Me?" {47} Some of those who stood there, when they = heard that,=20 said, "This Man is calling for Elijah!" {48} Immediately one of them ran = and=20 took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and = offered it to=20 Him to drink. {49} The rest said, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah = will come=20 to save Him." {50} And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and = yielded up=20 His spirit. {51} Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two = from=20 top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, {52} = and the=20 graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep = were=20 raised" (Mat 27:45-52 NKJV).
Notice what happened when Jesus died. Verse 51 says: = "the=20 veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom".
"The inner curtain which divided the Holy Place from = the=20 holiest of all in the Tabernacle; a technical term not applied to any = other=20 curtain. It was a symbol of God's unapproachability."
(6)Let=92s notice Jesus=92 role as our High Priest and =
His connection=20
to the veil. Hebrews 9:11-12 ( NKJV) says: "But Christ came as High =
Priest of=20
the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle =
not made=20
with hands, that is, not of this creation."
{12} "Not with the blood =
of goats=20
and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once, =
for all,=20
having obtained eternal redemption."
Let=92s continue in Heb. =
10:19-22:=20
"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood =
of=20
Jesus, {20} by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through =
the=20
veil, that is, His flesh, {21} and having a High Priest over the =
house of=20
God, {22} let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, =
having=20
our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with =
pure=20
water."
William Barclay in his Daily Study Bible series = relates: "The=20 Temple veil was rent from top to bottom. That was the veil which covered = the=20 Holy of Holies; that was the veil beyond which no man could penetrate, = save only=20 the High Priest on the Day of Atonement; that was the veil behind which = the=20 Spirit of God dwelt. There is symbolism here. Up to this time God had = been=20 hidden and remote, and no man knew what he was like. But in the death of = Jesus=20 we see the hidden love of God, and the way to the presence of God once = barred to=20 all men is now opened to all men. The life and the death of Jesus show = us what=20 God is like and remove for ever the veil which hid him from men." =
(7)Jesus made it possible for us to be able to go = directly to God=20 without going through a "middle man" or a "priesthood". Since the veil = was torn=20 God is now "approachable" by mankind and we can pray directly to God the = Father.
The Holy of Holies!
After we have past through the Veil we are in the = Most Holy=20 Place, The Holy of Holies. This was a room on the west side of the = Tabernacle.=20 It was 15 feet wide, long and tall, a perfect cube. It represented = God=92s=20 dwelling place. The only thing that it contained was the Ark of the = Covenant=20 also known as the Ark of the Testimony. Only one person was allowed to = enter=20 this room and only once a year. This one person was the High Priest and = the only=20 day he was allowed to enter was on the Day of Atonement.
"And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a = half=20 cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit = and a half=20 its height. {11} "And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and = out you=20 shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around. = {12} "You=20 shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; = two=20 rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side. {13} "And = you shall=20 make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. {14} "You shall = put the=20 poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be = carried by=20 them. {15} "The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not = be taken=20 from it" (Exod. 25:10-15 NKJV).
The Ark was a chest 3 feet and 9 inches long, 2 feet = and 3=20 inches wide and 2 feet and 3 inches high made of acacia wood and = overlaid inside=20 and out with pure gold. The Ark contained the two tables of the Ten=20 Commandments, a pot of Manna and Aaron=92s Rod that budded.
"Being small and provided with carrying poles, the = ark was=20 mobile. Thus the ark served two important purposes during the history of = early=20 Israel. During the wilderness wanderings, when the people of God were on = the=20 march, the Tabernacle was packed away and the Ark led the way, = representing=20 God=92s leadership of the tribes (of Israel) as they made their way = toward the=20 land of promise (Num. 10:35-36). This use of the ark is closely tied = with the=20 second purpose. The ark was taken by the army as it engaged in battle = with=20 foreign foes. It represented the presence of the divine warrior with the = army.=20 The famous battle of Jericho is one of the more notable examples of the = Ark=20 symbolizing God=92s presence and power with the army of Israel (Josh. = 6)."=20
(8)The Ark = contained the=20 two tables of the Ten Commandments and envisions Jesus Christ as having = God=92s=20 law in His Heart.=20In the Tabernacle the Ark was understood to be the = throne or=20 the footstool to the throne of God. Above the Ark were placed two = cherubim with=20 outstretched wings. God was envisioned as enthroned between the wings of = the=20 Cherubim.
"Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: "O = LORD God of=20 Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim" (2 Kings 19:15 = NKJV).
"The Mercy-Seat was the top of the Ark, a lid of = solid gold. A=20 Cherub at each end, of one piece with the lid, facing each other, their = wings=20 spread out, looking down toward the Mercy-Seat. The Mercy-Seat being = just above=20 the Two Tables of the Ten Commandments, represented the meeting place of = Law and=20 Mercy: thus, a "shadow" of Christ."
(9)In Revelation 11:15-19 the events surrounding the = blowing of=20 the seventh trumpet are given. Jesus will return at the seventh trumpet = and will=20 judge the living and the dead: "I charge you therefore before God and = the Lord=20 Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing = and His=20 kingdom" (2 Tim 4:1 NKJV).
The Mercy Seat represents Christ=92s judgment = seat.
Jesus is the New Testament Tabernacle!
The writer of Hebrews gives us a beautiful = description of=20 Jesus being our Tabernacle: "Then indeed, even the first covenant had = ordinances=20 of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. {2} For a tabernacle was = prepared:=20 the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the = showbread, which=20 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=20 and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which = were the=20 golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets = of the=20 covenant; {5} and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the = mercy=20 seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. {6} Now when these = things=20 had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of = the=20 tabernacle, performing the services. {7} But into the second part the = high=20 priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for = himself=20 and for the people's sins committed in ignorance; {8} the Holy Spirit = indicating=20 this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest = while the=20 first tabernacle was still standing. {9} It was symbolic for the present = time in=20 which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who = performed=20 the service perfect in regard to the conscience; {10} concerned only = with foods=20 and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the = time of=20 reformation. {11} But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to = come,=20 with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that = is, not=20 of this creation. {12} Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with = His own=20 blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained = eternal=20 redemption" (Heb 9:1-12 NKJV) .
In Conclusion:
Jesus came in the flesh and tabernacled among men = (John 1:14).=20 Jesus is our High Priest and our perfect spiritual Tabernacle (Heb. = 9:11-12).=20 Each part of the Old Testament Tabernacle teaches us spiritual lessons=20 concerning the Person and work of Christ and the way of approach to = God.
--------------------------------------------
Footnotes: (1):
William = MacDonald=20 "Believer=92s Bible Commentary",1995, p. 1468.(2):
William MacDonald = "Believer=92s=20 Bible Commentary",1995, p. 114.(3,4):"The New Compact Bible = Dictionary"
,1967, p. 574.(5):
Merrill F. Unger = "Unger=92s Bible=20 Handbook",1967, p. 102.(6):
F.B. Huey, Jr. "The = Zondervan -=20 Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible",- 1976, page 862.(7): William Barclay, "The Daily Study Bible = Series, The=20 Gospel of Matthew", 1975, p. 371.
(8): C. L. Seow, "Dictionary of Biblical = Imagery, Ark of=20 the Covenant", 1998, p. 43.
(9): H. H. Halley, "Halley=92s Bible = Handbook", 1965,=20 p.130.