The Tabernacle, Temple, and Sanctuary: Exodus 28 to 40

By Dennis Herman

The second book in this series deals with items used to build the Tabernacle. Who was involved, what materials were used, and how the design came together. This book does not jump around from book to book inside the Bible in the hopes of finding answers that seem to make sense. Instead, this book follows a simple rule of context stating, when a question arises, look back for the answer. This book was written on the fact, it was written by the world's greatest Teacher, Jesus. A good teacher will always provide the answer before asking the question. The Bible was written using that concept as a consistent rule. As we shall see, the answers Christ gave are often far different than many of the interpretations scattered around this world. Some of the answers may surprise you. And many of you will find yourself saying, “I knew that all along.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 18, 2015
• ISBN: 9781329630055

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The Tabernacle, Temple, and Sanctuary: Exodus 28 to 40

The Tabernacle, Temple, and Sanctuary

Exodus 28 to 40

Written by Dennis Herman

Copyright © 2015 Dennis Herman

All rights reserved

ISBN-978-1-329-63005-5

Publisher: Lulu.com

The Tabernacle, Temple, and Sanctuary: Genesis 1 to Exodus 27 by Dennis Herman

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Bibles:

NLTse New Living. Translation®. SECOND EDITION Tyndale House Publishers, Inc

KJV King James Version

MKJV Modern King James Version Sovereign Grace Publishers

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) (NLTse) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Introduction

The Tabernacle, Temple, and Sanctuary

Exodus 28 to 40

I don't want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. All of them ate the same spiritual food, and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.

(1 Corinthians 10:1-4 NLTse)

The second book in this series deals with items used to build the Tabernacle. Who was involved, what materials were used, and how the design came together. This book does not jump around from book to book inside the Bible in the hopes of finding answers that seem to make sense. Instead, this book follows a simple rule of context stating, when a question arises, look back for the answer. This book was written on the fact, it was written by the world's greatest Teacher, Jesus. A good teacher will always provide the answer before asking the question. The Bible was written using that concept as a consistent rule. As we shall see, the answers Christ gave are often far different than many of the interpretations scattered around this world. Some of the answers may surprise you. And many of you will find yourself saying, I knew that all along.

This book begins with a description of Aaron, the high priest's clothing, and finishes with a description of the first day the Tabernacle was assembled. In between we find descriptions of every item used to fabricate the Tabernacle, where they were located, and how they were used in services. Many of those items seem to be of little value compared to others, like the Ark. But when we follow the order God recorded them in, we see the Tabernacle in an entirely new light. We see the same lesson when we look at the people involved in fabricating every item for the Tabernacle.

This book follows the sequence Moses used to record all the details about the Tabernacle exactly the way they were recorded. This fresh and stimulating view of the Tabernacle built by Moses will not only open up your eyes to all the physical features of the Tabernacle, but also the people involved, as well as the lessons each piece was meant to teach. Not the way the world views God's home, but from the view Moses saw in Heaven, and recorded for us to learn from.

This book concentrates on lessons God continually taught about the priesthood God called Israel out of Egypt to fulfill. God had to somehow get the Egypt out of Israel they insisted on carrying with them. Each step on that journey through the wilderness revealed part of Egypt people clung onto and how God tried to teach them to leave those attributes behind, and accept His simple concept of becoming His kingdom of priests. This series of books shows how that wilderness journey was God's handbook for His priesthood. Which is more than dress and ceremonies. Far more than what has been written about the priesthood in the Old Testament. Journey along with Moses, Aaron, and everyone in that camp to view those lessons one at a time, and see how those lessons still apply today to God's kingdom of priests.

He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:6 NLTse)

Chapter 1 Priesthood

Aaron and His Sons

Exodus 28:1-4 NLTse  "Call for your brother, Aaron, and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Set them apart from the rest of the people of Israel so they may minister to me and be my priests.  (2)  Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful.  (3)  Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service.  (4)  These are the garments they are to make: a chestpiece, an ephod, a robe, a patterned tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother, Aaron, and his sons to wear when they serve me as priests.

We have to put ourselves in Moses' shoes so to speak. That first verse about calling his brother points to something personal. Moses brought his brother, and Aaron's two sons up that mountain to have dinner with God. They were joined by seventy elders. When we look at the Hebrew word for elder, we see it included both men and women. It seems like they left and went down the mountain when God showed Moses all the details about the Tabernacle.

There Moses saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. (Exodus 24:10 NLTse). Moses looked up to see a golden box with cherubim on top, facing each other, looking down at the top of the box. Moses walked around the box while God observed his interest and sense of awe. Moses looked at the detail in the wings, faces of the cherubim, and ripples in the robes they wore. Moses looked over at the design along the rim around the top. God smiled as Moses took a step back to take in the view. He bent down to look at the slender legs, then up at the corners of the box.

Moses turned around when God told him the box is made of acacia wood covered in pure gold. God went on to explain how the box is constructed, how the joints are made to hold the corners together, and how the legs fit into the reinforced corners. God explained the cover is made of a single, solid gold piece. God told Moses how the piece is to be designed and cast.

Moses looked at the poles through the rings attached to the four corners. God explained the poles are also made of acacia wood, covered in gold. God explained how the poles are designed so the Ark will not slide on the poles when it is carried. God pointed out the width and thickness of the rings. God also explained how gold used to cover the Ark is to be purified. Then God explained the process Moses must follow to make gold to cover the poles and rings. God explained how to heat the gold, hold it at the required temperature for a time, and when to add one material, wait, then add other materials in exact proportions at the proper time and temperature.

God moved Moses to the table. Moses was impressed with the way the gold shimmered on the simple design. Moses gave the same attention to detail to the simple table he gave to the Ark. The table didn't take as long to look over. Moses asked, let me guess, this is also acacia wood covered in gold. God smiled as He corrected Moses, pure gold. God was glad Moses was catching on so quickly. God went over details on the construction of the table like He explained about the Ark.

God showed Moses curtains hanging on the walls. He drew back the curtain to show a golden wall behind it. Moses looked up at the height of the wall. God went into great detail about the material for the curtains and the patterns sown into them. God showed Moses how the curtains were to be made, how many threads per inch, how to reinforce the edges, attach specially designed rings, and how to hang them.

Moses sat in awe as God showed him the supporting walls. How they were notched to fit into the silver bases, slide together, and interlock. Moses took a closer look at the walls. Seams were barely visible on that air tight seam designed to block out the wind. Moses wondered if Noah used the same seam. God showed Moses tools that had to be made and a method of manufacturing pieces to ensure each was exactly like the others. Moses thought, this is going to take some time. There is a lot to remember.

God knew Moses was not the most confident man in the world. Nor was he the wisest man. At times it took Moses longer to understand than it would take the average man. But once Moses understood, there was little that could shake his memory or confidence.

It took over a month for Moses to write down the descriptions God wanted in writing, and those regulations. There were many more details Moses had to dedicate to memory. Exact dimensions, formulas for materials, processes to make those materials, assembly instructions, and many more materials.

God suddenly changed to a new subject. Moses was to set his brother Aaron and his two sons apart from the rest of the people. Only three people were supposed to serve as priests. Since Israel turned down God's offer to become a kingdom of priests, God had no choice but to go to plan B. From a million priests to three. Talk about slowing down the plan salvation. Who can measure the cost in lives over the generations it took before Jesus ended the Levitical priesthood and showed the world that direct path to God's throne.

As we look back, we see a list of details God provided to prepare Aaron and his sons for the priesthood. God made a way for Aaron to escape from Egypt and led him straight to Moses. Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say. But Moses again pleaded, Lord, please! Send anyone else. Then the LORD became angry with Moses. All right, he said. What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you. Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do. Aaron will be your spokesman to the people. He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say. (Exodus 4:12-16 NLTse).

Not only did God tell Moses and Aaron everything to say, we see how God was busy arranging details long before Moses asked the question, or cast any shadow of doubt. God made a way for Aaron to leave Egypt and guided Aaron straight to his brother, all with perfect timing. This is an important lesson for a priest to learn. A priest has to have trust God has been working on details to solve problems long before we're aware it is a problem. When we see how God has been working on details, we owe it to God to tell people about how we were lost and confused before we saw God's plan clearly revealed. This is what a lot of people call a personal witness. God showed how this process works and the reason for the process at the Red Sea. And once again I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD!" So the Israelites camped there as they were told. (Exodus 14:4 NLTse).

All of those things are done for God's glory. As a priest, our greatest role is glorifying God by telling people what He has done in our lives. We become a personal witness for God which is the definition God placed on the priesthood.

The priesthood began at the Passover when the elders were called together. While the Israelites were still in the land of Egypt, the LORD gave the following instructions to Moses and Aaron: From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you. Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household. Then Moses called all the elders of Israel together and said to them, Go, pick out a lamb or young goat for each of your families, and slaughter the Passover animal. (Exodus 12:1-3, 21 NLTse).

Israel was instructed to share their personal experience including that event. When you enter the land the LORD has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony. Then your children will ask, 'What does this ceremony mean?' And you will reply, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.'" When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshiped. (Exodus 12:25-27 NLTse).

Before God began instructing priests about their roles, He had to get the Egyptian form of worship out of their systems. We've seen how God used a series of plagues to teach lessons designed to prepare Israel for the priesthood. Every time we look back, we see a few we've missed. As we slowly progress through the step by step process Moses recorded, we can see how they keep pointing us back to specific details.

It takes more than a personal witness to be a priest. Another detail recorded in the process is knowing God tells a priest what to say, when to say it, and who to say it to. This has to be the most difficult aspect of the priesthood to understand. Imagine a priest saying only what God tells them to say. Is there any other way? There are a thousand different ways to be a priest. All of them are variations of Egyptian practices they were supposed to leave in Egypt. God made it very clear – God either controls you, or you control the gods you worship.

God's form of worship is simple. You tell people your personal experiences with Him. How God set up details that effected and changed your life. Tell people how you learned to trust God. How God communicates with you. How God surprised you. How God blessed you.

The form of worship left behind in Egypt was far different. Priest told people what they needed to do to serve their gods. They had to follow orders from priests appointed by Pharaoh. Their gods didn't communicate with people. There was no way for their gods to communicate with people – they didn't exist. The priests set