Symbolism of the Tabernacle
Julia Sepulveda -1-
SYMBOLISM OF THE TABERNACLE INTRODUCTION: When we study the symbolism of the tabernacle, we must ask ourselves WHAT was the meaning of the objects and rituals to the Israelites?. Then we should ask, What is the true meaning of the tabernacle for the believers today? The tabernacle and sacrificial system served as a figure of things to come, the service Christians will continue later. The tabernacle and the priesthood “...serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things,...” Hebrew 8:5 Hebrews 9:9 - “... which [is] a symbol for the present time....” Jesus, our Highest priest, entered the Holy of holies once and for all, thru His own blood to atone for our sins. Rom. 3:25 – “... whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.” Matt. 27:51 – “And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom;” Today this veil has been torn and we have direct access to God’s presence. Hebrews 10:19-22 – “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since [we have] a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled [clean] from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 4:14-16 – “ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as [we are, yet] without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Rom 5:1-2 – “Therefore , having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”.
OBJECTS IN THE TABERNACLE AND ITS MEANING: 1. The tabernacle, at the center of the courtyard: the idea that God was dwelling “in the midst of His people”. It consisted of 2 parts divided by a veil or curtain, the Holy of holies and the Most Holy. a. It was covered by 4 layers of different materials (from bottom up); i. 1st layer – weaving curtains with artistic designs of cherubim with blue, purple and scarlet thread and fine woven linen. Its beauty represented God’s heavenly glory. iii. 2nd layer – white and pure goats hair (His purity and holiness) iv. 3rd layer – made of ram’s skin dyed red (Jesus work of redemption, His blood shed for our sins) v. 4th layer – made of badger skins, sand color, not very pretty to the eye. (Isa. 53:2 – “...Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.” b. Holy of Holies: i. The ark of the covenant or ark of testimony – the constant presence of God (at the mercy seat, between the 2 cherubims facing each other). There the “shekinah” of God was manifested. Over the ark were 2 cherubims bowing down representing reverence and worship to God. It was there were the most important sacrifice happened once a year (the Day of Atonement). Inside the ark were: 1. The tables of the law 2. A jar containing manna 3. Later on the staf of Aaron was added c. Holy place (service pleasant before God): i. Altar of incense – it was at the center. Symbolized prayer, praise and intercession of the people constantly before God. Its fire was used to fire
Symbolism of the Tabernacle
Julia Sepulveda -2light the altar of burnt offering. (Intercession of Jesus). It was lighted twice a day (AM & PM) and burned all day long. “Prayers like fragant smell before the Lord”. Blood was springled over this altar once a year (Day of Atonement). ii. Table of showbread – (or breads of the presence) it was 12 loaves, representing the 12 tribes, of bread placed continually before the presence of God, as an act of thanksgiving for God’s provision. It symbolized the stewardship of material things. (Jesus bread of life). As an act of thanksgiving to God and to acknowlege God as their provider. On the table of showbread 12 loaves of bread were always placed, and this bread could be eaten only by priests (Leviticus 24:5-9). iii. The lampstand of gold – symbolized the people of God, Israel. It was teaching Israel to be a light to the nations. It needed to be always filled with pure olive olive, so it would be burned constantly and illuminate all surroundings. It was the only source of light inside the tabernacle. (Jesus light of the world). If you don’t have communion with God (thru prayer, soon you will stop consecrating the fruit of your labor to Him, will not give thanks to Him and will will stop being a light to others. d. The Most Holy - It was the place where God dwelt. i. In it, two cherubim stretching their wings looked down from above the lid that covered the Ark of the Testimony. ii. The space between the two cherubim is called the mercy seat. The mercy seat is where God bestows His grace on us. The covering of the Ark of the Testimony was stained by blood, as the High Priest sprinkled the blood of the sacrifice given for the people of Israel on this mercy seat for seven times. iii. Only the High Priest could enter into the Most Holy once a year, on the Day of Atonement, carrying the blood of the sacrificial goat (scapegoat) for the remission of the sins of the Israelites. 2. The courtyard – these objects show how man can approach God and restore his communion with Him a. The altar of burnt offering – 1st step to approach God: remission of sins. (Hebrew 9:22 “without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Before that the person had to lay his hands on the animal acknowledging it as his representative. He has sinned and deserved death. Today, there’s is reconciliation thru Christ. We can run directly to Him, embraced the cross, repent of our sins and receive His forgiveness (2 Cor 5:18-21) i. Measuring 2.25 m in length/width and 1.35 m in height, was made of acacia wood and overlaid by bronze ii. Whenever the Israelites looked at this altar of burnt offering, they came to recognize that they were guilty for their own sins. As the sacrificial animal was put to death, they also realized that they, too, had to die because of their sins. iii. But they also came to believe that the Messiah would come to this earth and blot out their sins by being condemned and put to death like the sacrificial offering because of their sins. The altar of burnt offering was a shadow of Jesus our Savior. As the unblemished animals were sacrificed
Symbolism of the Tabernacle
Julia Sepulveda -3with the laying on of hands and the shedding of its blood, Jesus came to us as the Son of God and bore the condemnation of all our sins. b. Laver of bronze – 2nd step to draw near God was to cleanse yourself of your sins. The priest cleans himself in the laver before offering the sacrifice. Heb 12:14 “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.”
CONCLUSION: In Jesus many of the ceremonies of the tabernacle were fulfilled: the manifestatation of His divine glory, the atonement, man’s reconciliation to God, and God’s presence among His redeemed people. The shadows and figures of the tabernacle have been left behind, but the person of Jesus and His work remains for us today. We are now His tabernacle… the place of dwelling. Heb 8:2 - 9:11-12