And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

The Tabernacle was made according to the directions given by God to Moses. He was to follow those directions completely. It was the Tabernacle through which God would dwell with His people. It reveals the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. It also shows the steps necessary to come to a holy God. A closer look at the Tabernacle reveals how we are to approach.

FAR OFF FROM GOD

The outer court speaks to me of separation. The perimeter was surrounded by curtains, approximately 150‘ by 75‘ by 7 1/2‘ high. On the East side an entrance of approximately 30’, which was the only way into the outer court. This speaks to me of Jesus as the door. Jesus is our entrance into the presence of God. He said, "I am the door.." (John 10:7). As you enter the court you see first an altar of sacrifice. Here the sacrifices were made for the sins of the people. Jesus was our one sacrifice that could take away sin (John 1:29). He is the only acceptable sacrifice for those who come into God’s presence. Notice also the Laver of Cleansing. This was used by the priests to wash prior to offering sacrifices or going into the holy place. Our cleansing is by the blood of God’s Lamb, the Lord Jesus, (1 John 1:9) and we are made a kingdom of priests though Him (1 Pet 2:9). The only way we can approach a holy God is through sacrifice and cleansing.

FAMILY OF GOD

The Holy Place speaks to me of family. Those who receive Christ are forgiven and cleansed by His blood, made priests by Him and can enter into the Holy Place. They are made members of the family of God. "As many as receive Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:12). As family, we are given special privileges, some of which are revealed in the Holy Place. Note as you enter from the East, in front of you is the Altar of Incense. This speaks of our link to God through prayer. Jesus said, "Whatsoever you ask in my name that will I do." (John 14:13) To your left is the Lamp stand, or Candlestick. It speaks of light. Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). He has come that we might have light. To your right is the Table of Showbread. Here twelve loaves in double rows of six were laid out. Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:35). Through Him we have life. Notice all these are privileges and benefits which come when we are part of the family of God. Those who are in God’s family are given light, life and communication with Him through prayer.

FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

The Most Holy Place was the inner room which contained the Ark. The Ark was covered by the Mercy Seat and two Cherubim facing toward the center with outstretched wings. Only the High Priest could enter this room. Once a year on the Day of Atonement the High Priest would enter into the most Holy Place and sprinkle the blood of sacrificial animals on the mercy seat to make atonement for the people (Lev 16). Christ our High Priest has sprinkled His own blood on the mercy seat (1 John 2:2). His one sacrifice cleanses us from all sin and makes possible our entrance into the presence of a holy God. Indeed he has torn the curtain in two which separated God and man (Mat 27:51). Now we can come into the Most Holy Place through the blood of Jesus. Note what is inside the Ark. The two tablets of the law, the pot of manna and Aaron’s rod that budded. See how each of these picture what we have in Christ. He has fulfilled the law, meeting our moral need. He is the manna of God which fills our physical needs and He is the Rod of authority directing our spiritual needs.

Doctor Barnhouse tells of a woman whose car suddenly stopped on the highway. She managed to get the car off to the side of the road, but had no idea what to do next. A passing motorist, seeing her plight, stopped to give assistance. After he examined the car he said to the lady, "I can’t find anything wrong with the car, It just looks to me like you‘re out of gas. " The woman replied, "Oh my, will it hurt the car if I drive it that way?"