The tabernacle was a mobile or transportable tent, symbol of the presence of God in the midst of his people. It served as a sanctuary where the Israelites went to present their prayers, their sacrifices, and their praises to God.
The people of Israel built the tabernacle while wandering in the desert after God freed them from slavery in Egypt. God gave them very specific instructions through Moses about their design and the materials to use (Exodus, chapters 25-40).
This is why many speak of the tabernacle as the Moses Tabernacle, for he received the instructions from God and communicated them to the people. Moses saw to it that everything was done just as God had instructed him.
The tabernacle was built with freewill offerings of the people as God asked. All those who wanted, offered of their own free will and for the love of God.
The meaning of the tabernacle and its parts
Many of the symbols we find in the tabernacle were prophetic and pointed to Jesus.
the tabernacle
It symbolized the presence of God in the midst of his people. It was where they brought sacrifices and worshiped God. It can be the symbol of various things. First of Jesus, God with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). After the presence of god amid the praises of his people (Psalm 22:3). And it can be a symbol of believers in Jesus. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). John 14:23: “Jesus answered him, He who loves me will obey my word, and my Father will love him, and we will make our home with him.”
The entrance
There was only one entrance facing the sacrificial table. The entrance is a symbol of Jesus. Jesus says in John 10:9: “I am the door; whoever enters through this door, which is me, will be saved. He will move about freely, and will find pasture.”
The bronze altar for sacrifices
This altar symbolizes Jesus, the perfect and spotless sacrifice. Hebrews 9:13-14 explains it this way:
The blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on unclean persons, sanctify them so that they are clean on the outside. If this is so, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse our conscience from the deeds that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
(Hebrews 9:13-14)
The fountain or lavacro
The priests washed their hands and feet in the fountain as a symbol of the necessary cleaning before entering the holy place. It can be a symbol of baptism, the need to be born from water. John 3:5: “I tell you the truth, anyone who is not born of water and of the Spirit cannot enter the kingdom of God,” Jesus replied.
The bread table
This table served as a reminder of constant supply of God for the people during the 40 years that they wandered in the desert, provision of food, their presence and protection. The table also speaks of Jesus, the bread of life. John 6:35: “I am the bread of life,” Jesus declared. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never thirst again.”
The candelabrum
This can also be a symbol of Jesus, the light of the world. John 8:12: “Once again Jesus addressed the crowd, and said to them: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but he will have the light of life.” It can also represent God’s word that lights our way (Psalm 119:105) and the glory of the Lord that brings spiritual light into our lives and shows us Jesus (Revelation 21:23).
The golden altar for incense
This was where the priest presented the prayers of the people before God. There he interceded for the people What Jesus intercedes for us (John 17:9; 14:16). Also talk about the prayers of the saints ascending before the throne of God (Revelation 8:3-4).
The veil
This separated the holy place from the holy of holies and was very elaborate and heavy. Talk about the separation between the holiness of God and the sin of man. The high priest was the only one who was allowed to cross to the other side once a year. This is the veil that was rent when Jesus was crucified (Matthew 21:50-51). Thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus, the children of God are now priests (1 Peter 2:9) and we can access to his presence at any time through prayer.
the ark of testimony
It was a symbol of the presence of god between his people and the covenant he had made with them. It was the place where the high priest offered sacrifices for the expiation of his sins and those of the people.
The priest sprinkled the blood of the animals on the ark. This symbolized the blood of Jesus who cleansed our sins (1 John 1:7). In John 1:29b, as John the Baptist looked at Jesus, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Tabernacle Components
God gave Moses precise instructions on how they were to build the tabernacle. This would consist of two main parts: the atrium (or outside patio) and the tent or sanctuary, composed by the holy place and the holy of holies. The people had to build everything as God had indicated to Moses. He reminded them of this on various occasions as we see in Exodus 25:9, 40; 26:30; 27:8. God places great value on the obedience of his people.
the tabernacle Image by Adik86
1. Outer court structure (Exodus 27:9-19)
The tabernacle area was surrounded by a large rectangular structure demarcated by fine linen curtains, twenty posts, and twenty bronze bases on the two longer sides. These were to be positioned to the north and to the south. The entrance curtain was to be facing east, towards the sunrise. The atrium or outer space was 45 meters long and 22.5 meters wide.
The entire town could access the atrium area. Anyone who wanted to offer sacrifices to God could enter through the gate on the east side and go to the altar of burnt offering.
Atrium entrance curtain
At the entrance there was a curtain 9 meters long. It was made of purple, crimson, scarlet, and fine linen, artistically embroidered. It was supported by four posts and four sockets (Exodus 27:16). The stakes and all serving utensils to be used in the sanctuary were to be made of bronze.
The bronze altar for sacrifices
This was the area of the atrium where the sacrifices to God were made and there the whole town could access. It was the first thing they saw when they entered. It served as a reminder that, in order to enter the presence of the Lord, they must first offer sacrifices to receive forgiveness of their sins.
The entire altar was covered in bronze in one piece (Exodus 27:1-8). It was square, two meters and thirty centimeters on each side and one meter and thirty centimeters high. It contained some rods that facilitated its transport.
The sink, fountain or sink
This fountain was made “from the mirrors of the women who served at the door of the tent of meeting,” as Exodus 38:8 says. The fountain was covered with bronze. It had a bronze pedestal and was placed between the sanctuary or tent of meeting and the altar for sacrifices (Exodus 30:17-21).
The fountain contained water for Aaron and his sons (the priests) to wash their hands and feet before entering the holy place.
Whenever you enter the Tent of Meeting, or when you approach the altar and present an offering to the Lord by fire, you must wash your hands and feet with water so that you do not die. This will be a perpetual law for Aaron and his descendants for all generations.
(Exodus 30:20-21)
2. The tent or sanctuary
Only priests had access to the sanctuary or tent of meeting. To enter, they passed through a curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth supported by five gold-trimmed acacia columns. The sanctuary was divided between the holy place and the most holy place. The latter could only be entered by the high priest once a year, on the day of atonement.
the holy place
The priests entered the holy place by passing through a curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth and fine twisted linen. It was hung with gold hooks on five pillars of acacia wood that had been overlaid with gold. The columns were supported by five bronze bases.
Inside the holy place, on the north side, was the table of showbread. On the south side and in front of the table was the chandelier. The golden altar for incense it was placed before the veil that marked the entrance to the holy of holies.
On the table of gold-plated acacia wood was placed the bread, or the twelve loaves of the Presence. The bread was to be forever before God (Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24:5-9).
On the table there were plates, vessels, jars and bowls of pure gold that were to be used in libations. The loaves were placed in two rows of six loaves each, and pure incense was placed on each of the rows.
The table with the twelve loaves served to remind us of God’s covenant with his people and his faithful provision. The incense on the loaves was an offering by fire to the Lord (Leviticus 24:7).
The candelabrum (either menorah) was made of pure gold, hammered into a single piece with its cups, chalices and flowers. It was a very elaborate piece with seven arms that ended in the shape of an almond blossom.
The seven lamps of the candelabrum illuminated the area that was in front of it, just as God illuminated their path and still lights ours. The oil used in the lamps was pure oil from crushed olives and was to burn continuously (Leviticus 24:2).
The altar for incense it was smaller than the bronze one, square, made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. It had a golden horn on each corner; the whole altar formed a single piece. It was placed in front of the veil that separated the holy place from the holy of holies.
Incense altar. Photo by Ben PL
On this altar Aaron was to burn aromatic incense each day and present the prayers and praises of the people before the presence of God. Incense was to burn day and night (Exodus 30:7-8).
the holy of holies
The last area of the tabernacle was known as the most holy place. To this area, which was the most sacred, only the high priest had access on the day of atonement (Exodus 25:10-22; Leviticus 23:27-32).
Aaron, the high priest, entered the holy of holies through a veil that separated the holy place from the holy of holies. The veil was very thick and high, it was made of blue, purple, scarlet cloth, and fine linen that had cherubs embroidered on it.
The veil was hung on four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold and was used to cover the ark when it was being transported. The high priest carried incense when entering the area of the ark so that the smoke covered the brightness of God. No one was to see the presence of the Lord. Whoever saw her, he would die (Exodus 33:20).
This space contained ark of testimony on which was placed propitiatory. The ark it was made of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold inside and out. Like the tabernacle, it was ready to be transported (Exodus 25:10-15). Inside…