The next section we will consider about the Tabernacle concerns the Tabernacle’s arrangement and the veil.
“You shall make a veil of blue, purple, and crimson yarns and of fine twisted linen; it shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it” (Exodus 26:31)
Just as people could not ascend Mount Sinai into God’s presence with Moses, only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement to offer sacrifices for the people. The purpose of the veil was to separate the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Tabernacle.
Jesus changed our access to God. At His crucifixion, the veil was torn in two, giving believers access to the presence of God.
Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom (Matthew 27:50-51).
The Altar
Upon entering the Tabernacle court, worshipers first encountered the largest piece of equipment: the bronze altar. On this altar, sacrifices were burned to meet and satisfy the claims of a holy God.
“You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar shall be square, and it shall be three cubits high”
You shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze (Exodus 27:1-2).
There was only one altar, symbolizing the singular path to salvation, which Jesus fulfills.
When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he declared: “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
The horns symbolized power, help, and sanctuary. This symbolism extended to the atoning power of the altar because, during the atonement ritual, some blood was placed on the horns before the remainder was poured at the altar’s base.
The Courtyard
Moses was instructed concerning the courtyard: “You shall make the court of the tabernacle” (Exodus 27:9).
The purpose of the courtyard was as follows:
- To act as a barrier preventing unlawful approach,
- To protect the tent from wild animals,
- To create a clear demarcation between the world and the holy presence of God,
- To provide a single gate as a way to approach God.
The Oil for the Lamp
Only Aaron and his four sons were to serve as priests, standing before God.
“You shall further command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of beaten olives for the light, so that a lamp may be set up to burn continually.
In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that is before the covenant, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the Lord.
It shall be a perpetual ordinance to be observed throughout their generations by the Israelites” (Exodus 27:20-21).
The clear oil of pressed olives was extracted from unripe olives, beaten, and pounded in a mortar. The lamps were to be kept burning from evening until morning.
Significantly, the people were to provide this oil continuously; otherwise, there would be darkness in the dwelling place of God.
A priest’s role is to represent God to the people and to bring the people’s burdens before God. Aaron and his sons were appointed to fulfill this role.
In modern times, every follower of Jesus acts as a priest to the world, extending God’s love to humanity and presenting humanity’s needs to Him.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
YouTube Discussion:
Rudy Ross continues his commentary on the Tabernacle in today’s video.
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