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Jesus Christ and His Church in the Book of Exodus
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Exodus4a:
The Tabernacle,
a type of Jesus Christ and his church
26 Similarities, and hundreds more
It is a fact worthy of our closest and fullest consideration that more space is devoted to an account of the Tabernacle than to any other single object or subject treated of in Holy Writ.
The tabernacle has at least three meanings:
1- In the first place, the tabernacle is a type, a visible illustration, of that heavenly place in which God has His dwelling:
It is clearly stated in Hebrews 9:23-24: "It was, therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these (i.e. sprinklings of blood see Hebrews 9:21-22); but the heavenly things themselves with bettor sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of Clod for us." "The tabernacle was a symbol of God’s dwelling. There is a Sanctuary, wherein is the especial residence and manifestation of the glorious presence of God. Solomon, although he confesses that the heaven of heavens cannot contain God, yet prays that the Lord may hear in heaven His dwelling-place (2 Chron. 6). Jeremiah testifies, ‘A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary’ (17:12). The visions of Ezekiel also bring before us the heavens opened and the likeness of a throne, and the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord; the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon the throne (1:26). Of this heavenly locality David speaks, when he asks, ‘Who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?’ (Ps. 24:3). In the book of Revelation we receive still further confirmation of this truth: ‘And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in Heaven was opened’ (15:5) . . . Almost all expressions which are employed in describing the significance of the tabernacle are also used in reference to Heaven" (A. Saphir).
2- In the second place, the tabernacle is a type of Jesus Christ, who is the meeting-place between God and man:
Secondly, the Tabernacle is a type of the Lord Jesus Himself, particularly of Him here on earth during the days of His flesh. Just as the Tabernacle was Jehovah’s dwelling-place in the midst of Israel so are we told that "God was in Christ reconciling a world unto Himself’ (2 Cor. 5:19); and again, "In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:9). Beautifully was this application of our type manifested at the Incarnation. The Tabernacle was not something which originated in the minds of Israel, or even of Moses. but was designed by God Himself. So the Manhood of Christ, which enshrined His Deity, was not begotten by man—"A body hast Thou prepared Me" (Heb. 10:5). He said.
3- And, in the third place, the tabernacle is a type of Christ in the Church—of the communion of Jesus with all believers:
But the tabernacle has yet a third aspect. "There God and His people met. The ark of the covenant was not merely the throne where God manifested Himself in His holiness, but it was also the throne of relationship with His people. In all the offerings and sacrifices God was manifested; just as regards sin, merciful as regards the sinner; there also God and the sinner met. So throughout the tabernacle there was the manifestation of God in order to bring Israel into communion with Himself. In the Tabernacle man’s fellowship with God was symbolized through manifold mediations. sacrifices, offerings. But in Jesus we have the perfect and eternal fulfillment" (A Saphir). This third aspect of our type is more than hinted at in Revelation 21:3: "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and thy shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God."
The key to the Tabernacle, then, is Christ. As a whole and in each of its parts the Tabernacle foreshadowed the person and work of the Lord Jesus. Each detail in it typified some aspect of His ministry or some excellency in His person. Proof of this is furnished in John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt (tabernacled) among us" John 1:14. (R. V. margin). The reference here is to the Divine incarnation and first advent of God’s Sea to this earth, and its language takes us back to the book of Exodus. Many and varied are the correspondences between the type and the anti-type.
The Tabernacle was a temporary appointment.
- The Tabernacle was simply a tent, a temporary convenience, something that was suited to be moved about from place to place during the journeying of the children of Israel.
- So it was when our blessed Lord dwelt (tabernacled) here among men. His stay was but a brief one—less than forty years; and, like the type. He abode not long in any one place, but was constantly on the move, unwearied in the activity of His love.
The Tabernacle was for use in the wilderness.
- During the time of the pilgrimage from Egypt to the promised land, the Tabernacle was God’s appointed provision for them. For 40 years.
- The wilderness strikingly foreshadowed the conditions amid which the eternal Word dwelt (tabernacled) among men. The wilderness-home of the Tabernacle unmistakably foreshadowed the manger-cradle, the Nazareth-carpenter’s bench, the "nowhere for the Son of man to lay His head," the borrowed tomb for His sepulcher.
The Tabernacle was humble:
- The Tabernacle was mean, humble, and unattractive in outward appearance. Nothing but plain boards and skins.
- So it was at the Incarnation. The Divine majesty of our Lord was hidden beneath a veil of flesh. He came, unattended by any imposing retinues of angels. To the unbelieving gaze of Israel He had no form or comeliness; and when they beheld Him their un-anointed eyes saw in Him no beauty that they should desire Him.
The Tabernacle was God’s dwelling place.
- It was there, in the midst of Israel’s camp, that He took up His abode. There, between the Cherubim. upon the mercy-seat He made His throne. In the holy of holies He manifested His presence by means of the Shekinah glory.
- And so it was during the thirty-three years that the Word dwelt (tabernacled) among men. God had His dwelling-place in Palestine. The holy of holies received its anti-typical fulfillment in the person of the Holy One of God. Just as the Shekinah dwelt between the two Cherubim, so on the mount of transfiguration the glory of the God-man flashed forth from between two men—Moses and Elijah. "We beheld his glory "is the language of the tabernacle-type.
The Tent of Meeting:
- The Tabernacle was, therefore, the place where God met with man. It was termed "the Tent of Meeting." If an Israelite desired to draw near unto Jehovah he had to come to the door of the Tabernacle. When giving instruction to Moses concerning the making of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, God said, "And thou shalt put the mercy-seat above upon the ark, and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, awl I will commune with thee" (Ex. 25:21-22).
- How perfect is this lovely type! Christ is the meeting-place between God and man. No man cometh unto the Father but by Him (John 14:6). There is but one Mediator between God and men—the Man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5). He is the One who spans the gulf between Deity and humanity, because Himself both God and Man.
The Tabernacle was the center of Israel’s camp:
- In the immediate vicinity of the Tabernacle dwelt the Levites the priestly tribe: "But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof; and over all things that belong to it; they shall bear the tabernacle and all the vessels thereof: and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle" (Num. 1:50); and around the Levites were grouped the twelve, tribes, three on either side—see Numbers 2. Again; we read that when Israel’s camp was to be moved from one place to another. "then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp" (Num. 2:17). Once more, "And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the Lord and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle. And the Lord came down in a Cloud and spake unto him" (Num. 11:24-25).
- How striking is this! The Tabernacle was the great gathering-center. As such it was a beautiful foreshadowing of the Lord Jesus. He is our great gathering-center, and His precious promise is that "where two or three are gathered together in My name there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20).
The Tabernacle was the place where the Law was preserved:
- The first two tables of stone, on which Jehovah had inscribed the ten commandments were broken (Ex. 32:19); but the second set were deposited in the ark in the tabernacle for safe keeping (Deut. 10:2-5). It was only there, within the holy of holies, that the tablets of the Law were preserved intact.
- How this, again, speaks to us of Christ! He it was that said, "Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me; I delight to do Thy will, O My God: Yea, Thy Law is within My heart" (Ps. 40:8). Throughout His perfect life He preserved in thought, word, and deed the Divine Decalogue, honoring and magnifying God’s Law.
The Tabernacle was the place where sacrifice was made:
- In its outer court stood the brazen altar, to which the animals were brought, and on which they were slain. There it was the blood was shed and atonement was made for sin.
- So it was with the Lord Jesus. He fulfilled in His own person the typical significance of the brazen altar, as of every piece of the tabernacle furniture. The body in which He dwelt (tabernacled) on earth was nailed to the cruel Tree. The Cross was the altar upon which Pod’s Lamb was slain, where His precious blood was shed, and where complete atonement was made for sin.
The Tabernacle was the place where the priestly family was fed:
- "And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat: with unleavened bread shall it he eaten in the holy place; in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation they shall eat it . . . The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten" (Lev. 6:16-26).
- How deeply significant are these scriptures in their typical import! And how they should speak to us of Christ as the Food of God’s priestly family today, i.e., all believers (1 Pet. 2:5). He is the Bread of life. He is the One upon whom our souls delight to feed, 35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life... 53Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. (Jn.6:35,53... 35-71)
The Tabernacle was the place of worship:
- To it the pious Israelite brought his offerings. To it he turned when he desired to worship Jehovah. From its door the voice of the Lord was heard. Within its courts the priests ministered in their sacred service. - And so it wins with the anti-type. It is by Him we are to offer unto God a sacrifice of praise. (Heb. 13:15). It is in Him, and by Him, alone, that we can worship the Father. It is through Him we have access to the throne of grace.
The Tabernacle had but one door:
- Think of such a large building with but a single entrance! The outer court, with its solid walls of white curtains, was pierced by one gate only; telling us there is, but one way into the presence of the holy God.
- How this reminds us of the words of that One who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by Me!" Access can be obtained only through Him who declared "I am the Door" (John 10:9).
The Tabernacle was approached through the tribe of Judah:
- This is a most striking detail not obvious at first sight, but which is clearly established by a comparison of scripture with scripture. Numbers 2, records the ordering of the twelve tribes of Israel as they were grouped around the four sides of the Tabernacle, and verse 3 tells us that Judah was to pitch on the east side. Now Exodus 27:12-17 makes it clear that the door of the Tabernacle wins also on the east side. Thus, entrance into the Divine sanctuary was obtained through Judah.
- The significance of this is easily discerned. It was through Judah that the true Tabernacle obtained entrance into this world. Therefore is our Lord designated "the Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Rev. 5:5).
The Ark of the Covenant, in the Holy of Holies: Exodus, Part 5b
- The Ark is symbolic for the present age, as Hebrews says: This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant... This is an illustration for the present time (symbolic for the present age) (Heb.9:4,9).
- And the three objects in the Ark are a symbol of the Church of Christ of today:
1- The gold jar containing the "manna", symbol of the real "Eucharist".
2- The "rod of Aaron" which blossomed, symbol of the "Hierarchy".
3- The "tables" of the 10 Commandments of Moses, symbol of the "Bible".
The Ark, a symbol of God... the Christian Tabernacle:
- The Ark is a symbol of God, represented as just described above by Paul.
- The Christian Tabernacle is the real presence of God where Jesus is present with His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity... not in a symbolic form, but by real, God Himself present!
The cherubim... images... attributes of God:
- They are on top of the Ark, and they are symbols of the divine attributes... fulfilled on the cross where justice and mercy met together... righteousness and peace kissed each other...
- Yes, God likes images as far as they are not adored, as He does also in Numbers 21 with the Bronze Serpent Images
The Mercy-Seat (Ark Cover):
- The Mercy-Seat, resting as a cover on the sacred chest, the Ark of the Covenant, is in a peculiar manner a type of Christ. The Mercy Seat was the place of appeasement and reconciliation, the place of atonement, of mercy, of pardon, of covering... yes, Jesus on the Cross!.
- Paul indeed applies the term directly to Him. He says, "Being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth a propitiation" (a mercy-seat, literally), "through faith in His blood," (Rom. 3: 24, 25.)
The Lampstand: Exodus, Part 5b
- The Lampstand, in the holy Place, was to be kept lighted throughout the night, just as the Presence bread was to be kept on the table continually. Also, the fire was to be kept burning on the Altar of Burnt Offering that stood outside the door of the Tabernacle.
- Fulfilled in Jesus Christ and in every Christian,
- "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (Jn.8:12... 9:5)
- "You are the light of the world (Mat.5:14).
- In Catholic temples, it is present next to the Tabernacle, with a red light burning all the time, day and night.
Table of Showbread... The Eucharist:
- Also in the Holy Place. On the table there were four kinds of utensils:
- the dishes that held the showbread when carried to the table, and also when eaten by the priests;
- the little cups in which the holy incense was kept;
- and the larger cups and the bowls that held the wine for the drink offering
- The cloth of scarlet covering the Table represents the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The showbread, or Presence bread, indicates the body of the Lord; and the wine poured out as a drink offering near the table reveals His blood. We have our sharing together in the body and blood of Christ at the Table of Showbread. It is a picture of the Communion service, 35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life... 53Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. (Jn.6:35,53... 35-71)
The Altar of Incense... Prayers:
- The Altar of Incense, in the Holy Place, had four horns, similar to the great Altar of Burnt Offering, pointed to the four divisions of Israelites camped around the Tabernacle, indicating that the Church is to offer prayer and praise to God without ceasing.
- Jesus and his church fulfill it, 16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1Thes.5:16-18)... in fact it is the Secret of Happiness in the Bible
- It also shows that all the ends of the earth should offer praise and prayer to Almighty God... and it is being done!... little by little.
Altar of Burnt Offering... Jesus at Calvary:
- Now we have come to the largest of the seven pieces of furniture of the Tabernacle—the bronze Altar of Burnt Offering. All animal sacrifices were made here, at the door of the Tabernacle. It was here that God met Israel, just as God always meets people today at Calvary.
- Fulfilled in Christ and his church in the daily Eucharist... since Christ, no more animal offerings, as prophesied by Daniel... He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. (Heb.9:12).
The Laver... Baptism and Confession:
- The Laver was placed directly in front of the door of the Tabernacle between the Altar of Burnt Offering and the door of the Tabernacle. The water in the Laver enabled the high priest and the other priests to wash their hands and their feet before they went into the Tabernacle to minister before the Lord. This reminds us of the words of Paul concerning the Church: "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word" (Ephesians 5:26).
- Fulfilled in the church with Baptism, which cleans all sins... and by the Sacrament Confession to clean any sin after Baptism Confession of Sins
There are more symbolisms in the Tabernacle fulfilled in the Christ... the tent, the different veils, the columns, the doors, the different vestments of the priests.. even the materials used and the colors have a rich meaning. You may look in the links below. So, there literally hundreds of symbols of the Tabernacle fulfilled in Christ and his church. This is a table from http://www.weeklybiblestudy.org/The_tabernacle.htm
Item, Substance, Color
Meaning(s) Scripture References
White (linen)
Righteousness and purity
Exodus 28:39-43; Revelation 19:6-9; Isaiah 64:6; Rev 3:18b
Red/Scarlet
Suffering, sacrifice or blood
Blue
Heavenly in nature or origin or Godly
Numbers 15:37-39
Purple
Royal and Royalty
Judges 8:26; Ester 8:15; Lamentations 4:5; Daniel 5:7,16; Mark 15:16-18; Luke 16:19
Bronze
Judgment against sin
Numbers 21:4-9 – the bronze serpent is a type for Christ (John 3:14) who was to be the reality of God’s ultimate judgment of sin.
Silver
Ransom or Redemption
Exodus 30:11-16; 38:25-28
Gold
God’s glory or God’s manifestation
Job 22:23-26; Rev 3:18a; 21:11,18
Wood (Acacia or KJV Shittim)
Humanity as God created him, uncorrupted humanity as God intended man to be. Acacia, a fine-grained wood, represents the perfect and best humanity
Psalm 1:1-3; Jeremiah 5:14
Badger/Sea cow/Dolphin skin
Separation and protection
Ram’s skin
Consecration and obedience to God
Exodus 29:15-35
Goat’s hair
Sin-bearing
Leviticus 16
Oil
Holy Spirit
1 Samuel 10:1; 16:12-14; Zechariah 4:10-14; Matthew 25:1-13;
Incense
Prayer and intercession
Psalm 141:2; Revelation 5:8; 8:3,4
Quotations: NIV and KJV at the Bible Gateway
http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Gleanings_Exodus/exodus_33.htm
http://www.wor.org/books/t/Tabcongr.htm
http://www.weeklybiblestudy.org/The_tabernacle.htm
http://www.biblecentre.org/commentaries/commentaries_ed_02_exodus.htm
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| (Eph 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and BECOME MATURE, ATTAINING TO THE WHOLE MEASURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST.From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every support ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16 |
