The Tabernacle of Moses, Israel’s Worship& The Ark of the Covenant

We are going to briefly look at the Tabernacle of Moses, which was constructed during Israel’s time in the wilderness after leaving Egypt (heading for ‘The Promised Land’) in the book of Exodus.

During their travels through the wilderness, Israel camped at the foot of Mount Sinai, where Moses went up onto the mountain to meet with God.




For 40 days and nights Moses was on the mountain, in the cloud - the glory and Presence of God - receiving the Law and the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle.

God gave him instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, which was to be the centre of Israel’s worship. These included very specific instructions about worship, the Priesthood and the sacrificial system that Israel was to follow.

This was not just to be an ordinary Tabernacle or man’s idea of worship. This earthly Tabernacle was designed by God Himself to follow the pattern of the true Tabernacle in the heavenlies.

Speaking of how the earthly Tabernacle was a type and shadow of the true one in heaven, the writer of Hebrews says the following:






The earthly tabernacle was a ‘copy and shadow of the heavenly things’. Because of this, Moses was given very specific instructions to build is exactly according to the plan given to him on Mount Sinai.

The book of Revelation speaks more of this Temple in Heaven:




50 Chapters in the Bible are dedicated to Moses Tabernacle!




If you include how many chapters are dedicated to Solomon’s Temple, which was later constructed, you will see that the Bible dedicates a lot of time to this subject.


Many New Testament words and phrases find their basis in the Tabernacle:




An understanding of this Tabernacle in the Old Testament can only increase our knowledge of the great truths of Redemption



God’s Dwelling place




The Tabernacle Moses was instructed to build was to be God’s dwelling amongst His people.

God has always desired to dwell with and walk with His people. He is not a God who desires to be distant and ‘aloof’. He desires closeness and fellowship.

Right from the Garden of Eden, God walked with His man, His creation. Sin separated God and man, and the plan of Redemption is about bringing man back into fellowship. The Tabernacle allowed man to fellowship with God, through the blood sacrifices where sin was atoned for, which were a type of the work Jesus did on the cross, where sin was once and for all dealt with so that man can be restored back into fellowship with God.



Tabernacles / Temples in the Bible:

There is a ‘progressive revelation’ of God’s dwelling place through the Word of God.

The Tabernacle of Moses was the first of it’s kind, but was a temporary tent. It was designed to be portable and moved with Israel through their wilderness wanderings.

Once Israel settled in the promised land, the Tabernacle was finally set up in Shiloh (Joshua 18:1; 19:51), and was the centre of Israel’s worship for around 300 years.

It was at Shiloh that The Prophet Samuel was raised, under the Priest Eli, in the Tabernacle. (1 Samuel 1 - 3). The Ark and the tabernacle continued at Shiloh, from around 1444 B.C. to 1116 B.C.

At this time, the Ark of the Covenant was lost in battle to the Philistines (1 Samuel 4-6) and even once recovered never returned again to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. Since the Ark represented the Glory of God, when the ark was lost, Eli’s daughter in law named her son Ichabod (meaning the glory has departed) declaring:




Once the Ark was recovered from the Philistines, it was taken to Kirjath Jearim (1 Samuel 6:20-7:1) where it stayed through the reign of King Saul until the time of King David who brought it to the City of David (2 Samuel 6).

Here, David set up a Tabernacle (come to be known as the Tabernacle of David).

This was also a tent, like Moses’ Tabernacle in the wilderness.




We are told very little about David’s Tabernacle, except for a couple of prophetic references to it in Amos 9:11 and Acts 15:16. What we do know is that David did not construct this Tabernacle like Moses’ one. David’s Tabernacle did not have a Holy of Holies and other partitioned sections. It was also far more accessible to people, whereas Moses Tabernacle was largely only open to the Priests and only the High Priest could access certain areas.

We are also shown that David’s Tabernacle was a place where sacrifices and offerings were made continually.

David also included music into the Tabernacle worship (see 1 Chronicles 16:4-6 & 16:37-43)




David knew that this Tabernacle he had set up was temporary and he desired to build God a specific Temple that would no longer just be a tent, but a building.

God told him he was not to be the one to build the Temple, but instead that his seed after him would do it.

Speaking to David, God said the following:




In the natural, this  referred to Solomon, who built the Temple, but is prophetically referring to Jesus who was THE Seed who built God’s house (the church) and who’s throne is established forever. Solomon’s throne was not established forever by God, showing that he was not really the one God was referring to here. God was speaking specifically about ‘The Seed’ - Jesus, who was to build God’s house.

David spent his entire life stockpiling wealth for the building of the Temple that his son Solomon was to construct.

He stockpiled incredible wealth in gold that today would total in the Billions! David’s desire was to see a Temple constructed for God that would be totally magnificent, and did not want to give God a ‘cheap’ looking house.

Solomon then took this wealth, added to it and built The Temple. (1 Kings 5-6). The ark was then brought to the Temple and God’s glory filled it like He had filled Moses’ Tabernacle in the wilderness. (1 Kings 8)

This Temple was eventually destroyed through Israel’s unfaithfulness to God and then rebuilt in the time of Ezra (Ezra 3-5). This was Zerrubbabel’s Temple (Ezra 6:15,16; Haggai)

Although there was a Temple in Jerusalem in Jesus’ day HE was THE Temple, as God’s presence dwelt within Him. Speaking of Jesus we are told:




The word ‘dwelt’ here means: to tent or encamp, to reside (as God did in the Tabernacle of old)

When Jesus died, the veil in the Temple at Jerusalem was torn in 2, showing that God’s presence no longer dwells in a building made with man’s hands.

God’s Temple is now the church, where God resides




Finally the book of Revelation speaks of the Temple of God in heaven, until eventually in Revelation 21 we are shown the New Jerusalem, which according to John’s Revelation has no Temple!




This is THE final fulfilment of God’s desire to dwell among His people, and not need a earthly tabernacle of Temple to do so. Just like in Genesis, God dwells with His people.



Layout of the Tabernacle:





The Outer court was like a courtyard, it did not have a covered roof, but did have a wall around it made out of fabrics.

The Tabernacle itself was a tent, which was within the walls of the Outer Court and it consisted of the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place or Holy of Holies, which was like an inner room within the Holy Place.

The Holy of Holies and the Holy Place were separated by a thick veil. It was this veil which was torn in 2 when Jesus died on the cross signifying that the time of an earthly Tabernacle or Temple made with human hands where God’s presence dwelled was over.




Sacrifices were done in the outer court on the Altar of Burnt offering.

Duties of the Priests were carried out in the Outer Court and Holy Place, but only once a year could the High Priest enter the Holy of Holies with the Atoning Blood Sacrifice - Hebrews 9:6-8



The Day of Atonement:

Leviticus 16 records the Day of Atonement where once a year the High Priest was to make a sin offering and a burnt offering for himself and the people sins. God made it very clear that no one, including the High Priest was to enter the Most Holy Place behind the veil without doing this. That was sacred, holy ground and was not to be treated lightly.




God gave them very specific instructions about how the High Priest was to make these offerings to atone for the people’s sins. On that day, once a year, the people’s sins would be atoned for






The New Testament teaches us in Hebrews that this atoning sacrifice could never properly wash people from sin, which is why it had to be offered again every year. It was only a temporary washing of sin, until Jesus Christ came and offered His own blood as THE sacrifice for sin. Jesus then went as the High Priest with His own blood into heaven’s Most Holy Place and offered His blood upon the Mercy seat, purchasing eternal redemption from sin, and not only covering our sins temporarily, but washing us once and for all from them.




As long as the Old Testament system was in place, the way into God’s presence was blocked. It was not until the death of Jesus that this veil was torn and open access to God was made available through the blood of Christ!



Furnishings of the Tabernacle:


Each section of the Tabernacle had furnishings. These furnishings were:

The Ark of the Covenant, Altar of incense, The Table of Show bread, The Golden Lamp stand, The Bronze Laver and The Altar of Burnt offering.


All of the furnishings of the Tabernacle are found in the book of Revelation in relation to the heavenly Tabernacle:





The arranging of the furnishings of the Tabernacle:




The Ark of the Covenant was placed in the Holy of Holies, which was partitioned off with a veil.

The Altar of Incense was in front of the veil which covered the entrance to the Holy of Holies, when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies, incense from the Altar would enter with him.

Next, the Table of showbread and the Lamp stand were placed in the Holy Place.

Finally the Altar of Burnt offering and the Bronze Laver were placed in the Outer Court.

The outer court had a screen / curtain which acted like a wall or fence all around the entire Tabernacle so that no one on the outside could look in.



A journey through the Tabernacle:


Your journey through the Tabernacle is a progressive one into God’s Presence, from the Altar through a blood sacrifice and eventually to the Ark: The Glory and Presence of God. We will not follow the steps of this journey.

An observer standing on the outside of the Tabernacle could not see within it’s walls, as the Outer Court was surrounded by a curtain of fine linen which made a ‘wall around it.

In order to enter the Tabernacle you would have to come through it’s only entrance, The Gate, bringing you into the Outer Court. Once you entered, you would first notice that all of the furnishings in the Outer Court were brass, which is used in scripture in connection to judgement for sin.

The Courtyard is the place where sin must first be judged and dealt with before you can proceed any further. The 2 furnishings here were designed to do this: The Altar and the Bronze Laver.



The Altar of Burnt offering - Exodus 27:1-8; Exodus 38:1-7


Upon entering the Outer Court through the Gate, you would immediately be confronted with the Brazen Altar.

It was about 7 ½ to 8 feet square, and about 4 ½ feet high. You would not be able to pass the altar without a sacrifice. No one can come to God without the blood sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for us.

The Outer Court was not full of altars, there was only one altar, and Israel was specifically commanded not to build other altars. This was THE ONLY place Israel was to bring their sacrifices.




There was only one cross of Jesus where He became the sacrifice. We are not to make our own ways to God, but can only come through the sacrifice which God has ordained.

The word ‘altar’ means ‘slaughter place’ and it is where the sacrifices were made.

There was nothing attractive or beautiful about the slaughter of animals. It was not meant to be pretty, as it was a place of Judgement. Sin was judged by death, the death of the animal was done in the place of the person offering. The animal was dying for the person as a substitute.

There was nothing attractive about the cross of Jesus. It has been portrayed by artists many times, but in reality it was a terrible place of execution and death, where Jesus died and took your place in sin as a substitute.

After the Altar, the next place you would come to would be the Bronze Laver:



The Bronze Laver - Exodus 30:17-21; Exodus 38:8


After the blood sacrifice at the Altar, the Laver was a place of cleansing and sanctification, for the Priests to wash themselves in before they did offerings etc and was typical of the Word of God and the Spirit of God which wash us.

The Laver was made of polished brass, like a mirror and was filled with water.

When the Priests were first set apart for the Priesthood, they were to cleanse their entire bodies. After that they were just to cleanse their hands and feet every time before they entered the Tabernacle.

During the day, as the Priest got dirty, he would come to wash at the Laver, and would see himself reflected back in the Polished brass.

The Word of God is a mirror to us (James 1). It also cleanses us (John 17:17; Psalm 119:9; John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5)
.

From the Outer Court, you would see the Central erection of the Tabernacle, which had a veil as it’s door. This was the first veil.

Once inside the Tabernacle, in the Holy Place, you would notice that Brass was no longer in use, instead Silver and Gold, and you would encounter the next furnishings of the Tabernacle. All the furnishings of the Holy Place were connected to fellowship with God: Communion, oneness with Him and Prayer.



The Table of Show bread - Exodus 25:23-30; Exodus 37:10-16


12 fresh bread cakes were to be baked, and placed upon the table (Leviticus 24:5-6), each Sabbath the priests were to partake and eat of this bread (Leviticus 24:9) and place new, freshly baked loaves on the Table. The Table was a place of fellowship and shows the bread of communion



The Golden Lamp stand - Exodus 25:31-40; Exodus 37:17-24


Opposite the Table of Showbread stood the Golden Lamp stand. It was not just a candlestick, with burning candles which would burn themselves up, but instead were lamps, fed by a continual supply of oil.

The primary purpose of the Lamp Stand was to bring light to the Holy Place. The Lamp stand was made of pure gold (not just wood overlaid with gold). It was made of 1 talent of Golf (see values for gold given below)



Altar of incense - Exodus 30:1- 10; Exodus 37:25-28


The Altar of Incense was in front of the veil which covered the entrance to the Holy of Holies, when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies, incense from the Altar would enter with him.

Incense was offered on the altar daily by the High Priest (Exodus 30:7-10).

Also each year when the High Priest offered the Atoning blood sacrifice, he was to offer blood on the horns of the altar of incense on his way into the Holy of Holies. The Altar of incense in heaven is spoken of in Revelation in connection to the prayers of the saints which arise like incense.




From the Holy Place to the Holy of Holies, you would have to pass through the Veil.

The Veil hid what was behind: The Ark and the Glory of God, and it blocked the entrance into God’s Presence.

Once inside the Veil, you would be in the very core of the Tabernacle and would find the Ark of the Covenant within.

The Holy of Holies was the very purpose for the Tabernacle. Everything else was part of the journey to get here. The Tabernacle was not made for the sacrifices or for the Candlestick or Laver, it was made for the Ark and for the Presence of God. Without the Ark, all the rest of the Tabernacle was just empty form and rituals.



The Ark of the Covenant (Testimony) - Exodus 25:10-22; Exodus 37:1-9


The Ark was the most important part of the Tabernacle because of what it represented and stood for. It was regarded as the most sacred vessel in the Tabernacle and was to be treated with respect.

The entire Tabernacle was built around the Ark, which was a ’box’ 3 ¾ feet long, 2 ¼ feet wide and 2 ¼ feet high.  There are around 185 references to the Ark on the Old Testament.

Upon the lid of the Ark was the Mercy seat (note that it is not the ‘judgement seat’ - sin had already been judged in the outer court). Once here, a person was coming to receive mercy. (Hebrews 4:16)

Within the Ark were the Tables of the Law given to Moses by God. (also Aaron’s rod that budded and the Golden pot of Manna). Each year, on the day of Atonement, the High Priest would sprinkle blood on the Mercy seat (Exodus 25:21)

Jesus is our Mercy seat (1 John 2:1-2; Romans 3:25 - propitiation is the same Greek Word translated Mercy Seat in Hebrews 9:5)

Over the Ark stood statues of 2 Cheribums (angels) guarding the presence of God.

Between these angels and above the mercy seat there was a blinding light, which became known as ‘the Shekinah’. This was the manifest presence and glory of God, and was the only light in the Holy of Holies, as no natural light could get in.

It was from the Ark that God’s audible voice would speak to Moses and Aaron. (Exodus 25:22; Numbers 7:89)

It is no coincidence that the Ark was known as ‘the Ark of the Covenant’ because the covenant was central to Israel’s relationship and standing with God. If it was not for the covenant, they would have no relationship with God.



The Ark’s journey through the Bible:


The Ark represented the glory and presence of God with Israel.

In Numbers 13 and 14 when Israel reached the promised land, they rebelled against God and God told them they were not to enter the promised land, but instead they tried any way, but the Bible says that the Ark did not go with them, showing that God’s presence was not in what they did and they failed.

40 years later, when God took Israel into the Promised land, the Ark was the first to go in. (Joshua 3:1-4).

The Ark was significant in battle, being mentioned 9 times in Joshua 1-14 connected to the taking of Jericho. It was carried around the City and the people followed it. God’s presence with His people was a sure sign of victory. Knowing God was with them gave them confidence in battle.

Many years later, in a very dark time in Israel’s history, when they were not walking close to God, the Ark was captured in battle by the Philistines. (1 Samuel 3-4). When the Philistines first heard that Israel was bringing the Ark into the battle, they were stuck with fear, as they knew what it meant to Israel when God’s presence was fighting with them!

However Israel was living in judgement for sin, and there was no power present with the Ark to save them. The Glory had departed from Israel (Ichabod) and the Ark was lost in battle.

When the Ark was in Philistine hands, it only brought them problems. They had taken it wrongfully and had no covenant with God, giving them no right to have it! Their gods were judged before the Ark, and they realised they had to return it to Israel. (1 Samuel 5:1-7)

They sent the Ark back to Israel, but it never returned back to the Tabernacle of Moses in Shiloh , but instead spent many years in Kirjath Jearim (1 Samuel 6:20-7:1) where it stayed through the reign of King Saul until the time of King David who brought it to the City of David (2 Samuel 6).

However David made the mistake of not transporting the Ark correctly, and a person was struck dead. Israel was expected by God to respect the Ark, reverencing His presence. David corrected his mistake and the Ark was moved properly.

The Ark finally was moved to Solomon’s Temple. In Moses’ Tabernacle it had rested on a floor of sand, showing it was in transition, but now in Solomon’s Temple it rested on a floor of gold, showing it’s journey was over. The last mention of the Ark is in Jeremiah 3:15-17



The Resources to make the Tabernacle


The Tabernacle was constructed using materials which the Children of Israel brought in offerings to their God. These would have been some of the same possessions they had plundered from the Egyptians when leaving Egypt. (see Exodus 35:29; Exodus 36:6)

God gave instructions on the details of the building of this tabernacle, and He instructed Moses to tell the people to bring an offering to finance the construction of the Tabernacle. Here we see that bringing offerings for the construction of God’s house was GOD’S idea, not man’s.

The Tabernacle was not to be a second rate, cheap tent. God had said He wanted a house and He wanted a nice one, with the finest building materials. Even though the Tabernacle was just a temporary tent, God still expected it to be built to the highest standards, sparing no cost in it’s construction.

Most people would think when they do something temporary, that half measures will do, but not God! He still expected the ABSOLUTE BEST.

When we do things for God we should not do half jobs! Too often people see the church as a charity, and have a ‘cheap’ mentality towards the things of God.

You won’t find this in the Bible, the opposite is scriptural

Anything you do for God should be done with your best effort. When you volunteer time in the church or a department, you should put your best effort in! When you GIVE financially, you should do your best.

When God said ‘I want a tent’ He meant a NICE TENT!



The Cost of the Tabernacle:


This was no ordinary house! Its contents were made of gold. The finest skins and hides were used!







If you put in modern Gold values for the amount of gold used in the Tabernacle, it would value at millions of $‘s!

What about silver and bronze costs?

Also the costs of wood, fabric, priestly garments, precious stones, labour costs etc!

This was an incredibly expensive TENT! At a conservative estimate (depending upon fluctuations in gold prices) this Tabernacle would have cost around $20 million.

This is only the cost for the TABERNACLE. A study of Solomon’s Temple will show that it far exceeded this in wealth! Probably by today’s gold values would cost in the billions of $’s!

What would people think today if we built a church building for that cost?

You would get people griping about how that money should have gone to the poor etc

Is it right that we get concerned with how much the church spends on buildings & equipment etc?
Should we spare any expense for our God?

No, it’s wrong thinking that criticises how the church uses money!

People see what they feel is ‘extravagance’ and want to criticise. Those are wrong mentalities toward money and the things of God. We ought to want our God to have the best and the finest looking facilities, equipment and furnishings.

In John 12:1-8 we see Judas criticising the use of perfume which he claimed could have been sold and given to the poor.

In truth Judas had ulterior motives in his criticism, giving to the poor was the last thing he was genuinely concerned about!

Giving to the poor is a noble and good cause, but we ought not lessen our giving to God in order to give to the poor. They are different things, and we ought to make sure we give GOD our best first.

Giving to the poor and giving your best to God are 2 different types of giving. We are not to lessen our giving to God in order to give to the poor. Yes, give to the poor, but ALSO give your best to God, and see that the things of God should always have the best, and look the best




If God was a scrape by God of lack, He could NEVER approve of the expense of the Tabernacle, yet in truth He commissioned it and gave the plans. He wanted the best and expected it! The Bible shows us that WE are to Give God our best!

When God wants to do something, when He has a project to do in His church, His body, where does He go to get the finances to back it?






God financed his project through His people.

This was the same people God had blessed with all this wealth when they left Egypt! This people brought A LOT of offerings in order to finance such an extravagant tent! Notice though that they did it, they didn’t withhold.

God blesses those who put Him and HIS things first.

When we do things for God, we ought not use the cheapest or oldest we have. We should desire to put our absolute best into the things of God!

It ought to bother us when our church building doesn’t look good and we should be willing to be a part of the answer to making it look better. We ought not just leave a mess and think someone else should clean it up!

People should want to see the things of God looking good – and being presentable. If the chairs are in a mess, straighten them. Don’t just think that’s someone else’s job. If there is a mess in the church, clean it! If the light bulbs are out, find out where the new ones are kept and change them!

This is God’s stuff we are dealing with and our attitude toward of should be right!


Often our attitude towards God’s ‘things’ reflects our attitude toward Him!


God’s church should have the BEST building in town! We should desire our church to have the best equipment. But how is it going to happen? God is going to move on people to finance these things!

Our heart should be, ‘God where can I get involved in financing things?’

Prosperity is not JUST so that YOUR house can be taken care of – it’s so that GOD’S things can be taken care of! (Haggai 1:9-11)

In the Word, when people took the time to make sure God’s things were taken care of, with their time and effort AND money – offerings - they prospered.

The Word shows that there is a connection between the people’s attitude towards the things of God and offerings etc and whether He put His glory in His house! There is also a connection between people’s attitude toward the things of God and their own prosperity. When the people valued the things of God – and this value was reflected in their offerings, God moved. When the people despised the things of God and had a wrong attitude toward offerings etc, they lost the glory (see 1 Samuel 1-5; Haggai, Malachi)
 


Worship in the Tabernacle:


The Tabernacle was in the centre of the camp, it was to be central to their lives and was the centre of their worship and relationship with God. They were given specific and detailed instructions as to how to go about this worship, through a series of feasts and sacrifices / offerings.

Details of these are given in the book of Leviticus. The Tribe of Levi was set aside as Priests to serve and fulfil the duties of the tabernacle and the sacrifices. Moses Brother Aaron was set up as the First High Priest.



The Tabernacle is set up - Exodus 36-40


One year after the Departure from Egypt, The Tabernacle was set up and the glory of God filled it




With the tabernacle now constructed, and the priests ready to serve at its altars, the Israelites began a new phase in the history of their nation.



Holiness and the Tabernacle:


Everything about the Tabernacle, its Priesthood, anointing oils, furnishings etc were all holy to the Lord.

Through the Tabernacle, the Israelites were to learn about what holiness meant. Over and over we see ‘Holy’ or ‘Holiness’ used in connection to the Tabernacle, at least 31 times in Exodus alone.

The High Priest wore a sign of pure gold which said, ‘Holiness to the Lord’, and the names of various parts of the Tabernacle spoke of holiness (The Holy Place and the Holy of Holies). The entire Tabernacle was carefully guarded from anything that would defile the sanctity of God’s dwelling.

This same truth carries into the New Testament:





The word “Holy” is the Hebrew ‘qadosh’ which means ‘set apart, to be treated with respect’


When something was made Holy, it meant it was to be set aside and separated aside for exclusive use for God and His work. Things that were thus set aside were not to be treated or viewed as common, nor treated with disrespect.

God view their separation unto Him seriously and expected the people to see it the same way.

In the Old Testament, when people misused or abused things that were holy - set apart - swift judgement followed.



The Holy Anointing Oil - Exodus 30:22-33


God gave them instructions for the making of Holy Anointing oil. Everything in the Tabernacle was anointed with the Holy Oil. This anointing with oil signified that these Priests and furnishings of the Tabernacle were being set apart for exclusive use as the things of God, and is typical of the anointing of God upon a person which separates them for service to the Lord.

Anyone who used the anointing oil for common, everyday use was to be cut off from Israel (Exodus 30:32-33). This showed how serious God was about things that were set aside for His use being used properly and with the proper respect. This included God’s ministers.



The Tithe is ‘Holy’




God declared that this same attitude of things being HOLY and set apart for His exclusive use was to apply to the tithe.

The word tithe means ‘tenth’ and refers to the tenth of Israel’s harvest, seed, fruit etc which was to be brought to the Lord and given to Him.

The same attitude that went with misusing the holy things in other areas applied also to the tithe.

People were not to misuse the tithe but were to view it as God‘s and set aside for Him. Malachi shows that the misuse of the tithe brought a curse on the people, because they did not regard it as exclusively set aside for God’s use. (Malachi 3:8-10)

God took this tithe and used it to support the Levities who were the Priests




God did not expect the Levites to perform the duties of the Priesthood for nothing. They were to be given the tithe to support them. The Priests were to dedicate their time exclusively to the priesthood and were not to have to be distracted with ‘secular’ employment. God took care of them using the tithe.



Christ in the Tabernacle:


The tabernacle was a “Type” (symbol) of Christ. The book of Hebrews teaches us some of this typology, showing us that the Tabernacle was symbolic, a shadow of what was to come.




All of the Old Testament sacrifices pointed to Jesus and His work. The Tabernacle pointed to Him. That is why it had to be made exactly according to the prescribed pattern. God wanted it to accurately point people to the work that Jesus was coming to do on this earth for our Eternal redemption

This article only briefly covers the Tabernacle to give you a basic working knowledge and familiarity with it. Further study is recommended to understand this important part of the Bible.

This article, along with others by the same author can be found at www.exceedingfaith.org/articles.html

For more information about this ministry please see www.exceedingfaith.org

Unless otherwise stated, all scriptures used are quoted from the New King James Version of the Bible.

© 2008 Owen Walton & Exceeding Faith Ministries International. This article is written by Owen Walton and is made available for free distribution under the following terms:

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