The Tabernacle
Lecture 6
The Holiest of all
Exodus 25:1-22; Hebrews 9:1-9
In our previous studies we have looked at various aspects of the Tabernacle and seen the way in which they typify various aspects of our experience of the Lord. In this study we approach the most important part of the Tabernacle. The part known as The Holiest of All.
The tabernacle was really divided into three parts:-
i) The outer court – accessible to all Israel
ii) The holy place – Accessible to the priests
iii)The holiest of all – (Within the Holy Place, but divided from the rest by a veil) – accessible only to the High Priest once a year on the day of atonement, only with the blood of atonement – Hebrews 9:6-9
The Holiest Place was the place of God’s manifest presence. (Ex. 25:22). It was also a symbol of heaven, which nobody could enter in Old Testament times.
Access to the Holiest of All
The brass Altar
(The Altar of Sacrifice) Exodus 27:1-2. The first thing we pass on the way to God’s presence is this brass altar. T’s presence is this brass alter. THIS WAS MADE OF WOOD OVERLAID W½ meters long by 2 ½ meters wide and was about 1 ½ meters high. The Hebrew name for this altar – ‘Mizbeach’ simply means place of sacrifice or slaughter. This, then, was the place where the bloodstained sacrifice was burnt as it was offered to God.
Was this just a heathen concept? No! It represents the only way that a guilty sinner may approach a Holy God. Sin must be atoned for and this can only be done by the shedding of blood, (Heb. 9:22). A sinner approaching God must first offer a life in substitute for his own, (Lev. 17:11). These sacrifices pointed forward to the death of Jesus Christ who would die for the sins of the whole world (Heb. 9:13-15, Heb. 10:10-14).
No steps to the altar (Ex.20:26) It could be approached without effort! This reminds of Eph. 2:8-9)
Ashes from this altar were used for the cleansing ceremonies (Lev. 6:10-11) and Numbers 19:9. This again leads us to Hebrews 9:13-14.
This Brass Altar, then, stands for the Cross of Christ, which we must pass on the way to God – ‘The way of the Cross leads home’.
ii)The Brass Laver (or Bath) Ex.30:17-21. This represents the second step to fellowship with God. Here again we are able to allow the Bible to interpret itself. Eph.5:25-27 – This is the ‘washing of water by the Word’ (literally – ‘the laver of water by the Word’). Also John 15:3; John 17:17 and James 1:18.
Made from the women’s looking glasses! Ex.38:8. This reminds us of James 1:22-25. When we look into a mirror it shows us what we have forgotten – teaches us to wash our faces.
This brass laver, then, stands for the repentance produced by God’s Word.
The Veil : Ex.26:31-33 Even after the altar and the laver, one last barrier remained. Heb.9:7-8 tells us that this was to show that in Old Testament times the way to God was not yet truly open – only in symbol. The offering of animal sacrifices etc. could not truly take away sin, but only symbolised the redemption, which was yet to come in Christ (e.g. Heb.10:1-4).
Matthew 27:50-51. When Jesus died the veil in the temple was torn by the Holy Spirit, showing that the way to God is now open in reality! Praise God!
This veil represents our sin, which created an impenetrable barrier between God and us until the death of Jesus Christ brought true cleansing from it.
Hebrews 10:19-20 Now shows us the open way to the presence of God through the blood of Jesus Christ.
