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THE CHURCH IN THE
TABERNACLE ~ CHAPTER FIVE
BUILD ME A TABERNACLE
It had been only one and a half months since Israel had left
Egypt when the cloud led them to encamp on the plain before Mt.
Sinai. Another watershed is about to occur. Up until this time, the
will of God had been made known only through those men chosen to
deliver it. Now, however, they are about to receive evidence of the
holy demands of their God.
What He is about to give is the constitution for His Nation.
It is noteworthy that He not only wrote it in stone, but that also,
He made no provision for amending it. If it is ever to be altered,
in any way, only He has the power to do so.
Since this nation is to be a theocracy there must also be a
unity of worship. This is a necessity if they are to have cohesion
as His Nation. Together with the Law , the Tabernacle and the
priesthood leave no room for those who would divide the people. This
is evident by the events later in their history, when the first
rebel king’s first act was to set up false Gods.
1 Ki 12:26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom
return to the house of David:
1 Ki 12:27 If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the
LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again
unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall
kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.
1 Ki 12:28 Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of
gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to
Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of
the land of Egypt.
1 Ki 12:29 And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in
Dan.
1 Ki 12:30 And this thing became a sin: for the people went to
worship before the one, even unto Dan.
1 Ki 12:31 And he made an house of high places, and made priests of
the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.
1 Ki 12:32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the
fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah,
and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto
the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of
the high places which he had made.
1 Ki 12:33 So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel
the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he
had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children
of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.
As God spoke to Moses from the thick cloud on Mt. Sinai, his
instructions were very specific. He does NOT set forth options, but
absolutes. Following are the beginning of his instructions;
Exo 25:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an
offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye
shall take my offering.
Exo 25:3 And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold,
and silver, and brass,
Exo 25:4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and
goats' hair,
Exo 25:5 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim
wood,
Exo 25:6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet
incense,
Exo 25:7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the
breastplate.
Exo 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among
them.
Exo 25:9 According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the
tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so
shall ye make it.
This cautionary warning in verse 9 is so important that the
writer of the Book of Hebrews reminded us of it in the New
Testament; Heb 8:5 Who serve unto the example and
shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he
was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make
all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.
This is a truly momentous occasion. God had often visited
with his people. He had walked in the garden with Adam and on
occasion had talked with the patriarchs. Noah, Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob had all enjoyed this distinction. They knew that he had
certainly been with them so far in this grand adventure. But the
question was, "will he stay?"
After waiting forty days for Moses to return from the
mountain, they seemed sure that both he and God had forsaken them.
Exo 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down
out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto
Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before
us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the
land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
Never again will they need wonder as to the presence of
their God. When the Tabernacle is finished, he will dwell in their
midst! Neither are we to be concerned as to his presence. His
promise to his people, his New Testament Churches, is
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of
the world. Amen.
Since we have already covered the meaning of the materials
used in the structure let us proceed to the building and to what it
and its furniture symbolizes to us.
THE ARK AND THE MERCY SEAT
The proper place to begin is the place where God started as
he gave the instructions to Moses. It is noteworthy that he began,
not with those things seen first by those who later would approach ,
but rather with those things nearest to Him and then worked outward.
Even in this, there is a lesson to be learned.
Man does NOT work his way in to God but rather it is God who
must reach out to man and thus open up the way. Thus, the beginning
of the itemized instructions is concerning the most sacred, The Ark
of the Testimony.
Exo 25:10 And they shall make an ark of shittim wood:
two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a
half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Exo 25:11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and
without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of
gold round about.
Exo 25:12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put
them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one
side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.
Exo 25:13 And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay
them with gold.
Exo 25:14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides
of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.
Exo 25:15 The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall
not be taken from it.
This Ark is a type of the personal presence of Christ with
his people.
1.It was made of wood. Since wood is a type of that which is human,
the first thing we must understand is the absolutely essential fact
that our savior, in order to be effectual, must take upon himself
the likeness of sinful flesh. This he did; Rom 8:3 For
what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh,
God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for
sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and
blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through
death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the
devil;
Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their
lifetime subject to bondage.
Heb 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he
took on him the seed of Abraham.
Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto
his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest
in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of
the people.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we
beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth.
Phil 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the
form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Though He is the eternal Son, yet he came forth into the
world as a man, that he might represent us to God and God to us.
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent
forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might
receive the adoption of sons.
The wood used in this article was not to be some exotic
wood, different from the wood used in the boards but was to be
exactly the same. Look again at Heb. 2:17 above. It
is for this reason that he is able to understand our needs, our
weaknesses and us. Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a
great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of
God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with
the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like
as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
The gold signifies that which is divine; 1 Cor
15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the
Lord from heaven.
These words were written to contrast the first Adam with
Christ, the second Adam.
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of
every creature:
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and
that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones,
or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created
by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any
thing made that was made.
This is the most basic of Truths: without it one cannot
approach God , and his people are warned not to have anything to do
with those who will not accept it! 2 John 1:7 For many
deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which
we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine
of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ,
he hath both the Father and the Son.
2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine,
receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
2 John 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his
evil deeds.
There were three things, which were placed in the Ark. 1.Exo
25:16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony
which I shall give thee.
[Note the emphasis on the word into. The reason is that
there are some who, in their attempts to deny the Divinity
of Christ try to prove it was placed in a pocket of some sort, on
the outside of the ark.] Either Christ kept the law in our behalf or
we are still condemned by it. Re-read Gal 4:4 But when
the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a
woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might
receive the adoption of sons.
It was absolutely essential that the Perfect Law be kept
perfectly by our redeemer. We must remember that this Law was given
because of sin. [Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the
law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should
come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in
the hand of a mediator.]
It is also necessary to recall that it was not a law by
which life should come but rather, condemnation and death.
Rom 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it
saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be
stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be
justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Christ's keeping of the Law did two vital things; first it
made him worthy of offering himself as our substitute. Since He had
no sins of his own for which he must die, he was able to offer
himself in our stead. No other human being would have sufficed.
Psa 49:7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor
give to God a ransom for him:
Of all men who ever lived, He is the only one of whom it
could be said; "He never sinned!" Heb 4:15 For we have
not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin.
The second thing that his keeping the Law does for us, is
connected with the fact that the Mercy Seat covered it and hid it
from view.
This Mercy Seat had no wood or any other substance. It was
made of pure gold. Here is a picture of something that is totally
divine. God had no legal or moral obligation to redeem man. He had
no motive other than Love. For this reason he extends mercy to us.
It would be as easy to define God as it would be to fully explain
that wonderful attribute with three facets, Grace, Mercy and Love.
To help us understand what God is telling us in the Mercy
Seat, we must look at how the word is used in the
New Testament. Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a
propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his
righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the
forbearance of God;
It is noteworthy that this word, translated here, as
propitiation is the same as the word used in the book of Hebrews
for, mercyseat. Heb 9:5 And over it the cherubims of
glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak
particularly.
I am convinced that it is the cherubims about which the
writer of Hebrews says, "We cannot now speak particularly." While we
do know that there is a ministry, which is performed by the angels,
both before God and in our behalf, we do not know the particulars of
that service. Paul was permitted to see and hear some of it but was
not permitted to give us the details.2 Cor 12:2 I knew
a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I
cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
such an one caught up to the third heaven.
2 Cor 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of
the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
2 Cor 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard
unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. [.Not
allowable]
It seems there are some things God does not want us to know
yet. This is understandable, considering man’s propensity to worship
angels, saints, spirits and anything else he doesn't fully
understand.
Paul even warned us to not be drawn into such things;
Col 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary
humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things
which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Col 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints
and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together,
increaseth with the increase of God.
It is enough for us to know that God has ministering spirits
watching over and aiding us. Heb 1:13 But to which of
the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make
thine enemies thy footstool?
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to
minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
How important was the Mercy Seat?
Consider the account of the capture and return of the Ark by the
Philistines as recorded in I Samuel.
The Philistines had captured the Ark in a battle, which had NOT been
ordered by the Lord, but when they took it home they soon learned
that it was a liability to them.
Remember, the Ark is a type of the personal presence of
Christ among HIS people. When the world tries to appropriate Christ
they soon find that he is NOT a blessing but a condemning influence
to the lost. They determined the safest course of action was to send
it home!.
When the cart carrying it arrived at Bethshemesh there was
rejoicing. But then the men of that place did a foolish thing; they
removed the Mercy Seat and looked inside the Ark. They LOOKED UPON
THE PERFECT DEMANDS OF A HOLY GOD! However noble
their reasoning may have been, they did that which was forbidden in
removing the Mercy seat and a large number of them died because of
it.
1 Sam 6:19 And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because
they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the
people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people
lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a
great slaughter.
1 Sam 6:20 And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand
before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
Christ, the propitiation for our sins, shields us from this
Law. Yet there are those who would remove the protection and presume
to look upon the Law with the intent to keep it. Those who do so
must remember these basic truths;
1.Gal 5:3 For I testify again to every man that is
circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are
justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
2. James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend
in one point, he is guilty of all.
3. 2 Cor 3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven
in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not
stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his
countenance; which glory was to be done away:
4. Gal 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid:
for if there had been a law given which could have given life,
verily righteousness should have been by the law.
Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the
promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that
believe.
Like the men of Bethshemesh, those who would look upon the
Law and not upon the Mercy Seat, bring about their own condemnation.
The sad thing is, it took only a few to remove the Mercy Seat that
day and a multitude died. So it is today. Those who are the leaders
in the movements which teach that one must keep the Law in order to
be saved, are also condemning all those who follow them!.
The Apostle Paul was specific about this thing;
Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate [set aside] the grace of God: for if
righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
With the Mercy Seat in place, there was no danger to the
priest as he approached the Ark . Because Christ is our Mercy Seat
[propitiation] we too can come before God without fear.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with
the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like
as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
THE TABLE OF SHEWBREAD
Exo 25:23 Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood:
two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth
thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Exo 25:24 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto
a crown of gold round about.
Exo 25:25 And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth
round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border
thereof round about.
Exo 25:26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the
rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
Exo 25:27 Over against the border shall the rings be for places of
the staves to bear the table.
Exo 25:28 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and
overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.
Exo 25:29 And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons
thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of
pure gold shalt thou make them.
Exo 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table showbread before me
alway.
The Table of Shewbread is the second item for which God
gives instructions . While the Ark was the place where He
communicated with the people through the High Priest, this is where
He COMMUNES with the priesthood.
The Table of Shewbread must be considered together with the
bread, which was placed upon it. Together, they teach TWO things;
first, the position of the Lord's Supper IN the New Testament
Church. Second, Spiritual sustenance for the priesthood.
Before the lesson can be fully appreciated one must learn
the great Bible Truth, that the New Testament Church is NOT a
universal entity, but is a Local, Visible Body; autonomous from all
other bodies and subject only to her head, Jesus Christ.
Then he must understand that the present day priesthood is
the obedient membership of that local body. 1 Pet 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation,
a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who
hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1 Pet 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the
people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained
mercy.
As we cover the priesthood in a later chapter, it will be
seen that the priest who ministered in the Tabernacle had many
requirements, which must be met before he was privileged to serve
and so to partake of the bread from the Lord's Table.
There were occasions when all the camp ate of unleavened
bread, but this was reserved for those priests who qualified to
partake. Lev 24:8 Every sabbath he shall set it in
order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of
Israel by an everlasting covenant.
Lev 24:9 And it shall be Aaron's and his sons'; and they shall eat
it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings
of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.
This is similar to the feasting of the multitude on the
loaves and fishes, compared to the select few present when the risen
Christ invited the disciples, "Come and dine!" John
21:12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the
disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
John 21:13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and
fish likewise.
It was this select few who were present on the night when
Jesus took bread, broke it, and said, "Take, eat. This is my body--"
It seems reasonable that if he had intended the multitude to partake
of the Lord's Supper, He would have given it to them! If he had
intended for the entire camp to eat of the Shewbread, He would not
have specified that it be eaten in the Holy Place.
We next turn our attention to the staves by which the Table
was to be borne. As with the other furniture of the Tabernacle, this
was a burden to be borne by the sons of Kohath. Though the boards,
sockets, etc. were carried on carts, pulled by oxen, these things
were to be carried by the selected men of the priesthood.
As a type of the Lord's Supper, committed to the keeping of
the Lord's Church, it has been her responsibility alone, to see that
it has been delivered safely through the ages. The Apostle Paul set
the tone for this when he declared to the church at Corinth;
1 Cor 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I
delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he
was betrayed took bread:
The false churches and false religions of the world have
often tried to usurp this commission and take up the task, but all
have failed miserably. Multitudes of faithful saints have given
their lives to keep this and the other doctrines pure. While we
might admire them and certainly appreciate their readiness to even
die for these great truths, they have only done that which was their
duty to do!
The wood of which the staves were made, indicates that it is
to us, as human beings, this enormous responsibility is given. Yet
we must admit the truth of that which was spoken to the disciples by
the Lord; John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches:
He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much
fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
These staves of wood were covered with Gold. Since this is a
type of that which is divine, the purpose is clearly seen: We have a
responsibility that is humanly impossible to meet. Yet God has not
given us an impossible task!
Many years ago, when agonizing over a decision I had to face
in my ministry, I spoke with a brother in whom I had great
confidence. I told him of my reservations and apprehension. We were
standing in the parking lot following Sunday Morning services.
Without a word, Brother Bill Havens took my bible from my hand,
wrote in the flyleaf and returned it to me. Though he has gone to be
with the Lord , I still treasure those words of wisdom. He wrote,"
The Spirit of God will never lead you where the Grace of God cannot
sustain you" This was not some great new truth which I had never
known; I had been preaching it to others for years. I saw it the in
a new context. IT WAS MY ASSURANCE!
When Jesus sent his church into the world, he preceded her
commission with the words, Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and
spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in
earth.
He also made her this promise, "and upon this
rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it." Matt.16:18
There have been thousands of great heroes of the faith
through the centuries. Many have given their lives and, as Paul,
have suffered extreme hardship for the faith. Yet it is NOT by the
strength of men that the Lord's Church and her great truths have
endured. It has been by the divine power and authority of Our Lord!.
Thank God, we are not alone in our tasks. Men talk about support
groups for this endeavor and that. We have the greatest support
available in the entire universe. It is the power of our omnipotent
God!.
The Gold, covering the wood of the staves tells us;
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth
me.
THE BREAD
Lev 24:5 And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes
thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.
Lev 24:6 And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the
pure table before the LORD.
Lev 24:7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it
may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire
unto the LORD.
Lev 24:8 Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD
continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an
everlasting covenant.
Lev 24:9 And it shall be Aaron's and his sons'; and they shall eat
it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings
of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.
There are no further instructions as to the recipe to be
used for the bread placed on the Table of Shewbread. However there
ARE instructions concerning the Meal Offering. Since there is a
similarity between the two, it seems safe to assume that those
instructions hold true for this bread also. Had it been otherwise,
we are sure God would have so instructed them.
He specifies that FINE FLOUR should be used. One thing of
which we can be absolutely sure, is that there was no coarseness in
Christ. Though born to an obscure family, raised in an area
despised, [John 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can
there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him,
Come and see.], chose to minister to the lowly, and
scorned by most, there was never a lapse of dignity nor a loss of
temper beyond righteous indignation concerning the Temple. In all
things he remained the epitome of grace and humility.
Of all the men of the Bible who have been used as types of
Christ, there are none about which we find no point
of failure. From Abraham’s taking of Hagar to father a child and
David’s lust for Bathsheba to the confessions of Paul;
"Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it,
but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is
present with me."
Even the best of men seem to have some coarseness. Not so
with Christ; even those who would have loved to find fault were
forced to admit, John 19:4 Pilate therefore went forth
again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that
ye may know that I find no fault in him.
There were to be twelve loaves always on the table. Since
Twelve is the number that represents divine government, these are
illustrating the fact that God controls this, and not man. Man has
no right to alter that which belongs to God. When he tries to do so,
it is no longer the divine plan being followed, and it becomes
polluted. This is so concerning the Lord's Supper. Men have tried to
change the people who should partake, the authority which controls
it, and the elements. They have changed the purpose of it to
everything from a party, to a sacrament. Since these are not that
which He authorized, it becomes something other than the Lord's
Supper. It becomes man's burlesque of the real thing and so becomes
an abomination to God.
There was one loaf on the table to represent each of the
twelve tribes of Israel. The entire chosen nation was represented at
the Lord's table. Likewise, the twelve Apostles were present at the
instituting of the Lord's Supper and so all the Lord's Church was
represented there.
There was to be oil used in the meal offering and we may
assume in this bread also. Lev 23:13 And the meat
offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with
oil,
The oil speaks to us of the Holy Spirit. Heb
9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the
eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your
conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
The Holy Spirit was present in every part of the ministry of
Christ. He never did anything apart from the will of the Father and
the Holy Spirit was his constant companion. Today we still have the
presence of Christ with us through the Holy Spirit.
Without Him [the Holy Spirit] the Lord's Supper would be
only a meaningless ritual. With Him it becomes that ordinance by
which the Bride of Christ remembers the love which purchased her and
the suffering connected with that transaction. Acts
20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock,
over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the
church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
This and every offering was to be made with SALT.
Lev 2:13 And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou
season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant
of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine
offerings thou shalt offer salt.
One of the most important things concerning the salt was the
meaning of eating salt together. Num 18:19 All the
heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel
offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy
daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt
for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.
2 Chr 13:5 Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the
kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons
by a covenant of salt?
It has long been recognized that the eating of salt together
was a pledge of friendship by many of the people of the Middle East.
History is filled with the accounts of travelers in the area,
securing their safety, especially among the Bedouins, by eating salt
together.
These people and those of the surrounding nations looked
upon this as a sacred obligation. When Judas betrayed the Lord, the
act was made even more heinous by the fact that he actually left the
table where he had shared the salt of the unleavened bread with the
Lord, and broke that covenant of salt by selling him out!
Psa 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which
did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
John 13:18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but
that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me
hath lifted up his heel against me.
In Christ, there is a covenant between God and the Lord's
Church. God will most assuredly keep his part of the bargain. The
question is, Will we? Because of the salt we are saying to God, when
we partake of the Lord's Supper, "we will make Christ our purpose in
life and we will be faithful in our obligations."
This is a serious commitment and when we deliberately let
down on our part of the engagement, God takes it seriously.
1 Cor 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of
that bread, and drink of that cup.
1 Cor 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and
drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
1 Cor 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and
many sleep.
Lest we get the idea, however, that such a serious thing
might be best avoided, we remember that there are two parties to
this covenant. God being the other party, it is easy to see that the
benefits far outweigh any dangers we might encounter. Actually there
are no dangers if we do as Paul instructs; 1 Cor 11:31
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
There are great benefits that accrue since God is the other
subscriber to the covenant.
The Church benefits from the scriptural observance of this
ordinance. As each member examines him or herself, and prepares
spiritually to partake, the entire church benefits from a dedicated,
sanctified membership. Each member, who participates, also becomes
more spiritual, committed and separated as he fulfills all the
requirements and proceeds to 'break bread with God'!
One other item is found in connection with the shewbread.
Lev 24:7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row,
that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by
fire unto the LORD.
This pure [white] incense was obtained by making an incision
in the bark of a tree, which grows in the southern part of the
Arabian Peninsula and a very few other places in the world. The pure
[white] frankincense came from the first cut made in each tree.
Later cuts produced greater quantities, but each successive cut
became more discolored.
The frankincense was an ingredient in both the ointment for
the anointing of the priests and in the incense, which was offered
on the Altar of Incense.
In the ointment, it represented , together with the other
ingredients, the sweetness of fellowship in the Lord.
Psa 133:1 A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how
pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psa 133:2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran
down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the
skirts of his garments;
Psa 133:3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon
the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing,
even life for evermore.
There can be no greater sweetness than the fellowship of a
church as her members gather around the Lord's table and partake of
those symbols of the broken body and shed blood of our savior and
remember that wonderful love which prompted him to suffer so greatly
for us.
In the incense, this ingredient, with the others, signified that
sweet communion of prayer, which belongs to the Lord's Church and to
none other!. Rev 8:3 And another angel came and stood
at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him
much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints
upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
Rev 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of
the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
The priests were privileged to partake of the bread with its
frankincense sweetness on the Sabbath as they changed the loaves,
but each time they entered the Holy Place during the rest of the
week they were met by the scent of the ever-burning frankincense on
the altar. We too are reminded of the sweetness of fellowship and
the ineffable wonder of the mediation of the Lord's praying in our
behalf. This brings to my mind the words of an old hymn based on;
Psa 45:8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out
of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
In the course of our worship and service to Him, there is no
more pleasant experience than this. Neither is there any more holy
part of the service of our priesthood.
This is true because it speaks of the Person of Jesus Christ in the
most intimate relationship possible with us until we receive our
glorified bodies, which shall be fashioned like unto his glorious
body!
This was to be a permanent, perpetual part of their service.
Exo 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table showbread before me
alway.
Num 4:7 And upon the table of showbread they shall spread a cloth of
blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and
covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon:
When they replaced the bread each Sabbath they were to eat
the removed bread IN THE HOLY PLACE. Lev 24:9 And it
shall be Aaron's and his sons'; and they shall eat it in the holy
place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD
made by fire by a perpetual statute.
This was not something they were to use for their own
purposes nor were they to share it with others in the ritual eating
of it. Only the sons of Aaron were to partake and they, only in the
Holy Place. So with the Church and the Lord's Supper. Only those who
are specified as participants are allowed to participate and they,
only according to the Scriptures, IN THE CHURCH.
There was one occasion when the bread was consumed OUTSIDE the Holy
place by others than the sons of Aaron.
1 Sam 21:6 So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was
no bread there but the showbread, that was taken from before the
LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.
As David and his men fled from the hand of King Saul they
certainly needed food. On this occasion they obtained it from the
priest who was charged with the changing of the bread. Jesus
referred to the event in;
Mat 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did,
when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
Mat 12:4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the
showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them
which were with him, but only for the priests?
How could the priests allow this legally under the Law? This
was NOT the ceremonial eating of the bread. They were NOT joining in
the ritual consuming of the bread, which took place each Sabbath.
God overlooked it for several reasons then; this was God's chosen
King of Israel fleeing for his life and God was obligated to watch
over him. Second, since this was NOT the ceremonial eating of the
bread, it became simply BREAD.
We must learn the difference between that which is sacred
and that which is not. For instance, when Israel sinned and they
were being bitten by the serpents, the serpent of brass was lifted
up and; Num 21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and
put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had
bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
Here, the brazen serpent brought life, but look at it later:
it had long ago ceased to serve such a purpose and the people began
to worship it as a sacred relic! Hezekiah was king and as he began
to root out idolatry; 2 Ki 18:4 He removed the high
places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in
pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days
the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it
Nehushtan. [a piece of brass]
It is the other side of the coin, which Paul examines , as
he speaks of eating things offered to idols. 1 Cor
10:25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no
question for conscience sake:
1 Cor 10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
1 Cor 10:27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and
ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no
question for conscience sake.
1 Cor 10:28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in
sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for
conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness
thereof:
The food may have been originally brought to the temple of
an idol as a sacrifice but it is just food and our conscience should
not bother us in the eating of it. But if one asks us to join him in
eating a sacrifice to any false god, DON'T DO IT!
The idea that the bread, after being blessed, becomes
something other than bread is foreign to the scripture. It is sacred
only in its symbolism. Beyond the ordinance of the Lord's Supper,
there is nothing special about it or the cup. To make it otherwise
is superstition and as such has no place in the Lord's service.
The GOLDEN LAMPSTAND
Next, in the order of things, came the Golden Lampstand or
Candlestick.
Exo 25:31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure
gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and
his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the
same.
Exo 25:32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three
branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches
of the candlestick out of the other side:
Exo 25:33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a
flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other
branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come
out of the candlestick.
Exo 25:34 And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto
almonds, with their knops and their flowers.
Exo 25:35 And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same,
and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two
branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out
of the candlestick.
Exo 25:36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all
it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.
Exo 25:37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they
shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against
it.
Exo 25:38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall
be of pure gold.
Exo 25:39 Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these
vessels.
Exo 25:40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which
was showed thee in the mount.
Before we examine it in more detail, let us determine the
type. The 119th Psalm is a tribute to the Word of God. In it the
writer praises the Word in many different ways. Particularly
intriguing, in connection with our present subject is,
Psalm 119:105. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my
path.
As the priest ministered in the Holy Place, there was no
other light available. Everything he did, must be done in the light
from the Golden Lamps. This is only as it should be in the churches
of the Lord Jesus Christ. The world cannot enlighten us for it lies
in darkness. Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness
in high places.
1 John 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old
commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is
the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
1 John 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is
true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true
light now shineth.
By the same reasoning, neither did those on the
OUTSIDE walk in the light . While we need no instructions
from the world, its governments, its institutions of learning, or
society as to the operation of the New Testament Church, neither can
we insist that they walk by the rules, which govern us. In fact if
we should even try, it would be a terrible failure. 1
Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit
of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned.
This does NOT mean that, as citizens, we should ignore
the moral issues that face our nation and communities. As members of
the Lord's Church we must remember that we are to walk in the light.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the
light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus
Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Whether in the assembly of His body or in the voting booth,
our responsibility is the same. While we cannot insist that everyone
be legally required to be as righteous as the church requires of her
membership, we can do our best to see that the laws of our land are
just and right. We can also refuse to vote into office, those who
are morally unfit to be leaders of the public.
Though it, like the other items, and even the tabernacle
itself were fashioned by inspired human hands, this Candlestick and
the Mercy Seat were made of PURE gold. Though men may have penned
the words, it IS the inspired word of God. It is not man's ideas
ABOUT God, but rather it is that which God has revealed to man. The
human writers served no other function in the writing of the Bible,
than as the pen in the hand of the scribe. GOD IS THE AUTHOR! Psa
45:1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah,
Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is indicting a good matter: I
speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue
is the pen of a ready writer.
An excellent example of the divinity of the Word, penned by
men, is found in this incident in the Book of
Daniel; Dan 5:3 Then they brought the golden vessels
that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at
Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his
concubines, drank in them.
Dan 5:4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of
silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
Dan 5:5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and
wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of
the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
The Candlestick was among the vessels of Gold brought out of
Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. Now, Belshazzer is appropriating it,
along with the other sanctified items, for his own lustful purposes.
As it gleams in the heathen palace, it shines upon a scene of
debauchery. The Lamp of God exposes sin and the verdict is swift.
Dan 5:5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and
wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of
the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand
that wrote.
It was also unequivocal; Dan 5:25 And this is
the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
Dan 5:26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath
numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
Dan 5:27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found
wanting.
Dan 5:28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and
Persians.
The Word of God is clear on the subject of sin. The thing,
however to note in this event as it pertains to the subject at hand
is that though the message came directly from God, it was
miraculously written by the fingers of a
man's hand. Thus, it is, with the entire Bible. The message
is God's will revealed to man and it is exclusively his. The writing
instruments were the inspired men who penned it down.
2 Pet 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of
man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
[borne along]
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness:
The question may well be asked," How is it that one can
distinguish the different human writers if the real author is God?"
It is as if one person should pick up various writing instruments
and write his signature.
Whether the tool used is a crayon, pencil, fountain pen or
felt tip marker, the signature is of the writer but the tool is
readily apparent. Whether the instrument was Moses, Amos, David,
Peter or Paul, the signature of the God of Heaven is on the entire
Word of God. The amazing unity of the Scripture is thus readily
explained.
With about forty different human writers, from all walks of
life, and spread over a period of about one thousand, five hundred
years, one would expect a great disparity of ideas. This is not
found in the Bible and would be a great miracle were it not for the
fact that God, alone is the Author. Time is irrelevant to him and
Truth is an absolute. Therefore the Bible, like the Lampstand, is
ONE COMPLETE UNIT.
As it was given, it is perfect, for it is Divine. Man may
have erred sometimes in copying and translating but even then, God
has continued to watch over it and even when man deliberately tried
to alter it to suit his own theology, the truth has come through.
Like Belshazzer, man will misuse the Scripture to his own
destruction. 2 Pet 3:16 As also in all his epistles,
speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to
be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as
they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Whatever took place in the Tabernacle, it could only be done
in the light of the Candlestick. Since there was no other source of
illumination, it was necessary to keep the lamps burning brightly.
Otherwise the priest might err as he ministered at the Table of
Showbread or at the Altar of Incense. It is a type of the Word of
God in the New Testament Church. How else can we know what is right
in our service to Him? This is the reason for Paul’s instruction;2
Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
This is also the reason the Bereans were lauded;
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in
that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched
the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
It is incumbent upon us also, to continually study so that
we will be able to carry out the whole will of God.
It is easy to imagine the chaos which might have developed in the
Holy Place if two or more priests tried to minister there without
the light of the Lampstand!
Having no other light or point of reference, each would have
been left to his own devices and there would have been sure
disorder! Since God is NOT the author of confusion [1
Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as
in all churches of the saints.], he has made sure that
WE too have a light by which we can minister.[1 John
1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.]
Before we leave the Golden Lamps for a while, perhaps it
would be well to mention the number 'seven' as connected with them.
As was noted briefly, in the opening chapter, Seven is the number,
which denotes divine completeness.
By using this number, God is telling us that his
instructions to us are complete. Nothing can be added to them and
nothing can be taken away. The seven lamps made one whole, entire
lampstand. If one lamp were removed, the illumination would be
incomplete. An excellent illustration of the results of man trying
to edit the Bible to suit his own ideas is found in the Book of
Jeremiah. In chapter twenty two is an account of God's determination
of the fate of King Jehoiakim; Jer 22:18 Therefore thus
saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah;
They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister!
they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!
Jer 22:19 He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and
cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.
Shortly thereafter, the king is made aware of the writing and
determines to hear it read. Jeremiah Chapter 36 gives us the account
of this. Jer 36:21 So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he
took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber. And Jehudi read it in
the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood
beside the king.
Jer 36:22 Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month:
and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.
Jer 36:23 And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or
four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire
that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire
that was on the hearth.
This did not end the matter however, for God will not allow
man to nullify His Words! He instructed Jeremiah to write again!
Jer 36:27 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that
the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at
the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,
Jer 36:28 Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the
former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king
of Judah hath burned.
We can have complete confidence in the fact that we have the
entire Word of God. Let no one ever shake your confidence in the
Bible with statements such as, 'part of it has been lost'. 'It has
lost too much in translations' etc. Jesus made the Definitive
statement concerning this; Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth
shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Paul indicated that it is complete as he penned;2
Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished
unto all good works.
Just like the wicked Jehoiakim, many have tried to destroy
God's word but all have failed miserably. The only thing
accomplished as man tries to add to or diminish the Bible, is that
he condemns himself. 2 Pet 3:16 As also in all his
epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things
hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable
wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own
destruction.
To WREST means to wrench, to twist or pull . I find a good
illustration of this from a past experience. In the late 1940's, I
found myself working as an aircraft instrument mechanic apprentice.
Many of the instruments of that day were vacuum operated and
required copper tubes to be connected to them. Often the tube was
not shaped correctly and the temptation was strong to simply force
it into place in order to get the job done. After all, this was
faster and easier than making another tube which would fit!. There
was a serious flaw in this reasoning however. If a copper line was
wrested and installed in the wrong manner, the constant vibration
would soon cause it to harden and break under the strain. This could
conceivably result in the loss of a plane and its crew. So it is
with the Word of God. One might find it tempting to wrest the
Scripture to make it fit a 'pet theory' but it will not stand up
under the strain of teaching a falsehood! How much better to simply
accept what the Scripture says, rather than trying to make IT fit
our ideas. Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that
heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add
unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are
written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book
of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of
life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are
written in this book.
Our Lamp is complete and it will stay that way. Not because
of the fidelity of man but because of the truthfulness and the power
of God, whose Word it is.
Though many have purported to have visions, revelations and
surprising discoveries, they have all been convicted by their own
testimony as they have claimed inspired status for their writings.
A complete expose of them would require volumes, and many
have already been written. I will mention therefore just an instance
or two.
Ellen G. White is thought, by her followers, to be a
prophetess and her writings inspired. This, I was assured of by a
teacher of her works a few years ago in the City of Bakersfield,
California. However, when confronted by a statement in one of her
writings that Christ had older brothers and asked if he still
believed in the virgin birth he had no answer.
The movement, of which he was an adherent, had its
beginnings in a false premise and still changes and adapts whenever
needed. When the set time, [set by their prophet, not by God] came
and went without the return of the Lord, they merely set another
day. When that day passed without their prophecy being fulfilled,
Mrs. White conveniently had another 'inspiration'!. God had
deliberately fooled them the first two times to test their faith!
This was called the 'holy lie'.! This in spite of the fact that the
scripture plainly says this is impossible. Heb 6:18
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to
lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to
lay hold upon the hope set before us:
The real truth, she said, was that on the set day, Christ finally
got around to clean up the sanctuary in heaven! Wonder of wonders;
Christ lost no time cleansing the temple on earth but sat around
almost two thousand years in a filthy sanctuary in heaven! Oh well,
at least, she thought, no one could check this out and prove her
wrong. WRONG! The very act of needing to change the so-called
prophecy proved her to be a lying prophetess. Deu 18:20
But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name,
which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the
name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
Deu 18:21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word
which the LORD hath not spoken?
Deu 18:22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the
thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD
hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou
shalt not be afraid of him.
Joseph Smith was another who felt the need to add to the
Word in order to further his own agenda. In his case it was an angel
who supposedly led him to the discovery of some 'lost manuscripts'.
There are a couple of problems with this, however. First if God
allowed ANY of His Word to become lost to ANY generation, He lied.
Psa 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his
truth endureth to all generations. Please note that the
promise is to ALL generations, not occasional ones.
The second thing wrong with the discovery of so-called 'new
truths' at the hand of angels is that we are warned specifically
against it! Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that
trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach
any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you,
let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any
other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed.
As the Lampstand was ONE article of furniture, yet SEVEN
distinct lamps, so is the Word of God, one complete whole. Though
men have tried and continue to try to add to or take away from it,
it is settled in heaven and man can only condemn himself when he
tries. Psa 119:89 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is
settled in heaven. And John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and
receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I
have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
It is my firm conviction that the inspiration of the Word
was far too important to God, for him to waste words on things of no
consequence. When he says something there is a definite purpose in
it. With this in mind, I call your attention to the details of this
lampstand.
Exo 25:32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it;
three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three
branches of the candlestick out of the other side:
God could easily have said, simply, "Build a menorah with
seven lamps" but you notice that He described HOW it should be
built. Remember also, that he cautioned Moses, Heb
8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as
Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the
tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according
to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.
Note that the specifications are NOT for simply SIX
branches, but that there are to be TWO groups of Three branches. A
stylized tree, [almond tree] is being described. We are reminded of
the tree in the Garden, which opened the eyes of Adam and Eve, when
they partook of its fruit, Gen 2:9 And out of the
ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the
sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the
garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Paul made the statement that it was from the Word that he
learned his condition before God; Rom 7:7 What shall we
say then? is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but
by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou
shalt not covet.
The Word still serves the purpose of the tree of knowledge
of good and evil in conviction; Rom 3:19 Now we know
that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are
under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world
may become guilty before God.
The two groups of three branches remind us that there are
TWO parts to the Bible, the Old and the New Testaments.
Concerning the Old Testament, we have divine authority that
it has THREE branches; Luke 24:44 And he said unto
them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet
with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in
the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning
me.
While we have no such direct statement concerning the New
Testament, it is clearly composed of three parts: The four Gospels
and the book of Acts are historical. The Epistles are concerned
mostly with Doctrine and the Book of the Revelation is Prophecy.
There is another thing about the instructions concerning the
Lampstand, which tends toward the same thought. When God said that
THREE branches were to come out of one side of the stem and THREE
out of the other side, there is no doubt of the number he had in
mind because he also told us that the total number was to be SIX
branches. Yet the words used for 'THREE' are not the same words!.
The first word clearly means THREE, while the second is a word used
most often as a name for several Israelites, and means agreement, or
peace.
He is telling us that the second set agrees with the first
set. This is not only in number, but also in all its
characteristics. There is no discord between the Old and the New
Testaments. They agree in all respects and are equal parts of the
whole. The number of lamps to be placed on these six branches and
the stem is SEVEN and this signifies completeness. Thus there is ONE
lampstand, TWO parts, THREE branches to each part.
There is yet one item of furniture in the holy place. It is
the Golden Altar. However, in the giving of the instruction for the
Tabernacle, God does not give its details yet. Since we are
following God's order of progress, we too shall wait for the proper
time to examine it. There was a reason for skipping it and we shall
see what it is when the time comes.
THE FOUR COVERINGS
It might seem odd to examine the coverings for the
tabernacle before the structure itself. However this is God's order
and there is a reason for it.
The boards represent the members of the local church and the
coverings picture Christ's protection over her. Since God is giving
the instructions from His viewpoint instead of man's, He first
mentions that which is preeminent with him.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church:
who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all
things he might have the preeminence.
It should also be reiterated that the instructions for
the Altar of Incense, or, the Golden Altar which is to play a vital
part in the Tabernacle worship and picture something precious and
essential to the Lords Church are not yet given. The reason for this
will make it even dearer to us when it is made clear..
FINE TWINED LINEN
Exo 26:1 Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten
curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet:
with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.
Exo 26:2 The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits,
and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the
curtains shall have one measure.
Exo 26:3 The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another;
and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another.
Exo 26:4 And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one
curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou
make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of
the second.
Exo 26:5 Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty
loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is in the
coupling of the second; that the loops may take hold one of another.
Exo 26:6 And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the
curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.
Let us first examine the four coverings as a unit. Before
the boards, which are types of individual church members, are placed
on their silver sockets [redemption] God manifests his care for the
institution for which his Son is to die. Eph.5:25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and
gave himself for it;
It is not uncommon for a young man of today to take on the
responsibility of a wife without ever giving a thought to how he
will provide for her and the family he is about to found. Some times
things work out but often they do not and the marriage winds up on
the rocks. On the other hand, a thoughtful man will make sure he is
able to provide and will make every provision possible. The love of
our Lord for his Church is manifested in a wondrous way as we see
the provisions he has made for her security! Here is the joyous
thought expressed by the Bride in the Song of Solomon;
2: 4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me
was love.
This same thought of providing for a people who are special
is expressed concerning Israel, who are types of us.
Deut.32. 9 For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of
his inheritance.
10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling
wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the
apple of his eye.
As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young,
spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
It was this concern for the safety and security of His
Church which prompted Jesus to make her that wonderful promise;
Mat.16: 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon
this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it.
Many a young man has promised, in all sincerity, "don’t
worry. Honey, I will always take care of you", only to find later
that his resources are rather limited. Not so with Christ: What he
has promised, he has the power to deliver! This is the comforting
message of the coverings for the tabernacle. Together they give us a
complete picture of Christ’s provision for the protection for His
bride, even before she comes into being.
Each of the coverings corresponds to one facet of the
Ministry of Christ as he provides for the needs of His Church as she
finds herself in a hostile world and the gates of hell let loose the
assaults of Satan and all his legions against her.
We shall examine them in the order in which God gave them.
As the priest enters the Tabernacle he views something that others
cannot see. The ceiling over his head is white linen, embroidered
with blue, purple and scarlet figures of Cherubims. As we attend to
the worship of the Lord in the Church, we must not be distracted by
the view of the sky, nature, or any created object. We must have our
minds captivated by that which is hidden from the view of others.
There were cherubims over the mercy seat made of pure gold.
The word used here, however is a different word. There, it simply
meant an angelic figure. Here, it is a word, which was used for a
tree. While it still signifies a spiritual being, it conveys the
idea of a spiritual presence of great strength. Truly, as we face
the world we need such power over us! II Cor.10: 4 (For
the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to
the pulling down of strong holds;)
We are to be ever mindful that he has not left us helpless
as orphans, but is even now keeping the promise to be with us , even
to the end of the age. The fact that this presence is in the person
of the Holy Spirit does not diminish its power, but makes it even
more comforting because of His omni-presence.
The White Linen which is the type of the righteousness of
Christ is used to point out the fact that the Lord's church is
protected, not with the ideals of man nor by mans good intentions,
but by the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. Outsiders often
point out, that there are hypocrites in the church. This is the
excuse Satan plants in the minds of those who are her enemies. To
this charge we can only agree. There are now and always have been
such people found in the Lord’s Church. In the first church, it was
a man called Judas Iscariot, In Paul’s day there were men like
Hymenius and Alexander. Peter had to deal with Ananias and Sapphira.
It is no different now. In every age the Lord’s Churches
have been plagued with unrighteousness. All we need to do is look
above and see that she has never depended upon men, with their
shortcomings ,but on the perfect Son of God. Judas did not die for
the Church. Neither did the Corinthian man who took his father’s
wife, nor did even Peter who denied the Lord, and later compromised
with the Judaizers nor Demas who left Paul for the love of the
world. The protection over the Church is not stained and filthy
rags. It is of pure white Linen, with embroidered angelic figures.
It is the Holy One, Jesus Christ!
The Blue reminds us that He is the Heavenly one. There was
no one of Adam’s race who could qualify as the one to build this
divine institution.
This is similar to the situation of David as he determined
to build a house for the Lord. The privilege of doing so was denied
him because he was a man of war. He had to leave the job for his Son
who never fought a battle; Solomon, the king of Peace. Many men have
taken it upon themselves to build, preserve, or reform the Lord’s
Church. The Blue of the covering is a reminder of the truth found in
Psa.127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the
house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the
city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Who is the Lord, who must build the house? I
Cor.15: 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a
living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is
natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord
from heaven.
There have been many great men in the history of the Lord’s
churches. The Apostles, including Paul, did great service. During
the dark ages many died rather than give up precious truths. In
later years we have looked up to men whose names are remembered
among us; Pendleton, Graves, Bogard and those who have been
influential in our own individual lives. None of these, in spite of
their deeds, are qualified for the job. We cannot look above and
say, we are a scriptural, New Testament Church because of this great
man who made such a great contribution to the work. But we can say,
we are True Churches because the heavenly one died for us! His
reputation is the only one that gives us relevance, and it remains
untarnished. His power is the power of heaven and cannot be
overcome. While others have fallen in the battle, he ever lives to
make intercession for us.
After World War One, a Captain, John McCrae penned the
lines, which begin, ‘In Flanders fields, poppies blow, Between the
crosses, row on row.’ Every School child learns the Gettysburg
address. Most of us know why the stripes on our flag are red. To
those who have lost friends or loved ones in battle, the thought of
their shed blood seems to make our freedom dearer. After all, why
shouldn't we remember blood, which was shed, on our behalf?
In the white linen of the ceiling of the Tabernacle, there
are the threads of scarlet. God doesn’t see fit to tell us just what
part they play in the overall design of the covering. The important
thing for us to remember is the PRESENCE of the blood, which was
shed for the salvation of our souls and for the Church of the Lord
Jesus Christ.
The world is filled with spiritually bankrupt folks who
would have us believe that the crucifixion of Christ was the result
of a failed attempt to change society. Nothing could be farther from
the truth. Christ died because it was God’s plan for the redemption
of fallen man, and that plan was made before there was a man! Heb.9:
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the
world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put
away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
THE SCARLET THREAD
On the wall of time hangs a tapestry,
Each thread, a human life.
It seems, at first, a senseless tangle,
Full of darkness, sin and strife
Then, through the whole, a scarlet thread
Brings order to the scene.
It brightens up the darkness,
Gives beauty to the mean.
It touches one thread; an ark is built.
Then another, a nation is built.
Still others and defeats become victories,
And promises are seen through tears.
Through ages, dark with persecution
O’er land, across seas does it twine,
Circling thread after thread, bringing beauty,
Till it touches the thread that is MINE!
Then I see in the center, as bright as the sun,
A cross, and like rays that are shed,
From eternity to eternity, giving hope and light
From THERE comes the scarlet thread!
Fcc
It behooves any nation to value the sacrifices made that she
might have liberty and be safe within her borders. When a people
forget this they are in danger of being overcome because they do not
value that which was purchased at so great a price.
How much more is this true concerning the Lord’s Church. We
have our existence, not because of government edict or society’s
consent, but because Christ shed his blood to purchase his bride and
that blood is over us as a reminder and a protection. A church,
which leaves her refuge under the blood of her Savior, will soon
find that she is no match for the onslaughts of Satan.
The other color in the design of the Linen Cover was to be
Purple. This color was very dear and was usually reserved for
royalty. Its use in the types always pictures Christ as King. From
the very beginning of the Lord’s Church’s mission, she has been
attacked by the powers that be. The Sanhedrin Court of the Jews
tried to order her to cease and desist. The provincial kings over
the provinces of the Roman Empire tried through edict and
persecution to stop her. Through the dark ages, every weapon at
Satan’s disposal was brought to bear. Entire regions of the Lord’s
Churches were wiped out, as happened in the Valleys of the Piedmont
in the French Alps. In Germany, England, Switzerland, Africa, and
Asia. Even in American Colonies Baptists were persecuted and
legislated against. Their answer to their persecutors has always
been the same; Acts 5: 29 Then Peter and the other
apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Through the purple of the Linen Cover God reminds us that
the authority of our head, is as King of Kings. As such his
authority trumps the highest power or authority the world can
muster.. Romans 8: 31 What shall we then say to these
things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
This Covering was to be made up of TEN pieces, each piece
being four cubits wide and twenty-eight cubits
long. These ten parts were to be sewn together in two groups of five
each. They were then to be fastened together with solid gold taches,
or pins , to make one curtain large enough to cover the tabernacle
and hang to within one cubit of the ground on either side.
Ten is a number that designates Human Government. Why here?
This is a picture of a human government under Divine supervision.
This is to be found no where else in the world today. Israel was to
be such an entity, and was until she demanded a king like other
nations.
The Lord’s Churches of today are the only divine institution
with a human Government under God.
I Cor.6: 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?
and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge
the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that
pertain to this life?
The Lord knew the propensity of men to form hierarchies and
warned against them. Matt.20: 25 But Jesus called them
unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles
exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise
authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great
among you, let him be your minister;
He also let it be known how he felt about those who would
usurp His authority as head of his church. Rev.2:6 But
this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes,
which I also hate. &Rev.2: 15 So hast thou also them that hold the
doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
The word means rulers over the people. There is no pope,
prelate, bishop, vicar, synod, council or convention, which has
authority to rule over the Lord's Church. She is to govern herself
under Christ as her head.
The two groups of five curtains each reminds us that as his
Bride, those who are qualified to minister in this place have
received a double portion of grace. Grace has saved us;
Eph 2: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: We have also been enabled to
serve him by grace. I Cor.15: 10 But by the grace of God I am what I
am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I
laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of
God which was with me.
THE DEBT WE OWE
If I should labor long and hard
For fifty years or more,
And work to serve my savior,
till my hands were stiff and sore,
Could I repay one tear he shed?
Or stop one cry of pain?
Or restore one precious drop of blood
That flowed from open vein?
If I should fall in service,
For Him, my life lay down,
Could I remove one lash mark,
Or one thorn from his crown?
If my lips should always praise him
Would his lips be less parched?
If my feet should run to serve him,
Would it shorten where He marched?
If I should give him all I own
And answer every call,
Could I restore ONE thing to him
Who gave for me, His all?
Though I give my all in service
When I see Him face to face,
If my savior then rewards me,
It will only be by grace!
Fcc
These two groups of five curtains were fastened together
with solid gold pins or TACHES. Nothing human is
involved in the protection provided by our Lord, savior and King!
When the ten curtains are fastened together, they form one covering,
forty cubits long. 40 is the number of judgment or testing. Our
Lord’s provision for his church has met and passed all tests.
`THE CURTAIN OF WOVEN GOATS HAIR
Exodus 26:7 And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair
to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou
make.
8 The length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth
of one curtain four cubits: and the eleven curtains shall be all of
one measure.
9 And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six
curtains by themselves, and shalt double the sixth curtain in the
forefront of the tabernacle.
10 And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain
that is outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops in the edge of the
curtain which coupleth the second.
11 And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, and put the taches
into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.
12 And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the
half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the
tabernacle.
13 And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of
that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it
shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that
side, to cover it.
This curtain is placed immediately over the covering of
Linen. It is out of sight but serves a practical as well as a
typical purpose. It was practical in as much as it served to protect
the linen curtain below it by absorbing any moisture, which might
get through from above as well as providing a measure of insulation
for the tabernacle
The goat has become so synonymous with substitution that
even in our vernacular, a ‘scapegoat’ is immediately recognized as
one who carries the blame for another. In a later chapter, we shall
see the full meaning as we study the Day of Atonement. For the
present we shall rejoice in this added measure of protection for His
Church.
I Cor.15: 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that
which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according
to the scriptures;
I Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just
for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in
the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
I Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the
tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness:
by whose stripes ye were healed.
These are but a few of the Scriptures we might reference to
show Christ as the one who substituted himself for us in facing the
judgment of God for sin.
It was essential that man have a substitute, if he is to
ever escape the judgment of God. There was no way that he could pay
for his own sins and be saved, for he would become eternally dead in
the paying. Only by an acceptable substitute could the demands of a
Holy God and the needs of poor lost man be satisfied.
Animal sacrifice was not the answer; Heb.10: 4
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should
take away sins.
Not one of Adam’s seed could suffice, for they are all
under the same condemnation; Rom.5: 12 Wherefore, as by
one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death
passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
For this cause, God had decreed the obvious;
Psa.49: 7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give
to God a ransom for him:
8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for
ever:)
The angels, being spirit beings, without flesh and blood,
could not possibly do the job for; Heb.9:22 And almost
all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of
blood is no remission.
There was only one possible way out of the dilemma. There
must be found a perfect man who would be willing to die for all.
Since death had already passed upon all men, the only answer was for
Christ to take the form of man. Praise God for his wonderful love,
which accomplished this.
Phil.2: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the
form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross..
As his Church faces the slings and arrows of Satan and an
angry world, we can rejoice in the fact that we have something even
more effective than the best bulletproof vest .We have Christ who
stands forever between us and our enemies. He took our sins upon
himself; in our behalf underwent the judgment for those sins on the
cross and now absorbs those blows aimed at us. I John
4: 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because
greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Whereas the Linen curtains were only 28 cubits by 40 cubits
when fastened together, not allowing them to reach the ground on
either side of the Tabernacle, this curtain is 30 by 44 cubits
allowing it to reach to the ground and also hang down four cubits at
the front of the structure. This, if we are correct in allowing 1
1/2 feet to a cubit, would allow about six feet of this Goat’s hair
curtain to be seen from the inside of the Tabernacle. The veil or
curtain at the entrance would hide it from view on the outside
however.
Compare this with the rest of the Glory of the view, which
met the eyes of the priest as he entered the place of his ministry.
Before him he sees the beautiful veil; before it sits the golden
altar of incense; on his right is the gleaming table with its 12
loaves of showbread and on his left, the Lampstand of pure beaten
Gold with its seven lamps revealing the gold covered boards of the
wall. When he turns around ,he sees the beauty of the curtain
through which he has just entered but there, from about nine feet
above the ground to the top, where it disappears behind the cover of
embroidered linen, he sees the black of the curtain of goat’s hair.
What an awful, but wondrous contrast!
As we enter our sanctuary, the Lord’s Church, he wants us to
be conscious of the beauty and glory of our savior and his
provisions for us, for his Word and for the fact that by him we have
become sons of God. Yet in all of this, we are ever reminded of the
great fact that he became partaker of our weakness in the flesh and
became our substitute.
Heb.2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers
of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same;
that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death,
that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their
lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took
on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in
things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the
people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to
succour them that are tempted.
There is yet one other lesson for us in this cover. It was
made up of eleven pieces, each four cubits wide by thirty cubits
long. Five of these were to be sewn together into one piece and the
remaining six were to be sewn into another part. These two parts
were then to be joined together by pins or taches of brass to form
one cover over the entire tabernacle. What could all this mean?
Six is the number of man and five is the number for grace.
Here, in a nutshell, is the lesson of our scapegoat. Our
Lord became a man; lived as a man; was tested [The brass pins] as a
man; and as a man he died for us. Yet by the grace of god, this Man
ever lives to make intercession for us.
I Tim. 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator
between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
The brass pins are also reminding us that every part of
judgment, which was rightfully man’s, was met in Christ.
Adam brought the judgment of death upon all men. This was met in
Christ, in our behalf.
Gen.2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou
shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou
shalt surely die.
Heb.2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the
angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour;
that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Through sin, the judgment of sweat and labor came upon the
human race. Christ took even this upon himself as he faced the
ultimate labor.
Gen.3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,
till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for
dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his
sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the
ground.
Even the curse of the agony of childbirth was his!
Gen.3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly
multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring
forth children;
Heb.12: 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2:13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and
the children which God hath given me.
He faced even the daily temptation we face in ways we cannot
even fathom.
Heb.4: 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold
fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we
are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
And yet, there is more to the protective coverings that he
has placed over his church.
The Rams Skins Dyed Red The Rams Skins Dyed Red
14 And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams'
skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers' skins.
The first thing we note in these instructions is the
wording used for the articles. In giving the instructions for the
first two layers, the word used designated a hanging, as a tremulous
curtain. In this verse the instructions for the two outer or topmost
layers signifies something entirely different. The word used means,
a weatherboarding.
These people were then living in tents and were surely
familiar with the technique of using the skins of animals as we use
shingles. There would be a lower course with the edges overlapping
and then another course with the bottoms overlapping the first. So
on to the top of the structure. In this manner water would be shed
as from a shingled roof.
God does not give any dimensions for these two coverings,
but since their purpose was to protect the structure from wind and
rain, we can be sure they completely covered it.
Though we might be tempted to slip into conjecture about
these things, we can be sure that God has told us everything needful
for us to know.
The rams skins, dyed red, told a simple but powerful story of the
love of Christ and his protection for his Church.
The ram signifies the one who is the leader of the flock. We
shall see this in other aspects as we study the offerings but this
is a special case. This is the ram and his connection, not with the
multitudes of believers but with the House of God. This is the
figure of that which was spoken of by Paul. Eph.5: 22
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the
head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives
be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church,
and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water
by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having
spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and
without blemish.
There was nothing connected with the tabernacle or its
worship, which was not protected by the ram skins dyed red. Neither
is there any portion of the Lord’s Bride, his Church, for which he
did not die to purchase and to protect
Of all the Apostles, Paul seemed to have a deeper
understanding and greater vision of the Lord's Church. Could it have
been that his knowledge of the Law made him to realize even more
than the others the great value of her to her Lord?
The Ram also signified strength. The strength of a man is
manifested by his deeds. The weight lifter measures his strength
against others by the amount of weight lifted. Let us then measure
the strength of the one who protects us. In this we can find peace
as the storms of the world surround.
He is the creator of the worlds and our redeemer;
Heb 1:1 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time
past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath
appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of
his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when
he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the
Majesty on high;
It was his great power that enabled him to make the needed
sacrifice for us; II Cor.8: 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became
poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
The ram skins were dyed red to indicate how the blood of the
strong Son of God protects his church. This covering could be seen
neither from the inside nor the outside of the tabernacle, yet it
was there doing the job it was meant to do.
Like the roofing covers the insulation and protects it from
damage, this covering and the one above it does its job. If the
insulating Goat's hair becomes damaged then the beautiful linen
curtains also become marred. A good illustration of this is found in
those churches who first cast doubt on the deity of Christ, then
questioned the efficacy of his death, denied his resurrection and
became no more that another worldly society. Their churches and
everything in them were soon unrecognizable as the House of God.
Everything in them became soiled and polluted.
THE COVERING OF BADGER'S SKINS
This is the final or outer covering. It is the only one
readily seen. It pictures that aspect of our Lord which is the most
easily understood by human beings. It shows forth the human side of
our savior and illustrates the protection for His Church provided by
it.
Heb.4: 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot
be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all
points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men
in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and
sacrifices for sins:
5:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are
out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with
infirmity.
This outer covering takes the brunt of all the weather.
While there has been much discussion as to the exact Animal meant by
the word translated badger, we can be sure that it was a skin, which
made rather tough leather. The word used was [phonetically] dugong.
Some have said it might have been the seal, found in the
Mediterranean area, others that it could have been the skin of some
species of antelope. It is generally conceded that there were no
such animals in the area as that which we know as a badger. Whatever
it was, the word is used in one other place and there indicated its
durability. Ezek.16: 10 I clothed thee also with
broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee
about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.
Neither the devil nor man is anxious to challenge God
head-on. The devil and his angels tried it and lost their estate
because of it. Man, in his right mind realizes the utter futility of
the creature trying to overcome the creator and only a fool would
say in his heart, ‘There is no God’. For some reason, however,
Christ, as a man, seems to be fair game. To find fault with or to
attack him seems to be acceptable in the eyes of lost men and fallen
angels. Satan tempted Christ’s human side. Heb.4:15 For
we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are,
yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
It was the man against whom all the accusations were made
falsely. It was the man whose beard was plucked and whose head wore
a crown of thorns: it was not as God that they mocked him. The Jews
would have been horrified that anyone would mock Jehovah. But the
man Jesus was fair game. They crucified him as a man even though
they could find no fault with him. They forbade the Church to preach
the gospel of that man.
Of course we know that this man was the creator, that he was
God manifested in the flesh and that He IS the eternal Jehovah. But
those who refuse to accept him as such, still now as they did then,
try to find fault with the man. They could not then nor can man now,
find fault with the Man Christ Jesus.
As the perfect Man he still protects his church as he did in
the Garden of Gethsemane. John 18: 8 Jesus answered, I
have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go
their way:
That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which
thou gavest me have I lost none.
The man, Christ Jesus, has been attacked by the world in
every thing he did or was. Stories have been told which have
attempted to rob him of his divinity by making him the illegitimate
son of one of the soldiers in the Roman Legions. Herod, who no doubt
would have trembled at the thought of defying God, tried to have the
man, headed off by ordering the slaying of the infants of Bethlehem.
His perfect life has been declared a bunch of myths, made up by his
followers to try to endow him with divinity.
A few years ago, someone even tried to pass off, in a book,
the preposterous lie, that he didn't really die. His disciples
simply drugged him so that he appeared dead so that they could then
bring him back to life! From the very morning of the resurrection,
men have told fantastic tales about him in order to try to rob him
of his victory over death.Matt.28: 12 And when they
were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave
large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away
while we slept.
14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him,
and secure you.
So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying
is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
As a man, He is not all that desirable to the world.
Isa.53: 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and
as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and
when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Men love to adore him as the infant Jesus. After all, an
infant is not threatening, especially if it is not our own child. We
can cuddle it and coo a little then hand it back to its mother and
go our way.
So the Christ Child is adored now as he was then. He was
even followed as long as he fed them and performed miracles at which
they could marvel. When he came to the revealing of the deep truths
that they must be willing to accept to be his true followers, it
became another matter entirely. John 6: 58 This is that
bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat
manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for
ever.
59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said,
This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
& 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no
more with him.
Neither does the world desire to hear that this man will
judge them and rule over them. Even the priests of his day tolerated
Christ as long as he didn't interfere too much with their religious
domain. As soon, however as He exercised his divine prerogative and
cleansed the temple, they began to take counsel to slay him. All
their efforts to find just cause to accomplish their dastardly
purpose was to no avail, and they finally had to resort to hired
perjurers! Matt.26: 59 Now the chief priests, and
elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to
put him to death;
60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found
they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God,
and to build it in three days.
Try as they may, man has never yet found any fault with
Christ. He has overcome all temptation. He has stood fast against
all charges and still protects us from all harm.
To briefly sum up all the benefits of the four covers; He is
the Holy one; The heavenly one; the one who died for us; is our
substitute; is coming as King of Kings; and has overcome every
temptation. All this he has placed over His Church as a protective
covering. No harm can enter to destroy or pollute her. The only way
any evil can enter is through the front entrance in the person of a
priest [church member]. This has happened from the very beginning
and still goes on. Lev.10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the
sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein,
and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD,
which he commanded them not.
And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they
died before the LORD.
Even in this we find a similarity to the Lord's Church.
There were Judas, and then Ananias and his wife Sapphira. Neither of
these examples were able to do any lasting harm however because
God’s way was followed to root out the harmful ones.
THE GOLD COVERED BOARDS
Exodus 26: 15 And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of
shittim wood standing up.
16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half
shall be the breadth of one board.
17 Two tenons shall there be in one board, set in order one against
another: thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle.
18 And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards
on the south side southward.
And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards;
two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets
under another board for his two tenons.
The timing of these instructions is particularly revealing.
The Ark of the Covenant, with its Mercy Seat is ready. Provisions
have been made for the Table of ShowBread. The Candlestick [Lampstand]
is prepared and the Coverings are waiting. Only now, with all the
preparations in place can the boards be prepared and safely serve
their purpose.
As we compare these boards with New Testament Truths, it
becomes clear that they are types of the individual church member
and collectively, they picture the Church. That is, they picture the
place of men in that divine structure.
The boards were all made of the same type of material. The
shittim tree was what we know as acacia. It was known for its thorns
and its gnarly growth. How wonderfully symbolic of the human nature!
While it is normal for men to consider themselves better
than the average, God’s word declares all to be equally lost and in
need of a savior.Rom.3:22 Even the righteousness of God
which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that
believe: for there is no difference:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
There is no one in the Lord's church who can lord it over
others because of his station in life, education, breeding, or size
of his bank account. Nor can any say that they are more deserving of
the position as a church member because they were lesser sinners.
The apostle Paul said it about himself, but it is applicable to each
and every one of us, I Cor. 15: 10 But by the grace of
God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not
in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I,
but the grace of God which was with me.
Here was a man who, in his pre-Christian life had been a
paragon of virtue and the epitome of a religious figure.
Phil.3: 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the
righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Yet he
declared himself to be the very worst kind of sinner. I
Tim 1: 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am
chief.
From the beggar in the gutter to the tycoon in the
penthouse, from the most insignificant citizen to the leader of
nations, and from the most debauched sinner to the clean living
paragon of virtue, there is but one kind of man in God’s eyes,
SINNERS.
Psalm 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of
men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there
is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Out of this unlikely material, the boards were to be made.
Each one was to be of exactly the same size. There were to be no big
boards and smaller ones. Neither is there to be any difference in
the members of the Lord’s Churches. Matt.20: 25 But
Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of
the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great
exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great
among you, let him be your minister;
And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Men love hierarchies and when left to their own devices will
always develop them. The love for preeminence causes some to strive
for supremacy and so bring themselves into a wrong relationship with
the Lord and his Church, III John 9 I wrot
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