The Tabernacle – The Boards

Exo 26:15-30 Exo 36:20-36

A. Their construction

“planks” 27″ wide, 15′ long

20 planks each for the north and south sides; 6 planks with 2 additional corner pieces for the west (back) side

5 crossbars for stability running the length of each side

a central crossbar which spanned the entire length, running through the center of the planks (Ex. 26:28; 36:33)

the other four crossbars on the outside running through gold rings or staples

outside dimensions of the tabernacle – 15′ x 45′

planks and crossbars made from acacia wood overlaid with gold

2 cast silver “bases” for the tenons on the bottom of each plank – a total of 96 bases or sockets each containing a talent or approximately 75 pounds of silver (Ex. 38:27)

B. Their use

make a house with two apartments

support the four coverings

blue, purple and scarlet linen
white goat’s hair
red ram skin
manatee skin

if they were solid rather than simple frames, provide a reflective surface to magnify light from the lampstand

assemble to make a sturdy yet portable structure

C. Their significance

David: “I’ll build You a house.” God: “I’ll build you a house; Your son will build me a house.” 2 Samuel 7:4-14

God to Solomon: “If Israel rejects me, I will reject my house.” 1 Kings 9:6-9

The OT saints: looked for a city with real foundations, aspiring to a better land. Hebrews 11:10; 11:13-16 ; 13:14

The enduring spiritual house: the saints 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 1 Peter 2:4-5

The sockets/bases: two things toward which they could point

1. the foundation of the church – Peter’s confession (Matthew 16:16); the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:19-20)

2. strangers/pilgrims in the land but not taking root in it: Psalm 39:12 Hebrews 11:13

The Tabernacle – The Curtained Ceiling

The Curtained Ceiling and Coverings

Exo 26:1-14 Exo 36:8-19

A.The coverings

1. linen curtains making up the tabernacle

2 – 30’ x 42’

long enough to cover the entire top and back of the two rooms

connected together with 50 sets of loops and gold clasps

base of finely spun linen

covered with embroidered cherubim

blue, purple, and scarlet

2. goat hair curtains to make a tent (אהל, o’-hel) over the tabernacle (משׁכּן, mish-kawn’

30’ x 45’ and 36’ x 45’

connected together with 50 sets of loops and bronze clasps

coarser than the linen but probably white in color

18" longer than the under curtain, visible around the bottom down the sides

one extra panel to be doubled over at the front entrance

3. ram skin covering for the tent

dimensions for the skin coverings are not stated

dyed red

4. manatee skin covering on the outside of the tent

soft leather suitable for sandals (Eze. 16:10

ideally suited for protection from the weather

B. The use

1. beauty for the inside of the Holy Place and Holy of Holies

2. protection from the elements

heat

rain

3. protection for the two innermost curtains

C. The significance

1. the colors

In ancient culture the blue, purple and scarlet suggested wealth and royalty. Blue, purple and scarlet colored the tabernacle of ancient Israel, suggesting that Yahweh was the wealthy and powerful God-king who brought an impoverished people out of slavery in Egypt to make them a mighty nation.Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, Leland Ryken, et al

• blue
  In ancient thought the sky was believed to separate the place of the gods from the human realm. Therefore blue, the color of the sky, could appropriately suggest the boundary between God and his people and symbolize his majesty. Ibid.
  
  Blue also separated the holy articles of the tabernacle from the people. When the tabernacle was dismantled and moved, solid blue cloths covered the ark of the covenant, the table of the presence, the golden lampstand and altar, and all of the tools used in the tabernacle (Num. 4). Ibid.
• purple
  In biblical times purple dye was expensive. Therefore purple was worn only by those of high rank in royal courts (e.g., Dan. 7:5, 16, 29). Because of this association the color suggests the power and wealth of royalty. A purple robe was placed on Jesus while soldiers mocked him (John 19:2, 5). In the tabernacle of ancient Israel the bronze altar on which the sacrificial animals were burned was covered in a solid purple cloth for travel (Num. 4:13). Ibid.
• scarlet
  While it might be pressing the symbolism too far to say that the tabernacle, the place where God met his people, was symbolically covered with blood, the ritual slaughter of sacrificial animals in that place would only have reinforced the association of the color red with the blood of sacrifice. Ibid.
• white
  It is the color of heaven’s garments and symbolizes a dazzling purity that dispels the darkness of divine wrath (Isa. 1:18; Dan. 7:9; Mark 16:5; Rev. 3:4). Jesus is clothed in robes "as white as light" (Mat. 17:2) when he is transfigured on the mount. In the book of Revelation the redeemed wear white garments (Rev. 3:4; 6:11; 7:14; initiates were dressed in white linen in ancient religions), ride white horses (Rev. 6:2) and have a white stone upon which is written a new name. Ibid.

2. the design

• Cherubim
  associated with God’s presence – He who dwells between the cherubim

  surround his heavenly throne; see Ps. 80:1, 99:1; Isa. 37:16; also Rev. 4:6-8

• Fulfill a two-fold role
  serve as guardians (Genesis 3:24) of that which is holy

  serve as guardians of those whom God is making holy (Hebrews 1:14)

surrounding the church represented by the bread of presence and the lampstand

The Commandment

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

A. The commandment

foundational in terms of:

obedience v. 2a

fear the Lord

keep his statutes and commands

If we are to succeed in doing this in a way that pleases God, one command above all others must be followed first. No matter how hard we try, no matter how successful we might be in satisfying the external standards of behavior required by God or man, if we fail the first command we will be unable to meet God’s total standard.

cultural preservation v. 2b

keeping the family together

spanning the generations

A Long Line Of Love, Michael Martin Murphey (1987)

I bought a beautiful diamond ring I offered it to the sweetest thing I know And she said she would take it We started making some wedding plans she looked at me and she took my hand And said are you sure we can make it I said my grand dad’s still in love with my grandma I said my dad still thinks my mom’s the sweetest thing he ever saw

I come from a long line of love When the times get hard we don’t give up Forever is in my heart and in my blood

You see I come from a long line of love

Years went by and we had a son now he thinks he found someone for him And they’re planning a wedding He called me up on the phone today just to see what I had to say to him Did I think he was ready? I said what his grandfather used to say to me It’s been handed down for ages it runs in our family

You come from a long line of love When the times get hard we don’t give up

Forever is in your heart and in your blood Son you come from a long line of love We come from a long line of love

compensating for missed opportunities

Grandchildren can provide an opportunity to pass along our godly heritage even if our kids missed it. It also gives those who came to faith later on in life to begin the process for the next generation.

blessing v. 3

temporal prosperity accompanies spiritual benefits

God rewards obedience

B. The commandment

Love God v. 5

fervently – nothing half-hearted

sincerely – no hypocrisy

totally – turning every bit of strength, every part of one’s being to that end

we must love him, [1.] With a sincere love; not in word and tongue only, saying we love him when our hearts are not with him, but inwardly, and in truth, solacing ourselves in him. [2.] With a strong love; the heart must be carried out towards him with great ardour and fervency of affection. Some have hence though that we should avoid saying (as we commonly express ourselves) that we will do this or that with all our heart, for we must not do any thing with all our heart but love God; and that this phrase, being here used concerning that sacred fire, should not be unhallowed. He that is our all must have our all, and none but he. [3.] With a superlative love; we must love God above any creature whatsoever, and love nothing besides him but what we love for him and in subordination to him. [4.] With an intelligent love; for so it is explained, Mar 12:33. To love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, we must know him, and therefore love him as those that see good cause to love him. [5.] With an entire love; he is one, and therefore our hearts must be united in this love, and the whole stream of our affections must run towards him. O that this love of God may be shed abroad in our hearts! Matthew Henry

C. The implementation

Teaching our children and grandchildren:

1. from the Heart v. 6

The commandments, which provided the framework within which the Israelites could express their love of God, were to be upon your heart – that is, the people were to think on them and meditate about them, so that obedience would not be a matter of formal legalism, but a response based upon understanding. By reflecting on the commandments, they were reflecting on God’s words; and by understanding the path of life set down by the commandments, they would at the same time be discovering the way in which God’s love for them was given expression. Peter Craigie, NICOT

2. with the Lips v. 7

Having understood the commandments for themselves, the people were then responsible for their children: you shall repeat them to your children. The commandments were to be the subject of conversation both inside and outside the home, from the beginning of the day to the end of the day. Peter Craigie, NICOT

3. using the Hands v. 8a

Love for God and his laws is to be a rule of conduct – our hands are to be employed in ways that please him. Not only are we to use our own hands for the right things, we must teach our children and grandchildren how to do the same, using their hands in service to God. See Deut. 10:12

4. according to a biblical Vision v. 8b

Viewing the world through the lens of God’s principles as revealed in Scripture. We must first see the world in the categories God does with the interconnections he sees there. We must recognize God at work, seeing his fingerprints on current events and his creation. We must then instruct our children and grandchildren how to see the same.

5. as the character of the Home v. 9

Love for God is to guard the entrance to our homes. Parents have a responsibility to bring into the home what truly belongs there and keep out what would be harmful – love for God and a desire to please him by keeping his commands is the filter. Home should be both a haven from the world and a spiritual nursery where our children and grandchildren are first fed milk, then meat as they are taught to know and love God.

In summary, the commandments were to permeate every sphere of the life of man. Peter Craigie, NICOT

May the same be said of our homes and our children as Paul declared regarding Timothy: see 2 Tim 1:3-5; 3:14-15

The Tabernacle – The Lampstand

Exo 25:31-40 Exo 27:20-21 Exo 37:17-24

A. Its construction

hammered gold

six branches, three on either side, with a central shaft

each branch decorated with three complete almond blossoms, the central stem similarly decorated with an almond blossom under each branch plus an additional blossom

along with the accessories using up a total of 75 pounds of pure gold

The size of the lampstand is not given in the Bible description of it, we are therefore left to conjecture. Jewish tradition assigns it a height of about five feet and width of about three and a half feet. However Herod had a seven branched lampstand made for the Temple which was intended to resemble the lampstand of the tabernacle. This is shown in relief on the Arch of Titus in Rome where it was taken as a trophy of war after A.D.70. The measurements on the arch are two and three quarter feet high by two feet wide; but the figures on the arch are not life-size and together with the proportions of the table of shewbread on the same sculpture it may be assumed the tradition is correct. http://www.watton.org/studies&stories/tab/goldenlampstand.shtml

The Arch of Titus is a Pentelic marble triumphal arch with a single arched opening, located on the Via Sacra (the main street of ancient Rome, leading from the top of the Capitoline Hill, through some of the most important religious sites of the Forum (where it is the widest street), to the Colosseum) just to the south-east of the Forum in Rome. It was constructed by the emperor Domitian shortly after the death of his older brother Titus (born AD 41, emperor 79-81), commemorating the capture and sack of Jerusalem in 70, which effectively terminated the Jewish War begun in 66 (although the Romans did not achieve complete victory until the fall of Masada in 73).

The Arch of Titus provides the only contemporary depiction of sacred articles from the Temple in Jerusalem. The menorah and trumpets are clearly depicted, as well as what might be the Table of Showbread.

Due to the depiction of the destruction of Jerusalem and the desecration of the Temple, many Jews refuse to walk underneath the arch to this very day. A notable exception occurred in 1948 at the founding of Israel, when a large contingent from the Roman Jewish community walked through the arch in the opposite direction from the original Ancient Roman triumphal march.[4]

The depiction of the menorah (seven-branched lampstand) from the Temple in Jerusalem on the arch, was used for the coat of arms of Israel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_of_Titus

According to 2 Chr 4:7, 20-21 Solomon had ten lampstands arranged in two groups of five constructed for the first temple.

B. Its accessories

lamps

probably similar shape to the typical pottery enclosed dish with an opening for the wick

snuffers (wick trimmers)

to trim the burnt ends of the wicks before lighting

trays

to receive the trimmings from the seven wicks

C. Its usage Exo 27:20-21; Exo 30:7-8; Lev 24:3-4

to provide light for the Holy Place from evening until morning

tended by Aaron and his sons

cleaned and filled (maintained) in the morning

lighted in the evening

fueled by pure beaten olive oil

beating in contrast to pressing produces a higher quality oil, white in color

D. Its significance see Zec 4:2-12 Rev 1:12-20

Kiel & Delitzsch, John Gill, John Calvin, Matthew Henry

1. the flame

the light of the knowledge of God

the light of the Gospel

2. the oil

representing the Holy Spirit

used throughout the Old Testament – anointing with oil to symbolize the conveyance of God’s Spirit

essential for a true Gospel light to shine

essential for functioning eyes to perceive the light of the Gospel

3. the lampstand of the tabernacle

the nation of Israel

Just as the nation represented by the twelve loaves lived before the face of God, so they were to take his light into the darkness of the world.

By the power of this Spirit, Israel, in covenant with the Lord was to let its light shine, the light of its knowledge of God and spiritual illumination, before all the nations of the earth. Durham, John I. Exodus. Word Biblical Commentary

4. the lampstands of the temple (also Revelation 1) 1 Chron. 28:11-19 2 Chron 4:6-8

It can be seen even in Solomon’s day that Israel was not solely responsible for permeating the world with the truth of God. She was to have help in her task as other lampstands came alongside to provide light in the darkness. As history progressed toward the Gospel dispensation, the light increased until we find the explanation of the lampstands given by Christ himself to John the Apostle – the seven churches of Asia Minor representative of the church at large with the glorified Savior present in their midst.

The significance of the candlestick in the holy place centred, as I have shown in my biblische Archäologie (i. p. 107), in its seven lamps, which were lighted every evening, and burned through the night. The burning lamps were a symbol of the church or of the nation of God, which causes the light of its spirit, or of its knowledge of God, to shine before the Lord, and lets it stream out into the night of a world estranged from God. As the disciples of Christ were called, as lights of the world (Mat 5:14), to let their lamps burn and shine, or, as candlesticks in the world (Luk 12:35; Phi 2:15), to shine with their light before men (Mat 5:16), so as the church of the Old Testament also. The correctness of this explanation of the meaning of the candlestick is placed beyond all doubt by Rev 1:20, where the seven λυχνίαι, which John saw before the throne of God, are explained as being the seven ἐκκλησίαι, which represent the new people of God, viz., the Christian church. The candlestick itself merely comes into consideration here as the stand which carried the lamps, in order that they might shine, and as such was the divinely appointed form for the realization of the purpose of the shining lamps. In this respect it might be taken as a symbol of the kingdom of God on its formal side, i.e., of the divinely appointed organism for the perpetuation and life of the church. But the lamps received their power to burn from the oil, with which they had to be filled before they could possibly burn. Kiel & Delitzsch