LESSON 18 The Tabernacles (Part III)
LESSON 18
The Tabernacles (Part III)
The Court and the Articles in the Court
Objective: To become a true worshipper of God by the realization that the only way of salvation is Jesus Christ, and only the saved ones are entitled to worship God.
Bible Portion: Exo. 27:9-18; 38:9-20
Memory Verse: Acts. 4:11-12
This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone." Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Introduction
We have learned that the court is the area set apart for worship around the Tabernacle. What is its length and breadth? How is this place covered? On which side is its entrance? How does the entrance curtain differ from the hangings on the other sides? How are the hangings joined together? Of what type of wood were the pillars made of? On what were pillars based? (Find answers from lesson 16). Now, let us study the court and the articles in the court in more detail.
Gate of the Court (Exo. 27:16; 38:18-20):
1. There is only one entrance to the court, 20 cubits wide, in the middle, on its east side. The curtain at the gate is hung from four pillars and is embroidered using blue, purple, scarlet, and finely twisted linen yarn. This gate denotes Christ. Man tries to attain (reach/please) God through rituals, good deeds, gifts, pilgrimages, etc. But Jesus Christ and His apostles clearly teach us that He is the only way to salvation. "I am the door: by me, if any man enters in, he shall be saved" (John 10:7-9). No other name is given to man for his salvation except the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).
2. The curtain is beautifully embroidered in four different colors. For a believer, Jesus is the fairest among ten thousand (Song of Songs 5:10). Our Lord is unique in His birth, life, death, and resurrection.
Pillars of the Court
The 60 pillars of the court made of Shittim wood represent believers. We see the greatness of God's grace in taking us from the forest and shaping us to become pillars in the court of the tabernacle. The Shittim tree is black, full of thorny fruits, grows only in the wilderness, and cannot be polished and made smooth. It represents the worldly carnal man. The pillars are fixed on brass bases (sockets). Brass bases point to Jesus Christ, who took our judgment upon Himself. We are standing on Christ (Rom. 8:1). The top of the pillars is covered with silver and is round in shape. Silver symbolizes redemption. Praise God for redeeming us and making us pillars. The pillars are covered with white linen. White color points to holiness. God has justified us through Jesus Christ and covered us with the robe of righteousness (Isa. 61:10; Rev. 7: 9, 14).
The Uniqueness of the Court
1. It attracts worshippers. The sons of Korah sang, "My soul longeth for the courts of the Lord" (Psalm 84:1-4)
2. It is a place of separation as well as protection. Those who enter through the gate are separated from their surroundings and protected inside the white curtains all around. Similarly believers who enter the folds of the Church through Christ are separated from worldly desires and protected by the grace and righteousness of God.
3. The court is important as it is the place of atonement for sin. Sacrifices are continually offered there for the remission of all iniquity and transgression. We experience freedom from sin when we approach God's presence through the door, Jesus Christ (Eph.1:7).
4. Court presents a scene of continuous activity. Most of the priests' work is done in court. In the court of the Tabernacle, many services were rendered in relation to sacrifice, such as killing the sacrificial animal, sprinkling its blood, skinning the sacrificial animal, cutting it into pieces, burning it on the altar, removing ashes, etc. No time or place is assigned for rest or even to sit down. This points to the fact that believers, who are the priests of God, are expected to be engaged in His ministry continuously.
Articles in the Court
1. Altar (Exo. 27: 1-8; 38:1-7):
The first article is on the cour altar, which is also the largest. It is 5 cubits long, 5 cubits broad, and 3 cubits high. It is made of Shittim wood. It is hollow inside and covered with brass. There is a horn at each of the four corners. A brass network (metal fencing) surrounds the altar, reaching up to the middle. Rings are fixed at the four corners, and two staves are inserted to carry the altar on
The altar shadows Jesus Christ and His death on the cross. It is the largest article in the Tabernacle. Likewise, salvation through faith in the death of Jesus Christ is the most important doctrine revealed in the Bible, which includes all truths, blessings, and ministries found in the Scripture. The altar is kept at the entrance to the court. The worshiper must associate himself with the altar before entering the Tabernacle. A person cannot approach or worship God until he obtains remission of his sins through the cross of Christ. Cross is the first step for a person to experience all other spiritual blessings, which finally leads to the glorification of the believer.
Shittim wood used for making the altar points to the human nature of Jesus Christ, and the brass covering shows His divinity, which emerged victorious through the fire of judgment. The rope used to bind the sacrificial animal to the horns of the altar stands for the love of God, which binds a sinner to the cross. The horns are a place of refuge to from fear of death from the avenger. The sacrifice of Christ saves us from the fear of death and condemnation (Rom. 8:1; Heb. 2:15). The horns denote the power of Christ to save (Luke 1:71).
escape
2. Brass Laver (Exo. 30:17-21; 38:8; 40:30-32):
A brass laver filled with water is placed between the altar and the Tabernacle on a brass stand. The priests
must wash themselves with this water before they enter the Tabernacle.
In Solomon's Temple, a huge brass vessel with a 6000 gallons of water capacity was installed in place of the brass laver. It was kept on top of 12 oxen with their backs inward and faces outward. Water would fill the bellies of the oxen and flow out of their mouths. Looking at this arrangement, Jesus said, "He that believeth in me, out
The main work of the Holy Spirit is sanctification. As both water and fire have cleansing action, the Holy Spirit is compared to water and fire (John 7:38-39; Matt. 3:11; Acts 2:3). Hence, the brass laver and the water inside show the Holy Spirit. No shape or dimension is specified for the brass laver. God gives the Holy Spirit without measure (John 3:34). There is also diversity in the work of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4). A believer saved by the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ must be cleansed by the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, he has no right to enter the Tabernacle and carry out his priestly duties.
The scripture speaks also of sanctification by the Word of God (Eph. 5:26-27; John 15:3; 17:17; James 1:23-24). A person approaching the brass laver sees his face as if in a mirror. It helps him see himself as he is and purifies himself. The brass laver is also a shadow of the baptism in water after repentance. Apostle Peter asks people to be baptized after repenting of their sins (Acts 2:38).
Therefore, everyone should be saved through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. A saved person must take baptism in water and be filled with the Holy Spirit. He must be continually cleansed by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. What is your experience?
Questions
1. What are the specialties of the Court?
2. Show that the gate of the Court represents Jesus Christ?
3. Who do the pillars of the Court represent, and in what way?
4. Where is the location of the altar? What are the truths that it teaches?
5. What are the main articles kept in the Court?
6. Where is the location of the brass laver? What are the truths that it teaches?
7. What was the arrangement done in Solomon's Temple in the place of brass laver?
Comments
Post a Comment