Bible Study: The Tabernacle Completed
Hello My Friend/Guest,
It is Wednesday January 30, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Exodus. Please read, Exodus 38-39. In today's lesson we will read and learn about the Brazen Altar of burnt offerings; the Tabernacle courtyard; and the high priest's garments.
Again we continue reading about the construction of the Tabernacle with the precise instructions of God regarding even the garments the priests should wear. Nothing was altered for personal preference, including the Brazen Alter. (Edoxus 38). The fire on the Brazen Altar, known as the Altar of Burnt Offering, was never permitted to go out and was symbolic of the fact that every sinner may come to Christ anytime, day or night to atone for their sins. On the Day of Atonement a bullock for His sin offering and a ram as a burnt offering had to be sacrificed by the priest before he could proceed further toward the Tabernacle on behalf of the congregation. The high priest had to recognize the holiness of God, as well as his own sinfulness, and be cleansed from his guilt and sin before he could perform the sacrifice and intercede on behalf of the people. The only way for sinful man to stand before the Holy God was through the atoning sacrifice.
But Christ offered Himself as a whole burnt offering on the cross for our sins. Our wonderful Lord was both our mediating High Priest and the sacrificial Lamb of God, which took away the sin of the world. It is through Jesus' sacrifice alone that we receive redemption and reconciliation with God.
The Altar of Incense was the smallest piece of furniture in the Tabernacle and, as such, may seem insignificant. But this altar was made of gold and was symbolic of Christ praying for Christians. He both prays for and receives the prayers and praise of even the most helpless Christian and transforms them into a sweet fragrance before God the Father. His intercession makes our prayers precious to God.
The Tabernacle was finally completed and according to the instructions the Lord commanded Moses. "Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets, And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering, The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat,"(39:32-35).
The Ark of the Testimony (See Exodus 25)contained the Covenant between God and His people Israel. It was a wooden chest overlaid with gold, both inside and out. The Ark was a type of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, Who alone can atone for sin. The wood represented His human nature and the gold represented His divine nature, for He is both fully God and fully Man The Ark was made from the wood of the acacia tree that grew in the desert, that which a symbol of the world system of things. The lid of the Ark was made of pure gold and was called the Mercy Seat. It covered the Law that had been placed in the Ark. Everyone is a sinner, but Christ, the perfect, sinless Son of God became our High Priest. By His perfect atonement for our sins, He provides repentant sinners with mercy and salvation, represented by the Mercy Seat. The Law provides the "knowledge" of sin, but not the "forgiveness" of sin (Galatians 2:16; 3:11). You can be sure that, as you prayerfully read the Word of God daily and seek to please Him above all else, His indwelling presence will bring meaning to your life.
In today's Lesson Jesus Christ is revealed through the golden Altar of Incense and its incense, representing prayers going up to heaven. We see Christ praying for us. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word (John 17:20).
Today's Psalm: (6:9)
"The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer."
Today's Prayer: From Psalm 61
Dear Lord,
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. In Jesus' name, I pray......Amen.
Have a wonderful day/night.
God Bless,
Christina
