Only Moses was allowed to go up into the cloud, and there he received the Ten Commandments written in stone with the very finger of God. God also gave him instructions as to the building of the tabernacle, which we shall find most interesting and instructive. Moses remained on the mountain with God for forty days and forty nights, and when he came down into the camp of Israel again his face was shining. No doubt if we see a little of the wonderful meaning of the tabernacle and its furniture, our faces will shine too, for it all speaks to us of the glories of Christ, and of the believer’s place in Him.
Important Patterns
Perhaps some will find our “Talks” about the tabernacle a little difficult to understand, but we will make them as simple as possible. Even if you have to read them over two or three times you will be well repaid for the trouble, for God tells us that the things in the tabernacle were the “patterns of things in the heavens” (Heb. 9:2323It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (Hebrews 9:23)), and surely we are interested in these. Some of you may have seen your mother take a pattern for a dress and read the instructions two or three times to be sure that she made it correctly. How much more important are the instructions about this wonderful tabernacle when we realize that they typify to us the wonders and glories of the Saviour with whom we shall spend eternity. If mother makes a mistake in cutting a dress pattern she may spoil the material, but if you try to approach God in any other way but God’s way, you will lose your soul forever. How solemn!
These chapters, like all of God’s Word, bear the unmistakable stamp of divine inspiration to the careful and prayerful reader. Unbelievers only show their own folly in finding fault with them. They do not have the Spirit of God as their teacher, and therefore they can never understand God’s Word, but when we accept the Lord Jesus as our own personal Saviour, then we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God who leads us into all truth (John 16:1313Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (John 16:13)).
Center and Guide
The tabernacle was so constructed that it could be taken down and moved from place to place by the priests, and the Levites, and it was the center around which everyone in the twelve tribes of Israel pitched their tents. Surely this shows us, that, as we go on in our “wilderness journey,” (ch. 17:1) traveling home to glory, we like them have the privilege of being gathered around a Center. Yes, Christ is now the true gathering center for His people. Moreover, the children of Israel were never to move from one place to another until the glory cloud, which was over the tabernacle, lifted. Then the ark, followed by the other parts and furniture of the tabernacle went on before them. This is full of instruction for us as Christians, for it shows us the only safe way to make a move in our Christian life. Let us be careful not to go to another place unless we look up for divine guidance and receive our “marching orders.” Too often we move from one place to another because of some financial gain, or a more favorable climate, but unless “the ark” (Christ) goes on before to find “the right way” for us, we may be sure that we will not have His blessing. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isa. 40:3131But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)). Let us ever wait on Him!
Further Meditation
1. What is the tabernacle a pattern of?
2. How does the Lord guide His people?
3. The end of this chapter mentions a couple important ways that God guides His people. You can find a lot more on this vital subject in the pamphlet How to Know the Will of God for Your Life: Part 2, Four Ways God Guides by B. Anstey.