Part I.
From the Diary of a faithful Scribbler, in the previous chapter we looked at the superiority of Christ’s Priesthood and the New Covenant. Today we proceed to discourse the superiority of the New Covenant, the significance of the way of worship in the Old Covenant and the pre-eminence of Christ’s sacrifice. For better understanding of the significance of the New Covenant, let’s first understand what the tabernacle was like:
A tabernacle was a portable sanctuary that Israelites carried with them in the wilderness. It was considered to be the earthly dwelling place of God. It is first mentioned in Exodus 25 where God instructs Moses, “8 Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you,” (Exodus 25:8-9). Chapters 25-40 go into elaborate detail to describe the size of each component, furnishings, and design and construction materials of the tabernacle. it reaches its climactic conclusion with God's glory filling the tabernacle in chapter 40. I believe this indicates God’s absolute authority and holiness, and emphasis that people could only come to God on His terms.
I found this (http://the-tabernacle-place.com/articles), and thought it will give us a better understanding as you read Exodus 25-40.
Beyond a tangible representation of the presence of God, the tabernacle also is intended to teach us something:
1. The colours: White, Blue, Purple and red are prominent in the linens probably calling attention to purity, divinity and royalty of God and so on.
2. Linen, gold and silver call our attention to the riches and the blessings of the heavenly kingdom
3. Multiple coverings, the covering of ram skins dyed red and the covering of another durable leather over the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies
4. The arrangement of spaces and objects.
- The tabernacle had three areas: Courtyard, a Holy Place and the Holy of Holies
The Courtyard, (Exodus 27:9), “Make a courtyard for the tabernacle”
- The court itself speaks of the separation between God and the sinner. This courtyard has a curtain at its entrance, v.16, and the gulf is further reinforced by the Holy Place, and one that closed off the Holy of Holies.
The objects in the Courtyard:
a. The altar (Ex. 38:1-7), the representation of the truth that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
b. The bronze laver behind, (Ex. 38:8). This reminds us that it is necessary for those who would come into God’s presence to be washed and made clean.
Objects inside the Holy Place
c. On the right is a table with twelve loaves of bread on it.
d. On the left was the lampstand where the light was never permitted to go out.
e. Directly in front of the worshiper was the altar of incense where incense burned day and night.
Object inside the Holy of Holies
f. The Ark containing the Book of the Law, along with the pot of manna and Aaron's rod.
The Christology of Hebrews 9 begins by drawing attention to the ineffectiveness of the old covenant reflected in the way the tabernacle was set up and used. He points out that the Old Covenant had been set up with regulations for worship belonging to this world in contrast to the heavenly sanctuary where Jesus ministers, v.1. The author’s principle aim is to show us the greatness of the New Covenant. In (v.2-5), the author calls our attention to the arrangement of spaces, objects and furnishings of the tabernacle as illustrated below. In (v.6-7), he further moves to the rituals involved, his interest being on the events of the Day of Atonement. Here he brings home the inferiority of the whole Levitical priesthood by pointing the limitation attached to the priests’ ministry. ‘Ordinary’ priests could only carry out their ministry in the Holy Place (Outer Room) but only the high priest entered into the Holy of Holies only once a year and never without blood for his sins and the sins of people, (Leviticus 16). Additionally, the Holy Spirit brings our attention to the inferiority of the sacrificial offerings of the Old Covenant. They were only external regulations and could not come into grips with the real problem of man; they could not clear a worshiper's conscience, (v. 8-10).
Application
The worship regulations, rituals and limited access into the Holy of Holies indicate that ordinary men had no direct access to the presence of God but now we have the privilege of direct access to God, to His throne room through the finished work of Christ, the Perfect High Priest. Thus, the real meaning of the tabernacle can only be understood in the light of the work Jesus accomplished when He died on the Cross.
Yours faithful Scribbler,
NzakuNashipae
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