1. The Tabernacle of Moses: shadows and copies
Exton Two-Day Study
April 22-23, 2013
Exton, PA

2. Basis for the study God repeatedly emphasizes the pattern
Exodus 25:9, 40; 26:30
Scripture tells us these things are copies and shadows of spiritual realities
Hebrews 8:5; 9:23
Prompts questions
What does each object represent?
What lessons can we learn?

3. Tabernacle layout
100 cubits
50 cubits

4. Tabernacle model

5. Tabernacle model

6. God dwelling with his people
Exodus 29:44-46

7. Copies and shadows Ark of the Covenant Exodus 25:22 Veil Exodus 26:34
Table of showbread
Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24:9
Altar of burnt offering
Exodus 29:18
Altar of incense
Exodus 30:6-8
Laver
Exodus 30:20-22
Lampstand
Exodus 27:20

8. Spiritual realities

9. Altar of burnt offering
Burnt offerings are a sweet aroma to the Lord
Leviticus 1:9 etc (30+ times in Leviticus & Numbers)
Idea did not start with the Law
Genesis 8:21
God does not enjoy the smell of burning flesh
Isaiah 1:10-11
Sacrifices from pure hearts smell sweet to God
Philippians 4:18
No sacrifice means anything without Christ’s
Romans 3:23-24

10. Altar of burnt offering
The ultimate sweet-smelling aroma
Ephesians 5:2
The one sacrifice to which all of the Old Testament animal sacrifices pointed
Hebrews 10:1-3
Jesus’ blood purifies the heavenly things (the real, true, spiritual things)
Hebrews 9:6-14, 23-26

11. crucifixion

12. laver Sanctified and cleansed Hearts sprinkled with Christ’s blood
Bodies washed at baptism
Hebrews 10:22
We are priests under Christ, our High Priest
1 Peter 2:5

13. Baptism

14. Lampstand Gave light in the holy place, where the priests ministered
The Word as Person gives light
John 1:4-5, 9
We need to have that light in us, John 9:5, 11:9-10
Then we can be light to the world, Matthew 5:14-16

15. Lampstand The spoken/written Word of God 2 Corinthians 4:4
Aaron and his sons needed to tend the lampstand morning and evening to keep the light burning continually
We need to study the word diligently, 2 Timothy 2:15
We need to live it diligently, James 1:22, 1 John 1:7

16. Word of god

17. Table of showbread The bread was for the priests’ sustenance
The Word in Person, John 6:35
How do we eat this bread?
John 6:63, 68
Doing the Father’s will was food to Jesus
John 4:32-34
We need to follow Jesus’ example

18. Table of showbread God’s Word is food for us Hebrews 5:12-14
We should be desiring the Word as babies desire their food
1 Peter 2:2
Elders (shepherds) need to feed the flock
1 Peter 5:2, Acts 20:28
What do they feed the flock?
Acts 20:20-21
1 Timothy 3:2
Titus 1:9

19. Word of god

20. Altar of incense
Aaron and his sons lit the incense morning and evening
Whenever they went in to tend the lampstand
Part of their continual ministry
Immediately before the Presence
Priests of the new covenant continually pray as they minister
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Ephesians 6:18
Incense is the prayers of the saints
Revelation 5:8

21. Prayer

22. The veil At the beginning, man was alienated from God by sin
Genesis 3:10, 22-24
God promised a means of restoring the connection
Genesis 28:12
God then provided a place where man could meet with Him: the mercy seat
Exodus 25:22

23. The veil But the veil remains as a divider between man and God
Exodus 26:33
Indicates that the way to God is not revealed while the physical tabernacle is standing
Hebrews 9:8
Then comes Jesus
The Ladder, John 2:51
The Door, John 10:7
The Way, John 14:6

24. The veil Jesus’ crucifixion was the door opening Hebrews 10:20
Matthew 27:51-53
Man’s sin was nailed to the cross in Jesus’ flesh
2 Corinthians 5:21

25. Christ’s flesh

26. The mercy seat God would meet with man above the mercy seat
We are justified on the basis of Christ’s death, and saved by His life
Romans 5:6-11
Jesus provides the “place” where God and man can once again meet
Jesus is the Mercy Seat
Romans 3:25 (hilasterion)
Hebrews 9:5 (hilasterion)

27. Jesus

28. Where is the holy spirit?

29. The holy spirit Matthew 12:28 Luke 4:18 John 20:30-31 2 Timothy 3:16
2 Peter 1:20-21
Romans 8:26-27
John 3:5; Acts 2:28

30. Droste effect

31. Droste effect

32. The tabernacle and the individual
Each saint a temple – but not a permanent or stationary structure
1 Corinthians 6:19
2 Corinthians 5:1,4; 2 Peter 1:13
Israel a shadow of Christ – and by extension the Christian
Exodus 4:22-23; Hosea 11:1; Mathew 2:15
John 1:12; Romans 8:29
We are strangers and pilgrims on the way to our Promised Land
1 Peter 2:11; Hebrews 11:10, 13-16, 13:14; Philippians 3:20
Numbers 9:15-23

33. Jesus

34. Tabernacle layout