In
the first fourteen verses of Exodus 26, God gave instruction to Moses on how he
should have the four layers of the Tabernacle made. Then in verses 15-30, He
dealt with the framework of the Tabernacle that should be made of acacia wood
panels overlaid with gold. He even gave the dimension of each penal together
with the silver stands and golden sockets and even instructed him how they
should be assembled.
The
Tabernacle was essentially a rectangular tent, 45 feet in length and 15 feet in
width. It was made up of two compartments, the inner section called the
Holy of holies, was squarish in shape measuring 15 by 15 feet. The outer
rectangular portion, the Holy Place, measured 30 by 15 feet. Separating these
two compartments was the curtain described in verses 31-35, also known as the
veil. It was to be made of “…blue and purple and scarlet material and
fine twisted linen …made with cherubim; the work of a skilful workman.” Moses
was instructed to “hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, their
golden hooks on four sockets of silver.” Finally, in verses
36-37, God gave instruction on how to make the cover or the screen for the
entrance to the tent. It was made of blue and purple and
scarlet material and fine twisted linen skilfully interweaved. Five pillars
of acacia for the screen and overlaid with gold were made complete with
hooks of gold, and also five sockets of bronze, probably to hold the
five pillars.
Once
God had revealed how the Tabernacle should be set up, He then told Moses what
should be put inside. Inside the Holy of holies was the Ark of the
Covenant and in the Holy Place was the Altar of Incense just outside the veil
and the Table of Shewbread and The Golden Lampstand opposite each other. The
Table of Shewbread on the north side and the Golden Lampstand on the south
side. Apparently, the only person that had seen the blueprint of the Tabernacle
was Moses. For Exodus 26:30 reads, “Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown
you on the mountain.”
In
essence the Tabernacle was a replica of heaven. It was the place where God’s
throne was surrounded by Cherubim. Through the Tabernacle, God bro0ught heaven
to earth. That explains why God took great pain to instruct how exactly He
wanted it made. The only people that had the privilege to enter into the
Tabernacle were the priests. Even then, only one could enter in when he was
scheduled for the sacrifice. Inside the Tabernacle was like heaven and outside
was earth. The centre of the whole Tabernacle would be the Holy of
holies where God would dwell and reign in glory. This tent would be at the
centre of the lives of the Israelites, with the 12 tribes camping around it,
outside the courtyard. The Tabernacle was to be the most important place in the
world. It was a picture of God ruling both heaven and earth. Though they
could not enter in they had the privilege of seeing it from a distance. They
would certainly feel the privilege of God’s presence among them.
For
us, we need to know that the God we worship is the same God shown here. He
still rules heaven and earth. He’s the same and has never changed. He is still
the faithful perfect God. And He still desires our obedience. He still requires
that we separate from sin. And the only way we can be free from sin is when we
are cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ His Son, who has come and
dwell among us. Through Him, we now have a piece of heaven here on earth. Let’s
be sure to camp around Christ, the God who has come and dwell among
us.
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