(Scriptures on the details of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness can be found in Exodus Chapters 24-27 and 36-40; Scriptures on the details of the Priesthood can be found in Exodus Chapters 28-31)

In the Holy Place were the Lampstand, the Table of Shewbread and the Altar of Incense.  Last week, we covered the Lampstand and the Table of Shewbread and were blessed to see the significance and relevance of long ago commands to our lives and spiritual walk today.

The incense used was not only costly and specially crafted; it was burned continuously day and night. What a picture of what our praises should be, rising continuously to the Lord as a pleasing fragrance to Him.

The “continual” incense also demonstrates that our prayers should be constant and reminds us that Jesus is ever interceding for us. I am in such awe of God that He developed such an elaborate plan that has such intimate detail and meaning...both for the priesthood and people of the Tabernacle era as well as its relevance for God’s people today.

Another little nugget to nibble on—the placement of the Altar of Incense was important, too—it was between the Holy Place (the earthly experiences of God’s people) and the Holy of Holies (being in the very presence of God). The message is clear...be in constant praise in order to come into the holy presence of God Almighty. God set the standard back then and has not changed it.

God wanted a place to “meet” with His people, a place to extend His mercy, hold His testimony and instruct and guide His people. Thus, He required the “Holy of Holies”. Only one item was in the Holy of Holies...the Ark of the Covenant, in which were the 10 Commandments, a gold pot of Manna and Aaron’s rod that budded. We will discuss each of these in detail as we continue our study.

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For some time now, I have witnessed some people who call themselves Christians who have not been willing to forgive those who have committed offenses against them, "at least not for now."

Whether these offenses are real or imagined, all followers of Jesus Christ must rid themselves of any root of bitterness and unforgiveness so anchored in the soul, and cry out to Jesus who cleanses, forgives and frees us from the domain of darkness into His marvelous light. (See Hebrews 12:15.)

Jesus said, "For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive you your transgressions."  (Matthew 6:14-15)

Peter questioned Jesus about forgiveness and said to Him, "...'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'" (Matthew 18:21-22)

Question: Do you have anything against anyone for any reason? Remember, to be forgiven you must forgive!

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You've heard it said that "home is where the heart is." Sometimes when you go home you see a different place than you remember.

As time goes by, the landscape and buildings on it change, and landmarks disappear. But, if you look closer, you will see that your heart still belongs there. What once was impressive may now be small compared to the new, taller buildings. Remember, you were much smaller back then.

Today, we like to think we have grown; indeed, we have physically. But what growth can we measure spiritually? Looking back at the old home town with eyes anew, you will be in awe of what you now see.

"A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth." (Proverbs 17:24) There is no place like home in the heart of Jesus. If you have been away from Him, return to "Home, Sweet Home". He has prepared a place for you. I know you are going to LOVE what He has done in your new home town. (Read John 14:1-6)

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God's say-so is the title of Oswald Chambers' daily devotional reading for June 5. This message is based on Hebrews 13:5-6, "Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.' So that we confidently (KJV - boldly) say, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid, what shall man do to me?'"

Mr. Chambers comments that "My say-so is to be built on God's say-so. God says - 'I will never leave thee,' then I can with good courage say - 'The Lord is my helper, I will not fear' - I will not be haunted by apprehension." 

To haunt means to come to mind continuously, to pursue relentlessly, to harass. Apprehension means to be fearful or have uneasy anticipation of the future; to dread.

In obedience to God's Word, followers of Jesus Christ can experience a life of freedom and emancipation from fear and doubt. Jesus did not do anything apart from His Father's say-so and we, as believers, are to do (practice) the same!

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In the Courtyard of the Tabernacle, once the blood atonement was made (Altar of Sacrifice) and the priest cleansed (Bronze Laver), then and only then could he enter the Holy Place of the Tabernacle.

In the Holy Place were the Lampstand, the Table of Shewbread and the Altar of Incense. All the "parts" of the Tabernacle, though physical articles back then, are powerful word pictures of the spiritual lives we should be living today.

Lampstand

• Put forth a clean, bright light because only pure olive oil was used (we are to be lights in the world.)
• The pure olive oil was made from olives that had been scrubbed of all debris and then beaten. The beating and squeezing produced the finest quality oil that burned practically smokeless.
• In like manner, our cleansing is in salvation in Jesus; our beating is the trials we experience; our purest oil is a life like Christ.
• The lamps had to burn day and night. (We are to be lights 24/7/365.)
• The Lampstand was decorated with fruit and flower ornaments. (Our lives are to be decorated with the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit.)

Table of Shewbread

• A reminder that God alone can satisfy the deep hunger of man.
• God has placed a "spiritual hunger" in us all; He has put a "light" into every man who has come into the world ... I call that our "soul hole", and only He can fill it.
• We erroneously try to fill that hole with the "bread of the world", the sensualities, immoralities and worldly pleasures, which only make us feel good and not be good.
• 12 loaves were on the table - representing the 12 tribes of Israel (showing that God will provide for all of His children).
• The bread was offered every day (now every day is the Lord's Day) and eaten by the priests on the 7th day.
• The bread had to be fresh each day, and what we get from God is new and fresh each day, also.
• The bread was taken with wine - a precursory picture of the Body and Blood of Jesus. (We must "eat" and "drink" of Him each day, meaning to have Him in us, a part of us. Just as the food and drink we take are digested into our own cells and become a part of us, we are to do the same with the Lord.
  

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Quick Access to Previous Sessions on the Tabernacle:

1. Tabernacle in the Wilderness – Introduction and Significance of the Courtyard

Once we surrender ourselves into God’s hands, we accept His authority, discipline, training and nurturing. We begin a lifelong process of being transformed into the glorious image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 3:5, 6; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (KJV, “direct thy paths…”)

The Hebrew word for direct means to do good, do right, be straight, make smooth, and to be evenly hammered, from the base meaning of straightening out a crooked object.

Most certainly we come to Jesus crooked, twisted, and rough on the edges.  We come lost in darkness and without hope of eternal life.  (See Psalm 51:5) However, God being rich in mercy receives us through the sacrifice of Jesus and patiently and skillfully “hammers” out the corruption and flesh so prevalent in our hearts. Paul was certainly saved but he said "I die daily." (1 Corinthians 15:31)

Remember, God “...disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness." (Hebrews 12:10)

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Every single event, every person and circumstance of substance recorded in the Old Testament, has holy and perfect meaning and makes holy and perfect sense. And in this series, you will see how everything in the composition of and construction of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness points us to Christ.

Three major word pictures evolve from the Tabernacle:

• JESUS-the intricacies of the Tabernacle reveal Jesus and His salvation mission
• CHURCH-the Tabernacle was the precursory place of God’s visitation to His people, now it is the Church (not the building, but rather the people) which is the Tabernacle for the indwelling of the Spirit of God
• BELIEVER-as the "Tabernacle", your body is the "Outer Court"; your soul is the "Holy Place"; the Spirit of God in you is the "Holy of Holies"

The Courtyard of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness wasn’t just a gathering place. It symbolized a hedge, a line of defense against the outside world and its influences. That is a message to us to fight off the worldly influences in order to get into His presence. And with only one entrance into the Courtyard, we are reminded that there is only one way to God...through Jesus.

The sacrificial altar was the first thing standing in front of anyone entering into the Courtyard, which gives us the message that no one can get into the presence of God unless a sacrifice is offered, and that is Jesus. The laver (washing bowl) was used by the priest to wash up before approaching the presence of God...another reminder for us today, that nothing unclean can be in the presence of God.

Jesus has made that "cleanness" for us. As our substitute, He took the punishment for our sins and misdeeds and that means we are forgiven, adjudicated, pardoned. THAT is why we can get to heaven, NOT JUST BY DOING NICE THINGS AND GOOD WORKS.

Can you imagine someone coming into heaven with only goods works as their track record and not accompanied by a change in their broken nature? (A nature that came about because of Adam’s sin, not God’s error). That raw, unchanged nature in heaven would then bring about the same chaos that the broken mind, broken will and broken emotions are bringing here on earth. NO WAY can a just God allow that to happen! His plan is greater.

The Tabernacle screams at us from the past as to the sacrifice, the cleansing, the lamps, the mercy seat, etc...all of what is required to be able to enter into the presence of God. All of those requirements are met in Jesus. All we have to do is admit we are weak and sinful and in need of help to change, and then ask Jesus into our hearts. And once He is in there, strive to let Him be the new nature to rule and reign in us. Thank You, Jesus.

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• Today’s world is BUZZING!
• Stress is at an all-time high.
• We are on an information overload.
• The sense of community is fading from our neighborhoods and schools.
• Rebellion is rampant.
• Envy and “keeping up with the Joneses” is not only exhausting but sometimes financially disastrous.

Yikes! Not a pretty picture. BUT, there is a way to relieve all of this stress ... living a life in Christ.

Stress-solving Scriptures can be found in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 and 5:14-21.  Here, we are encouraged to lead a quiet life, attend to our own business, work with our hands, do as we are told, behave properly, don’t be in any need, help the weak, be patient with all men, don’t repay evil with evil, pray without ceasing, etc.

It is so simple ... we almost could miss it.  Just because it is simple doesn’t mean it is easy. But the God of peace will preserve us body, soul and spirit.  Ahhhhhhh! Don’t you feel better already?

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