The Tabernacle - God's Worshipping People

On our way through a Bible Overview we take a look at God's Worshipping People. Seems to me the best way to understand the Tabernacle is to build a replica and see how each part clearly points to Jesus. The short version is in Hebrews 9:1-15 but the original blueprints were given to Moses back on Mt Sinai and found in Exodus 25-30.

We start outside the Courtyard reminding ourselves that of the 12 Tribes of Israel only 1 actually got this close to their God! Only the priests from the line of Levi were permitted in the enclosure surrounding the Tabernacle. The message is clear... God is with us, but a Holy God is off-limits to his sinful people. Great care and preparation must be taken in approaching the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob for our God is a consuming fire!

But having realised that we are priests we enter, only to be confronted by blood and fire! The first thing priests would see would be the fire and smoke of the The Altar of Burnt Offering (Exodus 27:1-8; Hebrews 9:11-14; 22 & 10:8-14). "In fact , the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." Heb 9:22 ....... "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so tat we may serve the living God." Heb 9:14

Before we can enter the Tabernacle there is one more thing we must do. The Basin for Washing was to be placed between the altar and the Tent of Meeting (Tabernacle). "Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it. Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die." Ex 30:19-20. The message is clear... we are unclean, defiled and unfit to come into the presence of our Holy God. But in Christ "...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." Heb 1:22
Having offered the sacrifice of blood for thier and their people's sin, having washed `so that they won't die!' the priests enter the Holy Place. What sort of God will they find who hates sin so much and who demands such care in cleanliness? They step inside and find..... the Light is on and Bread is on the Table. Yahweh longs for fellowship with his people! This is the God who `tents' amongst his people (Exodus 26 & John 1:14)


The Lamp lights the darkness (Ex 25:31-40 & John 1:14). This friend longs to welcome guests and break bread with them. Actually the whole sacrificial system was God's invitation to a BYO BBQ! So the lights are on the food is laid out (Ex 25:23-30)! But the True Bread from heaven has come down to feed the hungry (John 6:35) and to open the way to unhindered fellowship with the One True Living God.

Just before the curtain into the Most Holy Place is the Altar of Incense where the High Priest burns fragrant incense evry morning (Exodus 30:1-10). Our Great High Priest lives to intercede for his people (Hebrews 7:25).

Finally the time comes to enter the Most Holy Place. And there before us is the Ark, the great gold promise box containing God's covenant with his people and some reminders of his provision and care..... a jar of manna and Aaron's staff that budded (Exodus 25:10-22). God present amongst his people, enthroned between the cherubim (two angels made of hammered gold in one piece with the cover of the Ark).

All pointing to the fulfilment of every promise of God. Our Great High Priest, who offers the Perfect Sacrifice throws open the way to our Holy God through his death for our sin and his resurrection and ascension to the very presence of the Almighty. "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus...let us draw near to God... let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:19-23).

God's worshipping people are now found with their lives centred on knowing, loving and serving their Priest, King & God..... Jesus!