Outline of Hebrews
“THE PATTERN OF THINGS IN THE HEAVENS”
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 9
THE HOLY SPIRIT EXPRESSLY STATES THAT THE TABERNACLE WAS A SIGN-POST TO BETTER THINGS THAT WERE TO COME. THIS IS KNOWN AS "TYPE AND ANTI-TYPE" TEACHING (Heb. 9:7-9; 9:23, 24).
DEFINITION - "TABERNACLE" MEANS "A TENT" (of meeting).
See 2 Corinthians 5:1-3, where Paul talks about our bodies as tabernacles, comparing our earthly body with the glorified body to be received at the resurrection.
WHEN THE ISRAELITES CAMPED, GOD ORDAINED A CERTAIN MANNER IN WHICH THIS SHOULD BE DONE. THE TABERNACLE WAS IN THE CENTER OF THE CAMP. TO THE NORTH WERE THE TRIBES OF DAN, ASHER, NAPHTALI; TO THE SOUTH SIMEON, REUBEN, GAD; ON THE WEST EPHRAIM, MANNASEH, BENJAMIN; ON THE EAST JUDAH, ISSACHAR, ZEBULUM (NUM. 2). THE TENTS FACE INWARD TOWARDS THE TABERNACLE.
FOR WHAT THE TRIBE OF LEVI DID DURING CAMP READ NUMBERS 1:47-54
BRIEF HISTORY
The Tabernacle is built as the Israelites begin their forty years march in the wilderness. The command to build is found in Exodus 35 and went with them through all the wanderings. It was used after entry into Canaan (Josh. 18:1; 1 Sam. 21:1-7; Mark 2:25, 26; 1 Chron. 16:37-40). Eventually Solomon laid it up in the temple (1 Kings 8:1-4).
"ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN"
Built by divine command (Ex. 25:1-8)
Built for a divine purpose - "that I may dwell in their midst"
Built to a divine pattern (Ex. 25:9)
So the church of our Lord is also built by divine command, for a divine purpose, to a divine pattern.
COSTLY MATERIALS (Ex. 25:1-7)
So also the church (Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25)
WILLING GIVERS
Exodus 36:20-29
Had to be restrained. They had more than enough (Ex. 36:5-7).
So Christians (2 Cor. 8:5-9:7)
WILLING WORKERS (Ex. 36:1, 2; Col. 3:23, 24)
THE COURTYARD (Ex. 38:9-20)
Size: 150ft x 75ft x 7½ft
Made of fine twined linen, bronze pillared, silver rods and hooks
Only one way in - so also one way in New Testament Church (John 10:1, 9)
THE ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERING (Ex. 38:1-7)
Old Testament priest stood by the altar because sacrifice always had to be made.
Jesus sat down when He made His offering indicating that His work was finished (Heb. 10:8-12).
The first thing sinful men met in Old Testament times was the altar of sacrifice.
The first thing sinful men meet today is the cross of sacrifice.
HORNS ON THE ALTAR
For ordination of priests (Ex. 29:10-18)
For refuge: Adonijah (1 Kings 1:49-52); Joah (1 Kings 2:28-31); Jesus (Luke 1:68, 69)
THE LAVER (Ex. 30:17-21; 40:29-32)
Made from mirrors (Ex. 38:8)
Priests wash in laver (Ex. 30:17-21)
Penalty for not washing - death (Rom. 6:23)
Note placing of laver "according to the pattern"
"Between the tent of meeting and the altar" (Ex. 30:18)
Consider where some put the anti-type of the laver today
Some put it before the Brazen Altar
Some put it into the Holy Place
Neither of them are "according to the pattern"
THE CANDLESTICK
No windows in The Tabernacle. Only illumination was provided by the 7-branched candlestick.
Made of pure gold (Ex. 25:31-40)
Copy seen today on Arch of Titus in Rome. There were 10 candlesticks in The Temple sacked by the Roman soldiers under Titus in 70 a.d.
Special oil (Ex. 25:6; Lev. 24:2)
Dressed in the morning (Ex. 30:7, 8; 1 Sam. 3:1-3)
There were 7 branches - perfect number (James 1:21-25)
Of what was it the type?
The church? (Rev. 1:20; 2:1-5)
Christians? (Matt. 5:14; Phil. 2:15, 16)
The Bible? (Ps. 119:105)
Position in Tabernacle (Ex. 26:35)
TABLE OF SHOWBREAD
Literally means "Bread of the presence" because it always stood in the presence of Jehovah.
The making of the table (Ex. 25:23-30)
Dimensions 2 x 1 x 1 - 1 cubits
Position in Tabernacle (Ex. 26:35)
Bread eaten only by priests (Lev. 24:5-9)
Type of the Lord’s Table
Who should partake? The Lord’s Table is for the Lord’s priests [Christians] (Acts 20:7)
David "raided" the Table of showbread (1 Sam. 21:3-6; Matt. 12:1-8)
Church history records that some tried to give the bread and fruit of the vine to infants after sprinkling them. The babies choked, and this sowed the seed of "Confirmation." Article 25 of the Church of England says of Confirmation, that it is "not to be counted for sacraments of the gospel . . . for they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God."
ALTAR OF INCENSE
How it was made (Ex. 30:1-10; 40:26, 27)
Dimensions 1 x 1 x 2 cubits
Special incense (Ex. 30:34-37)
Prayers of the saints (Luke 1:5-11; Ps. 141:2; Rev. 5:8; 8:3, 4)
Just as the sweet perfume of the incense permeated through the veil into the Most Holy Place, so the prayers of Christians come into the presence of God in heaven.
ARK OF THE COVENANT
Details (Ex. 25:10-22; Heb. 9:3-5)
Cherubims (Ex. 37:6-9; 1 Pet. 1:12)
Mercy Seat - propitiation means "a covering" (Rom. 3:24, 25; 1 John 2:2)
Censer (Lev. 16:12, 13)
Incense (Ex. 30:34-37)
Nadab and Abihu offer "Strange fire" and die (Lev. 10:1, 2; 16:12, 13)
"Ichabod" - The glory is departed (1 Sam. 4:19-22)
The Ark is returned and Uzza dies because of not obeying God in how He ordained it should be transported (Num. 7:8, 9; 1 Chron. 13:5-10).
SUMMING UP
The Tabernacle was a pattern of better things to come (Heb. 10:1) and under the Mosaic Law none could be made perfect.
The "pattern" was fulfilled in Christ (Heb. 9:23, 24)
For an in-depth, detailed study see "The Tabernacle" in Biblical Essays located in the Religion Library section of Contents.
