God With Us - Tabernacle
THE TABERNACLE FURNITURE AND THE CHARACTER OF GOD
A glimpse of who He is and how He invites us to draw near.
When God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle, He was not giving Israel religious decoration or rituals. He was revealing His character. Every curtain, every piece of furniture, and every picture of increasing holiness showed Israel what God is like and how sinful people can live in relationship with Him.
The tabernacle was a tent, yet it was no ordinary tent. God chose to live in a structure that matched His people’s wandering condition. They lived in tents, and so did He. That simple fact reveals a God who comes near, enters our world, and walks with His people in their weakness. How beautifully is this seen in Jesus.
As Israel approached the tabernacle, the message grew clearer. Holiness increased. Materials became more precious. Access became more and more limited. All of this teaches that God is near and He is holy, majestic, and distinct from His people. God is Holy and we are not, and sin has to be dealt with.
Below is what each piece of furniture reveals about the character of God.
1. The Bronze Altar
God is holy, and God is merciful.
The bronze altar was the first object anyone saw. Sacrifice took place here. Blood was shed here. It proclaimed the reality of sin and the necessity of atonement.
What it reveals about God
- God is holy.
- Sin must be dealt with.
- God is just.
- Wrong cannot be ignored.
- God is merciful.
- He provides a substitute so sinners can draw near.
2. The Bronze Basin
God is pure, and God purifies His people.
Priests washed at the basin before they could enter or serve.
What it reveals about God
- God is pure.
- God calls His people to purity.
- God provides the cleansing needed to enter His presence.
3. The Table of Bread
God provides, and God desires fellowship. Twelve fresh loaves sat on this table every week, representing the twelve tribes in the presence of God.
What it reveals about God
- God provides daily sustenance.
- God remembers His people by name.
- God welcomes His people into fellowship.
4. The Lampstand
God is light, and God gives life. Shaped like a blossoming almond tree, the lampstand illuminated the Holy Place and recalled Eden.
What it reveals about God
- God brings light into darkness.
- God gives life where nothing else can.
- God restores what was lost.
5. The Altar of Incense
God hears, and God receives prayer. Incense rose day and night before the veil.
What it reveals about God
- God invites His people to call on Him.
- God listens.
- God delights in prayer.
6. The Ark of the Covenant
God reigns, God dwells with His people, and God shows mercy.
The Ark sat in the Most Holy Place. It contained: The tablets of the covenant, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded (Hebrews 9:4).
What it reveals about God
- God is the sovereign King.
- God is present among His people.
- God is gracious.
- The mercy seat covers the symbols of Israel’s sin.
7. The Mercy Seat
God forgives, God atones, and God invites sinners to draw near.
The mercy seat was the gold cover over the Ark. On the Day of Atonement the high priest sprinkled blood here. Think propitiation.
What it reveals about God
- God provides atonement.
- God meets His people in mercy.
- God makes a way for sinners to enter His presence.
8. The Curtain and the Gradations of Holiness
God is Holy, and God draws near.
From bronze outside to pure gold inside, the materials increased in value the closer one came to God’s presence.
What it reveals about God
- God is majestic beyond measure.
- His presence is glorious and weighty.
- He reveals Himself while veiling His full glory for our good.
Why This Matters Today
The furniture of the tabernacle is not random stuff like an end table in our house. It reveals the character of God and points to the true and better tabernacle, Jesus Christ.
It teaches us that:
- God comes near.
- God is holy.
- God is merciful.
- God provides.
- God guides.
- God listens.
- God reigns.
- God fellowships with His people.
Every piece pointed to the ultimate revelation of God’s character in Jesus Christ. He is the sacrifice, the cleansing, the bread, the light, the intercessor, the presence, the mercy seat, and the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
The God who once lived in a tent now lives in His people through the Spirit. The Holy One draws near and invites us to draw near with confidence because Jesus has opened the way.