Before presenting the typical meanings of the tabernacle, we shall point out briefly the background which led to its construction. God did not dwell with innocent man in the garden of Eden, although He did hold intercourse with him. After the fall, even this was no longer possible, except that God did on occasion visit Abraham—His friend.
It was not until after Israel as a people were redeemed from the just judgment which fell on the land of Egypt and were brought out into the wilderness through the Red Sea that God spoke of dwelling with them. This was on the basis of their being sheltered by the blood of the passover lamb, and their separation from Egypt. Then God said to Moses, "Let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them." Exod. 25:88And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8). For this purpose Moses was instructed to build the tabernacle. It was to be the place of God's abode among the people.
No discretion was left to Moses as to the manner of its construction; everything was to be made "according to the pattern" which was shown to him in the mount. Man's thoughts have no place when it comes to God's house, or that which pertains thereto.
In this day God dwells by the Spirit in a house on earth which is composed of all true believers in the Lord Jesus. In the Millennium God will have a temple on earth at Jerusalem, but in the eternal state "the tabernacle of God" will be with men, "and He will dwell with them."
This brings us to the section of the book of Exodus which
gives us the account of the tabernacle (chaps. 25-30). This section is divided into three parts.
The vessels which manifest God (chaps. 25-27:19).
The garments of glory and beauty, and the consecration of the priests (chaps. 28, 29).
3. The vessels of approach to God (chap. 30).
It will be noticed that some of the vessels which manifest God are also used for vessels of approach to Him, and if the particular order in which the vessels are given to us is noticed, much may be learned in God's wonderful design.
There are also three ways in which we may view the tabernacle in its typical teachings.