INTRODUCTION The author is writing these documents in response to the need for a concise and simple presentation of how to properly identify and understand the types found in the tabernacle. The framework of the study is a general knowledge of the tabernacle. The author will explain why an understanding of the tabernacle is important to Christians. The history of the tabernacle will be pointed out. The materials and construction of the tabernacle will be studied. Also, the author will discuss the Levitical priesthood and the important subject of typology. Continued studies will be explained concerning three areas of the tabernacle and their furnishings: the outer-court, the Holy place and the Holy of Holies. There will be pointed out in this study items such as: the court of the tabernacle, the laver, the Mercy-Seat, the Ark of the Covenant, the Shewbread, the Golden Altar, the Holy Place, the Holy of Holies, the gate or the door, the priesthood and the function of the priesthood; which includes the offerings and the atonement. The altar, the offering and sacrifice, along with the atonement will be especially displayed. Also, though the tabernacle was built for Israel while in the wilderness, its believed that it was also a shadow of things to come. Because of that, there is consideration given to some study on sin, the veil and Jesus Christ. The tabernacle is scantly preached or taught in Churches today. Therefore, few people realize the great importance given to the tabernacle throughout scripture. Believers should study the tabernacle for the following reasons: 1. The study of the tabernacle is necessary for a proper understanding of God's redemptive program, which is progressively revealed throughout the Scriptures. 2. A study of the tabernacle with an understanding of it will inform sinful people about the holiness of God. 3. The study of the priesthood is foundational to an understanding of Christ's priestly

The Tabernacle, the Priesthood and Their Functions

By Gilbert H. Edwards

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 Dr. Gilbert H. Edwards
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4520-7072-8

Contents

I. The Tabernacle................................7II. The Mercy Seat...............................28III. The Ark of the Covenant.....................32IV. The Shewbread................................38V. The Brazen Altar..............................42VI. The Candlestick..............................46VII. The Golden Altar............................49VIII. The Laver..................................52IX. The Holy Place...............................54X. The Holy of Holies............................59XI. The Priesthood...............................64XII. The Altar...................................79XIII.. The Offering..............................82XIV. The Sacrifice...............................100XV. Summary and Indentation......................104

Chapter One

THE TABERNACLE

From the outside and going inwards, the first thing to be seen is the court. This was an important part of the whole, but strictly speaking it was not part of the tabernacle or dwelling-place of God. It was merely a large enclosure in the shape of a parallelogram, with the narrow ends east and west, within which the tabernacle was situated. This court was formed of pillars connected together by fixed hangings on all sides except the east, and part of that side also, but in the middle of the east side was the entrance, formed of moved hangings and of different material from the hangings forming the walls. The court thus formed was open to the sky above.

1. Furniture of the court - Going into the outer court by the entrance and going westward, one would see that altar of burnt offering, then passing that, the laver or basin where the priests washed their hands and feet before entering the tabernacle.

2. The Tabernacle - This, like the outer court, was rectangular, the smaller ends on the east and west; the entrance in the east, formed of pillars and hangings.

3. Furniture of the Tabernacle - Entering the tabernacle and going west towards the veil, opposite the entrance of the Holy of Holies, was the altar of incense. On both sides of this altar stood two other objects, one towards the north wall and the other towards the south. On the north was a table on which were two columns of bread, the table of shew-bread, and towards the south wall was the golden lampstand. Going still further west, and entering through the veil into the Holy of Holies, a small gilt rectangular chest with a lid of solid gold met the view. On each end attached to the lid, was a small winged figure of gold stood facing another like it. This was the ark and the lid was the mercyseat, and the two figures were the Cherubim. And from between them, on the mercy-seat, God spoke to the people.

M. R. DeHaan states concerning the furnishings of the tabernacle:

"In the holy place, the larger of the two rooms were three pieces of furniture: the dining table on the north side, the lamp on the south side, and between these and slightly to the rear, was the altar of incense. In the smaller room, called the Holy of Holies, and behind the veil which hid them from view, stood the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy-seat. There were, thus, exactly seven pieces of furniture speaking of the perfection of Him, to which all these pointed. Every part of this building, every article of furniture, pointed to some aspect of the perfection of the personality and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, our meeting place with God, our tabernacle."

Upon the intercession of Moses, Jehovah renewed His covenant with Israel, gave them another copy of the Law and invited them to make their offerings of material for the construction of the tabernacle. This they did in excess of what was wanted, (Exodus 36:5,6) and the work proceeded under the direction of Bezaleel and Aholiab (Exodus 35:30; 36:2). The tabernacle was completed on the first day of the first month (Nisan) of the second year after the Exodus, and the ritual appointed for it begun (Exodus 40:2). Instead of being placed without the camp, like the provisional tabernacle, it stood in its very center.

The priests on the east, the other three families of the Levites on the other sides, were closest in attendance, the "bodyguard" of Israel's theocratic King. In the wider square Judah, Zebuklum and Issachar were on the east; Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin on the west; the less conspicuous tribes, Dan, Ashner, and Naphtali on the north; Reuben, Simeon and God on the south side. When the army puts itself in order of march, the position of the tabernacle, carried by the Levites, was still central, the tribes of the east and south in front; those of the north and west in the rear (Numbers 2). After entrance into Canaan, the tabernacle was probably set up in Gilgal, then when the land was subdued at Shiloh, after this little allusion was made to it, it seems to have remained there until the close of the time of the Judges. At times the Ark was borne about the army. When David brought up the Ark from Obededom's house to Jerusalem, it is said that he placed it in the midst of the tabernacle which David had pitched for it (II Samuel 6:17).

Probably in the times of the early monarchy the tabernacle was set up at Shiloh, and at Gibeon and perhaps at Nob (I Chronicles 16:39; I Samuel 21:1). When the temple was erected, Solomon brought up the Ark and all the vessels from Zion to the temple.

Henry W. Soltam states concerning the tabernacle:

"The tribe of Levi was divided into three families, under his three sons, Gershon, Kohath, and Merani. Each had his own separate place of encampment around the tabernacle, and to each was committed a peculiar change and burden. The Meronites, who encamped on the north, watched over, erected and carried all the solid framework of the building, the pillars o the surrounding courts together with the sockets of silver and brass. The Gershonites pitched towards the west and had under their care the curtains hangings and coverings of the tabernacle and court, which they also bore on the journeys; whilst to the Kohathites, whose camp was south, were allotted the charge and carriage of the holy vessels. Thus was all distributed among these three families of Levites, and the burden of one was kept distinct from that of another."

God told Moses what materials were required for the tabernacle, then Moses told the whole community what the Lord commanded from them. Whatever they have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows; acacia wood; olive oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastplate (Exodus 35:4-9). The people cheerfully provided more than enough for the tabernacle through free-will offerings (Exodus 36:37). Giving pleases God when it is voluntary and cheerful. Properly motivated, giving provides sufficient funds for God's purposes.

The making of the tabernacle was according to God's blueprint. All the skilled men among the work-men made the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with Cherubim worked into them by a...