The tabernacle was a sacred tent where God’s presence dwelt among Israel as they journeyed through the desert from Egypt to their promised land. As a tent (unlike their future temple) it was portable and could be moved from spot to spot as Israel traveled. The tabernacle was enclosed by a white wall.There was 1 door to enter. It was on the east side (the rising of the sun). There were 3 sections: #1, the outer courtyard; #2, the first sanctuary the holy place; #3, The most holy place inside the veil where God appeared. God gave the specific order for the arrangement of the furniture (Exodus 40:20-3). If you could trace a line around their divine order the following would appear (the ark and mercy seat are two pieces forming one) - THE CROSS ! 
There were 7 pieces of furniture:
- the altar of sacrifice;
- the washing laver;
- the lampstand;
- the table of bread;
- the altar of incense,
- the ark, and
- its lid the mercy seat.
The tabernacle and its rituals are called a “shadow of good things to come”; the salvation of Jesus Christ – of which He is the substance. Comment on these verses:
- Hebrews 9:9-11 -
- Hebrews 10:1 -
- Colossians 2:17 -
Review & Intro: The record of how Bezalel made the first 5 golden pieces of furniture was studied in Exodus 37. We looked at how we saw the Lord Jesus Christ in all of them. Today, we will see the record of how he built the 2 bronze pieces of furniture - the altar for burnt sacrifices located in the outer court along with the bronze laver for washing.
Exodus Chapter 38 - Observations
1. After the 5 golden pieces of furniture (ark of the covenant, mercy seat, table for shewbread, lampstand, and altar of incense) ...Then Bezalel proceeded to the next item which was the Altar of Burnt Offering. The altar was made out of acacia wood, and was equal on all 4 sides, making a square. (vs.1) ... He also made the 4 horns for each corner being of one piece, and he overlaid it with bronze. (vs.2)... He made the utensils, the pails, shovels, basins, flesh hooks and firepans all from bronze metal. (vs.3) ... There was also a grating of bronze network under the ledge about halfway up (vs.4). He cast 4 rings on the 4 ends of the bronze grating as holders for the poles. (vs.5) ... Then he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze. (vs.6) He inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar for carrying it. It was hollow inside with planks. (vs.7). What was required to be offered upon this altar for burnt offerings and what was the purpose for it?
- Exodus 29:38-42 -
- Leviticus 17:11 -
- Numbers 28:1-10 -
How is Jesus shown to be the "Lamb of God" without blemish? Comment on these verses:
- Isaiah 53:7 -
- 1 Peter 1:19 -
- John 1:29 -
- Hebrews 9:14 -
- Revelation 5:6-13 -
2. Back to Exodus 38. Next, Bezalel made the laver of bronze with its base made from the mirrors of the serving women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting. (vs.8) - Remember that Moses set up a tent of meeting before the tabernacle was ever built - ...Note: These mirrors came from the Egyptian women when they plundered them before leaving Egypt. The priests would have a reflection of themselves in the mirror as they washed their hands and feet before going into the holy place. The laver was not for the shedding of sacrificial blood for sin but for the washing of dirt. One had to be clean to serve. (Exodus 30:18-21). How are we cleansed to fellowship with God at salvation and then on a continual basis as we reflect daily? Comment on the following verses:
- John 4:10 -
- John 4:13-14 -
- Acts 22:16 -
- John 7:38 -
- Ephesians 5:26 -
- Titus 3:3-7 -
- 1 John 1:9 -
- Revelation 21:6 -
- Revelation 22:17 -
- Revelation 22:14 -
3. Next, Bezalel made the walls to create the courtyard that enclosed the tabernacle of meeting. Specific details are given for all sides of the courtyard; how the walls were to be made and hung between the pillars. (vs.9-17)...The wall was made of fine white twined linen...Biblical measurements of a cubit are approximately 18 inches, so the wall formed a rectangle approximately 150 feet long (half the size of a football field) and 75 feet wide. The wall represented a barrier between God and His people that only the sacrificial system would solve. What is the barrier between God and man even today?
- Isaiah 59:2 -
- Isaiah 64:6 -
- Romans 3:19-20 -
- Romans 3:23 -
- Romans 5:12 -
- Ephesians 2:1-3
God is Holy ..... but ..... man is sinful
Note: God is completely holy and man is completely sinful (since the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden) .. But we see the way "into" the "courtyard" and into the "sacrificial system" when the next item is made by the instructions of God - the gateway into the courtyard which would lead to the brazen altar where sin was atoned for! Who is the gate? Who is the door into fellowship and forgiveness with our Holy God?
4. Back to Exodus 38. After creating the walls for the courtyard, Bezalel made the only entrance into the courtyard on the East side - There were four pillars with four sockets to support the screen of the gate. (vs.18-20) The screen was made of the blue, purple, and scarlet materials and fine twisted lines as the veil and the priest clothing had, surely showing us that Jesus was represented in the gateway, for He is the door and stands at the door of our hearts wanting to come in and be a part of our lives. Amen. Look up the following verses and comment on how Jesus is the way, the gate, the door to salvation. He is the mediator and bridge between the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man because on the cross He literally took our sin upon Himself and paid for the sin to redeem us (buy us back) for God. He was the 2nd Adam and gained back all that the 1st Adam lost in the garden so that we can again fellowship with God. Comment on the verses below on how Jesus is the way, the only way to the Father.
- Isaiah 53:6 -
- John 3:16 -
- John 14:6 -
- John 10:9 -
- Acts 4:12 -
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 -
- 1 Peter 2:24-25 -
- Revelation 3:20 -
The Gospel means "Good News" - Jesus is the way to God! He breaks down the barrier and makes a way for us to be back in fellowship with God the Father!
5. Back to Exodus 38. Who would be in charge of God's tabernacle? We are told in verse 21 that Aaron's son, Ithamar, numbered the tribe of the Levites for the priesthood...The tabernacle is finally finished. Bezalel and Oholiab have completed the work. (vs.22-23)... How much did it cost to build it? Approximately 1 ton of gold, 2-1/2 tons of bronze, and 3-3/4 tons of silver! (vs.24-31).. The people gave willingly from the treasures they had received when they left Egypt. They heard that God desired to dwell with them and they willingly gave to make a way for that to happen for they wanted to be near to God. There is no way to fellowship with God without atonement, and there is no way to worship God without personal commitment and cost. What did David say about about his willingness to sacrifice to serve God?
- 2 Samuel 24:24 -
6. What did Jesus say it would cost us to serve Him? Do you long to draw near to God through your relationship to Jesus? Repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of direction. To accept Jesus 'as' Lord is to make Him the Lord of your life. It is to give up your own life for Him to live His life through you. Are you willing to make the sacrifices to draw near? Comment on the following verses:
- Matthew 8:18-21 -
- Matthew 10:37 -
- Matthew 16:24 -
- Mark 8:35 -
- John 6:66-69 -
- Romans 12:1,2 -
- 1 Corinthians 15:31 -
- Philippians 1:29 -
- 2 Timothy 3:12 -
Application:
7. The gold and the precious metals were glorious in the tabernacle that God had Moses build. It was built by the pattern of the true tabernacle in heaven that God showed to Moses on Mt. Sinai. The Psalmist told us that there was something even more precious than gold. Do you know what it is? Jesus told the religious rulers who were proud of the gold in the temple they worshiped in that it was more important to worship the One who had sanctified the gold and the temple. Read the verses below and comment on them.
- Psalm 19:9-11 -
- Psalm 119:72 -
- Psalm 119:127 -
- Proverbs 16:16 -
- Matthew 23:12 -
8. Summarize what you have learned from the furnishings of the tabernacle by combining Exodus 37 and 38. They are listed below - List beside them how they represent Jesus to you. Then.. Post a prayer if you would like.
- The Brazen Altar
- The Bronze Laver
- The Altar of Incense
- The Golden Lampstand
- The Table of Shewbread
- The Ark of the Covenant
- The Mercy Seat
- The Wall of the Courtyard
- The Gate (entry) to the Courtyard
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