The details of the Tabernacle were revealed to Moses on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 25:8-9). It appears as if God revealed to Moses a vision of the throne of God and Moses recorded the fine details of what he saw. Later this became the detailed specifications for the Tabernacle. The most important message of the Tabernacle is that it signifies The Way to God. This will become evident as we consider the details of the Tabernacle.
The overall layout of the Tabernacle is shown in diagram on the right. The Tabernacle stood in the midst of Israel. Three tribes camped on either side. The Tabernacle was separated from the people by a wall of curtains. Inside this area stood the bronze altar, the laver and the Mikdash. The Mikdash was divided into two great chambers: (1) the innermost chamber called the Most Holy Place, and (2) the outer chamber called the Holy Place. God's presence rested in the Most Holy Place or the Holy of Holies. The approach to the Most Holy Place was through the outer chamber or the Holy Place. Finally, approach to the Mikdash was by the bronze altar and the laver. We will see later that the altar and the laver represent cleansing by the Blood and the Word as we approach God. The outer chamber represents Messiah while the Most Holy Place itself is the place of God's dwelling.
The Most Holy Place (Exodus 25:10-20)
In the Most Holy Place was located the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:10-22). Above the Ark rested the Hacaporet, or place or covering. Built as part of the Hacaporet were the two Cherubim. The Cherubim were facing downward signifying the way of approach to God. An earlier reference to the Cherubim is found in Genesis 3 where they were stationed to guard the way to the Tree of Life, i.e., to communion with God. Now over the Ark they are marking the only acceptable approach. Indeed, they are saying, "God will meet you here". When the Tabernacle was completed God's presence descended on this portion of the Mikdash.
The Holy Place (Exodus 25:23-40 and 30:1-10)
Three vessels stood in the Holy Place: (1) the Bread of Presence (Exodus 25:23-30), (2) the Menorah (Exodus 25:31-40), and the Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:1-10). These vessels show us a picture of Messiah. The Bread signifies God's physical provision for His people. The Menorah represents the light coming from God into the presence of His people. The Altar of Incense signifies the intercessory prayer made to God on behalf of His people. These were coupled to Israel through the human vessels of Moses and Aaron. The ministry of light and provision came to Israel by Moses. The prayer before God for Israel was accomplished by Aaron.
Because of the human element of this coupling, i.e., Moses and Aaron, a veil stood between the Most Holy Place and the Holy Place. This veil indicated that a human being cannot openly approach and dwell in the presence of God in the flesh. The Bible tells us that this veil was rent from top to bottom when Jesus died. He entered in and rested in the presence of God, but He did not do so in the flesh. In fact, the book of Hebrews tells us that His flesh was the veil. We likewise can only experience a limited access to God while in this flesh but when we break through this veil we will be present with the Lord.
The Outer Court
Two vessels stood in the court beyond the Mikdash: (1) the bronze altar (Exodus 27:1-8), and (2) the laver (Exodus 30:18-21). It was on the bronze altar that the blood of a sacrifice was sprinkled for the covering of sin. After a sacrifice was made, the priest washed his hands and feet in the water of the laver before entering the Mikdash. These represent cleansing by the blood and cleansing by the word (Ephesians 5:26) as we approach God.
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The Most Holy Place represents the throne of God. The Holy Place represents Messiah by whom we approach God. This is the significance of Jesus' statement in John 14:6 when He proclaimed that He was the Way, the only approach to the Father. Jesus proclaimed that He was the Light of the World (Menorah) and the Bread of Life (Bread of Presence). In addition, the Bible tells us that He continually makes intercession for us before God (Altar of Incense). The veil represents the limit of access to God while in the flesh. Of course, Jesus has passed on through this veil and is seated at the right hand of God. We know Jesus in the Spirit and therefore see Him glorified by the Father. Eventually we ourselves will also pass through this veil and stand before God.
Paul wrote in Colossians that we "have died and our life is hidden with Messiah in God" (Colossians 3:3). In rela tion to the Tabernacle, this means that we are positioned within the Mikdash in the presence of God. It is from this position that we should be ministering encouragement to Israel and reconciliation to the world (Romans 15:8-9).
Hence the Tabernacle gives us a picture of the Throne of God. God is preparing to establish His Throne in the earth among men. Spirit- filled followers of Messiah are being prepared to serve directly in the presence of the Lord.
(Reprinted from the Tzemach Institute for Biblical Studies course: Torah II)