Part 1, Tabernacle Notes.

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IT is a striking fact that, whilst two chapters in Genesis suffice to tell how the world was framed, the Holy Ghost uses some sixteen chapters in Exodus to make known, in a most comprehensive manner, the construction of the tabernacle and its furniture. We may be quite sure that the church (God’s house) is of far greater importance to Him than the world; for we read that “He is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe” (1 Tim. 4:1010For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. (1 Timothy 4:10)).
The tabernacle cannot he dissociated from the history of Israel, who, as God’s early chosen people, were peculiarly blessed and highly favored, and, in some particulars, resemble the church of God now. They were a “called-out” people. “Out of Egypt have I called my son” (Hos. 11:11When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. (Hosea 11:1) and Matt. 2:1515And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. (Matthew 2:15)). It is well to observe that Exodus (the title of the book which makes us so very familiar with Israel’s deliverance from bondage, &c.) means “a way out; and how sweet it is to meditate upon the wonderful means of exit which God ordained for those people. Is He not, in grace, still calling out sons from under sin’s thraldom? The heaven-sent Deliverer Himself said, “I am the way” (John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)). When brought out from captivity, and pilgrims in the wilderness, with a promised inheritance in view, the Israelites were favored with the special presence of Jehovah, Who said, “Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them” (Ex. 25:88And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8)). He could find only one dwelling-place here below then, and that was in the heart, or “midst,” of His own; even so, at this present time, what was said to the church of God at Corinth has its application to those only who are “chosen out of the world.” “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor. 3:1616Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)).
From the early history of the world God has had His witnesses; both in the shape of living persons as well as inanimate objects — the former to speak in audible tones into the ears of their fellows; the latter to convey great truths, concerning Himself, to the heart, by means of the eye. Psalms 19 shows very forcefully that the heavenly bodies have “no speech nor language,” and that “their voice is not heard” (read without the words in italics); yet they “declare the glory of God,” “utter speech,” and “show knowledge.” If Christians remembered that the tabernacle with all its gorgeous furniture was not intended of God to be copied by them, in this period of His grace; but rather to be studied as one of heaven’s silent teachers, they surely would regard it in its true light. For the Old Testament speaks of it as a divinely appointed witness. In Numbers 9:1515And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. (Numbers 9:15) we read, “And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony.” The same thought is given in Stephen’s address in the New Testament in Acts 7:4444Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. (Acts 7:44); where he says, “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.” And it may be well to remark here, in this first paper, that nothing whatever was left to the ingenuity of Moses or those engaged in the work. The Lord, and He alone, was the designer of everything in connection with His own house or dwelling-place; for “Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shaved to thee in the mount” (Heb. 8:55Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount. (Hebrews 8:5)). Not the ablest or greatest of God’s servants was allowed to deviate one hair’s breadth from the divine architect’s plan! May not the present-day builders in “the house of God, which is the church of the living God” (1 Tim. 3:1515But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)) find a useful lesson here?
This sanctuary is replete with evidence of a most impressive character. It tells of a God Who is glorious, just, merciful, and gracious, and of a Saviour Who suffered — the just for the unjust. It fully sets out atonement by blood, and speaks, unmistakably, of “one Mediator between God and man — the man Christ Jesus.” It throws light upon the calling, present standing, and future glory of the church. From the smallest pin of brass to the solid mercy-seat of pure gold, all is full of instruction as an “example and shadow of heavenly things” (Heb. 8:55Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount. (Hebrews 8:5)), or as “figures of the true” (Heb. 9:2424For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: (Hebrews 9:24)).
A. R. C.
“It is a great thing to minister what the soul is fed with by God. It may be but one thought, but then that thought is the channel between Christ and the heart. The Christ Who feeds one can feed a thousand.”