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finished portrait. Spiritually, the tabernacle and its services were the preliminary sketches, and the person
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and work of Christ are the completed masterpiece.

Eventually, God’s tabernacle will be on earth (Rev. 21:3, where “dwelling” is literally “tabernacle”). In the
meantime, God the Spirit dwells in Christians who are the temple of God (1 Cor. 6:19-20; Eph. 2:19-22; 1
Pet. 2:5). And, of course, the Son of God once “became flesh and made his dwelling [tabernacle] among us
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(John 1:14), referring to his body as the temple (John 2:19-21). In a variety of ways, the ancient tabernacle
explains something of God’s presence among us in Christ, in the Holy Spirit, and in the New Jerusalem.

As we work briefly through the tabernacle and its furnishings, we must be careful not to make too much of
the details. Some deliberately reflect future realities. The holy of holies, for example, is a cube just like the
New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:16). Yet as God gave instructions about this “shadow” tent, he communicated in
ways understandable to Moses and the people of Israel in their own culture. The NIV Study Bible has a fine
sketch of the tabernacle and an explanation of similar structures used by other nations at the time of the
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exodus. God’s communication, while pointing to deeper spiritual truths, used the materials of the day.

The tabernacle was built out of the free will offerings of Israel. Specific materials were identified by God,
but the sanctuary where God would dwell was actually constructed out of offerings “from each man whose
heart prompts him to give” (25:2; 35:21, 22, 29). The response was so great that Moses had to tell the
people not to bring more. “What they already had was more than enough to do all the work (36:6-7). The
same willingness was a necessary trait in the hearts of those who had been given skills by the Holy Spirit to
craft the various parts of the tabernacle (35:25; 36:2). The tent was not made out of slave labor. Israel had
had enough of that for many years in Egypt. Their YHWH was different.

The most important piece of furniture was the Ark of
the Covenant. It was placed in the holiest part of the
tent. The ark had a lid or “atonement cover” shadowed
by two angels, one on either end. This was the exact
place God would meet Israel to give them his
commands. The “atonement cover” spoke of the need
for sacrifice. Israel was sinful. God is not. Later
instructions include the payment of a “ransom” for
each Israelite at census time. “Then no plague will
come on them when you number them (30:12). On a
very simple level, the Israelites were taught that
payment must be made for them to come into contact
with God. (25:10-22; 37:1-9)

A table was made, and bread was placed on it every week. The point is
easy to understand as we remember Israel’s recent history. God brought
Israel out of Egypt and fed them with manna in the wilderness. The
people do not know yet that the manna
will continue for another forty years,
God’s gracious provision for them. (25:31-
40; 37:10-16). Unlike other nations and
Fig. 38.: Tableof Showbread their gods, God feeds them. They do not

70 F. F. Bruce, Hebrews, 235, n. 9.
71 Ronald F. Youngblood, Exodus (Chicago: Moody Press, 1983), 123.
72 The NIV Study Bible, 124.
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