FURNITURE, THE FORSHADOW
Every piece of furniture is a symbol of God’s attributes and character.
AN OVERVIEW
I. THE COURTYARD
Within the courtyard everybody saw the altar and the laver. The question is do I go to the altar of sacrifice? Do I fellowship within the court / presence of God?
II. THE BRAZEN ALTAR
There are a few different titles that biblical scholars have given to this piece of furniture in God’s house and they are:
A. “The Brazen Altar”B. “The Altar of Burnt Offering”C. “The Refining Fire”D. “The Shadow of the Cross”
This is where an intimate relationship with Jesus Starts.
How much do we lay on the Altar?
III. THE LAVER— Polished Bowl, Reflection, Cleansing
A. A physical cleansing/washing of the Word (Baptism)B. A spiritual cleansingC. A time to reflect, and introspectD. A time to see your self without Jesus Christ.
IV. THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK, ENTRANCE TO The Holy Place
Exodus 26:35, 36 (Exodus 25: 31-35, 37) (NAS)
35. And you shall set the table outside the veil, and the candlestick opposite the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and you shgall put the table on the north side
36. And you shall make a hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework. [screen]
Symbol of the union between Christ and His Disciples.
John 15:5 (KJ)
5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
I Corinthians 12:12, 13 (KJ)
12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
V. THE TABLE OF SHEWBREAD
Exodus 25: 23 (Context 23-32) (KJ)
23. And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
VI. THE ALTAR OF INCENSE.
Exodus 30: 1-7 (KJ)
1. And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it.
Incense is symbolic of prayer. The Altar of Incense is before the Vail.
2 A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same.
3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
4 And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it, by the two corners thereof, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it; and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withal.
5 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
6 And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.
7 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.
VII. The Ark—Gods Presence, Authority, Power, Holiness
Inside The Ark Of The Covenant
1. Manna2. Broken Ten Commandment (Tablets)3. Moses staff
VIII. The Mercy Seat—His Mercy, compassion.
The Mercy Seat represence Jesus as the mediator between God and Man.
Why an overview?
As we come close to the end of the tabernacle study we could have gotten lost in all the information presented. Such as:
I. Outside the fence of the courtyard represented the world.2. This curious looking Gate, which is very wide so anybody could come in at his or her free will.3. Then the Brazen Altar / Shadow of The Cross, where sacrifices are laid down and presented in the fire.4. Then at the Laver a type of water baptism proclamation that you going in a new direction.5. Then as we enter into the light (Candle Stick) fellowship of Light (Jesus)6. We recognize The Table of His Presence which is the bread of life.7. Then as we grow we understand and learn that at the Table of incense our prayers are offered up.8. Behind the Veil there are no shadows in the Glory of God, as the Ark Of God Stands before us.9. Looking at the mediator, The Mercy Seat our advocate we realize that we are complete in Him because of Him.
