Camping: God Among His People (Tabernacle 16)

            When you are familiar with the tabernacle on earth, you can better understand what heaven  will be like, for the tabernacle is patterned after heaven (Rev. 11:19).  In heaven there is an ark and mercy seat (Rev. 11:19), lampstand (Rev. 1:12), golden altar of incense (Rev. 9:13) and bronze altar (Rev. 6:9). 

FINISHING THE TABERNACLE

            The final finishing details of the tabernacle are given in Exodus 39:32 – 40:33.  Again, everything was done exactly according to God’s precise standards. 

THE TABERNACLE AND JOHN

            There is amazing similarity between the tabernacle and the Gospel of John, as seen before in the seven “I Am’s.”  Both reveal Jesus.

            BRONZE ALTAR: John 1 “Behold the Lamb of God which takes away sin.”

            LAVER: John 3  “Except a man be born by water and the Spirit…”

            TABLE OF SHOWBREAD: John 4-6  Jesus the bread of life

            GOLDEN LAMPSTAND:  John 8-9  Jesus the light of the world

            ALTAR OF INCENSE:  John 14-16  Jesus teaches disciples to pray

                        John 17  Jesus’ High Priestly prayer of intercession

            ARK & MERCY SEAT:  John 18-19  Christ sacrificed, blood poured out

CAMP AROUND THE TABERNACLE

            God planned exactly how everyone was to camp around the tabernacle (Num. 1:1 – 2:34).  He was in the midst of His people, as He is today (Mt. 18:20).

TRAVEL WITH THE TABERNACLE

            Duties and responsibilities for traveling were spelled out, too (Num. 3:1 – 4:33).  Even the distribution of wagons was given (Num. 7:3-9) as well as the order of march (Num. 10:11-28).  The Levites were spread throughout the 12 tribes.  Each family of the Levites has special responsibility.  Aaron’s family was the priests.  The oldest son of the oldest son was the high priest.  Kohathites carried the furniture while traveling (Num. 4:1-20).  Gershonites took down, carried and put up the material pieces (fence, doors, curtains & coverings) (Num. 4:21-28).  The Merarites carried wood and metal items: boards, fences, bars, pillars, sockets, pins and cords (Num. 4:29-33).   When the cloud would lift everyone would break camp.  When all were ready to leave two blasts on a silver trumpet would signal the start (Ex. 32:26-27).  The  cloud would slowly move out (God’s guidance) and the priests carrying the ark would follow, keeping the ark under it.  When God had them where He wanted them the cloud would stop and descend and the tabernacle would be set up around the mercy seat.  The walls would be built, the pillars put in separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, and priests would lift the veil off the mercy seat and back out of the Holy of Holies, hanging the curtain on the pillars.  Taking it down was done just the opposite.  This way there was never a person between the veil and the mercy seat (except on the Day of Atonement). 

            This shows how organized and systematic God is.  It reminds us, too, that we are strangers and pilgrims in this world, with no permanent home until we reach our Promised Land – heaven!

I would be interested in hearing from you about any comments, suggestions or questions you might have.  If you teach the tabernacle let me know how it goes.  If you discover any resources or truths that are helpful, PLEASE let me know.  I’m just learning, too.  Jerry Schmoyer, 252 W. State St., Doylestown, Pa.  18901 (215-348-8086).  God bless you!