The Tabernacle
Lecture 5
The Holiest of All
Hebrews 9:1-5, 6-8:
At the west end of the Holy Place was a veil, which separated it from the inner section which was known as the ‘Holy of Holies’ or the ‘Holiest of all’ or ‘The most Holy place’. This was a square area 10 cubits x 10 cubits which represented the direct presence of God. In O.T. times only the High Priest could enter this place and then only once a year on the Day of Atonement with the blood of atonement. It was in this area that the glory of God was continually manifested. The three main pieces of furniture in the ark were the Ark of the Covenant, ‘the mercy seat’ and ‘the cherubims of glory’.
The Ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10-16): The ark was a box made of shittim wood, two-and-a-half cubits long by two-and-a-half cubits wide and a cubit –and-a-half high. It was covered with pure gold inside and out, and a ‘crown’ OT ledge of gold placed around it.
The Meaning:
- The’Ark’ or ‘Vessel’ of the Covenant represents our mediator and saviour the Lord Jesus Christ, now risen and glorified in the presence of the Father.
- Structure: ‘OF Shittim wood’ (25:10) – standing for His humanity ‘
- Overlaid with pure gold…within…and without’ – standing for His deity (25:11).
- ‘A crown of gold’ (vs.11). This is Christ enthroned in glory (compare Hebrews 9:11-12 and Hebrews 2:9).
The Contents:
The Law written on stone tablets (Exodus 25:16). This was the Ten Commandments and represented the moral law of God. There were two tablets on which the law was written, one indicates man’s duty to God and the other man’s duty to his fellows (Exodus 20:3-11 and 12-17. This was summarized by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-39. See also John 1L14, 16) We note that in the NT God’s moral law is said to be eternal (Luke16:17); it reveals sin (Romans7:7); it could not be kept (Romans8:3); therefore it cannot justify any man but only condemns all (Gal.3:24-25); but Christ completely fulfilled it (Matt.5:17); and now Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, that is, as a way of salvation (Romans10:4); ALTHOUGH IT IS STILL USEFUL AS A GUIDE TO THE LIFE WHICH PLEASES God.
The Pot of Manna
(Exodus16:33-34). This represents Jesus, the Living Bread, who brings life to those who live by Him (John6:30-35).
Aaron’s Rod which Budded
(Numbers17:10). This rod was God’s indication of Aaron’s authority as High Priest. It symbolises the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The ‘dead’ rods of the leaders of Israel were laid in the tabernacle over night and Aaron’s rod came to life miraculously and bore fruit. This is similar to the way in which, of all the dead leaders of the earth, God raised Jesus thus confirming for all time that He is the appointed Messiah. (cf. Romans1:3-4)
The Mercy Seat:
(Exodus26:17-22). This consisted of a slab of pure gold, stained with the blood of the sin offering on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus16:1, 15-16). It rested upon the top of the ark. This represents the righteousness of God (gold) satisfied by the atonement made once for all time by our great High Priest (Hebrews9:7-8), 11-12, 24-28).
The Hebrew for Mercy Seat is ‘KAPPORETH’ which means ‘covering’, ‘atonement’ or ‘forgiveness’. The same root is ‘HILASTERION’ which also means ‘propitiation’ or ‘atonement’.
We note 1Chronicles 28:11 where the holiest place is called ‘the place of the mercy seat’. If you approach the ark without the mercy seat you would instantly die (see 1 Samuel 6:19).
Numbers 7:89: The Lord speaks ‘above the mercy seat’
Leviticus 16:2: The Lord says, ‘I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat’. So this is the place where the Lord speaks and reveals Himself.
Hebrews 4:16 – the New Testament equivalent.
The Cherubims of Glory. (Exodus25:19-22). These cherubims represent the glory and holiness of God (op. Isaiah6:2-4) and Genesis 3:24). The outstretched wings are said to signify ‘the instant readiness to execute judgement’. These cherubims were made so that they looked constantly towards the mercy seat and the blood, which had been sprinkled there- Praise the Lord! (Exodus25:20).
