In this Parashah, Adonai gives Moses instructions as to how His Tabernacle, His dwelling place should be built. If volume is any guage of importance, and we believe that to some degree it is, this is one of the most important subjects in the entire Bible. There is no bulk section of text that spends as much time and gives as much detail as Adonai's design and description of the Tabernacle.
From the book of Hebrews we gain some insights on why thi stwxt must be so important. In Hebrews 8:5, the Temple system is described as "a copy and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was instructed when he was aboutto make the Tabernacle. For He said, 'See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.'"
In Hebrews 9:9, we are told that the tabernacle system was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices were offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to his conscience..." In verse 23, the writer explains, "...it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these."
It is unfortunate that these same Scriptures have been misinterpretted to reject and diminish the value that the Tabernacle has for us. Yet Messiah Yeshua said, "I have told you earthly things and you do not believe. How will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" (John 3:12). We have to grasp on to the types and models that Adonai has provided for us or we will not be able to grasp the realities of His Theology. In fact, without an understanding of the Tabernacle model, the reality of spiritual truths are little more than rhetorical because we have no tangible context on which to build. Yes, the Spirit will guide us into all truth; but that process will be much slower and more difficult when we accept the Teacher while completely ignoring His text.
The pagan idols of mythology dwelt in the farthest reaches of the universe (the top of the farthest mountain, across or at the bottom of the sea, in the clouds or on the moon). Mankind must coax his gods to him in order to petition for their graces, and then, only for the shortest possible time would they remain. They would do what they must and then retreat to their homes for fear that extended exposure to earthly beings would corrupt their holiness. This is not a problem with Adonai. He said, "Build Me a place for within your camp so that I may dwell among you." There was no concern that a closeness to His people would defile His holiness; yet, rather, an expectation that His presence would bring them to a new understanding of holiness.
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
(Lev 20:7 KJV)
Many have been taught that everything in
is a description of the person of Messiah: that every element provides a defining characteristic of Him. We have to be careful as to how we exegete Scripture. In 2nd Peter 1:20 we are told that no Scripture is given by private interpretation but that Scripture is built upon Scripture. Never is the Tabernacle given as a design to describe the Messiah (with the possible exception of Revelation 21:22). Yet, the Tabernacle is understood both in the New Testament writings and in rabbinical Judaism to describe us as the people of Adonai.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
(1Co 3:16-17 KJV)
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
(1Co 6:19 KJV)
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.
(Eph 2:21-22 KJV)
The elemnts of the Tabernacle should all take on deep and significant meaning for us personally. The outer court, surrounded by white linen and fastened to the earth. We are here but we are separate. The gate itself with woven fabric of blue, purple, scarlet and white (the first wordless book). Upon entry to the Temple, all that comes in must bring sacrifice. You can't get in without it: "no man shall appear empty" (Exodus 34:20). Once sacrifice is made and accepted, the laver is there for cleansing. Now, there is a barrier: an inner chamber. Many who come into a knowing relationship with the Messiah and accept His sacrifice don't go past here. They hear about it, they sing about it, they pray and worship; but this is as far as they get in their own personal experience with Adonai. Their religious experience is only the courtyard, where they can still see the world around them and keep an ear tuned to the goings on outside. Yet, within the tent, the Holy place we wind three article: the Table of Showbread, the Menorah lampstand and the altar of incense. Rabbinically, the Table of showbread represents the benevolence or blessings of Adonai. It is His gift to us for entering into fellowship. The Menorah gives light to us and represents the wisdom of Adonai for us. And finally, just before the Most Holy Place, the closest we may come to His presence, is the Altar of Incense, incense which represents our prayers. By itself, we have a wonderful pattern for our priorities in worship. First we must understand sacrifice and cleansing; but that is just the initial step into relationship. Many stay there all their lives, not realizing, or fearing loss of the world outside, they refuse to step into the Holy Place for intimate worship.
Once inside, we can look either to the left or to the right. To the right is Adonai's blessing and providence. To the rightis His wisdom. We could spend forever in the warmth and goodness of these things; yet, only steps away is pure intimacy. To this point in the relationship, Adonai has received nothing from us. He is our benefactor and we are the recipient of His grace. It is His Lamb that has been sacrificed on the altar. It is He who cleanses us with His blood. It is He taht offers to us goodness and it is He who gives us light. Yet, what He desires is our fellowship and our worship. The Altar of Incense represents our prayers, which are sweet smelling to Him.
Finally, behind the veil to the Most Holy Place is the Ark of the Covenant: the Promise and Reality of His Presence, where His Shekinah dwells. It is significant that the Tabernacle is divided into chambers; for so our fellowship with Adonai is by degree. Growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Messiah does not come to us all at once; nor by methodical progression; but by spending time at each station, being wooed to Adonai .
There are three crowns in the Tabernacle that the Rabbis explain are elemental to our relationship. There is the crown around the Table of Showbread. This belongs to David and is rightfully His as his promised blessing. The second crown is around the Altar of Incense. This belongs to Aaron as his station was to intercede as priest on our behalf. The third crown ringlets the Mercy seat. It has no specific owner. It is yours for the taking, yet, to get to it, to that most intimate level of fellowship, we must not only separate and sanctify ourselves unto the Most Holy God; but we must completely enter in, passing through the Holy Place and, by faith, come before Him alone.
Are we His Tabernacle? If so, what furnishings have we allowed to be brought into us. Has the grounds been defiled by idolatry? Do we spent time in the Holy and Most Holy Place? These visula images are important for us: they are descriptors for us of things that we cannot truly understand with our minds. We are speaking of heavenly things, for which Adonai has provided us a map or a pattern. Let us strive to enter in.
: Exodus 25:1–27:19
