Tabernacle Furishings
Information from the Ancient
Israel: A Thematic Unit Study
Article: Ark of the Covenant Mercy Seat
Old Testament Significance: A symbol of
God's law, the Ark was made of wood covered with
gold. The Ark was the throne of God where His
glory rest on the Mercy Seat (top), a symbol of
His mercy. The sacrificed blood was sprinkled
on the Ark to cover the sins of the people.
New Testament Lessons: The phrase "Mercy
Seat" also means "propitiation."
Jesus is the propitiation for us today (Romans
3:25; I John 2:2.) His blood was shed to cleanse
our sins. We come to God through Him and offer
our spiritual sacrifices (I Peter 2:5,9).
Article: The Inner Veil
Old Testament Significance: The Inner Veil
hung between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies
and was passed only once a year by the High Priest
on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16).
New Testament Lessons: Hebrews 10:19-20
teaches that this Veil represents Christ's body
which was given for us on the cross. When He offered
up His spirit, the veil in the temple was torn
from top to bottom, thus allowing anyone to come
at any time into God's presence (Matthew 27:50-51).
Article: Altar of Incense
Old Testament Significance: Incense was
continually burned at this altar that stood before
the veil separating the Holy Place from the Holy
of Holies. The High Priest was to make atonement
on its horns once a year before entering the Holy
of Holies.
New Testament Lessons: The Altar of Incense
was a symbol of prayer. Christians are to be continually
in prayer (Romans 12:12).
Article: Table of Showbread
Old Testament Significance: A symbol of
God's providence, the Table held the twelve loaves
of bread that were a reminder that the tribes
were constantly in the presence of God and that
God saw all that they did (Leviticus 24:5-9).
The bread also reminded the people that God fed
His people.
New Testament Lessons: God provides what
we need (Matthew 6:25-34). We as Christians are
daily in God's presence. We are to "feed
on" God's truth (Matthew 4:4). Jesus is the
Bread of Life (John 6:35).
Article: Golden Lampstand
Old Testament Significance: Symbolizing
light from God, the intricately patterned Lampstand
was to give light continually, fueled by clear
olive oil (Exodus 27:20)
New Testament Lessons: Rev. 1:12-20 indicates
local churches are represented by golden lampstands.
Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). Christians
are to be a light to the world, also (Matthew
5:14).
Article: Bronze Altar
Old Testament Significance: The Bronze
Altar stood in the courtyard of the Tabernacle.
This is where the animals were sacrificed to cover
the sins of the Israelite people.
New Testament Lessons: Jesus's death on
the cross was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
He is pictured in all the sacrifices God commanded
Israel to bring (Leviticus 1-5; Hebrews 10:1-14).
Information from Wiersbe's Expository Outlines
of the Old Testament and Coffman's Exodus
Commentary.
Resources for Further Study
Internet Sources
- What
The Bible Says About The Tabernacle
Description: The Tabernacle, its blueprint,
and its priesthood-taken from
What The Bible Says About The Tabernacle, by
Alpha-Omega Ministries, Inc.
- Tabernacle
Home Page
Description: Details the layout, structure,
and furnishings of the Tabernacle
and relates the pictures from the book of Exodus
to Jesus Christ.
-
Tabernacle - MSN Encarta
Description: Brief encyclopedia article
describing the Tabernacle..
-
Tabernacle or Tent of Meeting - Bible Tutor
Description: A detailed description
and diagram of the size and contents of
the Tabernacle.
- Church
Inside The Tabernacle
Description: Explains how the biblical
types issuing forth from the Tabernacle of Moses
are an exact typical prefiguration of the body
of Christ.
- The
Tabernacle Revealed!
Description: Study guide explaining
how life flows from the Holy of Holies (Spirit)
into the Holy Place (Soul) and out to the Outer
Court (Body), resulting in complete redemption.
- The
Tabernacle
Description: Ward R. Williams, Ph.D.,
from the University of Minnesota, explains the
Tabernacle and its message.
- The
Lamp of God: Menorah by Robert Somerville.
Description: A booklet presenting a study
on the scriptural symbolism of the Menorah from
both the Old and New testaments. You will discover
that this lamp-stand symbolizes many things
such as the Nation of Israel, the Church, the
Holy Spirit, the Word of God, the Seven Spirits
of God, even the Lord Jesus Christ himself as
the light of the world. It is believed by many
that a menorah was on public display in each
of the first-century churches.
Books
Activity
Make a chart similar to the one in this lesson.
Using your research, fill in the columns. Find
a picture of each item (print out from the Internet
or make copies from books) and paste each picture
next to its corresponding description.
The
Tabernacle Furnishings |
Furnishings |
Reference |
Description |
Symbol |
Illustration |
| Alter Of Burnt Offering |
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| Alter Of Incense |
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| Ark Of The Covenant |
|
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|
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| Arron's Rod |
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|
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| Curtains |
|
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|
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| Door to the Outer Court |
|
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| Holy Of Holies |
|
|
|
|
| Inner Court |
|
|
|
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| Lampstand (Menorah) |
|
|
|
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| Laver |
|
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| Outer Court |
|
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| Pot of Manna |
|
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| Table of Showbread |
|
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| Tablets of Law |
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| Veil |
|
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Information from the Ancient
Israel: A Thematic Unit Study
Excerpts from the book A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays
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