Each item in the tabernacle has a symbolic meaning. Later in Hebrews 10:19-20 we are told that Jesus’ flesh symbolizes the veil leading into the Holy of Holies. Each of them are a different picture of Jesus.       Symbolic Worship - Day of Atonement. The priests had to enter the Holy Place each day as part of their ministry. The lampstand which was on the south side of the Tabernacle was to burn perpetually. The Bread of the Presence was to be replaced every Sabbath day, and incense was to be offered on the Altar of Incense every morning and evening. This is a picture of Jesus and our relationship with Him. He is the light of the world to give us spiritual light or to give us understanding of the Father. The bread symbolizes His presence in our life. There is a song that is titled, “He Lives” which says that I live because He lives. Jesus is always present. The incense reminds us that God wants time with us every morning and evening. The Altar of Incense was also part of the Day of Atonement. Here the blood of the sin offering, the Lord’s goat (Lev. 16:1-32), was placed. The Altar of Incense is also a memorial of Jesus’ death and return to life, like the Lord’s Supper. The altar is a constant reminder of Jesus.     Now when these things have been thus prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle, performing the divine worship, but into the second only the high priest enters, once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. (NASB) Heb. 9:6-7         All of was this just a symbol - a shadow. It is not the real thing. The tabernacle was only a shadow of something better. This form of worship was to be replaced or “corrected” at the right time.     McGee, J. Vernon. Thru The Bible. Nelson Publishing, 1981.     The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed, while the outer tabernacle is still standing, which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation. (NASB) Heb. 9:8-10   The Greek word for “reformation” means “straightness.” This form of worship was “crooked” and God had planned to correct it eventually - make it straight - and He did when Jesus came. Jesus is the better mediator, the better high priest, He brought in a better covenant which was based on better promises.       Conclusion. What a picture for us today. The Tabernacle was a place of divine worship but it was the best worship - it was old and passing away. It was only a symbol of the best worship - about Jesus.       We can go to church and feel like we are worshipping God. But if our ritual of worship is wrong, He is not pleased and if our heart is not in it, He is not pleased. Our worship may be mainly emotions, just like my emotions for the wonderful girl. If we do not mean the words we sing or if the words are not true about us, our worship is displeasing to God. He wants more than emotion, He also wants our mind. The Jews believed their form of worship was pleasing to God. They did not realize that God wanted to replace it with something more meaningful. I imagine some of them really gave themselves to worship. But they did not realize God wanted something better. This is a reminder to us that God does not want our symbols of worship - our meaningless words - our thoughtless prayers - our easily given gifts - our inattentive ears to the Word of God. He wants real worship!         < Back    Next >
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