Lesson 4
The Tabernacle—Mankind's Approach to God
III.
The Tabernacle—Mankind's Approach to God (Ceremonial Law)
The plan
of the tabernacle was given by the Lord to Moses on Mt. Sinai. He was
admonished to follow God's specifications in its construction to the letter
(Exodus 25:1-9). The tabernacle was more than just a place to worship while in the
wilderness. Its design and layout was to be a shadow of the redemptive work of
Jesus, as well as a pattern of salvation's plan for the present church age.
A. The
Court of the Tabernacle
The court
of the tabernacle was approximately one hundred fifty feet long, and
seventy-five feet wide. It had one gate on the east side. There were four door
posts supporting hangings of four colors of cloth: purple, scarlet, blue and white. There was
only one entrance into the courtyard. There is also only one way to find
salvation (John 10:9).
Inside the courtyard was the brazen altar,
the brazen laver and the tabernacle itself. The tabernacle was approximately
15' x 15' x 45' consisting of the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. These two
rooms were separated by a vail of blue, purple and scarlet. In the Holy of
Holies abode the Spirit of God between the golden cherubims. They were located
on the lid of the ark which was called the mercy seat. This is not to say that
all of God was here, as He is omnipresent, or present everywhere. However, from
Adam's day, God has always desired to dwell with His people but sin has always
separated man from God. From the day of Pentecost, fifty days after the death
of Christ, God has dwelt in the hearts of His people in a real and wonderful
way.
"Know ye not that ye are the
temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (I Corinthians 3:16).