The Israelites left Egypt the day after Passover (and the tenth plague: the death of the firstborn). The Egyptians gave them all sorts of gold, silver, precious stones, and garments of various fabrics in order to bribe them to leave. This day would later become known as Feast of Unleavened Bread (or Feast of Matzah).

They traveled down what is today known as the Sinai Peninsula to Succoth and waited while other Israelites were retrieved from the mines which were near there. This is a speculation, but the Bible does say they paused there, and it is known that turquoise mines were nearby at Serabit el-Khadim.

They continued down the peninsula toward its apex, past Midgol, an Egyptian fortress outpost. After going past Midgol, they stopped at Etham which became an impasse due to the mountains. During this time, God was a cloud to them by day and a pillar of fire by night so they could travel both day and night. They arrived at Etham on Day 16.

God had them retreat and go back to the straits of Tiran. Exodus tells us, “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Ziphon” (Ex 14:1). Pi-Hahiroth means “mouth of canal.” God was telling the Israelites to camp at the mouth of the canal where the Arabian sea splits into the Gulf of Suez and the Sea of Aqaba and to be directly across of Baal Ziphon. Baal Ziphon was on Mt. Tiran on an island across the mouth of the canal which was at the border of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. The passage through the Red Sea would be just north of this island.

Going backward in their trek provided a signal to the Egyptians at Midgol that they were struggling to find their way. This was reported to Pharaoh, likely by carrier pigeon. Pharaoh and his troops came quickly to get the Israelites back as Pharaoh realized their slave force was now gone. This would mean the Israelites camped there on the shore for about a week or so until Pharaoh arrived. God then moved between the Israelites and Egyptians while he made a path through the Red Sea. This saved the Israelites but caused the deaths of the Egyptians.

After crossing the Red Sea from the Sinai Peninsula to the Arabian Peninsula, the Israelites were on an emotional high. However, it took three days for them to get to Marah where the waters were too bitter to drink. The Israelites complained. God showed Moses what wood to put into the water and the waters then became drinkable.

They then came to an oasis at Elim where there were 12 springs of water and 70 palm trees. They then stayed overnight at a place near the Red Sea. From there, they entered into the Wilderness of Sin where they stayed for about a week. From Scripture, we know they arrived here on Day 31 of their trek. They began to complain again wanting meat to eat like they had in Egypt. God sent quail and initiated the daily deliverance of manna.

By Day 39, they arrived at Dophkah where they had to go by groups through a canyon to reach Alush. From there, they headed to Rephidim. Rephidim was supposed to be another oasis, but it was dry. Again, the people complained they had no water. God told Moses to strike a rock at Horeb. He did so and the water pressure split the rock and water gushed out. It is thought that the water which came forth split the rock and it came out like a geyser and flowed down for all the people and flocks to drink.

Likely because of the water supply, the Amalekites attacked the Israelites. It seemed as long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites prevailed, but when he lowered his hands, the Amalekites prevailed. Aaron and Hur therefore had Moses sit and they each held up one of his hands until Israel prevailed and defeated the Amalekites.

What were Amalekites doing this far south as they are supposedly descendants from Edom (Esau) which dwelt farther north in the Negev? It seems that the Amalekites settled along the entire western coast of the Arabian Peninsula. They were nomadic people as were most of the people in this part of the world at this time.

Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law came to visit Moses and brought Zipporah, Moses’ wife, and his two children, Gershom and Eliezer. Jethro advised Moses to have other leaders help judge the people. Moses did so, tapping 70 men from the various tribes. Jethro went back to his home.

They finally arrived at the foot of Mt. Sinai on Day 47 since they left Egypt. This would have been Day 46 from what would later be the Day of Firstfruits (the day after Matzah). God told Moses to have the people prepare for two days (Day 46 and 47 after Firstruits). God descended on the mountain on Day 48.

The people saw a dark cloud roiling from the north with fire and lightning which settled over Mount Sinai. The mountain was covered with smoke because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and the voice of God answered him. It seems these “trumpet blasts” were produced by God and not the Israelites. This is likely one reason they became so frightened. God thundered out His commands to the people. They were so frightened that they asked that God speak to Moses and let Moses be their intermediary.

The prophet Ezekiel had a similar experience: “I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal.”

God called Moses up to the mountain where he was and spoke to him there.

Day 49: Moses wrote everything down.

Day 50 (50 days after Firstfruits): Moses consecrated the people, and they became a nation before God.

Moses and Joshua went back up the mountain and waited for six days while Aaron and Hur were put in charge of the people. On the seventh day, God called Moses into the cloud and was with God for 40 days and 40 nights. God gave Moses further instructions and the two stones of the covenant law inscribed by the finger of God. In less than a month, the Israelites regressed, and Aaron was complicit in their requests to make an idol for them the worship. They apparently thought the fire in the cloud had consumed Moses and he would not return.

Why did they build a calf idol from the gold they brought with them from Egypt? Maybe because it was part of the cherubim and was a symbol of aleph. Moses destroyed the calf they had made, ground it to dust, and had the people drink it. God then sent a plague among the people. God then had Moses come back up and put the commandments on stone tablets.

The tabernacle was erected 1 year (11.5 months) after leaving Egypt. They remained at Mt. Sinai for 49 days and then left on the 50th day. This is a pattern of Jubilee. On the way, the people complained again about their hardships and a fire broke out along the outskirts of the camps. Moses prayed and the fire died down. Moses called the place Taberah.

Next, the people complained about the lack of food again and complained about the manna God supplied to them every morning. God sent quail again but even as they ate, he sent a plague among them, and Moses called the place Kibroth Hattaavah. At the same time, Moses went to God and said the people were too overwhelming for him to control. God had the Holy Spirit fall on the 70 elders so they could help Moses lead and govern the people.

When they arrived at Ezion-Geber, Aaron and Miriam began to speak against Moses saying God had also spoken through them. God struck Miriam with leprosy; Moses interceded, and she was cured after a week of having leprosy (outside the camp). From here is where Moses sent the 12 spies to Canaan—one from each tribe.

While the spies were doing their thing, Moses had the people travel on to Kadesh Barnea and this is where the 12 spies returned to. All had a bad report except for Joshua and Caleb. The people encamped here for 38 years before they then headed into the promised land. They had to wait until all those 20 years and older died before God would allow them to enter the promised land.

Korah (a Kohathite from Levi; this is the same ancestor as Moses and Aaron), and Dathan and Abiram (both Reubenites) and 250 others came against Moses as they were jealous of his leadership. I think Korah being a Kohathite, as was Moses, felt he was just as qualified to lead. Moses had Korah and his 250 followers come before the tabernacle with censors. Dathan and Abiram refused to come. God had the earth swallow all their tents and possessions, including people from the households of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Then he had a fire consume all the 250 men with censors. He had Eleazar, son of Aaron, take all the censors from the charred remains of the 250 and pound them into sheets and overlaid the altar with them as a memorial that only Aaron and his descendants can come near the altar to offer sacrifices.

The next day the entire assembly came against Moses and complained about what had occurred the previous day. God sent a plague among the people. Moses had Aaron take his censor and run to the middle of the assembly and when the plague reached Aaron, the plague stayed. A total of 147,000 people died in the plague.

As further testimony, Moses took a staff from each of the 12 leaders of each tribe and kept them overnight. Aaron’s rod budded and produced almonds and it was kept in the tabernacle as a memorial and a sign that Aaron and his descendant were to be the priests to offer sacrifices. Not long after, Miriam died.

The people once again needed water. This time, Moses was told to speak to the rock, but he struck the rock instead as he had done previously. God provided water, but this act prevented Moses from entering the promised land.

To get the Israelites to the promised land, Moses asked Edom for permission to pass though their land, but they refused. Aaron died on Mt. Hor. The people mourned him for 30 days. The King of Arad, from the Negev, came against them and captured some of the Israelites. The Israelites recovered all that was stolen from them and destroyed all the cities of Arad.

The Israelites then traveled back toward the Red Sea to go around Edom but the people complained, likely because they were backtracking and claimed that Moses was leading them back into the wilderness from which they had exited all those years before. They said, “There is no bread!; there is no water! And we detest this miserable manna!”

God sent snakes into the camp which killed many. God told Moses to make a bronze serpent and place it on a pole and those who looked at the serpent would be healed.

Once they reached the border of the Amorites, Moses asked Og, king of Sihon of the Amorites, to allow passage through their territory and they would stay on the King’s Highway and not take anything from anyone in their territory. He refused and came against them. The Israelites defeated them utterly and took the land up to the border of Ammon.

When they reached Shittim, Balak, the king of Moab, sent for Baalam to curse the Israelites. Baalam eventually told Balak to have his women seduce the men of Israel. They did, and they participated in their sexual religious ceremony. God sent a plague where 24,000 Israelites were killed.

Joshua succeeded Moses. The Israelites encamped 29 times from when the tabernacle was erected at Mt. Sinai (1 year after leaving Egypt) until they reached Jericho. They stayed in 22 encampments from Sinai to Kadesh Barnea (11 months) where they stayed for 38 years. They stayed in 9 encampments from Kadesh Barnea to their encampment at Jericho (9 months). After crossing the Jordan, the manna ceased, and they celebrated Passover.

This was just the time from Egypt to the Promised Land. There was also a lot of moving the tabernacle once they reached their promised land. We will discuss this amount of travel next time. I hope you join me.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

The tabernacle is first mentioned in Exodus 25 when God instructed Moses to build one – also referred to as a tent of meeting – to host the presence of the Lord. The temple in Jewish life refers to the temple built in Jerusalem that was the central place of worship. And the synagogue, historically and today, has served as a gathering place for prayer, instruction, and community. It continues to be central to Jewish life today, as it was in the time of Jesus.

Tabernacle

The design of the tabernacle came down from heaven (Hb 8:5), as did Jesus himself. It took 9 months to create the tabernacle; Jesus was in Mary’s womb for 9 months. The main person in charge of building the tabernacle furniture was Bezalel of Judah (Ex 31:2); Jesus was of the tribe of Judah. The tabernacle was anointed with holy anointing oil (Ex 30:22-30) before it was put into use; Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit before he began his ministry (Jn 1:32). Jesus Christ means Jesus the Anointed One.

The tabernacle had only one door; Jesus stated he was the door and the only way to the Father (Jn 10:7). The tabernacle door was made of blue, scarlet, purple, and linen (white); the blue and scarlet represent the water and blood he shed on the cross; purple represents royalty as the robe he had at time of crucifixion; white linen represents the burial cloth in which he was buried.

The Bronze Altar represents judgment and required sacrifice; Jesus bore our judgment and became the atoning sacrifice for us (1Jn 2:2). The Menorah represents Christ’s light and his spirit; Jesus stated he was the light of the world (Jn 8:12). The Table of Shewbread represents Christ body broken for us; Jesus stated he was the bread of life (Jn 6:35). The Altar of incense represents intercessory prayers Christ offers for us as our High Priest (Hb 7:25). The Veil represents Christ’s body and it being ripped from top to bottom is allegory for Christ dying for us by his own volition; Jesus stated the way to the Father is only through him (Jn 14:6). Its colors are the same as those of the door. The Ark of the Covenant represents God’s Throne Room and its Mercy Seat represents God seeing us through the blood of Jesus Christ and declaring us righteous (Ro 3:25, 5:1).

The tabernacle was in use for almost 500 years and represents our pathway to God. Jesus is the door. We immediately face judgment (bronze altar) but Christ becomes the atonement (propitiation) sacrifice for our sin. Yet, we still have our sin nature and require continual cleansing (bronze laver) by God’s word and his holy spirit. We then have fellowship with Christ where he is the light for our path as we walk with him, where he is our sustainer as we partake of him and become more like him, where he is our High Priest and makes intercession for us with the Father. We can come boldly to our Father because of Christ’s crucifixion for us and find the Father declaring us righteous because Christ’s blood covers our sins.

Solomon’s Temple

Solomon’s Temple was the first temple built to replace the tabernacle by King Solomon. His father David had gathered all necessary materials for its construction (1Ch 28:11-19). David also devised how the priests would lead the people in worship. Its building construction started in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign (2Ch 3:2), and it was completed in the eleventh year of his reign (1Ki 6:38): 7 years. Its front faced East.

On the outside of the temple stood the Sea, set upon 12 oxen for the purpose of the priests to wash. This vessel replaced the original laver used in the tabernacle. He also made ten other lavers for the priests to wash the portions of the animals used for sacrifice.

The altar was as wide as the tabernacle itself (20 cubits; 30 feet) and was square. I think it was designed knowing that the population would grow and its surface would be needed for the future number of sacrifices that it would support. At the temple dedication, Solomon offered 22,000 cattle as well as 120,000 sheep and goats. He created additional, temporary altars to offer the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat of the fellowship offerings.

The doors to enter the court were made of bronze. Inside the temple in the Holy Place stood ten menorahs and ten tables for the shewbread: 5 on the north side of the temple and 5 on south side. Palms, chain designs, and cherubim were engraved into the sides of the Holy Place and all were overlaid with gold. He also adorned these with precious stones. The holy place was 60 cubits long (90 feet), 20 cubits wide (30 feet), and 30 cubits high (45 feet).

The doors to the temple were overlaid with gold. A curtain (blue, purple, crimson, and fine linen with cherubim designed into it) was between the Holy Place and Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies was 20 cubits (30 feet) square. Therefore, stairs were needed from the Holy Place to the Holy of Holies. Its surface was overlaid with gold. He created two large cherubim: each with a wingspan of 10 cubits (15 feet) with each wing 5 cubits (7.5 feet). Therefore, both covered the entire space with their wings outstretched.

The ark would have been turned 90⁰ as the poles would face the door (2Ch 5:9), and they actually protruded into the curtain. There was also a curtain of blue, purple and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim worked into it (2Ch 3:14).

We find the description of cherubim in Ezekiel chapter 1. Their faces looked like this: each of the four had the face of a human being, on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. Their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides, they had human hands. They had two wings spreading out upward, one on either side, and two covering its body. Each face represented each aspect of the kingdoms of the Earth God created: humanity (man), livestock (ox), wild animals (lion), and birds of the sky (eagle). Note: fish are always treated as less than for some reason and seem to always be a source of food.

Zerubbabel’s Temple

Zerubbabel’s Temple was built when many of the Israelites returned from Babylonian captivity. Many gave gold, silver, and garments to the construction of a new temple. King Cyrus, back in Babylon, gave back many of the articles of furniture Nebuchadnezzar had taken. The altar was the first thing erected, and in the 7th month, feasts were celebrated and their offerings given. Construction of the temple started in the second month of the second year of their return.

The construction of this temple had several interruptions but was finally completed in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius in the month Adar and the temple dedicated. So that was almost 20 years for it to be completed. Passover, occurring the next month after the temple’s construction, was the first feast celebrated in this newly built temple. We don’t know much about this temple, but we do know it was not as glorious as Solomon’s temple (Er 3:12-13).

Herod’s Temple

Herod’s temple is still called the 2nd temple because the temple functioned without ever stopping rituals during all the building and upgrades that Herod made to Zerubbabel’s temple. Because services never ceased, it is still called the 2nd temple.

The temple was built in Jerusalem where God placed His Name for the place of worship of God. It was used for a variety of communal needs: schools, communal meals, hostels, courts, collection and distribution of charity, political meetings, worship and reading/interpreting the Torah and Prophets.

Herod started improvements to Zerubbabel’s temple in 20 BCE, and it took 46 years to complete: 25 CE. So, it was basically a new building at the start of Jesus’ ministry and was in the process of being built when he was presented as a baby and also when he went for a visit as a twelve-year-old.

The leading scribes at first opposed Herod’s plan as they were very suspicious of the whole thing. They actually believed that once Herod pulled the old building down, he would never replace it. Herod had to promise that he would not touch the old building until he had built the new one around it. Once things commenced, under no circumstances were the services to be interrupted. Herod hired workmen by the thousands. Among them were many priests to build those portions not accessible to ordinary Jews. The work was started by leveling larger portions of the Temple Mount, so that the new building might be erected on a broader base. It was also made much taller, so that the white stone gleamed in the bright Palestinian sun and could be seen from miles away. It was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE.

Tribulation Temple

The picture of the Tribulation Temple is blurry because we have no idea what this temple will look like. We can assume it will be similar to Herod’s temple, but we don’t know that for sure.

The Bible clearly teaches that a new temple — which will be called The Third Temple — will be built in the future. It will most likely be erected at the beginning of the Tribulation in the form of a tent temple, like the Tabernacle of Moses. A more permanent structure will then be built around and above it. The Antichrist will desecrate this temple in the middle of the Tribulation.

Most Jews in Israel are not interested in building a new temple as they are quite secular and agnostic. Only some of the more orthodox Jews are preparing for the ability to put a new temple in Jerusalem and have been preparing for many years to build all the necessary pieces of furniture required.

There is some controversy around where the temple actually stood within Jerusalem. Many state the current temple mount is exactly where the temple stood. Others say that the temple would need to be south of the current temple mount because the size of the current temple mount is more like the size of the Antonia Fortress. They based this upon the description that the historian Josephus provided.

Josephus effuses about the splendor of the Antonia Fortress and how much Herod, a prolific builder, dispensed for its construction. Herod dubbed the Roman camp “Fort Antonia” after his friend, Mark Antony, and it assured his reputation as a master builder by its unparalleled magnificence. It must have been about 40 acres in size, like other typical Roman camps capable of housing a legion of 5,000-6,000 soldiers. Josephus described it as being “erected upon a rock of fifty cubits in height” on a “great precipice.” It had “all kinds of rooms and other conveniences, such as courts, and places for bathing, and broad spaces for camps, such that it had all the conveniences of cities and seemed like it was composed of several cities.” With 60-foot walls, four towers (the southeast being 105 feet high), and smooth stones installed on its slopes, it dominated the temple to its south, ready to fend off the most formidable attacks.  When any trouble brewed in the temple, or to keep peace during the festivals, Roman soldiers poured out of Fort Antonia onto two 600-foot aerial bridges, connecting it to the roofs of the temple porticoes, whereupon they dispersed around its four-furlong perimeter. If need be, the soldiers could rain their arrows down upon the people in the outer courts or descend via staircases to perform hand-to-hand combat.

Millennial Temple

Ezekiel goes into great detail about how the Millennial Temple during the reign of Christ will look (Ek 44-48). Yet there is still room for interpretation about certain aspects. We can’t say for sure how it will look, but we can know it will be spectacular and may even surpass how marvelous all the previous temples looked.

The Tabernacle existed for 500 years. Solomon’s Temple lasted for 350 years. Zerubbabel’s Temple lasted 497 years. Herod’s Temple lasted for 89 years. The Tribulation Temple will exist for only 3.5 to 7 years while the Millennial Temple will last for 1000 years.

The size of each temple (or tabernacle) plus its court was approximately the size of the next temple itself. Why would this be? As each temple was erected, it had to accommodate more and more people. Therefore, the size of the temple altar kept getting larger to accommodate the number of sacrifices that would be required. Also, the court kept getting larger to accommodate the more people as well as the number of Gentiles that were supposed to be welcomed into Judaism.

For us to understand their size, let’s use the size of an American football field (100 yds long and a little over 50 yds wide). The tabernacle was about one-fourth that size. Solomon’s temple was about three-fourths that size. Herod’s temple was a little over 3 times that size. The Millennial Temple will be over 12 times that size.

Synagogue

The Greek word for synagogue means a gathering of something (in this case, people). It became known as a place of assembly. The synagogue was a reflection of the temple and was used for a variety of communal needs: schools, communal meals, hostels, courts, collect and distribute charity, political meetings, worship and reading / interpreting the Torah and Prophets,

The first synagogue was likely first started during Babylonian captivity with congregations without a building. In Psalms, we read, By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion (Ps 137:1). Some scholars believe the first synagogue building occurred in the 6th century BCE, but the first archeological evidence of a synagogue building is from 3rd century BCE in Egypt as well as in Capernaum. Literature of the 1st century CE refers to numerous synagogues not only in Palestine but also in Rome, Greece, Egypt, Babylonia, and Asia Minor. Several synagogues have been archeologically discovered:

Gamla was an ancient Jewish city on the Golan Heights with a synagogue. During the Jewish-Roman War (66-73 CE), it became a significant stronghold for many Jews. Many committed suicide by jumping to their deaths rather than being captured by the Romans.

Masada was a fortress built by Herod the Great on a plateau on the edge of the Judean desert overlooking the Dead Sea between 37-31 BCE and also contained a synagogue. Herod also had a multi-tiered palace there. It became a stronghold after the Jewish-Roman War (73-74 CE) where zealot rebels took refuge. Romans built a ramp on one side to eventually invade the city. Many of the Jews committed suicide rather than surrender to the Romans.

Herodium was built by Herod the Great as a Fortress and palace about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from Jerusalem and 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Bethlehem built between 23 and 15 BCE. The palace itself consisted of four towers of seven stories, a bathhouse, courtyards, a Roman theatre, banquet rooms, a large walkway ("the course"), as well as extravagant living quarters for himself and guests. Once Herod died and the Great Revolt started, Herodium was abandoned. The Jews eventually had a base at Herodium where they built a synagogue which can still be seen today, unlike much of Herod's Palace.

Capernaum was a base camp, so to speak, for Jesus and his disciples. The synagogue remains that are now visible are from the 3rd century.

Synagogues can be built anywhere; a new temple must be built where the previous temple was located. Synagogues do not perform sacrifices. As a way of putting the Temple memory in a special place, they do not use music during prayer. It is a place for prayer, instruction, and community, both in Israel and wherever Jewish people reside.

God has always prepared a way for people to worship and praise him. Praise of him was to be a testimony to his goodness to the world. We are to do the same.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

The garments of the priests who served in ministry of the tabernacle were of fine white linen. This represented holiness, purity, and righteousness—traits that were necessary in serving in the presence of a holy God. They wore linen trousers, going from waist to thighs, to ensure their nakedness was covered, a tunic over this that went to their ankles, and a turban on their heads, but cone shaped. The only color worn was the sash that went around their waists composed of the same material as that of the veil of the temple: blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and white twisted linen. This represented for whom they served in purity and holiness.

The high priest had even more elaborate vestments. Over the white tunic was one of blue color with pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen around its hem. Golden bells were placed between each pomegranate. Some say the bells helped the other priests to know the high priest was well when in the Holy of Holies as they feared a potential fatal incident similar to that of Nadab and Abihu where God struck them dead due their impropriety of offering unsanctioned fire in their censors (Lv 10:1-3).

Over the blue tunic was the ephod made of threads of pure gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. It was made of two pieces (front and back) which were attached at the shoulders with two onyx stones with the names of the tribes of Israel (six on each stone in birthright order) engraved into them and set into a gold setting. This represented the high priest’s responsibility of bearing all of Israel on his shoulders before the LORD. A waistband made of the same material as the ephod was placed around his waist.

On top of the ephod was placed a breastplate made of the same material as the ephod. Onto this was mounted twelve precious stones in four rows of three and placed in golden settings. The name of a tribe of Israel was engraved onto each stone. It is thought that the color of each precious stone reflected the color of the flag (banner or standard) that each tribe possessed (Nu 1:52). The Temple Institute believes the stones and their colors were as follows (Tabernacle):

First row of stones: agate for the tribe of Levi (color: red, white, and black stripes); jade for the tribe of Simeon (color: green); ruby for the tribe of Reuben (color: red);

Second row of stones: quartz for the tribe of Zebulon (color: clear); lapis-lazuli for the tribe of Issachar (color: blue); carbuncle for the tribe of Judah (color: bluish green);

Third Row: agate for the tribe of Gad (color: grey); amethyst for the tribe of Naphtali (color: purple); turquoise for the tribe of Dan (color: blue);

Fourth Row: opal for the tribe of Benjamin (color: all colors); onyx for the tribe of Joseph (color: black); aquamarine for the tribe of Asher (color: blue green).

This breastplate was attached to the ephod with gold chains at its corner and tied to the seam of the ephod just above the waistband to keep it from swinging out from the ephod. This formed a type of pouch in which the Urim and Thummim were kept. It is unclear what these were but are thought to be two stones (one white, one black) to indicate a yes/no answer to questions that the high priest would bring before the LORD.

The high priest wore a turban like those of the other priests but also had a band of pure gold around it, attached with a blue cord, with the words Holy to the Lord engraved on it.

When dedicated to service, Moses placed blood on the lobes of their right ears, on their right thumbs, and on their right big toes (Ex 29:19-21). This was indicative of them dedicating their service to the LORD: hearing and obeying God’s laws, their actions being according to the law as directed by God, and them walking in the ways of the law as God ordained.

The vestments for the high priest were different and more elaborate than that of the other priests for several reasons. One, they show his role as being different, and more strategic, than that of the other priests. It revealed to everyone that he was the mediator between the people and their holy God and the precious stones showed that he bore their needs and their very lives before him and represented them to God and that they, too, were precious to God. The blue robe revealed his role was a heavenly one even though he was on the earth. The pomegranates represented prosperity which he wore before the Lord as his actions were for the betterment of the people he served. The bells, as previously stated, was so the other priests could hear him in the Holy of Holies and know that all was well as they could not enter this part of the tabernacle themselves. All this also pointed to the coming of their Messiah who would become the ultimate mediator between them and God and is the role that Jesus Christ serves for us today (Hb 4:15-16; 9:11-12).

As we can see, every aspect of tabernacle worship pointed to their future hope of their coming Messiah (Jn 1:14) who would be their savior and the one to bring them back to their fellowship with God himself. Today, we can look back at how these elements pointed to Jesus Christ and his death, burial, and resurrection. He had taken our sins (1Pt 2:24) and has enabled a way for us to be right with God again and will allow us to one day be in his presence forever (Jn 14:3). Now isn’t that worth a hearty, Amen!?

We have looked at the meaning behind the precious metals and fabrics used for the tabernacle. Today, let’s look at each piece of furniture.

There are seven pieces of furniture built for the tabernacle. Five of them were made from acacia wood and then overlaid with either gold or bronze. Acacia was one of the few trees available to the Israelites in the wilderness. It was also very durable and resistant to decay, so it was really an ideal type of wood for such a purpose.

Two pieces were within the courtyard: the bronze altar and the bronze laver. The altar was built of acacia wood, overlaid with bronze, and used for various sacrifices. The laver was constructed of pure bronze and used by the priests for washing their hands and feet before they entered the tabernacle. Both were made from bronze because these pieces symbolized judgment. Sacrifices were made for atonement and the laver for purification. Failure to follow these steps before approaching the tabernacle where God dwelt could lead to drastic consequences. This is evident by two of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, who were priests but did not follow proper protocol for the use of censors in their duties and God struck them dead by a consuming fire which came out from the presence of the LORD for their inappropriate actions (Lv 10:1-3).

Within the Holy Place of the tabernacle were three pieces of furniture: the Menorah (or lampstand) on the south side, the Table of Shewbread (or Bread of Presence) on the north side, and the Altar of Incense on the west side next to the veil of the tabernacle. The table and altar, made of acacia wood, were overlaid with gold. The menorah was made of one talent (75-100 lbs.) of pure gold and was composed of seven lights (one in the center, and three on either side from branches extending from the central branch). The Table of Shewbread contained twelve loaves of unleavened bread, one for each tribe of Israel. The Altar of Incense represented the prayers of the people. The incense was burned on coals brought in from the bronze altar where the sacrifices were burned.

Past the veil was the Holy of Holies. In this place stood the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat (or atonement cover). The Ark was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. The Mercy Seat was composed of pure gold and sat on top of the Ark of the Covenant. On either end of the Mercy Seat were golden cherubim with outstretched wings spread upward overshadowing the cover. Between these cherubim was where God met with the high priest on each yearly Day of Atonement when the high priest brought blood from the atonement sacrifice and sprinkled it onto the Mercy Seat. Within the ark were kept three things: the ten commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded signifying him as God’s chosen for ministering as high priest for the Israeli people.

Each piece of furniture was a representative of a character of Christ. In addition, the position of each piece formed the shape of a cross. The bronze altar represents Christ providing the atonement for our sins (1Jn 2:2), The laver represents the cleansing provided by the Holy Spirit who gives us life (Jn 6:63) and renews us (2Co 5:17) because of Christ’s redemptive work on the cross (Jn 19:30). The menorah represents Christ as the light of the world who gives us enlightenment for how to live for him (Jn 8:12). The Table of Shewbread (Table of Presence) represents Christ as the bread of life, the one who sustains us spiritually (Jn 6:35). The Altar of Incense represents Christ as our intercessor (Hb 7:25) who is now our advocate (1Jn 2:1) before God the Father. The Ark of the Covenant represents Christ who made a blood covenant with us by the shedding of his blood on the cross (Lk 22:20). He is the embodiment and fulfillment of the Law (Mt 5:17), the true manna who sustains us (Jn 6:32-33), and is the proper high priest who intercedes for us (Ro 8:34) and shows his resurrection power which will one day be extended to us who have accepted him as our Savior (Jn 11:25; 1Co 15:20). He is also the Mercy Seat because he made propitiation (atonement for appeasing God’s wrath) for our sins (1Jn 2:2, 4:10).

Understanding all this helps us to better understand the adage that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. The whole Bible is about Jesus Christ and every page reflects him. When some say the Bible is a cohesive whole and not just a collection of stories, this is what they mean. It all points to him because he is the answer for us humans—both in this life and in the life to come. From eternity to eternity, he is always the same (Hb 13:8).

Can I get a hallelujah?!

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

In the previous post, we talked about the precious metals used in the tabernacle (gold, silver, bronze). This time let’s focus on the fabrics used. The fabrics used were also donated to the tabernacle construction by the Israelites and they were part of the plunder God allowed the Israelites to obtain as they left Egypt. This wasn’t a forced plunder but more of a bribe by the Egyptians to get the Israelites out of their land because of all the plagues and death that had occurred (Ex 12:33-36).

The tabernacle was composed of a courtyard with only one gate to enter and a tabernacle building within it, also with only one entrance. The fabric used for the courtyard fence and the tabernacle coverings were made of fine twined linen. This means this was not ordinary linen but made from fibers that were meticulously twisted together to make the material extremely durable. It would represent the very best type of fabric of their day.

The curtains made from this material for the courtyard fence was white which represented purity and holiness, for the contents of this place was considered holy as this is where God dwelt, or tabernacled, with his people. The courtyard fencing was approximately 150 ft (45 m) long on the north and south sides, and approximately 75 ft (23 m) long on the west and east sides. The curtains were attached to the posts with silver hooks. Each post, 60 total, was atop a bronze base meaning that the tabernacle was based upon judgment. It was a holy place. No one could casually come into this structure.

On the east side, facing sunrise, was the gate to the courtyard. The curtains on this side were composed of blue, purple, scarlet, and white finely twisted linen. These colors represented the heavenly alignment of the tabernacle’s purpose (blue), the divinely appointed aspects of the tabernacle’s contents (purple), the sacrifice/judgment that occurred here (scarlet), and the purity and holiness of the place (white). It is no coincidence that there was only one door. There was only one way to approach God and that was through judgment/sacrifice. Jesus Christ himself reminded his followers of this fact when he stated that he was the door (Jn 10:7-9) and he was the only way to God (Jn 14:6). Almost every aspect of the tabernacle was a foreshadowing of some characteristic of Christ.

The tabernacle itself was composed of four types of coverings. The first covering, visible to only those who entered, was the fine twisted linen which had cherubim embroidered into the fabric as well as the colors blue, purple, and scarlet. Each curtain was made 42 ft (13 m) long and 6 ft (1.8 m) wide. Two sets of five of these curtains were joined together with fifty loops of blue fabric placed on their ends. These two sets were joined together using golden clasps. Over this were placed eleven curtains of goat hair, each slightly larger than the previous curtains. These were 45 ft (13.5 m) long and 6 ft (1.8 m) wide. Again, these were made in two sets: one set of five and one set of six, again with fifty loops on each set but this time were bound together with bronze clasps. The sixth curtain was used as the door of the tabernacle. The additional length of these curtains allowed half of one curtain to form the rear of the tabernacle. This covering provided protection and insulation. Over this covering was placed a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of durable leather likely made from a large aquatic mammal (perhaps from porpoise or seal hides as both animals were abundant in the Red Sea).

From the outside, one could only see a drab looking tabernacle, but the inside displayed glorious features but was only seen by the priests who served in the tabernacle. This is reminiscent of how Isaiah portrayed Christ: a man of no special beauty in appearance (Is 53:2), but spiritually he is one of beauty and the one all should seek (Ps 27:4). The goat hair represents that he is our scapegoat and allows us to go free because he is the one sacrificed (Lv 16:7-10) and provides us protection. Thus, the reason for the clasps tying these curtains together being bronze was because bronze represents judgment which was the purpose of the scapegoat symbolizing that Christ would be our sacrifice, our scapegoat, and remove our sins from us (the goat which was set free). The ram skins died red represents his sacrifice for our sins.

There is one other curtain that is important to mention, and that is the veil between the Holy Place of the tabernacle and the Holy of Holies. This curtain was made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely twisted linen with cherubim woven into it. It was hung with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and stood on four silver bases. Behind this curtain was the Ark of the Covenant with its Mercy Seat in what was called the Holy of Holies. This curtain separated the area where the priests served within the tabernacle from the area where God himself dwelt within the tabernacle. Only the high priest could go past this curtain and go into this area where God dwelt, and he could only do this once a year to atone for the sins of all Israel.

This curtain represented the way to God and therefore was representative of Jesus Christ as he stated that he was the only way to God (Jn 14:6). A sin sacrifice had to be made before the high priest could go past this curtain. Hence, the reason for the base being silver and not bronze. The high priest could pass once a payment had been made. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross became our payment for our sins.

The whole tabernacle was symbolic of God’s plan to redeem mankind. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves, yet maintaining his holiness and justice. I find it quite remarkable. Don’t you? Join me next time as we look even closer.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

When God gave instructions to Moses for him to build the tabernacle, it was not random in how things were to be built and what materials were used. Let’s see if we can understand the meaning behind some of the nuance instructions God gave to Moses about the tabernacle’s construction.

There are three types of metals used in the tabernacle’s construction: gold, silver, and bronze (or brass). To understand this, let’s look at the purpose of each metal used. And before we do that, we need to understand how they had such valuable materials in the first place. Remember, just weeks earlier they had been slaves in Egypt. They were barely getting by. So, how are they now wealthy beyond comprehension? Scripture tells us, but sometimes the answer is presented so matter-of-factly that it doesn’t really register to us how profound such a statement is.

In Exodus we read, “The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The LORD had made the Egyptians favorable disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians (Ex 12:35-36).

So, in just a passing, casual statement, Scripture is telling us so much. Did you catch the main word? Plundered. The Israelites plundered the Egyptians. By how much you may ask? We get a glimpse a little later. In Exodus chapter 38, we find the following amounts used in the tabernacle’s construction:

Gold = 29 talents and 730 shekels (v24) = 1,000 kg or 2,200 lbs.

Silver = 100 talents and 1,775 shekels (v28) = 3,430 kg or 7,500 lbs.

Bronze (brass) = 70 talents and 2,400 shekels (v29) = 2,425 kg or 5,300 lbs.

That sounds like a lot for sure. Based upon today’s prices for these metals, this would be worth at least $170 MM! And this was just a fraction of how much the Israelites possessed (Ex 36:6-7). And this doesn’t include all the other precious stones and fabrics that went into the tabernacle. Now, that is what I call plundered.

What was made with each type of precious metal?

Gold: Ark of the Covenant, Mercy Seat, Altar of Incense, Table of Shewbread (Table of Presence), Lampstand (Menorah), clasps to hold tabernacle curtains together, rings to hold the tabernacle crossbars together, hooks to hold the five posts of the gate together, and used to overlay the frames composing the tabernacle, the four posts of the tabernacle, the five posts of the gate, and the tops of the posts and their bands.

Silver: 96 silver bases were used for the tabernacle: 40 placed at the bottom of the frames used for the south side of the tabernacle and repeated for its north side, and 16 for the west side. Each of the 4 tabernacle posts mentioned above had a silver base to it.

Bronze: the altar of sacrifice, and the laver (basin), both of which stood outside the tabernacle itself but within the courtyard, the bases of the poles of the gate to enter the tabernacle, and for all the tent pegs of the tabernacle and the surrounding courtyard.

What do these three metals represent? It is interesting that only bronze is outside the tabernacle and only gold is inside the tabernacle. Silver supported the entire tabernacle.

Understanding that bronze represents judgment, silver represents payment, and gold represents deity and purity gives us a glimpse of what the tabernacle is telling us.

The bases of the posts of the gate to the tabernacle were bronze, meaning one had to pass through judgment to enter. The sacrifice was on a bronze altar representing a sacrifice of judgment and the laver for washing was of bronze representing the need for cleansing before entering a holy tabernacle. This means one could not approach God as they were. A transformation or substitution was required. A person would bring their sacrifice through the gate of judgment, ceremonially pass their sins to the animal which was sacrificed for them. The blood was sprinkled on the altar and poured at its base to represent the atonement being made on behalf of the person. This represents what Christ did for us as he became the ultimate sacrifice required to restore our relationship with God (Hb 10:10).

The entire tabernacle was supported on bases made of silver. The temple shekel was also made of silver. Silver was used for payment. As the adage goes, “nothing is for free.” And that is true here as well. Approaching God and having a relationship with him required a payment, a sacrifice. The Israelites had to repeat this sacrifice repeatedly, but when Christ came, he became the payment required once and for all (1Pt 3:18).

Bronze represented judgment, but once that had been taken care of, the priest could then enter the Holy Place because of the payment made. Christ used the symbolism of the snake, lifted up on a pole by Moses to heal people of their snake bites that had been brought on them for judgment for their actions, to represent himself (Nu 21:8; Jn 3:14-15). Sin places a judgment upon a person and separates them from God. Payment (one’s life) is required to settle that judgment debt (Ro 6:23). The sacrifice placed on the bronze altar was a replacement for that individual. Christ became that sacrifice on our behalf that God required.

The inside of the tabernacle was holy, so all was made of gold. The walls of the tabernacle and all the furniture were of gold. Each piece represented an aspect of Jesus Christ and who he is and what he would become and perform. The lampstand or menorah showed him to be the light of the world (Jn 8:12) to lead us to him, the table of shewbread showed him to be the bread of life (Jn 6:35) who would sustain us and provide to us eternal life, the altar of incense represents him as our high priest (Hb 4:14-15) who makes intercession for us to God on our behalf. He is the mercy seat upon which his blood is placed and covers our sin (Ro 3:15) so God the Father only sees the blood of his Son, Jesus Christ, rather than our sin. And he is the Ark of the Covenant whereby his blood has sealed a blood covenant with us (Mt 26:28) so that by receiving him his blood saves us from eternal death and allows us to have eternal life with him forever. Not because of anything we have done but because of what he did for us. We are declared righteous because of his payment for us (2Co 5:21).

The tabernacle was a representative, or model, of what is in heaven (Hb 8:5). Its plan was given by God to Moses. Although it was a costly building, the resources for its construction were provided by God himself but he used people with no means of their own to produce something they never could have ever dreamed of without God’s help. And isn’t that what he does for us today. He takes our lives, which are worthless on their own, and gives us what is needed to make something wonderful of our lives so they can be devoted to him because without Him, we would forever be nothing. But he has made us new creatures (2Co 5:17) that he can work his will through us.

May He be forever praised.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Today we will talk about the last Fall Jewish Holiday, Feast of Tabernacles (or Sukkot). While this is not the last Jewish holiday in our calendar, it was the last yearly holiday/feast that God provided to the Israelites when they left Egypt (Lv 23:34-44). It started 5 days after Day of Atonement on the 15th of Tishri (the 7th month of the Jewish calendar) and lasted for 8 days. A Sabbath (day of rest) was held on the first day and last day but this last day was different and denoted as a 'finale.'  Today this eighth day is celebrated as Shemini Atzeret. This feast required that the people build booths made from palm branches, from thick trees, and from willows (Lv 23:40). The booths were burned before the end of the 8th day. The booths reminded the Israelites not only of their lack of permanent dwellings during their time in the wilderness but also emphasized their precarious existence during those years.[1] However, the materials of these booths were not those commonly associated with a desert but materials they would more likely find in their Promised Land. Therefore, although a reminder of where they had been it was also a reminder of their future hope as well.

John speaks of this feast (Jn 7). The day would begin with sacrifices followed by a festive meal and a study of the Law. Near evening, the priests would then go down to the pool of Siloam and bring back two golden pint pictures full of water. The people would stand along the way raising willow branches (lulavs) to form a canopy as the priests progressed back toward the temple. As the priests entered the Water Gate, trumpets would blast. The evening sacrifices were made and to climax the event the priests would pour the water into one silver basin (symbolizing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit) and would pour wine into the other silver basin. The temple orchestra would then play the Hallel (Ps 113-118). The people would wave their lulavs and recite certain parts of the scripture with the choir. After dark, there would be four golden candelabras to light the occasion. All the actions and songs of this ceremony focused on the coming of their Messiah and the peace he would bring. It was during this water ceremony that Jesus stood up and spoke the words, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him" (Jn 7:37-38). Here Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah. This offer proclaimed by Jesus Christ linked the Messiah's coming, i.e., his literal kingdom, and the coming peace and spiritual healing with the Feast of Tabernacles.[1] Therefore, this feast has future significance for us.

Jewish tradition teaches that God's coming presence to the Israelites of the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night occurred on the 15th of Tishri. God came to tabernacle with them. Is there a future day when God plans to tabernacle with His people? The Bible speaks of a literal reign by Jesus Christ for 1,000 years. This seems to be to the future state this feast/holiday points toward. This makes sense from a chronological perspective: Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah; beginning of Tribulation Period); Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur; Christ's second coming where nationally Israel accepts Christ as their Messiah and God forgives their sin); Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot; Christ sets up his literal reign with his people and 'tabernacles' with them).

I know that the idea of a Millennial Kingdom and reign is somewhat controversial in Christian circles. However, I think the Feast of Tabernacles is one strong argument that the Millennium will be a literal event and that it will occur after the Tribulation Period. I think there are two other strong arguments for this event to be literal. One is that this promise of God dwelling with his people was a theme of most of the prophets (both major prophets and minor prophets). This promise was also given after a pronouncement of doom and/or destruction. It was given as hope to the Israelites even in the midst of God's pronouncement of punishment. Therefore, it cannot be metaphorical because only a promise of literal fulfillment can produce hope. If something is metaphorical, it cannot elicit expectant hope. Secondly, with the Millennium being literal, it prevents one from having to make a significant amount of scripture metaphorical: the description of the Millennial temple by Ezekiel (Ek 40-48), most of the prophets and the reference to its occurrence in Revelation (Rv 20:3). It being literal makes all these scriptures and Jewish ceremony come alive, be cohesive, and is able to elicit the same hope in us today. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior (you trust in his act of dying for your sins on the cross as payment for your sins so that your reliance of going to Heaven is only through his act and not on your own merit), then you, too, have this hope. It is a literal hope that can spur one own to great things in this current life.

Next time we will see how these feasts tie well into the gospel story and our salvation as well as how another event God asked the Jews to remember guides us into a prophecy of the ultimate state with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I hope you join me.

[1] Congdon, Robert, An Appointment with God: The Feasts of the Lord (Bloomington IN: CrossBooks, 2009)

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens