All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable…” (2 Tim. 3:16).
Today some are attempting to cut portions from God’s Word (much of it from the Old Testament and the Gospels) and present to the public a so-called shorter Bible. We who believe in the plenary inspiration of Scripture see Satan’s subtlety behind such human presumption. Yet may we not commit virtually the same sin through neglect? For instance, the enumeration of materials, quantities and dimensions relating to the tabernacle structure may be regarded as uninteresting and unimportant even by the Christian reader. We say we believe that all Scripture is inspired, but do we always believe it is all profitable to the people of God?
Lest we should still be inclined to neglect this part of God’s Word, the divine Author has further emphasized its significance:
1. By length of treatment: Only two consecutive chapters in our Bible are given to the whole account of God’s great work in creation, while forty-three chapters (Ex. 25-40 and all of Leviticus) are given to the tabernacle and its ceremonies. This is no mere chance. The mind of God determined the relative space for each subject’s treatment.
2. By repetition: Exodus 25-28 is detailed instruction from God as to how the tabernacle should be built. As far as actual information is concerned, it would have sufficed to close with one statement that it was made just as the Lord commanded Moses. But instead, Exodus 35-40 is wholly given to provide an accurate account of how it was built. Verse after verse of the two passages are practically identical except that the tense is changed. In the former we find, “Thou shalt make it;” in the latter, “He made it.” Then in Exodus 39 and 40, it is stated, not once but seventeen times, that it was made “as the Lord commanded Moses.” And crowning this detailed and repeated account, Scripture says, “…the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Ex. 40:34).
But God has emphasized this subject’s significance still further.
3. By many New Testament references to it: The Epistle to the Hebrews is an invaluable commentary on this portion of Scripture. But the opposite is also true: Hebrews cannot be understood apart from a thorough knowledge of the tabernacle plan and worship. Nor are the many New Testament references confined to Hebrews. They are in the Gospels, in Acts, in many of the Epistles, and in Revelation.
How important, then, to give special study to a subject so stressed by the Holy Spirit both in the Old and New Testaments.
4. By the reality behind the symbolism: Some may argue about finer details and what they symbolize, if anything. But how can you question that a journey to the tabernacle was a journey to heaven (in a figure)? For the inspired Scriptures tell us that the earthly arrangements were “figures of the true [tabernacle]” (Heb. 9:24). And it ought to be obvious to anyone who takes Scripture seriously that Christ was prefigured in, among other things, the sacrifices, the priesthood, and the manna. His body is called a veil.
If, then, the study of the tabernacle takes us to heaven and to the Lord Jesus, we would do well to take such a journey–and often!
God had said to Israel that if they would obey His voice and keep His covenant, they would be a peculiar treasure to Him above all people; they would be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. Little knowing what such a proposal involved, they agreed. This was the beginning of Israel’s theocracy. God was now their King. Thus a dwelling place for the King was built–the tabernacle. This is beautifully manifested in Exodus 25:8 where God says, “Let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.”
We also “are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). Although there are striking differences, we may learn much about our functioning as priests by studying how the priests were to function in former days as they offered up spiritual sacrifices to the Lord.