TODAY’S READING: EXODUS 37-40
OVERVIEW:
The tabernacle is completed and an inventory is taken; God commands Moses to set up the tabernacle; God’s presence fills the tabernacle.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
In chapters 37 and 38, God prompts Moses to once again list and describe the seven pieces of furniture to be placed in the tabernacle. 1) The Brazen Altar 2) The Brazen Laver 3) The Table of Shewbread 4) The Candlestick 5) The Altar of Incense 6) TheArk 7) The Mercy Seat.
John says of the Lord Jesus Christ, “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt (literally, “tabernacled”) among us.” It is amazing to observe the order of the furniture found in the tabernacle, and the order of the Gospel of John. It’s as if the Holy Spirit were leading us, in the same exact order as the furniture was to be placed in the tabernacle, to the incredible spiritual realities pictured by the furniture in the tabernacle. We just finished the series “Can you see him in the Tabernacle” that will explain each idem in greater detail.
He begins by leading us to the Brazen Altar of Sacrifice, as twice in John chapter one He urges us to “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29,46).
We are then taken to the Laver in John 3:5 where the Spirit of God records, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into thekingdomofGod.”
Moving further into the Gospel of John (and into the tabernacle), the Spirit leads us in chapters 4-6 to the food and drink of the Table of Shewbread, as Christ is presented as “Living Water” and “Living Bread.”
In John 8 and 9 we are taken to the Golden Candlestick as twice Jesus proclaims, “I am the Light of the world,” and “he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
In John 14-16, the Spirit of God brings us as it were, to the Altar of Incense, as Jesus teaches us to pray in His name — the name that is to the Father a sweet smelling savor.
Then in John 17 we are taken beyond the veil into the Holy of Holies to behold our Great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, making intercession for us in the presence of God. Here, Christ is seen not only as our High Priest, but as theArkand the Mercy Seat through whom we have found access and acceptance with His Father and God. Jesus said in John 20:17, “I ascend unto my Father, and YOUR Father; and to my God, and YOUR God.”
Finally in Exodus 40:34, everything having been made according to the Divine Pattern was now to be filled with the Divine Glory. Coincidentally, the Gospel of John closes with Jesus breathing on His disciples saying, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (John20:22).
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
In the HIGH PRIEST and his BREASTPLATE, who bears the names of God’s people before the presence of God – Ex. 39:8-21 (Heb.9:11;10:19-22)
In the FOUR COLORS as representing the FOUR GOSPELS – Ex. 38:18, 23: 39:2, 3,5,8, 24, 29 Purple (Matthew) – Christ presented as the King.
Scarlet (Mark) – Christ presented as the Suffering Servant. White (Luke) – Christ presented as the sinless Man. Blue (John) – Christ presented as the Son of God come down from heaven.