It is written:
“According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.” (Exodus 25:9)
“And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.” (Exodus 25:40)
“And you shall raise up the tabernacle according to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain.” (Exodus 26:30)
Some of the most amazing Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament relate to the tabernacle and its’ entire system.
The tabernacle was a large tent that the Hebrews carried with them when they traveled, and set up whenever they stopped. A great deal of emphasis is placed on the Tabernacle in the Old Testament. One author has pointed out:
““The Tabernacle is of such great importance to God’s redemptive program that 50 chapters in the Bible are given to explaining its pattern, construction, and service. Nothing was left to Moses’s speculation; God revealed to him in minute detail every aspect of the Tabernacle. More than 20 times in Exodus we read, “as the Lord commanded Moses.” “Five names in Scripture describe the Tabernacle. It was called “a sanctuary” (Exod. 25:8), denoting that it was set apart for a holy God. “Tabernacle” (Ex. 25:9) reveals that it was the dwelling place of God among His people. “Tent” (Ex. 26:36) designated it as a temporary dwelling place of God. “It was called “the tabernacle of the congregation” (Ex. 29:42) because it was where God met with His people. The final expression, “the tabernacle of testimony” (Ex. 38:21), described the law given to Moses, which was kept in the ark of the covenant located in the holy of holies. What an appropriate appellation for the Tabernacle, which stood as a testimony to Israel and the world of God’s truth and glory. “For almost 500 years, the Tabernacle served as a place for God to dwell among His people and a place where His people could commune with Him (Ex. 25:8; 40:34-37)….“Thus, it was a graphic portrayal of God’s redemptive program for Israel. Every aspect of the Tabernacle-from the brazen altar, where sacrifices were offered for sin, to the mediating high priest, who offered the sacrificial blood on the mercy seat-pointed to God’s redemptive plan. The people could only approach God through a blood atonement and a mediating priesthood.” (David Lee, The Tabernacle: Shadows Of The Messiah-It’s Sacrifices, Services, And Priesthood, 53-66 (Kindle Edition); Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications)
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that the Tabernacle and its’ entire system was prophetic of the Messiah and the Messianic age.
Hebrews 8:5-The work that these priests do is really only a copy and a shadow of what is in heaven. That is why God warned Moses when he was ready to build the Holy Tent: “Be sure to make everything exactly like the pattern I showed you on the mountain.”
Hebrews 9:23-34-These things are copies of the real things that are in heaven. These copies had to be made clean by animal sacrifices. But the real things in heaven must have much better sacrifices. 24 Christ went into the Most Holy Place. But it was not the man-made one, which is only a copy of the real one. He went into heaven, and he is there now before God to help us.
Hebrews 10:1-The law gave us only an unclear picture of the good things coming in the future. The law is not a perfect picture of the real things. The law tells people to offer the same sacrifices every year. Those who come to worship God continue to offer those sacrifices. But the law can never make them perfect.
As we will learn, the Tabernacle provides amazing Messianic prophecy.
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