The Tabernacle and the Meaning Ex. 25:1--31: 18 , Lesson One
Divine Worship
The considerable amount of text devoted to the subject of worship ought to give us an indication as to the importance of this subject. Divine worship is a response to the Grace of God. God first delivered Israel from Egypt then He gave them the law. So, the law and this divine worship that was included in the law was meant to be a response to the grace of God. Things are no different today. Jesus went to the cross first and then His saving grace is extended to man. Man's worship therefore is a response to the grace of God.
There have been and still are many different interpretations as to what the Tabernacle represented. Philo and Josephus both claimed that the Tabernacle represented the universe (the court =earth, the tabernacle itself = heaven, the lamp stand = the seven planets, the bread of presence = the 12 months. Others, have the Tabernacle representing the church. The Holy Place = the church militant, the Most Holy Place = the church triumphant. My view and the Biblical view is that the Tabernacle represents the Kingdom of God both in Heaven and those on earth. (For an expanded view of who is in the Kingdom read Hebrews 12:22-24). The Hebrew writer speaks on this point. "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." This quote from the Hebrew writer comes from Exodus 25:40 and God's commandment to Moses as to how to build the Tabernacle where God's people will meet to worship. Further, the Hebrew writer states that the earthly Tabernacle was only to be a copy of the things in heaven. Jesus did not enter the Holy Place made with hands (Hebrews 9:24), and the earthly Tabernacle and its vestments were only a copy of the real Tabernacle which is in heaven. The earthly Tabernacle then was temporary and meant to explain the things of heaven in that Jesus now sits in heaven and acts as our High Priest since He offered Himself for us. But, the earthly part of the Kingdom (the church) now owes as its response to this divine grace our worship to our true Hight Priest and King, Jesus Christ. The meaning of the word "Tabernacle" is " to dwell." For God did dwell in the midst of Israel in His sanctuary (Exodus 25:8) and now dwells in His sanctuary the church or Temple of God (1st Cor. 3:16). Thus, the Spirit of God (the 'you' in 1st Cor. 3:16 is plural) now dwells in the church and it is the 'church' that owes God this divine obedient worship.
Chapter 25 ( I have an entire book on what all of these colors mean so I will come back to this).
V.1-2, The “offering” described here is not the 'heave offering' as some commentators speculate but it is a contribution or 'special contribution.”
Vs. 3-7, The fourteen components of the materials that went into the Tabernacle are now listed.
(1) Gold - (2) silver (3) bronze. Then there are three colors of yarn
(4) Blue, came from a shellfish. Probably more purplish. Some say it is the heavenly character of Christ but this is not stated.
(5) Purple (v.4) stands for royalty.
(6) Scarlet (v. 4) Part of the heave offering but purpose unknown.
(7). Fine linen, (v. 4) probably stands for purity and righteousness.
(8) Goat hair (v. 4) used for thread
(9) Rams skin (v. 5) they were dyed red.
(10)”The hides of sea cows” (v. 5) found in the Red Sea.
(11) “Acacia wood (v. 6) known to resist insects.
(12) “Olive Oil” used for anointing.
(13) Spices (v. 6) myrrh, frankincense, cinnamon, cane, and cassia.
(14) The “onxy stones” (v. 7) cannot be identified.
V. 9 The first use of the word Tabernacle in the Bible. It occurs more than 139 times thereafter.
THE ARK AND MERCY SEAT
Jesus Christ, the Mercy Seat: Romans 3: 24-25. "Whom God set forth to be a Mercy Seat" (The Word hilasterion usually translated propitiation, is literally Mercy Seat).
This was the first item on Moses' list of instructions. It is the kapporet (atonement cover). Tyndale and Luther (1534) were the first to use the word “Mercy Seat.” However, the ark was the place of atonement or propitiation, hence God rendered favor to His people. We are now into the life of Israel and the church.
v. 10a. The “chest” “ark” is mentioned 180 times. It is also called the “ark of Testimony” v. 15, “the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth,” (Josh 3:11), “the sacred ark” (2 Chron. 35:3), and “the ark of your might” (Ps. 132:8). It is the throne of God. Notice in the order of things where God begins. He starts with mercy.
v. 10b. The dimensions of the ark were 3.75 feet by 2.125 feet wide and high. It was overlaid with pure gold (v. 11), from which sliver and other impurities had been removed. It had a type of molding or collar around it and the exact meaning of that is unknown. The meaning of pa motayw might be artificial feet. Whatever it is the four gold rings were attached to it. The “acaica wood” poles were slid through the rings and they were not to be removed from the rings (v. 15).
vs. 18-22 A cherub is a creature with wings, a human head, and a body combining elements of an ox, a lion, or an eagle (cf. Gen. 3:24; Ezek 1; Rev. 4). The cherubim, or God's warriors, were mounted and looking toward the cover (1st Peter 1:12).
vs. 22 – The theological relevance of the ark and cherubim are stated not only for the Tabernacle but for all of our worship. “There....I will meet you.” God is continually present in His tabernacle and walks among the people (Lev. 26:11-12). The primary focus of our worship then is meeting with God. It was from the throne above the cherubim that He meet and spoke with His people (cf. 1 Sam. 4:4).