The dimensions of the interior of the Tabernacle in length and breadth, so far exceeded by those of the Court is a surprise to many. We unthinkingly compare size of chapel and cathedral with the Tabernacle and Temple, but it is a mistake to do so. The Tabernacle without its Court, or the Temple without its Courts, could easily be accommodated within many of our modern chapels and cathedrals. The people congregated in the Court of the Tabernacle, while the priests alone could enter into the sanctuary, so too with the Temple. This latter had four Courts:
(1) The Court of the Gentiles.
(2) The Court of the women.
(3) The Court of Israel for the men.
(4) The Court of the priests.
But none of these were included in the Temple proper, into which the priests alone had the privilege of entrance. The priests inside. The people outside.
Christianity knows no such distinction. There is no material building on earth entitled to the designation, THE HOUSE OF GOD.Judaism had its house of God, of stones, small, large, and costly — composed of dead material. Christianity has its house of God built up of living stones (1 Pet. 2:5), and Christ the builder (Matt. 16:18). All such distinctions now as clergy and laity, priests and people, are utterly destitute of Divine authority. All the Lord’s people are priests to God, and all have equal access to the heavenly sanctuary. In Judaism, however, the distinction between priests and people was a marked characteristic of that dispensation. The Tabernacle was small in comparison with the Court, but quite large enough for the fullest priestly service required. Probably but one priest at a time ministered in the Tabernacle. It was so at least on the yearly day of atonement (Lev. 16:17).
The following table will give a correct idea of the relative size of the interior of the Tabernacle and of the Temples: ―
Width from North to South
The height of the interior differed from10 cubits to 60 cubits.
The Tabernacle was divided by the Veil into two unequal apartments. The first was the Sanctuary or Holy Place, being 20 cubits or 30 feet in length, 10 cubits or 15 feet in breadth, and 10 cubits or 15 feet in height. The second was the Oracle or Holy of Holies, which was a square apartment, being 10 cubits in length, width, and height. It will thus be seen that not more probably, than one person could officiate at the same moment.
It is important to bear in mind that neither the size nor costly adornments of Tabernacle and Temple, constituted them objects of surpassing national interest. It was the presence and glory of Jehovah which made that—in itself relatively small—great beyond all else in comparison.
Within.
No natural or artificial light penetrated into the Holiest. The sheckinah was its only light, and all outside its searching rays was thick darkness. The sanctuary had its seven branched golden Candlestick which burned all night. The import of this we shall consider when we come to examine the vessels within.
How resplendent! Inside, the walls on both sides a sight of purest gold; above, the beautiful tapestry―a gorgeous mass of color and cherubim; right in front of the Veil stands the golden Incense Altar, and on either side the golden Candlestick and golden Table of Shewbread, or “Exhibition bread”; facing the priest was the Veil, and behind him the door. But what was beneath his feet? The sand of the desert. But above all is the grand fact: God on His throne is within. He sanctified the Tabernacle with His glory.
“O who that glorious blaze
Of living light shall tell,
Where all His brightness God displays,
And the Lamb’s glories dwell?
God and the Lamb shall there
The Light and Temple be,
And radiant hosts forever share
The unveiled mystery.”