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Pictures
of Salvation. The
tabernacle is a wonderful picture of Jesus. The courtyard including
the altar, laver and the posts that held the linen "fence" were
made of bronze but the only metal inside the tabernacle was gold.
The bronze symbolizes sin and the gold symbolizes God.
Bronze
Altar. The bronze altar was the place of sacrifice. Bronze speaks
of sin and the perpetual fire (Lev. 1:5-7) on the altar symbolizes
God's judgment against sin. Jesus died on an altar; it was called
the cross. He died for our sins on that cross. He suffered pain for
our sins.
Bronze
Laver. The bronze laver was filled with water, and its base was
made from the women's mirrors of highly polished bronze (Ex. 38:8).
This is a great picture of a person who trusts Jesus for the forgiveness
of sins. The laver symbolizes our cleansing from sin - our holiness.
Once we are forgiven of our sins, God starts changing us to make
us truly holy as He is holy (Phil. 2:12-13; 1 Pet. 1:16). Water is
symbolic of two concepts in scripture: 1) the Holy Spirit Who comes
into our life, convicts us of sin (John 16:8) and starts living in
us to change us (John 7:37-39); and 2) the Word of God which reveals
to us our sin (John 15:3) and is useful for reproof, conviction,
and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16-17). While the mirror
at the bottom reminds us that we will still see our true sinful self
(Rom. 7:24), it is also comforting because the symbolism reminds
us that God knows we are not yet perfect in this life. We have not
lost our salvation; we are just not yet free from sin in this life.
Golden
Lampstand. The lampstand, table of showbread and altar of incense
are all made of gold. While bronze symbolizes sin, gold speaks of
deity. The Holy Place is alive with symbolism about Jesus. The
gold lampstand speaks of the One who revealed the Father to us -
Jesus the light giver (Matt. 11:27). He is the light of men. The
light was to burn perpetually. Today, Jesus is not here in body but
His Word is. By reading and studying it we receive spiritual light.
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In
Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4
He
was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the
light. There was the true light which, coming into the world,
enlightens every man. John 1:8-9
Again
therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light
of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness,
but shall have the light of life.” (NASB) John 8:12 |
Table
of Showbread. The table of showbread was made of acacia wood
and overlaid with gold. The wood speaks of Jesus' humanity and the
gold of His deity - Jesus the God-man. The bread that was placed
on the table represents God's presence in our lives.
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And
you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before
Me at all times. (NASB)
Exodus 25:30 |
So
often we focus on the table or call the bread "consecrated bread," but
did you notice it is called the "bread of the Presence?" The
actual Hebrew wording is the "bread of the Face." It symbolizes
Jesus' presence. - His life. We live because He lives. And Jesus
said,
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I
am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone
eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread
also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh. (NASB)
John 6:51 |
The
table with the bread symbolizes spiritual life in Jesus.
Altar
of Incense. The gold altar of incense represents the intercession
and the memorial of Jesus. While the golden lampstand was to burn
perpetually, the bread of the Presence was to be replaced every Sabbath.
The incense was to be burned every morning and evening. Blood was
applied to this altar on the Day of Atonement. Jesus is our mediator
according to 1 Timothy and Hebrews.
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For
there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus . . . (NASB)
1 Timothy 2:5 |
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