Page 58 - Pentateuch

feed God. He does not need their food, but his people need him constantly.

An ornate lampstand was designed to keep the tabernacle lit during the night. God is Israel’s light, and
Israel is to be a light to the nations. (25:31-40; 27:20-21; 37:17-24) An altar was made, and instructions
were given for burning incense morning and evening. Special ingredients were used. Whoever made the
incense for personal use would be cut off. The incense seems to represent the prayers of God’s people.
Prayer is accepted by God and comes into his presence (30:1-10, 34-38; 37:25-29).

An altar for burnt offerings was actually the first part of the
tabernacle a person would see
when looking in the opening or
when entering the tabernacle.
At this introductory level, the
Israelites were reminded of the
need for sacrifice in
approaching God. They could
not come before him on their
own or in their own way. Each person was a sinner in need of
forgiveness. Each person needed a sacrifice to pay for sins committed
regularly or God’s tabernacle would be defiled. (27:1-8; 38:1-7)

A bronze basin completed the furniture of the tabernacle. The hands and feet of
the priests must be kept clean. They became dirty from normal human activities.
Simply walking about in the desert brought dirt into God’s tabernacle, not to
mention blood from animals sacrificed to God. Here is another physical picture of
the spiritual need to be clean when coming before God. (30:17-21; 38:8) We
must remember that each part that they are mere shadow of greater realities.

The entire arrangement of the tabernacle was important. An outer courtyard
separated the nation of Israel from God’s dwelling. (27:9-19; 38:9-10) The altar and basin were the only
pieces of furniture in this part. The holy place was separated by curtains and held the table, lamp stand,
and altar of incense. (26:1-37; 36:8-38) The holy of holies again were separated by curtains. The only object
here was the ark of the testimony. These successive rooms taught the special nature of God’s dwelling
place. A human could not come to Him in just any old way.

In the middle of these instructions were
others about the priest and his clothing.
The description of the garments is
detailed and communicates the “dignity
and honor” of a priest of YHWH (28:1). He
represented the entire nation, bringing
the names of the twelve tribes before God
(28:10-11, 21, 29). The priest was the
representative of the people. Wearing the
names of the tribes over his heart pictured
the sympathy a priest had for the nation.
The only part of his body not covered is
his feet, perhaps a reminder of God’s
instructions to Moses when he stood on
holy ground (3:5).
Fig. 43: Ramesseum, Thebes. 1857
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