Articles
My Visit To The Tabernacle
A few years ago while preaching in Maryland, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit a life-size replica of the Mosaic tabernacle in Lancaster, PA. It is maintained by Mennonites who make up a large segment of the county's population. I woke up with excitement as I made ready to travel there with my wonderful hosts, Vernon and Norene Klemm. The Old Testament tabernacle has always been a fascination to me. I am struck with reverence and awe as I consider its meaning. The book of Hebrews teaches that the law of Moses and the tabernacle were a shadow of good things to come which we now enjoy in Christ (Hebrews 10:1). It will be impossible for me to speak of everything that impressed me as I viewed the tabernacle reproduction but I would like to share a few things.
Egypt Paid For It
The tour of the tabernacle begins with all the visitors sitting just beyond the tabernacle courtyard. It's dimensions are exact with the linen curtain boundaries and the eastern entrance of blue, purple and scarlet material. One tour guide did an excellent job with his presentation. I spoke with him at some length after the tour. One thing he mentioned to me impressed me. He said, "God has the final say." He was referring to the fact that the tabernacle was paid for by the Egyptians. Remember that? The Egyptians were so eager to be rid of the Israelites, they gave the Israelites their silver, gold and clothing (Exodus 12:35-36). Now, how's that for having the final say? Pharaoh began by saying, "Who is God that I should obey His voice?" After a 10-lesson course that I call "Plagues 101", Pharaoh and his people paid for a tabernacle by providing materials that would later be used for its construction. Indeed, God always has the final say!!
Hands On The Sacrifice
Worshippers could come no closer to the tabernacle than the front entrance. Two things struck me there. First, I saw the worshipper standing with his lamb and his hands were upon its head. In this way, the worshipper was saying to himself, "The sins I should be paying the price for are being transferred to this innocent lamb" (Lev. 4:32-34). Now, I am a softy for lambs. It would have torn my heart to look that lamb in the eyes, put my hand on his head and think, "You are about to pay for what I have done."
It gets worse. The second thing I saw was a priest kneeling before a lamb whose throat had been cut and he has a bowl catching the blood as it spurts from the lamb's neck. The blood will be applied to the horns of the altar of burnt offering and the rest poured at the base of the altar. Folks, the tabernacle is a carnage house, a bloody mess and a constant reminder of the awfulness of sin! I couldn't help but envision Jesus, my sacrifice. Imagine if I had to go to Calvary in all my sin, put my hands upon the head of Jesus, look into His eyes, and then watch the bloody scene unfold before me knowing that I am the one who is responsible for Him being there. Someone has well said, "The person who cannot claim responsibility for the cross of Jesus is not due one ounce of its grace." Thanks be to the Lord for His tremendous love and mercy.
No Chairs
I stood beyond the courtyard looking at its furnishings. There was the altar of burnt offering and the bronze laver. We then moved inside to view the tabernacle a little closer. No photography was allowed in here, nor were we allowed to enter the tabernacle itself. The walls of the tabernacle (overlaid with gold in the real one) were opened up for us to see the inside of the first room, the Holy Place. I saw more furnishings. There was the golden candlestick, the table of showbread, and the altar of incense (symbolic of our prayers - Psa. 141:2). Just beyond the inner veil was the Most Holy Place which housed the Ark of the Covenant with its two cherubim above the mercy seat. I beheld all the furnishings but then considered what wasn't there. No chairs!
The tabernacle was a busy place with much work to do. Sin kept these priests busy. Their work was never done. They stood and stood and stood offering one sacrifice after another. The book of Hebrews is deliberate when it contrasts Jesus with those Levitical priests. "And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified" (Hebrews 10:11-14).
Pause, Ponder and Praise! Jesus, our Lord came as both our High Priest and our sacrifice. He offered one sacrifice; Himself. It was a sacrifice so perfect, it alone does the job! It perfects forever. And He sat down!!
Lights to the World
I've often thought about the Holy Place in the tabernacle. It had one source of light; the golden candlestick. The light likely reflected off the walls which were overlaid with gold. What could possibly be the symbolism of this light? One thing I know. God placed Israel right in the middle of many nations. It was His intention that they would be a wonder to behold. If they would just life righteously, their light would shine to the nations and all men could be drawn to the God they served. This was God's desire. He longed for her righteousness to go "forth as brightness and her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory" (Isa. 62:1-2). Sadly, Israel failed to be such a light for God.
What about you? What has God put around you? Aren't there family members, neighbors, friends and co-workers? It is His desire that you too might shine as a light in this world (Phil. 2:15; Mt. 5:16), drawing men to the God you serve. Is your light shining?
Someone was once asked, "Are you a Christian?" He replied, "I could tell you anything. Ask my neighbors and friends." Now really, what would your friends say?
Draw Near
As we looked at the veil which kept us out of the Most Holy Place, our guide reminded us that a larger version of this veil was in the Temple. When Jesus died, the veil was ripped from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51).
In the Old Testament, only one man was allowed into the Most Holy Place, and then only on one day of the year, the Day of Atonement. That man was the High Priest. Ordinary men were not allowed access to the presence of God. That veil was a constant reminder that "the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest" (Hebrews 9:8).
The ripping of the veil when Jesus died may say to us that the way into Holiest of All (Heaven) is now open to all of us. Jesus made it possible by another veil, His flesh (Heb. 10:20). So now, we can "draw near with a full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:22). I stood there before the replica of the veil, so thankful that Jesus, as my trailblazer, has paved the way for me to come before God's throne now in prayer and one day into His presence for all eternity.
The tabernacle replica was wonderful to visit. One last thing hit me. It was not even close to the real thing. Gold spray paint covered the boards in the place of real gold. There was no silver. Security guards were not present to protect it all. The makers of the replica did a great job but it still paled in comparison to the real thing. Also, they were unable to create with wood what I see with my mind when I read my Bible. It again reminded me of how visual the Bible can be if we will just take the time to go the scene mentally and let it come alive. The Bible is not black and white letters on a page. It is a colorful and vivid telling of the greatest story ever told. I'm left wanting to say to My High Priest, "Come, Lord Jesus."
