Lesson #34

EXODUS
Lesson #34
THE STUDY OF THE TABERNACLE:
THE FURNITURE (THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST) – CONTINUED

• Memory Verse: Joh 8:12

• In our study of the tabernacle, we are currently studying the pieces of furniture that occupied the Holy Place where only the priests could go. We have discussed the Table of Showbread that was located on the north wall of the Holy Place. On the other side of the Holy place on the south place was the golden candlestick.

• The Golden Candlestick
• Read Exo 25:31-40
• Read Exo 37:17-24
• Read Lev 24:1-4
• The characteristics and significance of the candlestick:
• This was the only light in the tabernacle.
• Twenty one times in scripture Jesus Christ is called the light.
• In the new Jerusalem in the future eternity, there will be no sun or moon –because Christ himself is the eternal light.
• There are many philosophies and religions that claim to have the true knowledge or the true light of God. However, there is one light that shines brighter than any other. This brilliant light is not a doctrine, or a philosophy, or a religion. It is the person of Jesus Christ.
• The candlestick was made of pure gold .
• This represents pure deity in all God’s glory. Therefore in the light of Jesus Christ, all things pale in comparison. Jesus is the incarnation of the only true light, knowledge, and wisdom of God.
• Read Rev 21:23
• Read 2Cor 4:6
• Other pieces of furniture in the tabernacle were made of wood covered with gold, but this piece had no wood. It was pure gold.
• Therefore, only the deity of Christ is represented in the golden candlestick.
• The candlestick was made of beaten gold that represented the sufferings of Christ.
• There are no dimensions given for this piece of furniture because it represents the immeasurable glory of Christ who is able to penetrate to the utmost the depths of darkness.
• The candlestick had 7 lamps or bowls.
• The number 7 is symbolic in scripture and represents the complete perfection of God.
• All the bowls were filled with olive oil.
• Oil in scripture is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
• The 7 bowls represent the 7-fold aspect of the Holy Spirit resting on Jesus, the Son of God. (Isa 11:2)
• The candlestick decorations:
• There were 22 blossom cups in the form of flowers. These were open almond blossoms with 5 petals each.
• The almond tree begins to bloom before all other trees. The snow-white blossoms proclaim new life in Spring. = The resurrection of Jesus with life and fruitfulness occurred in the Spring.
• The center part of the candlestick represents Jesus at the center of the church.
• This branch of the candlestick has more blossoms than the rest of the branches and represents the fact that Jesus is the most fruitful of all in the church.
• There were 6 branches that represent the church in Rev 1:12-13
• Read Rev 1:12-13
• What is the relationship between the candlestick in Exodus and the scripture in Revelation?
• The number 6 in scripture is symbolic of man who is fallen one short of the number 7 for the glory of God.
• The candlestick was made of one piece of Gold.
• This represents the unity of Christ and the church that we see in the book of Revelation.
• There were 66 total decorations.
• There are 66 books in the Bible through which come the wisdom, knowledge, and the light of God.
• The golden bowls of oil:
• Read Exo 27:20-21
• Read Lev 24:1-4
• The bowls on the candlestick were cleaned and lit every evening and every morning.
• The wick in each bowl represents an ordered life free from sin so as to burn brightly for Christ. (Lev 24:1-4 Eph 5:8)
• Read Mat 5:14-16
• Since 6 of the bowls represent the church, then what are things that dim our light?
• =1= taking glory that belongs to God.
• =2= a sinful life.
• =3= not staying in the Word of God and in relationship with Christ.
• A story of God’s judgment in light of the candlestick.
• Read Dan 5:1-5, 23-28
• The handwriting on the wall appeared in the light of the golden candlestick from the temple.
• What is the warning to us, His church?
• Read 2Tim 2:19-22
• We are to be Christ’s sanctified vessels, set apart for His holy use in service to Him.

• The Altar of Incense
• Read Exo 30:1-10, 34-38
• Read Exo 37:25-29
• This piece of furniture is the third piece in the Holy Place. It was located at the far end of the Holy Place just before the curtain or veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. It was the last thing the High Priest would see before entering into the Holy of Holies.
• The significance of the location:
• Only after we have come by way of the cross (the bronze altar) and are born again; only after we have asked for forgiveness and cleansing at the laver, can we enter into the Holy Place; then we can expect God to give us the light of His will regarding any situation, and to reveal to us His will when we feed on the Word of God. Once we have done these things, then we are ready to pray and ask our petitions.
• This location tells us, therefore, that sin must be taken care of before we ask God for anything in Prayer. It is in the light of His Word (the candlestick), as we feed on Christ (the table of Showbread), that God will reveal to us His perfect will regarding our prayer requests.
• The significance of this piece of furniture:
• As the incense was burned, the smoke rose to the cherubim covering.
• Therefore, incense represents prayer.
• This piece of furniture is called an altar and it represents Christ our intercessor. (Heb 7:25)
• This altar had 4 horns that represent strength, power, authority, and mercy in intercession.
• Both this piece of furniture and the bronze altar had 4 horns. Therefore, there is a relationship between salvation and prayer.
• God pays special attention to the prayers of those people who belong to Him.
• On this altar of incense was a gold plate decorated with a surrounding wreath.
• This represents Christ as intercessor, who is the crowned one sitting at the Father’s right hand interceding on our behalf.
• The kind of ministry at the altar of incense:
• The priest would take a censer full of burning coals off the bronze altar and mixed it with incense beaten to a powder. He laid them together on the altar of incense morning and evening when he trimmed the wicks of the golden candlestick.
• In the same way as Jesus was a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God (Eph 5:2), so are our prayers.
• Read Psa 141:2
• The gold rim of the altar represents our prayers that are always before God. None are lost or go unheard or unanswered. (Psa 56:8)
• The gold crown edge of the altar.represents the fact that our prayers are crowned with Jesus’ intercessory touch.
• The incense:
• Read Exo 30:34-38
• The significance of the incense:
• God said that the Israelites were to use no (strange) or artificial incense. (Exo 30:9)
• The incense had to be made of pure, specified ingredients made in the way God prescribed.
• What does this mean to you and me?
• Our prayers should be sincere, not false.
• Our prayers should be to God not to man.
• Our prayers should not be vain repetition.
• Our prayers should be in a spirit of true worship, pleasing to God.
• We should offer our prayers to God in the way he prescribed…to God, the Father, in the name of Jesus, the Son.
• A story of warning:
• Read Lev 10:1-10
• The story of Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, who were drunk. They offered fire not from the bronze altar and they invaded the Holy of Holies where only the High Priest was to enter.
• Why was this so bad?
• They did things not in God’s prescribed way.
• They did not take care of sin before making a request to God.
• Their actions were not based on the blood of the sacrificed animal.
• We, as Christians, come to God based on the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
• Why was judgment so harsh?
• God wanted to show the difference between clean and unclean, holy and unholy, the right way and the wrong way, God’s way and man’s way.
• Application:
• Our Christian life should include:
• Reading and studying God’s Word.
• Repentance when we sin.
• Prayer for forgiveness.
• In our prayer life, we must take care of any sin before we make requests to God.
• Read Mat 5:23-24

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)
• In the Old Testament, God sanctified (set apart) objects like the candlestick for holiness in service to Him. In the New Testament God sanctifies (sets apart) people who believe in Jesus Christ to be holy in service to Him.
• How well do you fulfill this aspect of God’s call on your life?
• What changes can you make to better fulfill God’s plan of Holy service in your life?
• Preparation for The Study of the Tabernacle: The Furniture (The Ministry of Christ) – Continued:
• Read Exo 25:10-22
• How was the ark of the covenant to be transported from place to place?
• Read 1Tim 2:5
• In what way does this scripture represent the Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant?
• Read Heb 9:3-4
• Why do you think this passage tells us that the altar of incense and the ark of the covenant were together into the Holy of Holies?
• Read 1Sam 5:1-6:21
• Read 2Sam 6:1-11
• What did they do wrong that cost the life of the man with good intentions?
• What lesson can we learn from this situation?

• Memory verse: 1Tim 2:5