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theminutest, particular, without destroying that meaning, and losing that significance
which alone made itof importance. Nothing here was intended as a mere ornament or
ceremony, all was symbol andtype. As symbol, it indicated a present truth; as type, it
pointed forward (a prophecy by deed) tofuture spiritual realities, while, at the same
time, it already conveyed to the worshipper the firstfruits,and the earnest of their final
accomplishment in "the fullness of time." We repeat, everything here hada spiritual
meaning - the material of which the ark, the dresses of the priesthood, and all else
wasmade; colors, measurements, numbers, vessels, dresses, services, and the
priesthood itself - and allproclaimed the same spiritual truth, and pointed forward to
the same spiritual reality, viz., God inChrist in the midst of His Church. The
Tabernacle was "the tent of meeting" (Ohel Moed) whereGod held intercourse with
His people, and whence He dispensed blessing unto them. Thepriesthood, culminating
in the high-priest, was the God-appointed mediatorial agency through whichGod was
approached and by which He bestowed His gifts; the sacrifices were the means of
suchapproach to God, and either intended to restore fellowship with God when it had
been dimmed orinterrupted, or else to express and manifest that fellowship. But alike
the priesthood, the sacrifices,and the altar pointed to the Person and the work of the
Lord Jesus Christ. So far as the Tabernacleitself was concerned, the court with the
altar of burnt-offering was the place by which Israelapproached God; the Holy Place
that in which they held communion with God; and the Most HolyPlace that in which
the Lord Himself visibly dwelt among them in the Shechinah, as thecovenant-God,
His Presence resting on the mercy-seat which covered the Ark.
It is most instructive to mark the order in which the various ordinances about the
Tabernacle and itsfurniture were given to Moses. First, we have the directions about
the Ark, as the most holy thing inthe Most Holy Place; (Exodus 25:10-22) then,
similarly, those about the table of shewbread and thegolden candlestick (25:23-40),
not only as belonging to the furniture of the Holy Place, but becausespiritually the
truths which they symbolized - life and light in the Lord - were the outcome of
God'sPresence between the cherubim. After that, the dwelling itself is described, and
the position in it ofArk, table, and candlestick. (Exodus 26)
Then only comes the altar of burnt-offering, with the court that was to surround the
sanctuary(27:1-19). We now enter, as it were, upon a different section, that of
ministry. here directions arefirst given about the burning of the lamps on the seven-
branched candlestick (27:20, 21); after whichwe have the institution of, and all
connected with, the priesthood. (Exodus 28; 29) The last, becausethe highest, point in
the ministry is that about the altar of incense and its service (30:1-10). Thissymbolized
prayer, and hence could only come in after the institution of the mediatorial
priesthood.Thus far it will be noticed, that the arrangement is always from within
outwards - from the Most HolyPlace to the court of the worshippers, symbolizing once
more that all proceeds from Him Who is theGod of grace, Who, as already quoted in
(^)