Welcome to the Word of Life Study Series- The Tabernacle! Along with giving the Ten Commandments, God gave some additional directions. He gave special instructions for building a Tabernacle, for establishing an elaborate system of sacrifices, and for ordaining a priesthood. After receiving these instructions, Moses built an altar and offered a sacrifice to God. He took the blood of the sacrificed animals and splashed it against the altar. Then after publicly reading the Ten Commandments and other laws before the nation, he applied blood to the people themselves. In the same manner, he sprinkled blood over the Book of the Covenant containing the Ten Commandments and all the laws. Later he would sprinkle blood over the Tabernacle and all its furnishings used in worship as well as those who would minister as priests- Hebrews 9:18-22.
1. The Old Order
As we see, God never intended for the Hebrews to approach Him by trying to keep the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments can’t offer the blood evidence of a life given. God intended the Hebrews to approach Him the way He had always intended, through a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. That’s His provision. That’s His only provision.
2. The Campsite
The tribes of Israel were camped around the Tabernacle in specific locations which God assigned to each of them. Also, each tribe flew its own flag. Speaking to Moses and Aaron, God says in Numbers 2:2, “Each tribe will have its own tent area, with its flag pole and tribal banner; and at the center of these tribal compounds will be the Tabernacle.” Then God assigns the tribal locations as recorded in the rest of Numbers chapters 2 & 3.
3. The Brazen Altar
The first object staring you in the face as you enter the courtyard is the BRAZEN ALTAR (brazen means brass)- Exodus 27:1-8; 38:1-7. It is seven and a half feet square and four and a half feet high. The Altar is the place where you make your sacrifice. It is called the “Altar of Burnt Offering” in Exodus 30:28. Leviticus 1:9 describes the burnt offering as, “an aroma pleasing to the Lord”- it is the smell of atonement for sin.
4. The Brazen Laver
The next object you encounter is the BRAZEN LAVER. The Laver is a wash basin, perhaps “four or five feet high, filled with water. It is made of polished brass. When Aaron and his sons were consecrated, or set apart as priests, they washed their entire body in the Laver (Exodus 29:4; Leviticus 8:6). This was a ceremonial cleansing. Thereafter, they only had to wash their hands and feet. God required them to wash their hands and feet before entering the Tabernacle and before ministering at the Altar. Exodus 30:17-21; 38:8.
5. The Holy Place
You now approach the door of the Tabernacle. It is a linen veil of blue, purple and scarlet. Behind it are hidden the truths of God. Once inside, you see another veil that divides the Tabernacle into two rooms; the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. The first outer room is called the Holy Place- Exodus 25:30-40; 37:10-28. There are three pieces of furnishings in the Holy Place; the Golden Candlestick, the Table of Shewbread, and the Incense Altar.
6. The Holy of Holies
The second veil separates the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. This veil was so woven together that two pairs of oxen attached to either side and driven in opposite directions could not tear it apart. Behind this veil is the throne room of God. Only the High Priest can enter God’s presence and only on the Day of Atonement once a year.