Lesson #33

EXODUS
Lesson #33
THE STUDY OF THE TABERNACLETHE FURNITURE (THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST)

• Memory Verse: Psalms 18:2
• In our study of the tabernacle, we are examining in detail all aspects of the tabernacle. We are at the point in the our study where we discuss the contents of the courtyard and the contents of the tabernacle building.
• It is in the study of the tabernacle that we can see the most complete explanation of Christ’s ministry.

• In the courtyard, there were 2 very large objects where the priests ministered.
• The first object was the bronze altar.
• The second object was the laver.
• The Bronze Altar of Burnt Offering
• On entering into the courtyard at the eastern gate, the first object encountered was the bronze altar of burnt offering.
• Read Exo 27:1-8
• Read Exo 38:1-7
• This altar was very large. It was the place where the priests sacrificed animals for the sins of the people.
• Construction details and significance:
• This altar was made of wood covered with bronze.
• The symbolic significance of wood = the humanity of Jesus Christ
• The symbolic significance of bronze = suffering, testing, or judgment
• The bronze altar is a type or prefigure of the cross of Jesus Christ where Jesus suffered and where God judged our sins when He placed them on His Son.
• Read Joh 3:14-15
• Read Gal 3:13 (Gen 22:6 Num 21:9)
• Read 2Cor 5:21
• The bronze altar had two parts: the outside piece and the inner grate.
• The fire burned its hottest at the level of the grate in the middle of the altar.
• The priests could not see the sacrifice being consumed.
• Read Mat 27:45-46
• Man could not look upon Jesus in the depths of His agony on the cross. Therefore, God made it dark in the daytime.
• The altar was 3 cubits high = the number 3 here indicates the participation of the Holy Trinity at the cross.
• There were 4 horns, one at each corner of the altar = the number 4 is symbolic of the 4 corners of the world, (north, south, east, and west).
• Therefore, the cross has worldwide significance and is available for everyone on earth.
• If a person was guilty of a crime in the days of the Old Testament, he ran to the tabernacle, or later the temple, and he caught hold of the horns of the altar in repentance. Because of this he was guaranteed a fair trial (1Kin 1:50-53)
• The believer in Jesus Christ is guaranteed refuge, but only if he comes to Christ in repentance.
• The horns signify strength, stability, and authority.
• Jesus is called the “horn of salvation” in Luk 1:69 and Psa 18:2.
• There were 2 carrying poles that represent Jesus as the one who reconciles us to God and who is our savior (Col 1:20).
• It is through the cross that Jesus reconciles God to man and man to God.
• The unique story of warning of the outer walls of bronze.
• Originally the sides of the altar were to be made smooth and highly polished until the rebellion of Korah and his followers.
• Read Num 4:4-5, 15
• Read Num 16:1-7, 18-21, 26-27, 31-33, 35-40
• The significance:
• Originally when man came to the altar, he would see himself in the reflection.
• However, when the surface was made hammered because of sin, man could no longer see his reflection in the sides of the altar. The sins of a very human priest (Korah) prevent man from getting a clear picture of his own sins.
• The lesson:
• This is a reminder that spiritual pride and the seeking of an office that God has not given reaps severe punishment.
• We are also reminded that we must not concentrate on human leaders for our spiritual relationship to God. We must seek God directly and personally.

• The Bronze Laver
• Read Exo 30:17-21
• Read Exo 38:8
• This object was a very large basin of water located in the outer courtyard between the Bronze Altar and the Tabernacle building..
• The significance of the location:
• Because of the location of this laver, it has a special significance =
• After a person receives Jesus Christ into his heart by identifying himself with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, his sins are forgiven and he is born again. However, after this event of salvation that occurs at one moment in time, the believer still periodically commits sin. The process of sanctification, being made holy, is a gradual process. Therefore, the believer needs some means of obtaining forgiveness for the new sins in his life.
• Read Joh 13:8-10
• Read Eph 5:26
• The use of the laver in the tabernacle:
• The priests washed themselves ceremonially every day at the bronze laver (Exo 30:19-21).
• The laver represents the cleansing aspect of the Word of God.
• The believer should read the Word every day because it washes the believer of sin.
• Read Joh 17:17
• Read Joh 13:5-10
• The believer needs cleansing from the places he goes and from the things he does.
• When Jesus washed the disciple’s feet, Peter said that he was not worthy to have Jesus wash his feet. Jesus made a big point that Peter was already clean because he was a believer, but he still needed periodic cleansing because of contamination with the world system.
• Construction details and their significance:
• The laver was made of highly polished bronze (Exo 38:8)
• Bronze signifies = judgment.
• Believers are supposed to judge their own lives in line with the Word of God and the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
• When man looked at highly polished brass, he could see himself as he really was. This is what the Word of God does for us when we feel the Spirit’s conviction through the Word of God.
• There were no dimensions given to Moses for the bronze laver. Why?
• This signifies the immeasurable fullness of God who is able to reveal every area of every life, and the depth of every sin known to man.
• The water used in the bronze laver was spring water that Moses obtained when he hit the rock and God gave him water.
• Remember that the rock represented Christ (1Cor 10:4) and the water represented eternal life.

• The average Israelite could enter just inside the entrance gate into the courtyard to bring his lamb to the priest for sacrifice. He could approach the bronze altar. However, this was as far as the average Israelite could go. Only the priests approached the bronze laver.
• On leaving the courtyard and entering into the Holy Place of the golden Tabernacle, the barefoot priests would see three pieces of furniture:
• Read Exo 26:35
• The table of Showbread on the north wall.
• The golden candlestick on the south wall.
• The altar of incense straight ahead.

• The Table of Showbread
• Read Exo 25:23-30
• Read Exo 37:10-16
• This piece of furniture was a table on which the priest placed 12 loaves of bread in two stacks.
• The construction details and their significance:
• The table was made of wood which symbolizes the humanity of Christ.
• The table was covered with pure gold which symbolizes the deity of Jesus Christ in complete perfection.
• This is the first time we see pure gold used for any piece of furniture.
• There were two crowns of pure gold around the top of the table.
• The lower crown kept the showbread from falling from the table.
• Jesus Christ keeps the believer from falling away. (Joh 10:28)
• The upper crown represents Jesus Christ who is crowned with glory and honor by the Father after His completed work. (Heb 2:9)
• There were two poles to carry the table. The two poles represent Jesus as our Shepherd and our Overseer. (1Pet 2:25)
• There were 4 gold rings for the 2 poles. The 4 rings represent an illustration of Christ’s perfect love for all the world’s humanity.
• The height of the table was so low that the priest had to humble himself as he ministered there.
• Believers in Jesus Christ must humble themselves at the feet of Jesus Christ with a teachable spirit in order to receive His nourishment.
• The Showbread
• Read Lev 24:5-9
• The characteristics of the bread and their significance:
• The loaves of bread were made of very fine flour.
• Fine white flour is an illustration of the righteousness of Christ.
• The priests had to make the bread themselves. The kernel of grain must be beaten, then ground, and then it must endure the heat of the oven.
• These actions represent Christ’s sufferings before and during the crucifixion. (Joh 12:24)
• The priests must place the 12 loaves in two stacks on the table.
• Twelve is the number that represents the Old Testament 12 tribes and the New Testament 12 disciples. Therefore, the bread represents the people of God.
• The 12 loaves of bread must be before God as a memorial at all times, just as the believer in Jesus Christ is always brought before God by Jesus our High Priest.
• Read 2Cor 2:15
• The loaves are set in order just as the believer is to be in order in the church.
• The priest placed incense on top of the loaves. The incense was burned, but not the loaves.
• Jesus Christ is the pleasant fragrant aroma to God on our behalf.
• The loaves had to be replaced every Sabbath with newly baked loaves. The old loaves were food for the priests in the courtyard next to the bronze altar. (Lev 10:12-13)
• Believers in Jesus Christ are the New Testament priests who are to feed on Christ.
• Read Joh 6:51

• Summary and Application:
• Some significant observations:
• The difference between the bronze altar and the laver:
• The unbeliever coming to Christ must first have his sins forgiven. This act is represented by the bronze altar which is a prefigure of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
• Once the unbeliever is born again, he must maintain his pure life as a believer by having his subsequent sins forgiven by the washing by the water of the Word of God. This act is represented by the bronze laver.
• The difference between washing by the Word of God at the laver and the feeding on the Word of God at the table of Showbread:
• The believer cannot feed on the Word of God at the table of Showbread successfully unless his periodic sins are first forgiven at the bronze laver.
• Spiritually speaking, unless the believer enters into the Holy Place where he comes closer to the Lord in humility, he cannot be nourished by God’s Word. If the believer does not grow in his relationship with the Lord in this way, he remains a carnal Christian outside in the courtyard of the tabernacle.

HOMEWORK
THE STUDY OF THE TABERNACLE: THE FURNITURE (THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST) CONTINUED
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.

• Application of The Study of the Tabernacle: The Furniture (The Ministry of Christ)
• If you are a non-believer and want a close personal relationship with God, you need to first repent of your sins and invite Jesus Christ into your heart and life. Ask your pastor, teacher or church leader to pray with you to accomplish this act of salvation.
• If you are a believer and want a closer relationship with Christ, you need to become more involved with reading the Word of God.
• What plan of action will you do every day this week to accomplish this?

• Preparation for A Study of the Tabernacle: The Furniture (The Ministry of Christ) –continued:
• Read Exo 25:31-40
• Read Exo 37:17-24
• Read Exo 27:20-21
• Read Lev 24:1-4
• What does the gold candlestick symbolize?
• Read Rev 1:12-13
• What relationship does the candlestick have with this scripture in Revelation?
• Read Dan 5:1-5, 23-28
• What is the warning?
• Read Exo 30:1-10, 34-38
• Read Exo 37:25-29
• What does the altar of incense represent? (Psa 141:2)
• Read Lev 10:1-10
• What is the warning?

• Memory Verse Joh 8:12