The Love

Heard this beautiful rendition of the Love of God that is worth sharing. Enjoy…

 

The mathematician cannot figure it out

History cannot begin to tell you about His Love

Geography cannot locate the depths of His Love

Geometry cannot measure the heights of His Love

 

The architect cannot lay the foundation of His Love

The electrician cannot improve the light of His Love

His enemies cannot eat up His Love

Voters cannot outvote His Love

 

The sea cannot drown His Love

Fire cannot burn out His Love

 

I’m trying to tell you His Love is unique

 

Snow cannot cover up His Love

Ice cannot freeze His Love

Storms cannot blow away His Love

And death cannot kill His Love

 

GOD IS LOVE!

 

~Benjamin Dube

The Tabernacle: The coverings 2

The second covering

(Exodus 26:7-10)

And thou shalt make curtains of goats’ hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. The length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and the eleven curtains shall be all of one measure. And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle. And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops in the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second.

The second covering of the tent: In the Middle East goats were primarily black, thus this would’ve been a black covering. Black usually typifies death or evil or sin. Sinless Jesus took our sin upon Him that we might be made the righteousness of God (2 Cor.5:21).

This covering also differed in dimensions from the first covering. Eleven curtains, each thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. Five curtains to be coupled together and then six curtains coupled together. Five is the number of grace, six the number of man, and eleven the number of chaos. Man cannot work to earn salvation and grace, but by grace are we saved through faith which is a gift from God (Eph.2:8-9). Those entering the tabernacle would be reminded of this as only the black part of the eleventh curtain that covered the front (face) was visible.

 

(Exodus 26:11)

And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.

Brass (or copper) represents judgement. Also interesting is that the Hebrew root word used for copper is also the same as used for snake. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, they received the wages of sin (Rom.6:23), but God didn’t judge them, He judged the serpent (Gen.3:14) and provided grace (Gen.3:21) for Adam and Eve. Amazingly God was the first person on earth to shed blood. In Genesis 3:21 He made coverings of skin for them. Where did He get the skin? Rationally He had to slaughter an animal…

When the Holy Spirit departed from Samson, the Philistines bound him in copper shackles (Judges 16:21) and Goliath was wearing a copper helmet – the helmet of judgement – and a heavy coat of copper when David took him down (1 Sam.17:5). In Number 21:4-9 the Israelites had to look up at the copper snake upon a pole to be saved from the deadly snake bites. Jesus with the world’s sin upon Himself would become the snake lifted up on a wooden pole that all who look upon Him shall be saved.

Man sin, God deals with sin through judging it, then provides grace from man. This pattern can be seen from Genesis to Revelation.

(Exodus 26:12-13)

And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle. And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.

About an eleventh of this black covering would be visible. One eleventh of Jesus’ life was visible through His public ministry at the end of His life. Although beautiful on the inside – like the tabernacle – a black coat of sin would cover Jesus on the Cross.

The third and fourth covering

(Exodus 26:14)

And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers’ skins.

The third covering of the tent: ram’s skins dyed red. When we read in Genesis 22 regarding Abraham taking his son Isaac up Mount Moriah to be sacrificed, we see that God provided a ram when He interrupted Abraham just before he brought the knife down. It may have been where Goliath’s skull ended up, but it is the very same place where Jesus was sacrificed on the Cross. Jesus was led as a lamb to be slaughtered (Is.53:7) and His blood shed for many for the remission of sin (Mt.26:28). From old the ram’s horn is blown – even today – to announce the year of Jubilee, a celebration of grace and liberty.

The fourth covering of the tent: badgers’ skins.  Much debate exists around the Hebrew word “tachash” that is translated as ‘badger’ in the KJV. Some versions translate it as badger, a land animal, as would make sense. Others translated it as the skin of a sea animal, which would also be plausible as the Red Sea may not have been far  from where they build the tabernacle. Still others translate it as fine leather which is also probable as the Israelites just came out of Egypt not empty handed. Whichever way, all of these were quite common in appearance. Jesus, on the outside, likewise was very common in appearance(Is.53:2-3).

The Tabernacle: The coverings 1

The Tabernacle: The first covering and its four colours.

The tent described here is that part of the tabernacle that covers the Holy place and the Holy of Holies. Keep in mind, that everything regarding the Tabernacle point to Jesus Christ.

(Exodus 26:1)

Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubim of cunning work shalt thou make them.

Ten represents human responsibility. God gave to Israel Ten Commandments (or instructions) regarding their responsibility to God and to their neighbour. Also, when Pharaoh refused to let Israel go, God sent ten plagues.

The Hebrew rendering of ‘curtains of fine twined linen’ suggests ‘hangings of white (bleached) twined linen’. Thus the hangings (curtains) had to be of four colours: white, blue, purple and red. Why specifically these four colours? Where else in the Bible do we find four things of?

The four Gospels:

• White: Luke presents Jesus as the Perfect Man, sinless and righteous. Righteousness is also represented by the colour white. God declares through Isaiah that “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isa. 1:18)
• Blue: John presents Jesus as the Son of God and establishes Jesus’ godliness. Blue also represents the colour of heaven, confirming godliness. Searching the Bible you’ll find that blue was also related to royalty, just as purple.
• Purple: Matthew presents Jesus as King. Purple is the colour for royalty. It is said that both blue and purple was derived from the cerulean mussel that yielded these colours. Remember, in ancient times people didn’t have the luxury of chemical dyes as we know it today. They had to get their colours from what nature provided. Now these mussels were expensive to obtain and to process to extract the colour it yielded that would be used to dye linen, clothing, and etcetera. Therefore for many years purple was linked to royalty.
• Scarlet: Better known as the colour red. Mark presents Jesus as the Servant of the Kingdom of God. The Hebrew rendering used for scarlet is  ותלעת שׁני. “Ve-to-la-at   Sha-nee”. This translated talks about the crimson maggot, or the crimson grub. We find this same word usage in Psalm 22:6 when the psalmist prophetically speaks of Jesus. The scientific name for this worm is coccus ilicis. The amazing thing about this worm is that, when it is ready to reproduce, it attaches itself to a tree and becomes a hard shell under which she lays her eggs. The larvae would feed from under her and when they are ready to face the world, the worm dies and leaves a crimson stain on the tree. After three or four days the worm would lose its crimson colour and turns white that would fall like white snow to the ground.

Jesus (“I am but a worm” Ps.22:6) died on a tree (the cross) and by His crimson blood washed away our sin that we might become as white as snow; that we might become His righteousness and live through Him.

“…with cherubim of cunning work.” These thoughtfully weaved depictions of angels would remind the priests entering the tent that they are in the midst of angels. Angels learn about grace when they look at us. Wouldn’t that cause you to think twice about sinning when you know you are being used by God as an instrument to teach angels about grace? That angels are constantly watching us? Angels also understand submission. This is why Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:10 that women should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. (And I am not going to go into this debate for the purpose of keeping focus).

We also see that angels was present at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2), during His life on earth (Matthew 4) and also at the end of His life (Luke 22:43).

What an amazing revelation! We only looked at the first verse of Exodus 26 and the first covering of the tent, but i think that is enough for now. In the next writing we’ll elaborate a bit more on the second, third and fourth curtain.

The Tabernacle: The menorah

The Tabernacle: The menorah

 

(Exodus 25:31)

And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.

“Candlestick” is translated in some versions as lampstand. The Hebrew word for this is “menorah”. The menorah did not hold wax candles, but oil lamps. It is said that the tubes were hollow and filled (to overflowing) with oil. At lamp’s end shreds of the priest’s old linen were used as wicks.  This paints a beautiful picture of Jesus being the light of the world (Jn.8:12) Who ordained us to be the light of the world (Mt.5:14, Acts 26:23) with burning robes of righteousness (Rev.19:8; Is.61:10).

The menorah was to be made of pure gold (not wood overlain with gold), thus speaking of full godliness. It also had to be of beaten work, speaking of Jesus beaten for our peace (Is.53:5).

(Exodus 25:32)

And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:

7 lamps: 1 main stem and 6 branches. 7 is the number for completeness, 6 the number representing humanity. This reminds us of John 15 where Jesus says “I am the true vine… you are the branches.” God took from Adam’s side a rib (Gen.2:21) to form a bride for him. On the Cross a soldier pierced the side of Jesus (Jn.19:34) and out of it came blood and water – fluids found at the birthing process. For the Last Adam – Jesus Christ – a bride was born (the church) through His death on the Cross.

If you look at the picture, you’ll see two branches closest to the stem, two branches in the middle, and two branches at each end. In the tabernacle we find the outer courts, the Holy place, and the Holy of Holies. This could also speak of our spiritual progress. In the outer courts one enjoys the peace of being saved; in the Holy place one goes a little further and commits to service in the Kingdom out of love and appreciation (like Martha in Luke 10:40); in the Holy of Holies one comes to sit at the feet of Jesus (like Mary in Luke 10:39). Being in service like Martha, is not a bad thing. We need people like Martha, but Jesus said there is more and Mary chose that good part…

(Exodus 25:33)

Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.

A white almond blossom blooms in winter time in Israel and is the very first flower to blossom and bear fruit.  1 Corinthians 1:20 tells us that Jesus, risen from the dead, became the firstfruits.

(Exodus 25:34-35)

And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.

The middle shaft had to have 4 bowls with its units, and the 6 branches only 3.  Thus the middle shaft had to be higher than the 6 branches, just as Jesus – our High Priest and God – is higher than us.

(Exodus 25:36)

Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.

One beaten work of pure gold: Sanctified by Him, we are one with Him. With Him we are the light of the world (Mt.5:14) that shines brightest when it is dark, and just as His light shone when He was beaten, so will ours. In Genesis 1:16 God created two big lights: the sun and the moon. The moon doesn’t shine on its own, but reflects the light of the sun. Likewise we should reflect the Light of Jesus.

Troubled times will come; it’s a guarantee. Put in troubled times we have hope. (James  2:2-4; 1Peter3:14-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

(Exodus 25:37)

And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.

The last phrase in Hebrew reads along the lines of “that they may be light on-across (or opposite) its face.”  The six lights’ purpose was to shine the light (face) of the main Light (stem). In our most trying times holding on to Jesus, He becomes clearer to us. Just like in the case of Hannanyah, Misha’el and Azaryah (Daniel 3:25-26) God was seen in the midst of the most scorching fire.

(Exodus 25:38)

And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.

The tongs to trim the wicks and the snuffdishes to snuff the candles out were also of pure gold. Who snuffs your light? People or God? Where is your focus? If your focus is on God trimming your wick and snuffing your candle from time to time through other people, then you won’t nit-pick over the actions of other, but see it as a God-provided opportunity to have your light burn even brighter. (1Thes.5:16-18)

(Exodus 25:39-40)

Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

“Pure gold”: The menorah is the only object in the tabernacle where no dimension is give, but we know it was made of pure gold, thus it carried weight. Likewise the brightness of light is not stopped by any dimension, yet it carries weight.

“shall he make it”: here a specific person is singled out: Bezaleel. Later we will see that this typifies the Holy Spirit at work in us.

“pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.” On Mount Sinai God gave Moses an exact pattern to follow. On Mount Calvary Jesus – knowing the joy of receiving us set before Him (Heb.12:2) also gave us an exact pattern to follow.

The Tabernacle: Table of Showbread

The Tabernacle: Table of Showbread.

Moving from the inside out, from the Most Holy place to the Holy place… When I look at how God gave instructions for the tabernacle, I cannot help but thinking of how God changes us from the inside out. He doesn’t start by changing our behaviours, but by changing our hearts…

(Exodus 25:23)

Thou shalt also make a table of shittim (acacia) wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

“Thou shalt also…” Also indicates that there is a connection with v22.  By implication it suggests that just as we experience God’s presence at the ark of the covenant, so we’ll also experience His presence when we come to the table of showbread.  The showbread is the twelve loaves of bread (2 rows of 6 each) and speaks of the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ the Bread of Life (Lk.22:19). The table of showbread also speaks of the table of communion.

Size:  Cubits: 2 x 1x 1.5;  Inches: ± 41 x 20 x 30; Meters: ± 1 x 0.5 x 0.8. It wasn’t a very big table.

Why 2 cubits long? 2 is the number for union / agreement / communion (Amos 3:3).  It is at this table that we confess that we have sin and need Jesus. It is a place to search our hearts. To “confess” means “to speak the same words” (Greek= homoligeo). God already forgave all our sin on the Cross at Calvary, but confessing our sin to God (to call sin for what it is) helps us to get victory over sin.

Why 1 cubit wide? 1 is the number for unity (2 = union). It is at this table where all denominations agree in unity that Jesus is the Christ, by partaking in the act of remembering Him in eating of the bread and drinking of the fruit of the vine.

(Exodus 25:24-25)

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about. And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.

I cannot but just copy what Jon has to say regarding these two verses:

“There was to be a crown of molding around the outside edge of the table of showbread and a smaller crown inside. Why two crowns? Because Christ will be crowned twice: the first time He was crowned with a crown of thorns (Matthew 27:29). The second time it will be with a crown of glory and honor (Hebrews 2:9).

The smaller crown on the table of showbread was to keep the bread from falling off the table. The bread speaking of the body, no wonder this crown was measured by the hand breadth, for of His followers Jesus said, “I give them eternal life and no man shall pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:28). We think we’re holding His hand, when, in reality, He’s holding us. And in this we can rest. In this regard, I do not believe a person can lose his salvation. I do believe, however, if a person really wants to, he can leave it. But he’s got to really want to jump off the table of showbread, over the crown of protection, past the boundary of God’s love to finally fall to the ground.”

Courson, J. (2005). Jon Courson’s application commentary : Volume one : Genesis-Job (315). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

(Exodus 25:26-30)

And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof. Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table. And thou shalt make the staves of shittim (acacia) wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them. And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them. And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.

Just like the ark, the table had to be portable. The table had to be available everywhere. Jesus is the Bread of Life and want us to come to the table of communion as often as we can and remember ourselves of our identification with Him.

Pauls says in 1 Corinthians 11 that if we eat unworthily of the communion, we eat to our own damnation. This actually means that if we eat of the communion ignoring the value of it – without remembering the great worth assigned to Communion – we will be left spiritually and/or physically weak. For years we’ve been taught that we cannot share in communion if we have unconfessed sin. But that’s like telling a sick person he cannot go to the doctor until he is healthy. No, one goes to the doctor because he is sick and requires from the doctor treatment to make him healthy again. Likewise, the table of communion is a place where we come as we are – remembering God’s abundant love and awesome mercy – to receive rest and restoration, healing and deliverance.

The Tabernacle: The Mercy Seat upon the ark

The Mercy Seat upon the ark

(Exodus 25:17-21)

And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. 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.

The Hebrew word for mercy seat is ‘kapporeth’ which refers only to the lid that was used as cover of the ark. What was to be put in the ark? The Ten Commandments! Yes, the Law, covered by the mercy seat! Most of us try to draw near to God through keeping the Law and doing good deeds, but God says not by works,  but by grace (Eph.2:7-9) I’ll meet you at the mercy seat (Rom.5:11) where atonement has been made.  It is also on the mercy seat where the priest had to sprinkle the blood of the sin offering seven times (seven being the number of completion). Who’s blood was poured for our sin…?

The two cherubim had to be made on the ends of the mercy seat, with their wings touching above and covering the mercy seat.

(I know the picture is not correct but) We read in John 20:12 that after Jesus’ resurrection, the women saw two angels sitting inside the tomb, “one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.”

(Exodus 25:22)

And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

We must remember that the ark was not an ‘it’, the ark is a Person and therefore mercy remains a relationship. God spoke the children of Israel from above the mercy seat, not from inside it where the law was covered. He spoke from the work He has done, not from what we can try to attain. God’s heart was never for us to be burdened by the law, but through relationship with Him be liberated.  The law was never intended to be ‘things’ we must not do, but rather ‘things’ we do not want to do. Jon Courson puts it well:

“It was at the mercy seat that God would meet with man. And we err greatly whenever we forget this…

After capturing the ark, Philistines eventually put it in the temple of their god, Dagon—only to find Dagon face down before it the following day. Setting Dagon aright, they returned the next day to find him toppled over once again—this time with his head and hands severed (1 Samuel 5). While it would seem obvious that they needed a more powerful god to protect them, they instead decided to protect their god by sending the ark back to Israel. Seeing the ark on its way back to their border, the people of God were understandably excited. But their excitement soon turned to terror when God smote 50,070 of their number because they had looked inside the ark, perhaps for no other reason than to see if the commandments were still inside (1 Samuel 6).

“I will meet you at the mercy seat,” God says. But sometimes we make a deadly mistake when we set aside mercy to get to the bottom of an issue, to lay down the law on someone….

“The letter of the law kills,” Paul would write, “but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6). Once we set aside mercy—even temporarily—to get to the bottom of an issue, to find out who’s right and who’s wrong, to get to the letter of the Law, the end result will always be death. Always. Friendships will die. Families will divide. Ministry will shut down. No good comes from removing the mercy seat. Be merciful. To whom? To the person you’re angry with. Be gracious. To whom? To the person you feel has wronged you. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy (Matthew 5:7).

Whenever you feel far from God, a practical way you can be brought back into His presence is by building a mercy seat. That is, find people to whom you can show mercy. I have discovered over and over again in my own life that there are two uniquely practical ways I truly experience the presence of the Lord. The first is by praising Him, for Psalm 22 declares that He inhabits the praises of His people. The second is by showing mercy to people, for it was at the mercy seat that God chose to dwell.”

Courson, J. (2005). Jon Courson’s application commentary : Volume one : Genesis-Job (314). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

The Tabernacle: The Ark of the Covenant

(Exodus 25:10)

And they shall make an ark of shittim (acacia) wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

One would’ve thought that God would start with the house before giving instructions regarding the furniture, yet He does it the other way around. The ark that was to be placed in the Holy of Holies would symbolise God’s presence. Maybe this was God’s way to say that there is nothing we can do to earn His presence, we cannot work our way through to Him. We do not deserve and cannot earn a relationship with Him. It is His choice to establish a relationship with us based on His love and grace.

Acacia wood speaks of (the flesh of) humanity. In the Middle East they are known to grow in dry places. This also speaks of Jesus that would be a root out of dry ground (Is.53:3). A very unique property to Acacia wood is, that when it is pierced, it brings forth a gum resin that was used to aid healing of sores and cuts and scars. Jesus likewise was wounded for our transgressions and by His stripes we are healed (Is.53:5)

A cubit is the distance from the fingertip to the elbow. The ark’s dimensions thus would be approximately 4ft.x2ft.x2ft.  (1.2m x 0.6m x 0.6)

(Exodus 25:11)

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.

Gold suggest Godliness. To represent Jesus correctly, the acacia wood (representing humanity) had to be covered with gold. Jesus became man, but He is still fully God.

Acacia wood is also thorn-bearing. Jesus would wear a crown of thorns at his crucifixion (Mt.27:29), but also be crowned with a crown of gold (Rev.14:14)

(Exodus 25:12-15)

And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it. And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them. The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.

The ark had to be carried by the priests, and had to be portable like every other furnishing in the tabernacle, to travel with the people wherever they went. So also, God’s presence will be with us wherever we go.

(Exodus 25:16)

And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.

“The testimony is the Ten Commandments, the two tables of stone written by the finger of God (Exodus 31:18).

“Come boldly before the throne of grace and find mercy and grace to help in time of need,” God says to us (Hebrews 4:16).

“But I can’t,” we say. “I haven’t prayed in days. I haven’t been to church in weeks. I haven’t witnessed in months. I haven’t kept the commandments.”

Where were the commandments kept?  In the ark.

Who kept the commandments?  Jesus. “I always do the things that please the Father,” He said (John 8:29).

Jesus kept the commandments perfectly. And, as believers, we are in Him positionally (2 Corinthians 5:17). Therefore, the Father looks at us and doesn’t see our sin. He looks at us and sees His Son (Romans 3:22).”

Courson, J. (2005). Jon Courson’s application commentary : Volume one : Genesis-Job (313). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

Romans 8:25

Nice post from a sister. Thank you for sharing your heart.

The Tabernacle: Instructions for a temporary arrangement

Firstly, the tabernacle was a temporary arrangement to be used in the wilderness during Israel’s journey to the Promised Land.

Secondly, it was of humble appearance (as Jesus also was – Is. 53:2)

Thirdly, it was an abiding place for God on earth.

Fourthly, It was a place of meeting (as Jesus is where we meet God – Jn.14:6)

(Exodus 25:1-2)

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.

The idea and plans for the tabernacle belong only to God, yet gets man involved. God gave Moses exact instructions (Heb.8:5).

We can also see in Ex.36:5-6 that the people’s hearts were inclined to God as they gave more than what was needed. Actually, so abundantly that Moses had to give command to stop giving. We can never out-give God, but He is able to give more than enough, even by using human hands. God loves a cheerful giver (2Cor.9:7). He wants us to have the right attitude in giving (Hag.1:6,9-11; Mal.3:10-11). God was the first Giver who created us in His image (Gen.1:26) and therefor desire us to model Him.

(Exodus 25:3-7)

And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim (acacia) wood, Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.

Although the outside of the tabernacle would appear simple, the inside would be worth a national treasure. Later we’ll discuss why God chose the specific items to be taken as an offering…

(Exodus 25:8)

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

“The tabernacle was a temporary appointment. It served a specific purpose for a specific time until the temple was erected in Jerusalem, just as Jesus dwelt among us temporarily for thirty-three years until He ascended into heaven.

The tabernacle was erected in the wilderness. So, too, Jesus dwelt in the wilderness, for, although foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, the Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head (Matthew 8:20).

The tabernacle was humble in outward appearance. Covered with animal skins, it resembled the Bedouin tents of the day. So common was Jesus in appearance that Judas had to identify Him with a kiss (Matthew 26:48).

Although it was humble outwardly, the interior of the tabernacle was unbelievably beautiful—for not only was it filled with gold, silver, and fine tapestries—but, infinitely more importantly, it was filled with the Shekinah glory of God. Although Jesus resembled other men of His day in outward appearance, there was such a beauty within Him that people were drawn to Him like moths to a flame (Mark 12:37).

The tabernacle was not only God’s dwelling place (verse 8), but His meeting place (verse 22). Just as Jesus not only dwells among us, but He is the only way we have oneness, fellowship communion with the Father (1 Timothy 2:5).”

Courson, J. (2005). Jon Courson’s application commentary : Volume one : Genesis-Job (312). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

(Exodus 25:9)

According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

Hebrews 8:5 confirms that the tabernacle is a shadow picture of what Heaven holds.

The Tabernacle: An illustration of Jesus Christ

Introduction:

The world is familiar with the pyramids of Egypt, the pagodas of Japan, and the cathedrals of Europe, but the greatest, most awesome place of worship ever constructed is largely unknown—that being the tabernacle, painstakingly and powerfully described in the chapter before us and the fifteen which follow…

Courson, J. (2005). Jon Courson’s application commentary : Volume one : Genesis-Job (312). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

(click to enlarge)

Recently at church we did a series on the Tabernacle and the relevance of it applicable to Jesus Christ as well as to the life of the modern day believer.

In the next few writings I’ll be taking you on a journey – with the help of Jon Courson’s Application Commentary – through the tabernacle as described from Exodus 25 onwards. We will have a verse-for-verse look (using the King James Version) at as much possible as God’s revelation allows through these writings.

May you be blessed by it as I have, may your relationship with God deepen, may your perspective of who God is be enlightened and changed accordingly, and may you come to know the fullness of His agape love.

Enjoy the journey through the Tabernacle…