The Tabernacle
The Courtyard
Published on Sunday, 17 April 2011 14:49 | Written by Administrator | | | Hits: 7942
The Courtyard
The Command:
Ex 27:9 Make a courtyard for the tabernacle. The south side shall be a hundred cubits long and is to have curtains of finely twisted linen
Ex 27:10 with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases and with silver hooks and bands on the posts.
Ex 27:11 The north side shall also be a hundred cubits long and is to have curtains, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases and with silver hooks and bands on the posts.
Ex 27:12 The west end of the courtyard shall be fifty cubits wide and have curtains, with ten posts and ten bases.
Ex 27:13 On the east end, toward the sunrise, the courtyard shall also be fifty cubits wide.
Ex 27:14 Curtains fifteen cubits long are to be on one side of the entrance, with three posts and three bases,
Ex 27:15 and curtains fifteen cubits long are to be on the other side, with three posts and three bases.
Ex 27:16 For the entrance to the courtyard, provide a curtain twenty cubits long, of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen-- the work of an embroiderer-- with four posts and four bases.
Ex 27:17 All the posts around the courtyard are to have silver bands and hooks, and bronze bases.
Ex 27:18 The courtyard shall be a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide, with curtains of finely twisted linen five cubits high, and with bronze bases.
Ex 27:19 All the other articles used in the service of the tabernacle, whatever their function, including all the tent pegs for it and those for the courtyard, are to be of bronze. NIV (italics mine).
Ex 40:8 Set up the courtyard around it and put the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. NIV (italics mine).
The Fence
The Size and Design
God, alone, was the designer of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, from the fence and gate that surrounded the court to the utensils used to minister at the altar and within the Tent of Meeting. No detail, however small, was left to the speculation of the Israelites. Moses saw to it that they did everything exactly as God had shown him on the mountain.
Next they made the courtyard. The south side was a hundred cubits long and had curtains of finely twisted linen, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and with silver hooks and bands on the posts. The north side was also a hundred cubits long and had twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, with silver hooks and bands on the posts.
The west end was fifty cubits wide and had curtains, with ten posts and ten bases, with silver hooks and bands on the posts. The east end, toward the sunrise, was also fifty cubits wide. Curtains fifteen cubits long were on one side of the entrance, with three posts and three bases, and curtains fifteen cubits long were on the other side of the entrance to the courtyard, with three posts and three bases. All the curtains around the courtyard were of finely twisted linen. The bases for the posts were bronze. The hooks and bands on the posts were silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver; so all the posts of the courtyard had silver bands.
The curtain for the entrance to the courtyard was of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen -- the work of an embroiderer. It was twenty cubits long and, like the curtains of the courtyard, five cubits high, with four posts and four bronze bases. Their hooks and bands were silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver. All the pegs of the tabernacle and the surrounding courtyard were bronze. Exodus 38:9-20 NIV (italics and bold mine.)
The Materials, Purpose and Symbolism of the Linen Fence
The fence was of white linen fabric. This is clearly an unusual choice of materials to form a fence. God very often uses the unusual or unexpected in His dealings with man. God’s concern here was not really security. He was more than sufficient security for the Tabernacle.
His real concern was the message symbolized by; the design, construction, and the materials used to construct it. The north and south sides were each approximately one hundred fifty feet (100 cubits x 18 inches) long and the east and west ends were seventy- five feet (50 cubits x 18 inches) wide. The fence was 7 1/2 feet (5 cubits x 18 inches) high on all sides and ends.
The white of the linen fence spoke of purity and holiness. The very existence of the fence spoke of unapproachability standing as a barrier to those who would come by any way but the gate which we will discuss later.
The height of the fence blocked the view of the curious passerby. The holy, pure and righteous nature of God as expressed in His law given through Moses stood as a barrier between God and man. Man in his sinfulness could not approach God without a covering for his sin (Genesis 3:1-21) and even the covering of a blood sacrifice was only temporary. This is why the sacrifices had to be repeated over and over, year after year.
" Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the Lord." Exodus 30:10 NIV (italics mine).
This is to be a lasting ordinance for you; Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites." Leviticus 16:34 NIV (italics mine).
The promise of God, through Abraham, was that He would provide a perfect sacrifice that would remove sin once for all.
Abraham answered," God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." Genesis 22:8 NIV (italics mine).
The Posts of the Fence
Their Materials and Design
The posts were made of shittim (acacia) wood referred to in the Septuagint* as incorruptible wood.
*Greek translation of Old Testament scriptures completed by 72 Palestinian Jewish scribes in 70 days for Ptolemy II of Egypt several centuries before Christ.
Webster’s New World Dictionary defines shittim wood as the close grained yellowish-brown wood of the Asiatic shittah tree. Webster’s New World Dictionary definesincorrupt as follows:
not corrupt; specif., a) uncontaminated; not rotten. b) morally sound; not depraved, evil, impure, or perverted c) not taking bribes; upright; honest d) containing no errors, alterations, or foreign admixtures
These pure acacia (shittim) wood posts were not overlaid with bronze or gold. They did have silver caps and bands which will be discussed separately.
Their Bases
The bases for the posts were of bronze. These bronze bases served to stabilize the posts without digging holes to sink them into the earth from which they had been taken. The bronze bases made it much quicker and easier to set up and take down the fence. This was important since the camp was to be kept ready to move at any time. The bronze bases also kept the posts up out of the ground which helped to preserve them. Bronze (brass ) in scripture speaks of judgment.
The Bronze Stakes
There were fifty - six posts for the fence plus the four posts of the gate (60 total). This fence surrounding the Tabernacle court implied a symbolic truth; that all the world and all mankind will either accept God's provision of grace and become part of His elect or fall under the power of His divine judgment.
This fence was secured by ropes to two bronze stakes, one within and one without the courtyard. These stakes and cords together with the bronze bases made the fence very secure. These stakes and the cords that attached to them will be discussed in greater detail under the heading, "The Ropes and Stakes of the Tent of Meeting and Courtyard".
The Bands and Caps on the Posts
Each post had a silver cap, hook and band. Silver in scripture speaks of blood and purity.
The band is not a decorative band around the post as one might suppose. In the KJV the word bands is rendered fillets and Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance shows the Hebrew word to have been chashuq or chashuwq defined as follows:
chashuq, khaw-shook; or
chashuwq, khaw-shook’; pass. part. of chashaq; attached, i.e. a fence-rail, or rod connecting the posts or pillars: --fillet.
chashaq, khaw-shak’; a prime root; to cling, i.e. join, (fig.) to love, delight in; ellipt. (or by interch. for chasak) to deliver; -- have a delight, (have a) desire, fillet, long, set (in) love.
chasak, khaw-sak’; a prime root; to restrainor (reflex.) refrain; by impl. to refuse, spare, preserve; also (by Interch. with chashak) to observe: -- assuage,darken, forbear, hinder, hold back, keep (back), punish, refrain, reserve, spare, withhold. chashak, khaw-shak’; a prime root; to be dark (as withholding light); transit. to darken: -- be black, be (make) dark, darken, cause darkness, be dim, hide.
These bands then were like connecting rods linking one post with another and undoubtedly also served to hold up the curtains that formed the fence.
"I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them." Hosea 11:4 KJV (italics mine).
These silver bands (connecting rods) then speak to us of the sacrifice and love of the Lord which draw us to Him as He frees us from bondage under the yoke of sin and provides for our needs.
However we see in the Hebrew definitions not only the cling(ing), join(ing) to love, delight(ing) in us and restrain(ing) or refrain(ing), refuse(ing), spar(ing), preserv(ing); hold(ing)(us) back from trouble and sparing us from destruction, but also the withholding (of) light, darken(ing) be(ing) black, mak(ing) dark, darken(ing), caus(ing) darkness, be(ing) dim, hid(ing).
Thus we see implied here the idea of keeping some in the safety and security of love and light while others, through their own choosing, are shut out in darkness, with love and light hidden from them.
God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.Genesis 1:4 NIV (italics mine).
It is the LORD our God who separates the light from the darkness. The Egyptians were placed into darkness when they refused free the Israelite slaves and let them leave Egypt.
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt – darkness that can be felt." So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or leave his place for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived. Exodus 10:21-23 NIV (italics mine).
"When I brought your fathers out of Egypt, you came to the sea, and the Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen as far as the Red Sea. But they cried to the LORD for help, and he put darkness between you and the Egyptians; he brought the sea over them and covered them." Joshua 24:6-7 NIV (italics mine).
Some choose the darkness over the light. They think the darkness covers their sinful deeds. In one sense it does. Their spiritual eyes are blinded and so they do not have to deal with the full weight of their own conscience. What they fail to realize is that their sins are not hidden from God.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the night become night around me, " even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalms 139:11-12 NIV (italics mine).
Spiritual darkness is the deepest darkness of all. The Truth of God brings light and if the Truth is absent only darkness is left. If the greatest light we have is darkness, the darkness is terrible beyond description.
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness." Matthew 6:23 NIV (italics mine).
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But the way of the wicked is like a deep darkness: they do not know what makes them stumble. Proverbs 4:19 NIV (italics mine).
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But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because darkness has blinded him. 1 John 2:11 NIV (italics mine).
God makes a distinction between those who love Him and those who do not. He has done it before and He will do it again.
"He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness." 1 Samuel 2:9 NIV (italics mine).
God calls all who will come out of darkness into the light. When Saul (later known as Paul) was on the road to Damascus, to persecute believers there, Jesus appeared to him and said:
"—‘I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness for their sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’" Acts 26:17-18 NIV (italics mine).
So, then, God has placed the ball in our court. He has given us the choice. We can continue to love sin and try to hide in the darkness, if we wish. Or we can, through faith in Jesus Christ, come out of the darkness into the light of Truth and live as God intended in the joy and peace of the LORD.
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the LORD Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:12-14 NIV (italics mine).
It is obvious that the message of the silver bands, hooks and caps relates to the distinction God makes between those who love Him and those who don't and the resulting light or darkness in their souls. God sent the light to everyone but sadly some won't accept it, preferring the darkness that keeps them from seeing the truth. This is also discussed under the heading,"The Purpose and Message of the Fence".
The silver used here, in these bands and caps for the posts, was from the one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred seventy - five (1775) shekels obtained as a ransom described in Exodus 30:11-16; 38:25-27. The symbolism of this is discussed more fully later as we examine, "The Foundation of the Building (Tent of Meeting)" and the sources of the materials for it.
The Gate
The Command:
Ex 27:13 On the east end, toward the sunrise, the courtyard shall also be fifty cubits wide.
Ex 27:14 Curtains fifteen cubits long are to be on one side of the entrance, with three posts and three bases,
Ex 27:15 and curtains fifteen cubits long are to be on the other side with three posts and three bases.
Ex 27:16 For the entrance to the courtyard, provide a curtain twenty cubits long, of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen -- the work of an embroiderer -- with four posts and four bases. NIV (italics mine).
The east-end, toward the sunrise, was also fifty cubits (75 feet) wide. Curtains fifteen cubits (22.5 feet) long were on either side of the entrance, each with three posts and three bases. This was a total of six posts and six bases for the two segments of the east fence. This left an opening twenty cubits (30 feet) wide in the middle of the east end for the gate at the entrance to the courtyard.
The curtain for the gate of the entrance to the courtyard was of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen -- the work of an embroiderer. It was twenty cubits (30 feet) long and, like the curtains of the courtyard, five cubits (7 1/2 feet) high, with four posts and four bronze bases. These four posts and bases were in addition to the fifty-six posts and bases if the fence. Their hooks and bands were silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver.
The Size, Materials and Colors of the Gate
The Command:
Ex 27:16 For the entrance to the courtyard, provide a curtain twenty cubits long, of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen -- the work of an embroiderer -- with four posts and four bases. NIV (italics mine).
The gate to the courtyard was on the east-side of the courtyard and was twenty. cubits (30 feet) wide. It was the most ornate part of the fence. The curtain of the gate hung upon the silver hooks and bands (rods) of four acacia wood posts capped with silver. The posts were each set in a bronze base and fastened by cords to bronze stakes driven into the ground like those for the rest of the fence. The symbolism of the posts, bands and caps was discussed previously under the heading,"Their Bands and Caps" above in Chapter Two.
-- with four posts and four bronze bases. Their hooks and bands were silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver. All the tent pegs of the tabernacle and the surrounding courtyard were bronze. Exodus 38:19-20 NIV (italics mine).
As before the acacia wood posts symbolized the incorruptible humanity of Jesus. The bronze bases and stakes symbolize judgment, the silver symbolizes the blood of Jesus shed for the sin of mankind. It is important to note here the specific use of four posts and four bases. Four is the number of the world (four-corners of the earth, four seasons) and the number of books (Matthew, Mark Luke and John) bringing the gospel story of Jesus to that world.
The curtain of the gate was of finely twisted white linen embroidered with blue, purple and scarlet (red) yarn. The white represents the purity and holiness of the Lord. The blue represented His heavenly origin and authority, the purple His royalty and the scarlet His blood sacrifice. This would become the message of the four gospels centuries later.
The Purpose and Message of the Gate
The obvious purpose of the gate was to admit the priests and the people bringing sacrifices to worship God. Symbolic of the risen (resurrected) Son, the gate, the only entrance, was always on the east-end toward the rising sun, as a promise of things to come.
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. --" Malachi 4:2 NIV (italics mine).
"-- because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."Luke 1:78-79 NIV (italics mine).
We note that the gate was wide, twenty cubits (30 feet) wide, so it would admit a number of people at a time. Twenty is the number that symbolizes personal accountability. Twenty was the age at which young men were first counted in the census.
The curtain for the gate hung upon four posts which is the number of gospels that bring, to the world, the good news concerning the fulfillment of God’s promise to send Messiah (Jesus). Four is also the number that symbolizes the world. The good news of God's desire for reconciliation with mankind hung upon Jesus and His willingness to pay the awful price of sin. God is not trying to keep people out of his kingdom! Quite the contrary;
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV (italics mine).
The desire of God is that all would come to Him to be saved. He has even provided the way that satisfies the law. However, He only provided ONE way -- JESUS!
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NIV (italics mine).
Jesus answered, " I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. " John. 14:6 NIV (italics mine).
"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber." John 10:1 NIV (italics mine).
The beautifully embroidered gate was the only attractive part of the entire fence. Just as the gate was the only beautiful part of the Tabernacle visible from the outside so the Gospel message is the only attraction to those outside the kingdom. Just as this gate was the only way into the couryard, faith in Jesus is the only way into God's kingdom.
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jn 14:6 (italics mine).
3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.Heb 2:3-4 NIV (italics mine).
The purpose of the gate was to admit those seeking God. The message of the gate: this is the only way to reconciliation and redemption.
The Purpose and Message of the Fence
The white linen fence, representing purity and holiness, was hung upon silver hooks on silver bands which hung upon acacia (shittim) wood posts. The posts were capped with silver and resting in bronze bases.
The silver represents the blood of redemption in scripture, the wood humanity, and bronze judgment. We can then see a picture forming of Jesus, the only incorruptible human with His blood of redemption upon the altar and the power of judgment at His feet, redeeming lost humanity to Himself.
The wood posts were not covered with bronze symbolizing judgment or gold symbolizing royalty, glory and deity, since these qualities would repel those lost in sin. Jesus, at His first coming, did not come as king to judge but as a servant to seek out and save.
"For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost." Luke 19:10 NIV (italics mine).
Nevertheless His holy nature, reflected in His steadfast commitment to God and determination to uphold a standard of righteousness, is a barrier, symbolized by the the white linen fence, to those who will not enter by faith in Jesus. He is the only gate provided.
Jesus answered,"I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me. --." John 14:6 NIV (italics mine).
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13 NIV (italics mine).
Unfortunately there have always been those who want to find their own way into God’s favor. Cain, the firstborn of Adam and Eve, tried it and failed (Genesis 4:1-8). Some try to earn their way in by good deeds (Rom 9:10-13; Eph 2:7-10). Others by reliance upon God’s mercy assuming that since they are better than most, God surely would not permit them to be lost (Luke 18:9-14).
Still others rely upon religious piety and ritual. They often assume that if they believe that a god or higher power exists, and attend some church or involve themselves in some form of religious activity or charity, they will be saved. These poor unfortunate individuals do not understand, or will not accept, the fact that God only saves on the basis of RELATIONSHIP with his Son Jesus.
Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' "Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you . Away from me you evildoers!’ " Matthew 7:22-23 NIV (italics mine).
Jesus wasn't saying that He did not know who these people were. He is God, their Creator, and certainly knew who they were. What He was saying, and will say to many at the judgment, was that they never permitted Him to have a close personal relationship with them. Scripture portrays the true church as the bride of Christ Jesus. Why would He marry someone He doesn't have a good relationship with? The time to start building that relationship is now!
God provided the gate, Jesus, through which we can come to Him. The choice of whether to go through it is ours!
how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? Hebrews 2:3 NIV (italics mine).
The Altar of Burnt Offering
The Command:
Ex 27:1 Build an altar of acacia wood, three cubits high; it is to be square,five cubits long and five cubits wide.
Ex 27:2 Make a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar are of one piece, and overlay the altar with bronze.
Ex 27:3 Make all its utensils of bronze-- its pots to remove the ashes, and
its shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks and firepans.
Ex 27:4 Make a grating for it, a bronze network, and make a bronze ring at
each of the four corners of the network.
Ex 27:5 Put it under the ledge of the altar so that it is halfway up the altar.
Ex 27:6 Make poles of acacia wood for the altar and overlay them with bronze.
Ex 27:7 The poles are to be inserted into the rings so they will be on two sides of the altar when it is carried.
Ex 27:8 Make the altar hollow, out of boards. It is to be made just as you were shown on the mountain. NIV (italics mine).
The Size and Position of the Altar of Burnt Offering
Ex 40:6 Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting; NIV (italics mine).
The altar was five cubits (7.5 feet) long and five cubits (7.5 feet) wide, by three cubits (4.5 feet) high. This was the largest of the articles of service for which dimensions are given. It also held the most visible and prominent place, being the very first article the worshiper would approach upon entering the courtyard. No one could enter the courtyard and approach the tent without passing the bronze altar.
The Materials of the Altar of Burnt Offering
Ex 25:1 The LORD said to Moses,
Ex 25:2 Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give.
Ex 25:3 These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze ;
Ex 25:4 blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair;
Ex 25:5 ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows; acacia wood;
Ex 25:6 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;
Ex 25:7 and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.
Ex 25:8 Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.NIV (italics mine).
The acacia wood for the altar and the bronze for the altar tools used at the Altar of Burnt Offering were received from the freewill offering given by the Israelites. As we have seen previously, acacia (shittim) is referred to in the Septuagint as "incorruptible" and bronze is symbolic of judgment. The wood of the altar and the staves for carrying it were overlaid with bronze. The grate and all of the tools and utensils of the altar were made of solid bronze.
The sheets of beaten bronze that covered the altar itself did not come from the freewill offering. This bronze came from a very different source. During the time Moses was leading the Hebrews through the desert Korah, a Levite, with Dathan, Abiram and On, plus 250 community leaders, rose up in rebellion.
Korah and some his fellow Levites became insolent toward Moses and Aaron accusing them of setting themselves above the rest. They said,
"You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD's assembly?" Num 16:3 NIV (italics mine).
So a test was arranged so that the Lord could reveal who He had chosen. The leaders were to present themselves before the Lord with censers filled with incense. The Lord gave instructions through Moses for the two hundred fifty leaders to come before Him carrying censers filled with incense. Korah, his men, their families and all of their possessions were swallowed up when the earth split open beneath them. Then, regarding the rebels from the other tribes, scripture says:
And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.
The Lord said to Moses, "Tell Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, to take the censers* out of the smoldering remains and scatter the coals some distance away, for the censers are holy -- the sensers of the men who sinned at the cost of their lives. Hammer the censers* into sheets to overlay the altar, for they were presented before the lord and have become holy. Let them be a sign to the Israelites.
39 So Eleazar the priest collected the bronze censers brought by those who had been burned up, and he had them hammered out to overlay the altar, 40 as the LORD directed him through Moses. This was to remind the Israelites that no one except a descendant of Aaron should come to burn incense before the LORD, or he would become like Korah and his followers." Numbers 16:35-40; NIV (italics mine).
*an ornamental container used for the burning of incense.
This altar was to be a constant reminder that sin carries a heavy penalty. Nevertheless, it was also the place where sin could be atoned for.
The Design of the Altar of Burnt Offering
The altar of burnt offering was built of acacia wood overlaid with bronze. It was perfectly square with horns on each of the four-corners four is the number symbolic of the world. It also had a bronze grate that was constructed to sit inside the altar about halfway up from the base. The four-corners of the altar had bronze rings for carrying it and acacia wood staves (long poles) covered with bronze, which were inserted into the rings when it was to be moved. The Shittim (red acacia) wood used is one of the densest and hardest of woods. Nevertheless, the constant fire within the altar would have eventually consumed the wood frame were it not for the bronze covering. The bronze encasing the wood prevented air, an essential component for combustion, from reaching the wood. Although the wood undoubtedly became hot at times, it was not consumed.
The Horns of the Altar of Burnt Offering
The horns of the altar were not just a decoration as one might suppose. They carried with them significant symbolism and meaning. The horns represented the power and authority of office -- the power of leaders -- to save or destroy. Psalms 75:10 speaks of the horns of the wicked being cut off and of exalting the horns of the righteous.
Lamentations 2:3 says that in fierce anger the Lord has cut off every horn of Israel. Finally in Micah 4:13 God promises, one day, to restore the horns of Israel making them like iron. The implication being that the strength, leadership and defense of the disobedient will be removed leaving them helpless and hopeless but the elect of the Lord, though they may suffer His discipline, will prevail in the end.
The symbolism of the horn is identified with the Lord in Psalms 18:2 as follows:
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. " Psalm 18;2, NIV (italics mine).
The horns of the Altar of Burnt Offering represent the power of the Lord to defend and save. In 1 Kings 15:28 we see that when word reached Solomon that Adonijah had tried to steal the throne of David from Solomon, Joab, a coconspirator, ran to the Tabernacle and took hold of the horns of the altar seeking the protection of the Lord.
Although there are two altars connected with the Tabernacle, this brazen altar and the gold Altar of Incense inside the Tent of Meeting, this brazen altar, outside the Tent of Meeting clearly must have been the one Adonijah and others ran to since only priests were allowed to enter the Tent of Meeting.
The Purpose and Message of the Altar of Burnt Offering
The obvious purpose of the Altar of Burnt Offering was to provide a place for the preparing of sacrifices to the Lord. All sacrifices; bulls, rams, goats, lambs, etc. were brought here to be sacrificed. Their blood was sprinkled upon the altar, spilled at the base of it, and in certain cases taken inside the tent as well. These acts of sacrifice brought atonement for the people’s sin and temporarily stayed the judgment of God.
"The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you." Exodus 12:13 NIV (italics mine).
In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22 NIV (italics mine).
These sacrifices had to be repeated again and again. They could not eliminate the sins of those making the sacrifices. They could only temporarily cover them. The symbolism of this altar and the ceremonies connected with it, however, go far beyond that obvious purpose.
For mankind to be redeemed from sin, the penalty required for sin by the Law of God given through Moses had to be satisfied. That penalty is death. As previously mentioned in the discussion of the linen fence, the sacrifices of animals only gave a temporary covering for sin -- they did not cleanse the one making the offering.
If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Hebrews 10:2-4 NIV (italics mine).
So we see that the sins of those making the offerings were temporarily covered but their consciences were not cleared. Something more was needed -- a REDEEMER -- the perfect LAMB of GOD (see: Ram 3:23-26). This is discussed further in the Perfect Offering below and in Chapter 5.
The blood of animals could not pay for the sins of men. The penalty for the sins of men had to be paid by a man who had never sinned, for; if he had sinned, his life could only pay the price for his own sin. Only undefiled, sinless blood could pay the penalty for another. Jesus, as Son of Man, qualified to satisfy the law on the point of humanity. As a man, the Son of God, filled with God’s Holy Spirit and love, fully satisfied the law on every point and therefore He was qualified to be the perfect sinless substitute sacrifice.
But more than that, being the divine Son of God, His holy blood could pay, not just the price for one, but for all who will accept what He has offered.
I am reminded here of a story related to me recently by my grandson. Apparently he heard it from the Youth Leader at his church. he related it to me as follows:
A king passed a law and said that anyone who violated the law would be punished by being publicly beaten. Sometime later some men of the town came to him with news that someone had broken the law. He decreed that the individual must be punished.
They had not told the king that the violator was his own mother. When the day set for administering the puniishment arrived those charged with admistering the beating brought his mother out. The king did not relent and ordered the punishment.
They fastened her hands with straps and prepared to beat her. The king then stood up and walked to her and putting himself between her and the man with the whip removed his shirt and commanded the man to lay on the stripes. Each time others violated the law he did the same for each one.
That is what Jesus did for each of us but the punishment Jesus took for us was the death penalty.
As we noted in the fence, the wood represents incorruptible humanity -- Jesus. It is overlaid with bronze, symbolic of judgment, because He took all of the judgment for our sin and He will one-day judge all sin. The horns symbolize the power of the LORD to save all who call upon Jesus name. But in calling they must believe that He is the Son of God, that He died to pay the debt for our sins, that He rose the third day and is now seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven.
The message of the altar is the message the Holy Spirit gave through Abraham,
"God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." Genesis 22:8 NIV (italics mine).
and the message of Jesus from the cross,
"It is finished " John 19:30 NIV (italics mine).
God has provided the only adequate sacrifice, Jesus. He also provided the fire for the altar:
Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown. Leviticus 9:23 NIV (italics mine).
All that God planned to do, and indeed could do, to provide for the redemption of mankind is finished.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV (italics mine).
All that is left for anyone to be redeemed, is to accept Jesus, God’s provision, by faith. For it is written:
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:8-11 NIV (italics mine).
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Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1 - 2 NIV (italics mine).
The Laver
The Command:
Ex 30:17 Then the LORD said to Moses,
Ex 30:18 Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for washing. Place it
between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it.
Ex 30:19 Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it.
Ex 30:20 Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting an offering made to the LORD by fire,
Ex 30:21 they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.NIV (italics mine).
Ex 38:8 They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of
the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. NIV (italics mine).
The Size and Shape of the Laver
This is the only article in the Courtyard or the Tabernacle for which no dimensions are given. Since no dimensions are given we do not know the size of the laver or its base. We do know that it was a very large bronze basin, on a base, filled with water for washing. It was here that the priests washed their hands and feet as they ministered at the altar and prior to entering the Tent of Meeting.
The Materials of the Laver and its Base
Ex 30:18 Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for washing. Place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it. NIV (italics mine).
The Laver and its base were of solid bronze (brass in KJV). This, of course, speaks of judgment. The specific source of this bronze, however, is both interesting and significant. Scripture tells us:
They made the bronze basin from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting; Exodus 38:8 NIV (italics mine).
Mirrors of this era were made of polished brass or bronze. Mirrors are, of course, a tool for human vanity by which we can primp, preen and admire ourselves as we put on the face and appearance we want others to see. This is not to say that it is evil to try to look presentable when we go out in public. We don’t have to go far, however, to see examples of improving our appearance being carried to the extreme. Here God has used these tools of vanity to make the Laver where the priests were to wash off the filth of the world prior to serving at the Altar of Burnt Offering or entering the Tent of Meeting.
The Position of the Laver
Ex 40:7 place the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar and put water in it. NIV (italics mine).
The Laver was positioned directly in front of the Tent of Meeting between the Altar of Burnt Offering and the tent.
He placed the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing,Exodus 40:30 NIV (italics mine).
The placement of the Laver would make it necessary for anyone approaching the Tent of Meeting to pass by the Laver. This was important since anyone wishing to enter the tent was required to wash first. Anyone failing to wash their hands and feet would, therefore, die without excuse.
-- they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come. Exodus 30:21 NIV (italics mine).
The Purpose and Message of the Laver
The bronze of the Laver symbolizes judgment of sin. Sprinkling with or washing with water symbolized spiritual cleansing in scripture. The ministry at the Laver symbolized cleansing and separation from sin.
"A man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer and put them in a ceremonially clean place outside the camp. They shall be kept by the Israelite community for use in the water of cleansing; it is for purification from sin." Numbers 19:9 NIV (italics mine).
"But if a person who is unclean does not purify himself, he must be cut off from the community, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on him, and he is unclean." Numbers 19:20 NIV (italics mine).
The scriptures quoted above do not relate to the water in the Laver but speak of the special water of cleansing, for purification from sin, made with ashes from a red heifer. This special water mixture was used to purify those people and things that came into contact with dead bodies.
The ashes of the heifer were not placed in the water in the Laver. It contained only fresh water but this pure fresh water in the Laver was also for cleansing. The priests were required to wash at the Laver each time to remove the blood, dirt and grime from their hands and feet prior to serving at the altar or entering the Tent of Meeting. The penalty for failure to wash was death.
"Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it. Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting an offering made to the Lord by fire, they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. --" Exodus 30:20 -21 NIV (italics mine).
From this command we see that this was a serious matter. It is important to note here that the instructions from the Lord did not say to bathe Aaron and his sons. This was done by Moses only once when anointing them into the priesthood.
Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water. Leviticus 8:6 NIV (italics mine).
This washing of the priests by Moses, recorded in Leviticus 8:6, was symbolic of the washing in the blood of Christ. The old filth (sin) was gone forever. Thereafter, the priest bathed himself prior to putting on the holy garments and then as he served only the repeated washing of the hands and feet was required to remove the dirt and grime accumulated during the course of his duties as priest.
We see an example of this as Jesus was preparing to wash the feet of His disciples. Peter objected, shocked that the Lord would want to humble Himself to wash Peter’s feet.
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. John 13:8 -11 NIV (italics mine).
So one may ask, "What’s so bad about dirty hands and feet?" The issue wasn’t the soiled hands and feet. The issue was obedience to God’s command and the message God was sending to the world.
The priests were bathed by Moses at the time of their anointing symbolizing the washing of redemption. However, as the priests worked in the courtyard with the people and animals, preparing the sacrifices, their feet and hands became very soiled. To allow them to enter the holy place without washing would have sent the message that a person can enter God’s presence in an unclean condition -- without cleansing the accumulated sin from their life. Therefore, it was necessary for them to wash the fresh grime (symbolic of new sin) from their hands and feet each time prior to ministering at the altar and before entering the tent.
The Laver speaks of the Holy Spirit that continually cleanses us:
"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26 NIV(italics mine).
Jesus prayed for His disciples and all believers as follows:
"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. --." John 17:17 NIV (italics mine).
"For them I sanctify myself that they may be truly sanctified." John 17:19NIV (italics mine).
"I have made you known to them and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I may be in them." John 17:26 NIV (italics mine).
And again speaking to His disciples He said:
"You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you" John 15:3 NIV (italics mine).
The Laver was symbolic of the Word of God. The water it contained symbolized the Holy Spirit. We think of the word of God as the Holy Scriptures, which reveal God to us, but the Word of God is also Jesus because He is the ultimate revelation of God. The scriptures are alive in a spiritual sense because the Holy Spirit makes them live within us.
"In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1 NIV (italics mine).
"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:38-39 NIV (italics mine).
The washing was symbolic of self-judgment under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote:
But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world." 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 NIV (italics mine).
"-- just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." Ephesians 5:26 NIV (italics mine).
To rightly judge the sin in our own lives we must have the Word of God in our hearts. Sadly, today, many people feel they get all of God's Word they need listening to their minister preach on Sunday morning and if they attend other services they really feel they are full of scriptural knowledge. Consequently, they reject self study since they feel no necessity to sacrifice the time or energy necessary.
No country in the world has, and no country in the history of the world has ever had, more Bibles in the homes of its citizens. Sadly, the vast majority of the prescious books only gather dust because people don't seem to realize that studying, to capture more of the words of God in our mind and heart, leads to having more of the Jesus, the true Word of God, in our mind and heart. This attitude has made most of the church spiritually anemic.
It is not possible for us to fully comprehend the real spiritual connection between God and His words but scripture makes it abundantly clear that this connection exits:
3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. Gen 1:3; NIV (italics mine).
1:1 In the beginning was the Word , and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1; NIV (italics mine).
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 1 Thess 2:13; NIV (italics mine).
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb 4:12; NIV (italics mine).
This is by no means intended to imply that those who have not had the opportunity to learn to read and write are relegated to a second class status in spiritual matters. I believe the Lord provides for their needs. My intentions is only to say that those whom God has gifted with the ability to study - should study! He is the Creator of all life - surely what He has to say deserves a little of our time!
No dimensions were given for the Laver because there is no way for men to measure the Word of God, its power, its influence or value. Further there is no way to establish how much of it is needed, since this is a personal issue between each believer and the Lord and varies with the situation. We cannot get too much of God’s Word. It is impossible to get too much Truth -- too much of God! (see: LAMB of GOD (see: John 1:1).
I
The Purpose and Message of the Courtyard
It is interesting to note that the courtyard was fifty cubits wide and one hundred cubits long and the fence was five cubits high with a gate twenty cubits wide. Therefore, the height of the fence, five cubits, indicates grace while the width of the gate, twenty cubits, represents divine order.
The width of the courtyard fifty cubits represents the number of Jubilee or freedom. The length of the courtyard one hundred cubits represents perfect order, full compliance with divine law and order and victory over trial and testing. God's kingdom is a place of freedom, victory over all testing and trials, a place of peace, order and compliance with His will.
The fifty-six posts of the fence symbolize the rest, restoration, Jubilee freedom mankind can find within. Adding the four posts of the gate makes the total sixty which speaks to the fact that all of mankind will submit to God, one day, either having accepted His divine grace and provision or facing His divine judgment!
It is also interesting that the brazen altar was five cubits square and that all of the above numbers are multiples of five, the number of God’s grace toward man. Centuries later Jesus death on the cross, symbolized by the brazen altar, would bring God’s grace (symbolized by the five cubits) to the whole world (symbolized by the four sides) and will, thereby, ultimately bring about divine order (4 X 5 = 20 ).
Also of interest is a brief look at the history of major events in human history in connection with the courtyard. Examine the list of major events in human history below:
Major Events of Human History
1. Antediluvian period -- Creation until the flood (one -- number of beginning) (first Adam - first sin - first death - first murder).
2. Post diluvian period -- The flood until the tower of Babel (two -- number of witness & division) (Noah’s ark/flood) (rainbow)
3. Patriarchal period -- From the Tower of Babel until Passover & Exodus (three -- divinity, completeness, perfect testimony) -- (Abraham/covenant, Isaac, Jacob)
4.Legal period -- From the Passover & Exodus to Jesus death (four -- worldwide, universal) -- (Moses, God’s covenant & law revealed; God’s character revealed to the world through His dealings with nation of Israel and through His son, Jesus!)
5. Age of Grace/Church -- Jesus death on the cross until rapture five -- God's grace and man's responsibility) we are living in this period,) resurrection, new covenant introduced. Premillennialists teach that the Rapture of the Church will end this period.
6.Tribulation Period -- from the rapture of the church until Jesus visibly returns in glory and power to reign from Jerusalem as king of the whole earth (six --number of man, Satan) (Antichrist rises to power, persecution of saints, plagues destroy millions).
7. Millennial period --from Jesus return as King till end of Millennium (seven -- number of completion) (Jesus takes back the Earth and reigns one thousand years) (Satan is bound -- last period of man on this earth.Sabbath Rest! )
Category: Tabernacle
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