Outline of Segment 3.2
- Tabernacle & Priestly Instruction (Blueprints) (25-31) Instructions for the Tabernacle
- Raise a Contribution to build a sanctuary 25:1-10
- Blueprints: Items inside Tabernacle 25:10-40
- Ark of Covenant (Testimony) 25:10-16
- Mercy Seat 25:17-22
- Table of Showbread 25:23-30
- Lampstand 25:31-40
- Blueprints: Tabernacle Structure 26
- Curtains (3 paragraphs) 26:1-14
- Boards 26:15-25
- Bars 26:26-30
- Veils 26:31-37
- Blueprints: Courtyard 27
- Bronze Altar 27:1-8
- Courtyard Construction 27:9-19
- Courtyard Use 17:20-21
- Blueprints: Priests 28-29
- Blueprints: Priestly Garments 28
- Blueprints: Consecration of Priests 29
- Blueprints: Finishing Touches (Consecrating Items) 30
- Golden Altar (of Incense) 30:1-10
- Atonement Fees 30:11-16
- Bronze Laver 30:17-21
- Anointing Oil 30:22-33
- Incense 30:34-38
- Construct Except on the Sabbath 31
The Tabernacle
Exodus 25-31 discusses construction of a portable tabernacle.
“The plans for the tabernacle are given in intricate detail” (Maxie D. Dunnam).
“When the writer of Hebrews talks about the tabernacle he spoke of the ‘shadow of heavenly things’ (Heb. 8:5), ‘the copies of the things in the heavens’ (Heb. 9:23), ‘copies of the true’ (Heb. 9:24), and ‘a shadow of the good things to come’ (Heb. 10:1). There was no question about it: For this writer, the tabernacle was intended to signify spiritual realities, especially those realities that are revealed in Christ.” (Maxie D. Dunnam)
Do we know for sure what any of the parts of the tabernacle looked like exactly? No. We only know for sure as much as the bible describes, and although the descriptions in the bible are very detailed, there are many more details that are left subject to interpretation. The pictures in this study reflect various artists renditions of the tabernacle and its items, and have been included to help the reader to visualize the tabernacle.
Importance of the Tabernacle:
In addition to the immediate physical manifestation, everything in the tabernacle was a “shadow of things to come” (Heb 10:1, Col 2:17), a symbolic foreshadowing of things to come, which at that point included both Christ’s incarnation and the heavenly kingdom.
Also, keep in mind that Heaven has a tabernacle as well: “Rev 15:5 After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened”
How does the tabernacle apply to us and our lives?
“A proper understanding of the theology of the tabernacle does not provide us for specific guidelines for what we ought to do. A contemporary application of the tabernacle would be strained indeed if we looked to the curtains or furniture for clues as to how we should live…Applying the tabernacle must be approached from a different angle. Rather than tell use what we ought to do, it tells us why we ought to do it…a proper understanding of the tabernacle theology motivates us to live so as to please God. It does this simply by reminding us of who God is and who we are in relation to him. An understanding of the tabernacle helps to shape our minds to reflect more the way God wants us to think” – The NIV Application Commentary, Peter Enns