EXO 40:17And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up. Ver. 17.] The first day of the second year of Israel's experience, as a redeemed people, was an important period in their history.
On this day the tabernacle was set up. On this day the commandment was given for the numbering of the children of Israel from twenty years old and upward; all that were able to go forth to war in Israel. (Num. 1:1,2.) And on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the vessels thereof, the princes of Israel, that were over them that were numbered, presented their offering to Jehovah of six covered wagons, twelve oxen, with twelve silver chargers, and spoons of gold full of incense, with the burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings, though twelve days were occupied with the presentation. (Num. 7)
During the first year the lessons of the wilderness were learned:-What the wilderness was: what the flesh was; both under grace, and under law: and what God was, in the various manifestations of his character.
With the second year Israel's experience in connection with the tabernacle commences; and to this period the books of Leviticus and Numbers apply.
The first year is typical of the Christian's individual experience; the' second, of his experience in connection with the Church of God, and in association with others professing Christianity.
The Tabernacle Reared up.
And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars. Ver. 18.] The tabernacle is first mentioned, before the tent of -the congregation; for the first thought in the mind of the Spirit is an habitation for God, before that which represents the assembly of God's saints is spoken of; though in verse 2 both thoughts are combined-"set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation."
"And fastened his sockets." The sockets of silver, composed of the redemption money of the children of Israel. Thus, typically, the foundations of God's tabernacle are laid in redemption.
"And set up the boards thereof." Typical of those believers who are gathered together to the confession of the name of Jesus; individually, standing firm on redemption; and collectively, forming God's tabernacle, or dwelling-place. (Eph. 2:22.)
"And put in the bars thereof." For the compacting and establishment of the whole. Like the joints and bands, the gifts of the Spirit for the edifying of the body of Christ. (Eph. 4)
"And reared up his pillars." The four pillars which held up the vail, corresponding with the four inspired historians of the life and death of Jesus; and the five pillars which supported the hanging of the door, answering to the apostles and prophets, the evangelists, pastors and teachers, who exhibit Jesus as the, way' of entrance into the tabernacle of God. And thus the Church becomes not only the house of God, and Church of the living God, but also the pillar and ground of the truth, for the manifestation and maintenance of the truth of God in the world.
The Tent of the Congregation Spread.
And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the Lord commanded Moses. Ver. 19.] The tent over the tabernacle, or the tent of the congregation, represents the assembly of believers, meeting in the name of Jesus, who in spirit also compose the habitation of God.
The covering of the tent was twofold. First, the covering of rams' skins dyed red; typical of the atoning work of the Lord Jesus, under the shelter of which the Church is seen by God. And, secondly, the covering of badgers' skins, above and over all; significant of the external lowly form and pilgrim character of the Church on earth.
"As the Lord commanded Moses." All done according to the will and word of God.
The Ark.
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon, the ark: and he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark, of the testimony; as the Lord commanded Moses. Ver. 20, 211 The ark represents the Lord Jesus Christ as the center of gathering, of promise, and of blessing, and also the center of testimony to the Church of God.
The testimony-put into the ark showed the perfect obedience of the Lord Jesus while on earth; and thus the ark became the ark of the testimony. The staves set on the ark show his adaptation to the wilderness condition and need of his people. The mercy-seat put above upon the ark expresses that the exercise of the sovereign grace and mercy of God is founded on the person and work of Christ. The ark brought into the tabernacle teaches, that it is in him that believers are builded together for an habitation of God. (Eph. 2:22.) The vail set up is significant also of the truth, that through the vail, that is to say, his flesh, Christ having entered into the holiest of all, we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him: and all this according to the word of God. "As the Lord commanded Moses."
The Table.
And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail. And he set the bread in order upon it before the Lord; as the Lord had commanded Moses. Ver. 22, 23.]
"The table" is the type of Christ, as the center and ground of communion to the saints of God. " In the tent of the congregation." In the midst of God's assembly. " Upon the side of the tabernacle." For though the Church is looked at as the assembly of saints, it is also the dwelling-place of God. " North; ward." The place of self-judgment and discipline. (See Ezek. 40:39-42, and 1 Cor. 11) And on the north side the burnt offerings were killed. (Lev. 1:11.) " Without the vail." For it is here on earth we commemorate the dying love of an absent Lord, while waiting for his return. The bread set in order. Christ set forth as the bread of life-the all-sufficient and' life-sustaining portion of the children of God. And set in order, too! What a God of order is he with whom we have to do! And " set in order before the Lord." For it is in the presence of God that we are to remember Jesus, and take our portion as the sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty. Exalted and blessed privilege! And all this, also, in the spirit of unhesitating and full obedience, according to the word of God.
The Candlestick.
And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward. And he lighted the lamps before the Lord; as the Lord commanded Moses. Ver. 24, The candlestick sets forth Jesus as the center, source,- and subject' of ministry or testimony in the Church of God, through the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, and by the various gifts of the Spirit. "In the tent of the congregation." Ministry has its place, a place assigned to it by God in his assembly. " Over against the table." Throwing 'its hallowed light on the person, sufferings; and finished work of Jesus, in order that God's children may feed on him. " On the side of the tabernacle southward." The place occupied by ministry in God's habitation is on the south side, the side of grace and mercy, and on the side occupied by the brazen sea in Solomon's temple. (2 Chron. 4:10.) For it is in order to the believer's sanctification, "through the washing of water by the word," that Christ is testified to. The lamps Were to be lit before the Lord; reminding us that ministry must ever be exercised as in the presence of God, and the truth commended to the conscience in God's sight, and all in the spirit of obedience to God; "as the Lord commanded Moses."
The Golden Altar.
And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation, before the rail: and he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the Lord commanded Moses. Ver. 26, 27.]
The golden altar typifies Jesus, through whom we worship in full and conscious acceptance before God, in all the preciousness and fragrance of the character and person of Christ. The position of the altar is in the tent of the congregation: for worship has its place in the assembly; but "before the vail," and not simply as the table (v. 22) "without the vail." For we worship in the very prospect of the holiest,-faith penetrating within, and communing with God from off the mercy seat. "As the Lord commanded Moses." It is the expressed will of God that his people should thus worship him. The Father is seeking such worship from spiritual worshippers in spirit and in truth. This is the fifth time the expression occurs, "As the Lord commanded Moses."
The Door of the Tabernacle.
And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle." Ver. 28.] Christ is the door. He only is the way. No admittance but by the faith of him.
The Altar of Burnt Offering.
And he put the altar of burnt offering, by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the Lord commanded Moses. Ver. 29.]
Christ, by the offering up of himself in all the purity and holiness of his nature as man, and as a sweet savor before God, and accepted by God, as witnessed by his resurrection from the dead, and his ascension to the right hand of his Father-Christ, once offered and forever accepted, is the one by whom' communion with God is maintained, and communion also with the saints of God. And as the burnt, offering and meat offering were ever sending forth their- sweet savor Godward on this altar, and in this appointed place of communion between God and his people, so the sweet savor of the name of Jesus ever secures the unbroken fellowship of saints with God and with each other. And this is according to God's will.
The Laver.
And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water therein, to wash withal. And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat: when they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the Lord commanded Moses. Ver. 30-32.] Practical sanctification is to be maintained by constant communication between the soul and Christ, who of God is made unto us sanctification. The washing of the hands and feet, the purification of the actions and course of life, and that by the faith of Christ, and by the power of the Spirit of God. The living water, flowing from the fountain head above, the throne of God and of the Lamb. This practical sanctification capacitates the believer to enjoy in living power the fellowship of saints, and to engage in the worship and service of God.
"As the Lord commanded Moses." The seventh time this expression occurs in this connection,significant of the perfection of obedience, leading, as we shall see presently, to the perfection of blessing, and the fullness of glory.
The Court.
And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.] Showing the people 6f God separate from the world, even when not met together in church fellowship, having still God's tabernacle and God's altar as their center object, and Christ acknowledged as the only door and way.
" So Moses finished the work." All was now ready.