THE TABERNACLE

With four hundred years of Egyptian slavery in their rearview mirror, the Hebrew nation camped at the foot of Mount Sinai. In the shadows of that holy mountain, God gave Moses important instructions. “Tell the Israelites … they are to make a sanctuary for me so that I may dwell among them. You must make it according to all that I show you—the pattern of the tabernacle as well as the pattern of all its furnishings” (Exodus 25:2, 8-9).

The tabernacle and all its furnishings, designed by God Himself, point forward to Jesus.

The Hebrew word translated “tabernacle” comes from a verb which means “to dwell.” The tabernacle was God’s dwelling place among His chosen people. At the beginning of John’s gospel, Jesus is referred to as the “Word” (John 1:1-3). A few verses down, John wrote, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Literally, Jesus “pitched His tent” among His people. He tabernacled with mankind.

Notably the tabernacle’s courtyard had but one entrance. There was a single pathway leading into God’s presence. Similarly, Jesus declared that all roads DO NOT lead to heaven. He emphatically stated, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

When one entered the tabernacle’s single door, he encountered the altar where atoning sacrifices were offered. Just beyond the altar was the laver where the priests washed before entering God’s presence. These obviously point to Jesus, our atoning sacrifice and His gracious forgiveness that washes away our filth.

Inside the tent stood a lampstand (Exodus 25:31-40), a foreshadowing of Jesus, “the Light of the World” (John 8:12) and the table for holy bread (Exodus 25:23-30) which again points forward to Jesus, “the Bread of Life” (John 6:35).

In the tabernacle, God revealed Himself to Moses and to the Hebrew nation. In Jesus, the grace of Almighty God comes into clear focus. Aren’t you glad He pitched His tent among us?

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).