Today's reading discusses the creating and building of the Tabernacle, an important place of worship where God would meet with Moses and the Israelites could offer worship and sacrifice to God. Chapter 37 begins with Bezalel constructing the Ark of the Covernant - which was made famous in the Indiana Jones' movie, "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Within this rectangular box made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold eventually would contain the stone tablets (wherein was written the 10 Commandments), a pot of manna, and Aaron's rod (which later budded flowers to prove as God's choice for high priest for the nation of Israel). To give you an overview of how this Tabernacle functioned, let me provide you with a play-by-play view of what an Israelite may have seen from his point of view:First, the Tabernacle was placed in the center of all the tribes of Israel. In other words, all of the tribes dwelled around the Tabernacle. This was to share with the nation of Israel (and to us today) that God and the worship of Him is to be central to all that we are and do!
As a man approached the Tabernacle, he would immediately see that the Tabernacle was a brilliant white linen curtain of about 150 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 7 1/2 feet high. It would have been a stunning sight as it depicts God's holiness and purity! There is ONLY ONE ENTRANCE and it was a narrow entrance. This narrow entrance depicts Jesus Christ as the ONLY way to God! Remember, Jesus said he was the door! He said in John 14, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no man comes unto the Father except through me." Jesus also explained in Matthew 7 that the way to eternal life was a narrow road!
As the man approached the Tabernacle with his animal, the priest would come and lay his hands on the animal as you had one hand on it as well. This is symbolic of the transferrence of sin onto the sacrifical lamb! This is what Jesus did for you and me! When we place our trust in Him, He takes our sin upon Himself and it is crucified to the cross! Jesus became that sacrificial lamb. He was sent and provided by God - that's why He is called "the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
Upon entering in the courtyard area (which was only reserved for the priests), the animal was slaughtered and the blood was drained. Some of the blood was placed upon the four horns of the altar located within the courtyard. This represents the blood that Jesus shed for us on the cross. As the blood is placed on the horns which were elevated heavenward, it showed God that the blood atonement was made. The four horns represent the four places you'll find blood on the cross of Jesus Christ - both hands, feet, and head!
The animal was then offered as a burnt sacrifice to cancel the debt of sin of the person who presented it to the priest. Jesus was that burnt sacrifice! Although he was not put on fire, He represented every sacrifice the Old Testament Law represented.
The next thing you would see is the priest washing his hands in a large, brass basin of water. This represents the cleansing on oneself through repentance! Once the priest had washed his hands, he could now enter into the first room of the Tabernacle - the Holy Place.
Once the priest entered into the Holy place, to his right in the center of the right hand curtain was a table of showbread - representing Jesus Christ as the bread of life as well as the Word of God (the Bible). This bread was put out daily! When the priest looked to the left, he would see the only light in the room - a 7 candled, golden lampstand filled with oil on a daily basis. This lampstand was commanded to always shine! This represents Jesus as the only true light of the world, and His light never goes out! The oil represents the Holy Spirit. We, as Christians, are to also be lights to the world. Only with the help of the oil or Holy Spirit can this happpen!
When the priest looked straight ahead, he would see a beautifully ornated golden altar of incense. This incense was burn incessantly! This represents prayer offered up to God!
From the Holy Place we learn the essentials to living a dynamic Christian life! We must daily feast on the bread coming from the Word of God, be filled with the Holy Spirit (oil) so that we can illluminate the world about God, and offer prayers and worship incessantly to the Lord!!!!
Regarding the Holy of Holies, only the High Priest (in this case, Aaron) could enter into this room - but ONLY one time per year! He would go beyond the curtain behind the altar of incense and kneel before the Ark of the Covenant where God would meet with Him between the two cherubims located on the lid portion of the Ark! It must have been an incredible sight! Here, the high priest would ask for forgiveness for the entire nation of Israel.
When Jesus died on the cross, the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was torn in two from top to bottom. Jesus simply tore the veil! This was His way of showing that a high priest from mankind was no longer needed. It was also His way of saying you don't need to approach God only one time per year. When the veil ripped in half, Jesus is saying, "Hey...I'm the High Priest! Any prayers offered up at any time in my name I will take directly to the Father in your behalf! Isn't that powerful!!! You don't need a priest, because Jesus is YOUR PRIEST! Wow!
I hope this brief analogy gives some insight into this fascinating structure which represents (according to Hebrews) a picture of things in Heaven!
Gotta go scuba diving! Have a wonderful day in the Lord!
No comments:
Post a Comment