Old Testament Reading: Exodus 31:1-11

“The LORD said to Moses, ‘See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent, the table and its utensils, and the pure lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin and its stand, and the finely worked garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.’”(Exodus 31:1-11, ESV)

New Testament Reading: 1 Peter 2:1–12

“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’ So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.’ They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:1–12, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

Introduction

I trust that you can see why I have set Exodus 31 alongside 1 Peter 2. Both of these passages that I have just read speak of the building up of God’s tabernacle, or temple. 

In Exodus 31 we learn that the LORD commanded the Old Covenant tabernacle to be built out of the precious materials and according to the heavenly design that was shown to Moses on the mountain and that its construction fall under the oversight of a man name Bezalel of the tribe of Judah, whom the LORD had anointed with his Spirit for the skillful and wise accomplishment of this task. 

And 1 Peter 2 also speaks of the building of God’s temple. The temple of which 1 Peter 2 speaks is not the tabernacle, or temple, of the Old Covenant, but is the New Covenant temple of God. It is not a temple made with earthly materials, but of people made holy by the blood of the Lamb. And who has been anointed with the Spirit and commissioned to build this spiritual New Covenant temple? Not Bezalel of the tribe of Judah, but Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the lion of the tribe of Judah. 

I do believe that these two things ought to be compared, for clearly this theme of temple or tabernacle building is one that is developed throughout the story of the Bible. In fact, there are a number of themes that tie the story of scripture together. For example, you have heard me speak of the theme of the kingdom of God and its development using the terms “offered, promised, prefigured, inaugurated, and consummated.”If you have been here at Emmaus for any length of time, those terms will be familiar to you. And I think that the same terms may be used to describe the development of the theme of temple, or tabernacle, in the holy scriptures.

 What is the Bible about? 

Well, it is the story of creation, man’s fall into sin, redemption in Christ Jesus, and the consummation of all things at the end of time when Christ returns to make all things new – creation, fall, redemption, consummation. . 

Or to summarize the message of scripture in another way, it is the story of the establishment of God’s kingdom. His kingdom was offered to Adam but forfeited. By God’s grace, its full establishment was promised to Adam. Adam would not usher in the eternal Kingdom of God. Instead, one of his descendants would – the seed of the woman who would crush the serpent’s head. Now please here. This kingdom – the kingdom of God – was prefigured on earth through the Old Covenant nation of Israel. Israel was a holy people brought into a holy land to worship and serve the Holy God as king. So then, the kingdom was offered, promised, and then prefigured in Israel. When I say that the kingdom was prefigured in Old Covenant Israel, I mean that it was present on earth, but only in a prototypical way. God’s kingdom was present, but not with full power. It was present, but only as a picture, prototype, and promise of something greater yet to come. And this is why John the Baptist came preaching saying, repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. In other words, as John prepared the way for the Messiah, the Anointed son of Adam, Abraham, and God who would crush the serpent’s head, John did also announce the soon arrival of the kingdom of God on earth. Some might wonder, but wasn’t God’s kingdom on earth already? Well, yes, in a certain way. Generally, God has always been Sovereign over all things. But that is not what we are talking about here. Yes, God’s kingdom was present in the form of a promise from Adam to Moses. And it was present in the form of promise and prototype in Old Covenant Israel from Moses to Christ. But the kingdom of God came in power through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all who believed from every tongue tribe, and nation. When did God’s kingdom come in power? Answer: When the Messiah came to accomplish the redemption of God’s elect, to establish the New Covenant in his blood, to ascend to the Father’s right hand with all authority in heaven and earth being given to him, and to pour out the Holy Spirit. You see, the kingdom of God was inaugurated then. The kingdom of God was inaugurated when Jesus Christ, the King of kings, and Lord of lords,  accomplished the work that was given to him by the Father in the Covenant of Redemption, and having finished his work, bound the Evil One, ascended to the Father, sat down upon his throne, sent forth the Holy Spirit, so that with all authority in heaven and earth having been given to him, his disciples might go with confidence and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded. You see, the kingdom of God is present on earth now, not in a prototypical way only, but in power, for all who have Jesus as Lord and King are citizens of this kingdom now. This kingdom expands as the gospel of the kingdom goes forth, and as the Holy Spirit works, to move men and women, boys and girls, to turn from their sins, to bow the knee, and to confess with their mouths and believe in their hearts Jesus is Lord. This kingdom is manifest on earth wherever God’s people assemble before God’s table, Lord’s Day after Lord’s Day, in Jesus’ What do we await except the consummation of this kingdom which will happen when Christ returns. When Christ returns he will judge all who are not united to him by faith, and he will usher his people – those washed in his blood through faith in him – in the new heaven and earth which he has earned. According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:24, At that time Christ will deliver “the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For ‘God has put all things in subjection under his feet.’ But when it says, ‘all things are put in subjection,’ it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.” (1 Corinthians 15:24–27, ESV). 

So what does all of this talk about the kingdom of God being offered, promised, prefigured, inaugurated, and one day consummated, have to do with the tabernacle, and later temple, of Old Covenant Isarel?  Well, I want for you to see that the same terms and concepts that we have applied to the theme of “God’s kingdom” can also be applied to the theme of “God’s temple”.

I think you can see that the Holy Scriptures tell the story of the establishment of God’s eternal Kingdom through Christ Jesus, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. And I hope that you can also see that the Holy Scriptures tell the story of the establishment of God’s eternal through Christ Jesus. He is the son of David who was set apart to build a house for God, wherein God’s redeemed will commune with him – not a house of wood or stone – but a renewed creation, a “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

After all, what is a temple or tabernacle, biblically speaking? Is it not a holy place wherein a holy people are invited to commune with, worship, and serve, the Holy One – God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth? Indeed, that is what a temple is. It is a special place set apart by God wherein man is invited to approach him, commune with him, and to worship and serve him. 

You have heard me say that Eden was a temple, and it was. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and all that is within. But afterward, “ the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed” (Genesis 2:8, ESV). There Adam and Eve enjoyed sweet communion with God. Adam, the priest of Eden, was to keep the garden temple. There he was to serve the LORD. He was to work to expand its borders to the furthest reaches of the earth. In this way, the worldwide, eschatological – that is to say, full and final – temple of God was offered to Adam, Eve, and their posterity. Can you picture it? Eden was a temple. Adam, through his obedience and faithful work, was to expand it to make the whole earth into the temple of God so that heaven and earth would be one. And I am saying that in this way, through the Covenant of Works, Adam was called to build God’s temple. As you know, he failed and was expelled, for no unclean thing can dwell within God’s temple.

The temple was offered to Adam, Eve, and their posterity, but it was forfeited. After this, the temple was promised to Adam.  When I say that the temple was promised to Adam after his fall into sin, I am obviously referring to the first promise of the gospel that was announced to him through the curse that was pronounced upon the serpent as recorded in Genesis 3:15. Though the word “tabernacle” or “temple” is not found there, it is strongly implied that the seed of the woman – the one who would crush the serpents head – would undo the damage that he caused through his tempting of the man and woman. If the original thing offered to Adam was a worldwide temple, then it is implied that this Savior that was promised – this Champion who would defeat the Evil One to undo his works – woud obtain the thing that Adam failed to obtain. The rest of the scriptures prove this theory to be true. 

So the worldwide, eternal temple of God was offered to Adam but lost. God, by his grace, did promise to recover what was lost, through the one who would arise from the women, that is to say, through the Messiah. So then, this promise concerning an eternal Kingdom, or an eternal temple (the new heavens and earth in which righteousness dwells), was present in the world from Adam’s day onward. But in the days of Moses, through Isarel, and in the covenant that God transacted with them, this promise was made visible and tangible. From Adam to Moses, God people who trusted in the promises of God – people like Abraham and Melchezadec – worshiped at simple altars. But in the days of Moses, the descendants of Abraham were commanded to construct a tabernacle. Later, in the days of King Solomon, this portable tabernacle would be made into a permanent temple in Jerusalem. It has been observed in previous sermons that the design of this tabernacle, and later temple, was meant to remind the worshipper of the original creation. It was to remind the worship of God who is in heaven and our approach to him from on earth. It was to remind the worshipper of Eden, and especially of what was lost. Adam and Eve were cast out because of their sin. The way to God and to the tree of life that was offered to them was blocked by angels with flaming swords, and so there was a veil in the tabernacle that separated the holy place from the most holy place, wherein God was enthonmed. And on that veil were embroidered cherubim – a constant reminder that the way to God was not fully open. 

So then, the tabernacle was a visible reminder of the original creation, of the heavens and earth as God made them, of Eden, and of the communion with God that was lost when man fell into sin. In this way, the tabernacle delivered bad news. But consider the good news of the tabernacle. Just think of it. God commanded Isarel to build a tabernacle. Think of the good news that was communicated to Isarel, and through them to the world, when God gave Isarel the tabernacle. That little portable temple communicated something wonderful. God is gracious. Though he would have done no wrong to leave the children of Adam in their sin and without hope, he showed mercy and grace. He has determined to make a way for man to be cleansed, to approach him, and commune with him. He has graciously determined to establish his eternal kingdom and his eternal, worldwide temple – not through Adam nor though the Covenant of works that God transacted with him, but in another way – though the one who would descend from Adam and Eve, and through a New Covenant the Covenant of Grace. As you picture the tabernacle that Isarel built, it is imperative that you think of it of it as a visible promise –  as a prototype, or picture, of much greater things yet to come. 

I have used the terms “type” and “prototype” often in our study of the book of Exodus. These are important terms. In fact, they are biblical terms. Paul speaks of “types” and “anti-types” in his writings. A “type” or “prototype” is a person, event, or thing through which God works in the history of redemption that anticipates the arrival of a greater, person, event, or thing in the future. Adam was a type of Christ, Paul says? How so? Adam was the Federal head of the Covenant of works. Christ is the Federal head of the Covenant of Grace. Both men acted as representatives on behalf of others – Adam on behalf of humanity, and Christ on behalf of God’s elect. But there are many, many more examples. The Exodus was a type of the redemption that Christ would accomplish. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was a type of the final judgment. When Moses lifted up the serpent on the pole in the wilderness and all who looked upon were healed, that was a type, or picture, of the salvation that God would provide from sin and eternal damnation through the lifting up of Christ on the cross. If you wish to read the Old Testament well as a Christian, you must be mindful of typology. Indeed, many Christians are aware of the direct prophesies found in the Old Testament concerning the coming Messiah. I am thinking here of Psalm 110, Isaiah 7, and other such passages that speak of the coming Messiah in a direct way. But we must not miss the fact that many Old Testament persons, places, events, and institutions, are embued with a kind of prophetic quality. For example, when Abraham took Isaac up on that mountain, built an altar, laid the young man upon it, and raised his knife, and when the LORD stopped him and provided a ram as a substitute, that was not only good news for Isaac – that was good news for the whole world. That was a picture – a prophecy in the form of an event – concerning the coming Messiah who would, the only begotten Son of God, who died as a substitute for sinners. The Old Testament is jampacked full of people, places, institutions, and events that have a prophetic quality to them. These things were pictures of greater things yet to come. 

Brothers and sisters, it is important for you to think of the tabernacle, and later, temple, of Old Covenant Israel in this way. These structures were filled with symbolism. They pointed back to Eden, upward to the throneroom of God in heaven, and forward to the coming of the Messiah and to the work that he would accomplish. The structure, the furnishings, the blood sacrifices, the washings, the priesthood, and even their garments all had reference to Christ. And this is a part of what Christ meant when he claimed to be the fulfillment of all the law, prophets, and Psalms.

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Bezalel, The Tabernacle Builder

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The passage that is before us today is really quite simple. In verse 1 of chapter 31 we learn that a man named Bezalel of the tribe of Judah was to oversee the construction of the tabernacle and all of its furnishings, utensils, and accouterments. We should not take this to mean that Bezalel was to build the tabernacle alone. No, in 31:6 we learn that the LORD appointed “Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan…”, to serve as an assistant to Bezalel. Furthermore, as the story of the construction of the tabernacle continues in Exodus it becomes clear that these men were appointed as overseers. The people of Israel would bring in contributions of fine materials and precious metals. Bezalel and Oholiab would receive them and oversee the work that was done to be sure that everything was done according to the design revealed to Moses, and that the craftsmanship be of the highest quality.   

Notice also in verse 1 that it was the LORD who called Bezalel. And in verse 6 we learn that it was the LORD who appointed Oholiab. So then, it was the LORD who called Moses to serve as prophet and mediator of the Old Covenant. It was the LORD who called Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. And it was the LORD who called Bezalel and Oholiab to serve as craftsmen and foremen in the building of the tabernacle. Indeed, the LORD had called all of Israel to freely and cheeerfully make contributions of fine materials so that the tabernacle of God would be constructed by all of the people. 

One of the points of application that can be drawn from this is that the LORD calls all of his people to participate in the building of his temple. And he furnishes them was a diversity of gifts by the power of his Holy Spirit for the accomplishment of this work. This was true in the days of Moses. This was true in the days of Solomon (indeed, when the temple was built in Solomons’s day, even the Gentiles contributed (1 Kings 5:1). And this is true now under the New Covenant. 

Though all were to make contributions of talent or materials, it was Bezalel of the tribe of Judah who was to oversee the work. And the text says that he was filled with the Spirit. In verse 3 the LORD says, “and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft” (Exodus 31:3–5, ESV).

Notice here that the filling with the Holy Spirit that Bezalel received was of a particular kind. The LORD had filled him with the Spirit to give him the ability and intelligence, knowledge, and craftsmanship, for the purpose of devising “artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.” I have no reason to believe that Bezalel was not a believer in the Messiah, and therefore regenerated by the Holy Spirit to the salvation of his soul. But the thing I am drawing your attention to here is that this particular filling of the Spirit was not unto salvation, but for the purpose of furnishing this man with the gifts he would need to fulfill his calling. Bezalel was called to build and furnish the tabernacle, and so the LORD furnished him with the gifts required –  he gave him ability intelligence, knowledge, and craftsmanship so that he might do the work that he had called him to do. This is a helpful thing to remember. When the scriptures speak of filling or anointing, with the Holy Spirit, this does not always refer to the forgiveness of sins or the salvation of the soul. Sometimes the scriptures speak of filling or anointing of the Spirit for the purpose of furnishing a person with what they need to fulfill a particular office or accomplish a particular task. King Saul was anointed with the Holy Spirit in this sense – he was anointed to serve as king. And when the Spirit departed from Saul (1 Samuel 16:23), he did not loose his salvation (there is no indication he ever had that). No, he lost the LORD’s anointing and blessing to serve as King of Israel.  

So, when we read that Bezalel was filled with the Holy Spirit we are to understand that to mean that the LORD called him and equipped him with the skill, knowledge, and wisdom required to construct God’s tabernacle in a glorious and beautiful way.

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Jesus Christ, The Temple Builder

I took the time in the introduction of this sermon to talk about the typology of the tabernacle and temple in part so that I might make a connection between Bezalel the son of Uri and Jesus Christ the Son of David. I do not think it is a stretch to view Bezalel as a type of the Christ who was to come. 

One, notice that both Bezalel and Jesus were of the tribe of Judah. I suppose it is also important to point out that King David, who desired to build a permanent temple for the LORD, and his son, King Solomon, who would build a permanent temple for the Lord, were also of the tribe of Judah. So then, these temple builders were of the tribe of Judah.

Two, Bezalel was anointed with the Holy Spirit for the accomplishment of this task. He was furnished with all he would need – ability and intelligence, knowledge and all craftsmanship – for the accomplishment of this work. Indeed, Jesus Christ was God’s anointed one. That is what Christ, or Messiah, means – Anointed One. And he was anointed to do many things, one of them being to build God’s eschatological temple. 

And three, both Bezalel the son of Uri and Jesus Christ the Son of David were called and equipped to do the same work, namely, to build God’s tabernacle or temple. Bezalel’s work was earthly, temporary, and prototypical. Christ’s work was much, much greater. It was heavenly, eternal, and ultimate.  

You see, while it is important for you to know the facts about the construction of the tabernacle under the Old Covenant – that it was to be built by Bezalel of the tribe of Judah, one set apart by God for the work and anointed by the Holy Spirit – it is even more important for you to see Christ and his work prefigured here.   

Jesus Christ of the tribe of Judah was set apart by God and anointed with the Holy Spirit beyond measure to skilfully build the temple of God – a temple not made with earthy materials, but one that will fill heaven and earth, be populated by sinners made holy by his shed blood, and filled with the glory of God forever and ever. 

You know, there is a passage that I have alluded to which makes it very clear that it was Christ’s work to build God’s house or temple, and it is found in 1 Chronicles 17. This is that passage wherein King David expresses his desire to build a permanent and glorious temple for God, and Nathan the prophet is called to speak to David and to inform him that he is not the man for the job.  His son would build the temple, not him. As you read this passage it is clear that it has an immediate fulfillment in King Solomon, David’s immediate son, doing the work of temple building after David’s death. But it is also apparent that what is promised goes far beyond Solomon and finds its fulfillment in Christ, the true son of David. Listen to what the Lord said to David regarding his kingdom and God’s temple. 

“When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’ In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David” (1 Chronicles 17:11–15, ESV).

When we consider these promises in the light of the rest of the scripture it becomes clear that they found their partial fulfillment in the work that King Solomon would do to establish David’s kingdom and to build God’s temple. But it is also clear that these promises find their ultimate fulfillment, not in Solomon, but in Jesus Christ, the son of Abraham, the Son of David. 

In fact, Hebrews 1:5 sites this passage and says that it has reference to Christ when it asks, “For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’? Or again, ‘I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son’?” (Hebrews 1:5, ESV) This is a citation of 1 Chronicles 17, and the writer to the Hebrews (Paul) wants us to see that this is not about Solomon, but Jesus Christ. 

Jesus Christ is the son of David of whom this passage speaks. Jesus Christ is son of David who would establish his kingdom. Jesus Christ is the son of David who would build a house for the LORD and establish his throne forever. It was to Jesus Christ whom the LORD ultimately spoke, saying, I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’”

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Contemplations

I trust that you have thought of Jesus as the great King of God’s kingdom. But I wonder, have you thought of him as the great builder of God’s temple, or house? I think if you kept your eye open for that theme in the New Testament you would see it everywhere. 

Perhaps the best example is that of 1 Peter 2 where it is said of Christians,  “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

The church is God’s temple now. And did not Christ himself say, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18, ESV).

God’s temple is being built up not stone by stone upon the foundation of Christ, the Apostles, and Prophets. And what are these stones except people – Jews and Gentiles together – who have Jesus as Lord. These are the stones of the spiritual house that Christ is building. And when will this temple building project be completed? It will be complete when all of God’s elect are gathered in, when Christ returns to judge those in their sins and bring his people safely into the new heavens and earth, the eschatological, full and final, everlasting temple of God in which righteousness dwells. Indeed, “nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27, ESV).

So what are the implications of this for us today? In other words, how does viewing Christ as God’s temple builder help us to understand who he is, what he has done, and who we are in him?

One, seeing Christ as “temple builder” helps us to realize that he did far more than earn your personal salvation and mine. No, he earned a new creation. He secured the place that was offered to Adam, but forfeited. The new heavens and earth are his, for he has earned them through his obedience. And they are our inheritance through our union with him. Christ said, “I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:2–3, ESV)

Two, seeing Christ as “temple builder” helps us to realize that his mission was not just to cleanse of sin so that we might go to heaven and stand afar off from God. No, he redeemed us from sin and darkness so as to draw us near to God. He came to reconcile us to the Father so that we might draw near to him and enjoy communion with him as Adam and Eve did in the garden temple before sin entered into the world. Christian, I ask you, are you living now as one who has been forgiven, or as one who has been forgiven and reconciled to God the Father? You can see the difference, can’t you? To be forgiven is a wonderful gift. Indeed, to be forgiven alone would be an awesome and glorious gift from God. But according to the truth of the gospel, we have been forgiven so that we might be reconciled. We have been cleansed so that we might come near to God to enjoy communion with him. I could also put this in the terms of justification and adoption. Those who have faith in Christ are justified before God. This means that they are declared not guilty in a legal way. Indeed, to be justified before God is an essential thing. It is a very blessed thing. But the justification we receive makes adoption possible. Our guilt is removed so that we might be reconciled to God as his beloved sons and daughters. So then, I ask you, Christian, are you living as one who has been justified only, or as one who has been justified and adopted? To be reconciled and adopted implies intimacy with God. Reconciliation and adoption restore communion with God. They are terms that communicate relational warmth. Thinking of Christ as “temple builder” helps us to understand this, for temples are places wherein man is invited to draw near to God, to commune with him, to adore, worship, and serve him. Are you drawing near to God in prayer, brothers and sisters? Are you drawing near to him in worship from the heart? Are you offering yourself up to him “as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1, ESV). Christ lived, died, and rose again, not only to cleanse you from your sins, but to cleanse you so that you might enter into the presence of God in his holy temple. 

Three, seeing Christ as “temple builder” does also help us to understand the nature and mission of the church. If the church is God’s temple, made up of living stones, that is to say, of human souls redeemed by Christ Jesus, and if these living stones are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ himself as the cornerstone, then it is clear that the church of Jesus Christ is made up only of those who have Jesus as Lord, who believe the words of Christ, his Apostles, and Prophets, and who have been cleansed by his shed blood as signified by the waters of baptism. In other words, it is those who have made a credible profession of faith through the waters of baptism who are to be received as members of Christ’s church and recognized as living  stones in his temple. God knows who are his. We cannot see the hearts of men. And so we are to receive into the church all who make a credible profession, who have been water baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Any church that willingly receives into its membership those who do not believe or those who make a mockery of their profession of faith by wicked and unrepentant living, defile God’s temple. It is those who have Jesus as Lord who are living stones in God’s spiritual temple. It is those who have been cleansed by his blood and washed with water who make up this spiritual house. And what does this say about the  mission or purpose of the church? If the church is the temple, then the church has as its purpose worship, prayer, holy living, and a faithful witness to the world around. As the Apostle Peter says, “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ… you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Old Testament Reading: Exodus 27:20-29:46

“You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn. In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel. 

[28:1] Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him for my priesthood. These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons to serve me as priests. They shall receive gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and of fine twined linen, skillfully worked. It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together. And the skillfully woven band on it shall be made like it and be of one piece with it, of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. As a jeweler engraves signets, so shall you engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall enclose them in settings of gold filigree. And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for remembrance. You shall make settings of gold filigree, and two chains of pure gold, twisted like cords; and you shall attach the corded chains to the settings. You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work. In the style of the ephod you shall make it—of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen shall you make it. It shall be square and doubled, a span its length and a span its breadth. You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row; and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold filigree. There shall be twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel. They shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes. You shall make for the breastpiece twisted chains like cords, of pure gold. And you shall make for the breastpiece two rings of gold, and put the two rings on the two edges of the breastpiece. And you shall put the two cords of gold in the two rings at the edges of the breastpiece. The two ends of the two cords you shall attach to the two settings of filigree, and so attach it in front to the shoulder pieces of the ephod. You shall make two rings of gold, and put them at the two ends of the breastpiece, on its inside edge next to the ephod. And you shall make two rings of gold, and attach them in front to the lower part of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, at its seam above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. And they shall bind the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, so that it may lie on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, so that the breastpiece shall not come loose from the ephod. So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the LORD. And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the LORD regularly. You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. It shall have an opening for the head in the middle of it, with a woven binding around the opening, like the opening in a garment, so that it may not tear. On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, around its hem, with bells of gold between them, a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe. And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place before the LORD, and when he comes out, so that he does not die. You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, ‘Holy to the LORD.’ And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban. It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron shall bear any guilt from the holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts. It shall regularly be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD. You shall weave the coat in checker work of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash embroidered with needlework. For Aaron’s sons you shall make coats and sashes and caps. You shall make them for glory and beauty. And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs; and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, lest they bear guilt and die. This shall be a statute forever for him and for his offspring after him. 

[29:1] Now this is what you shall do to them to consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. Take one bull of the herd and two rams without blemish, and unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers smeared with oil. You shall make them of fine wheat flour. You shall put them in one basket and bring them in the basket, and bring the bull and the two rams. You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and wash them with water. Then you shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the coat and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastpiece, and gird him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod. And you shall set the turban on his head and put the holy crown on the turban. You shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him. Then you shall bring his sons and put coats on them, and you shall gird Aaron and his sons with sashes and bind caps on them. And the priesthood shall be theirs by a statute forever. Thus you shall ordain Aaron and his sons. Then you shall bring the bull before the tent of meeting. Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the bull. Then you shall kill the bull before the LORD at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and shall take part of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and the rest of the blood you shall pour out at the base of the altar. And you shall take all the fat that covers the entrails, and the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar. But the flesh of the bull and its skin and its dung you shall burn with fire outside the camp; it is a sin offering. “Then you shall take one of the rams, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram, and you shall kill the ram and shall take its blood and throw it against the sides of the altar. Then you shall cut the ram into pieces, and wash its entrails and its legs, and put them with its pieces and its head, and burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the LORD. It is a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD. You shall take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram, and you shall kill the ram and take part of its blood and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron and on the tips of the right ears of his sons, and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the great toes of their right feet, and throw the rest of the blood against the sides of the altar. Then you shall take part of the blood that is on the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons and his sons’ garments with him. He and his garments shall be holy, and his sons and his sons’ garments with him. You shall also take the fat from the ram and the fat tail and the fat that covers the entrails, and the long lobe of the liver and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and the right thigh (for it is a ram of ordination), and one loaf of bread and one cake of bread made with oil, and one wafer out of the basket of unleavened bread that is before the LORD. You shall put all these on the palms of Aaron and on the palms of his sons, and wave them for a wave offering before the LORD. Then you shall take them from their hands and burn them on the altar on top of the burnt offering, as a pleasing aroma before the LORD. It is a food offering to the LORD. “You shall take the breast of the ram of Aaron’s ordination and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD, and it shall be your portion. And you shall consecrate the breast of the wave offering that is waved and the thigh of the priests’ portion that is contributed from the ram of ordination, from what was Aaron’s and his sons’. It shall be for Aaron and his sons as a perpetual due from the people of Israel, for it is a contribution. It shall be a contribution from the people of Israel from their peace offerings, their contribution to the LORD. The holy garments of Aaron shall be for his sons after him; they shall be anointed in them and ordained in them. The son who succeeds him as priest, who comes into the tent of meeting to minister in the Holy Place, shall wear them seven days. “You shall take the ram of ordination and boil its flesh in a holy place. And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram and the bread that is in the basket in the entrance of the tent of meeting. They shall eat those things with which atonement was made at their ordination and consecration, but an outsider shall not eat of them, because they are holy. And if any of the flesh for the ordination or of the bread remain until the morning, then you shall burn the remainder with fire. It shall not be eaten, because it is holy. Thus you shall do to Aaron and to his sons, according to all that I have commanded you. Through seven days shall you ordain them, and every day you shall offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement. Also you shall purify the altar, when you make atonement for it, and shall anoint it to consecrate it. Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it, and the altar shall be most holy. Whatever touches the altar shall become holy. 

[29:38] Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day regularly. One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight. And with the first lamb a tenth measure of fine flour mingled with a fourth of a hin of beaten oil, and a fourth of a hin of wine for a drink offering. The other lamb you shall offer at twilight, and shall offer with it a grain offering and its drink offering, as in the morning, for a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD. It shall be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance of the tent of meeting before the LORD, where I will meet with you, to speak to you there. There I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified by my glory. I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar. Aaron also and his sons I will consecrate to serve me as priests. I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.” (Exodus 27:20–29:46, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Hebrews 5

“For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’; as he says also in another place, ‘You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.’ In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

Introduction

This large portion of the book of Exodus that we are considering today can be divided into three parts. 

Firstly, in Exodus 28 we find instructions for making the garments that the priests of Israel were to wear as they served before the Lord and on behalf of the people in the tabernacle. 

Secondly, in Exodus 29:1-37 we find instructions for the consecration, or ordination, of these priests – that is to say, instructions for the ceremonies by which the priests would be appointed to their office.

Thirdly, in 27:20-21 and in 29:38-46 we find instructions concerning the duties of the priests. In brief, they were to tend to the lamp in the holy place in the presence of God, and they were to offer up sacrifices on behalf of the people at the altar, morning and evening. 

I wish to approach this text in the same way that I approached the previous one regarding the instructions for the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings. First, I will address what was to be made or done. After that, I will ask, why? In other words, first we will consider the facts regarding the priesthood of Israel, their garb, their ordination, and their duties. After that we will ask the question, what is the meaning, or significance of these things? 

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Priestly Garments

First, let us briefly consider chapter Exodus 28 wherein we find instructions for making what the priests of Israel were to wear. What were the priests of Israel to wear?

In summary, the people of Israel were to make contributions so that skilled craftsmen could make fine garments out of fine material for the priests to wear. These garments were to be crafted in a beautiful and glorious manner. Aaron, and the high priests who served after him ,would be dressed in an especially ornate way. Aaron’s sons, and the priests who would descend from them, would be clothed in special garments too, but with fewer accouterments than worn by the high priest. It is important to remember that the priests of Israel were descendants of Aaron, who was himself of the tribe of Levi. These Levites who descendant from Moses’ brother, Aaron, were set apart to serve the Lord in the tabernacle, and later temple. These were to be clothed in glorious and beautiful garments as they served the Lord in his tabernacle on behalf of the people.

What, in particular, was Aaron to wear? Eight items of clothing are described to us in this passage. 

First of all, the priests were to wear undergarments. These are described in 28:42: “You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs…” (Exodus 28:42, ESV). This coraspons to what was said earlier in Exodus concerning worship at altars: “And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it.’” (Exodus 20:26, ESV). This talk of nakedness and the need for clothing to cover such nakedness should remind us of the account Genesis 3 regarding Adam and Eve’s fall into sin, their awareness of their nakedness, their unsuccessful attempt to clothe themselves, and the Lord graciously clothing Adam and Eve with animal skins. These two stories regarding the clothing of Adam and the clothing of Aaron are related in some way. Both cary this theme: God, by his grace, clothed sinful man so that the shame of their sin might be covered, and so that man might walk before God and not be consumed. Certainly, these earthly things pointed forward to the work that the Messiah would do to make actual atonement for sin and to clothe those who turned from their sins and to him by faith with his righteousness and holiness. I’m getting ahead of myself, here. We will talk about the meaning or significance of these things later. But I would like you to have this connection between Adam, Aaron, and Jesus Christ in your mind from the start.

Secondly, Aaron was to wear a tunic, which in the ESV is translated as “coat”. This tunic, or coat, is mentioned in 28:4, 28:39, 40. Tunics were worn next to the skin. They covered the body, the arms to the wrist, and the legs down to the ankles. Tunics were worn by common people in those days, so they were not unique to the priests of Israel. But the tunics that the high priest and priests were to wear were to be especially fine. They were to be made of fine linen and woven with a checkered pattern.

Thirdly, the priests were to wear a belt, or sash, around their tunic. This sash was to be made with fine material. It would keep the tunic close to the body and would be wrapped around the other items placed over the tunic, which we will consider in just a moment, to hold everything together so that the priest could do his work. 

Fourthly, the high priest was to wear a special robe. This robe was unique to the high priest. It was one of the clothing items that would distinguish the high priest from the other priests.  This robe was to be all blue. It would fit loosely over the tunic, falling nearly to the ankles. The collar was reinforced to prevent tearing. There were only armholes, no sleeves. And the bottom hem of the robe was to be richly decorated with embroidered pomegranates. Bells were attached between the pomegranates so that the high priest would not only be seen in the tabernacle but also heard. 

Fifthly, the high priest was to wear an ephod. This also was unique to the high priest. In 28:6-14 we learn that it was made of five materials: Gold, blue, purple, and scarlet wool yarn, and fine linen. It was like a long vest or apron which was draped over the robe. So then, the high priest wore four layers of clothing – undergarments, a white linen tunic, a blue robe that was beautifully adorned with pomegranates and golden bells, and finally an ephod woven together with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen. The sash, or belt, would be wrapped around all of this to hold it together. 

There is one feature of the ephod that must be mentioned. On the tops of the shoulders were two precious onyx stones set in gold, and these stones were engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Isarel, six on the left and six on the right. This served to remind the high priest and all who observed him that he represented all of Israel before God as he ministered in the tabernacle. He carried Israel before the Lord on his shoulders, if you will.

Sixthly, hanging by chains of braided gold from the two onyx stones that were set in gold on the shoulders was a breastpiece. This was called the breastpiece of judgment. It was made of the same material as the ephod with dimensions of 9’ square. The precious cloth was doubled over to form a pouch. On the front of the pouch, twelve precious stones were set in gold, each stone representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. In 28:29 we read, “So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the LORD” (Exodus 28:29, ESV). 

It is clear that this beastpiece and the twelve stones that were set into the front of it represented all of Israel. As the high priest entered the holy place, he represented Israel before God. Israel was on his heart if you will. He carried Israel into the tabernacle and made intercession for them before God. 

And this breastpiece was called the “breastpiece of judgment” because of what it contained. I mentioned that the breastpiece was a pouch, and contained within the pouch were the Urim and Thummin. 28:30 says, “And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the LORD regularly” (Exodus 28:30, ESV). The word translated as “judgment” here does not refer to the wrath of God, as if Aaron were to absorb the wrath of God, but to the decisions or the declarations of the Lord which were binding on the people. The NET translates this Hebrew word, not as “judgment”, but as “decision”.  “You are to put the Urim and the Thummim into the breastpiece of decision; and they are to be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the LORD. Aaron is to bear the decisions of the Israelites over his heart before the LORD continually” (Exodus 28:30, NET). The NIV says, “Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD” (Exodus 28:30, TNIV). I think these translations capture the meaning well. 

There is much that is unknown about these two objects called the Urim and the Thummim, but they seem to have been used in Old Testament times to inquire of the Lord regarding his will in matters of uncertainty. Perhaps they were objects cast as lots before the Lord (see Numbers 27:21, Ezra 2:63, Nehemiah 7:65). Whatever they were, these two objects were to be kept within the pouch of the breastpiece of judgment, or decision. 

Seventhly, the priests were to wear a turban on their heads. This turban was common to both the high priest and the priests. 

Eighthly, a crown or band of gold was to be placed on the forehead of the high priest. This band of gold was unique to the high priest.  It was engraved with the words, “Holy to the LORD”. It symbolized the high priest’s authority. This plate also reminded the priest of his office, his responsibilities, and the guilt that he would bear for failing to fulfill his duties. 

So now you know how the high priest and the priests of Isarel were to be clothed. The high priest would be clothed with all eight items mentioned. The ordinary priests would be clothed with undergarments, tunics, belts, and turbans. All of these articles of clothing were to be made with the contributions from the people, of precious things, by skilled craftsmen, for glory and for beauty. 

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Consecration Ceremony

Now that you know how the priests were to be dressed, I would like to say a few words about how they were to be consecrated or ordained. Exodus 29 tells us all about the consecration of the priests as well as the consecration of the altar of sacrifice in the courtyard. I would certainly be possible to devote another sermon to this chapter, but I think I can summarize the text in five points. 

One, Aaron and his sons were to be washed with water at the entrance to the tent of meeting. They had to be made ceremonially pure before entering the priesthood. 29:4 speaks of this. 

Two, Aaron and his sons were to be clothed with the clothing described above. So then, having been cleansed for the priesthood, they were to be clothed for the priesthood. 

Three, Aaron and his sons were to be consecrated with sacrifices. Animal sacrifices, and sacrifices of grain and oil, were to be offered up to the Lord. In this way, the LORD was to be worshipped. In this way, thanks to the LORD was to be given while his priests were ordained. 

Four, Aaron, his sons, and the altar at which they were to serve, were to be cleaned with blood. Animal blood was to be poured out at the base of the altar. It was also to be splattered on the altar, and applied to the horns of the altar with the finger. In like manner, the priests were to be splattered with blood. And blood was to be applied to the earlobe, thumb, and the big toe of the priests. Just as blood was used to make the altar fit for service, so too it was applied to the priests to make them fit for service. Why was the blood applied to the earlobe, thumb, and big toe of the priests? To cleanse them to hear the word of God with the ear, to perform sacrifices with their hands, and lead the people into the worship of God their feet. The blood of expiation was applied with precision to the priests to purify them to fulfill their peculiar calling.

Five, Aaron and his sons were to be anointed with. Anointing with oil signifies anointing with the Holy Spirit. So then, having been ceremonially washed, clothed, and covered by the blood, the priests were anointed with oil, signifying the anointing of the Spirit. Perhaps you are noticing parallels with our experience in being made priests of God under the New Covenant through faith in Christ…

Six, Aaron and his sons were consecrated with food. Some of the sacrifice was to be burned outside the camp as a sin offering. Some of the meat was to be burnt upon the altar as a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. But some was to be set aside as a “wave offering”. This portion would be lifted up by the priest towards heaven as if it were received by the priest from God. This portion of the sacrifice was to be eaten by the priests. It was their portion. And in this way, the priests would be supported and sustained in their work. They would eat and drink before the Lord in the service of the people. 

Seven, this consecration ceremony was to last for seven days.

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Priestly Duties

So now we know how the priests of Israel were to be clothed, and how they were to be consecrated. But what was their responsibility? What were they to do? The work of the priests is nicely summed up for us at the beginning and end of our text. 

In 27:20–21, we learn that the priests were to tend to the lamp in the tabernacle to keep it burning continually. This responsibility to tend to the lamps continuously represents all that the priests were to do as it pertains to representing the people of Israel before God. Remember that the lamp, the table for the showbread, and the altar of incense inside of the holy place signified God’s presence and the way that God had made for his people to approach him from on earth. The priests were to draw near to God on behalf of the people. They were to offer up prayers to God on their behalf. They were to inquire of God on their behalf. 

In 29:38-41 instructions are given regarding the responsibilities of the priests to offer up morning and evening sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. Every day, in the morning and in the evening, the priests were to offer up a year-old lamb, a tenth of an ephah (1.6 quarts) of fine flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin (one quart) of oil, and drink offering. In the morning and evening sacrifices, thanks was offered up to God for his provision. Also, God’s covenantal communion with his people was signified. 

So, the priests were to intercede on behalf of the people in the tabernacle, and they were to offer up sacrifices in behalf of the people at the altar. These two responsibilities of the priests of Israel are set forth in summary form at the beginning and end of our passage for today. 

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Significance

So we know what the priests were to wear, how they were to be consecrated as priests, and what work they were to do. Now let us briefly consider the significance of these things. Why the priesthood? Why these garments? Why these ordination ceremonies? Why this work?

When I asked this question of the tabernacle in the previous sermon I did so under three headings – place, picture, and promise. I have two more “P” words for you that I will use to answer the question, why the Aaronic priesthood? The two words are these: provisional and prophetic. 

When I speak of the Aaronic priesthood as being provisional I mean that God worked through this priesthood for a time work as means through which the people of Isarel would be able to come before him to worship. 

When we speak of provisional things, we speak of things that are temporary, and not final. That the Aaronic priesthood was temporary, and not final, is evident from the superficiality of their dress, their ordination, and their duties. Please do not misunderstand me. I mean no disrespect to priests of Old, nor to the Old Covenant they served. And when I speak of their office, garb, and duties as superficial, I do not mean to suggest that the priests themselves were superficial men. No, indeed some of them have authentic and substantial faith in the promised Messiah.  I am simply using the word superficial in a matter-of-fact way. Think of it. Aaron and his sons were clothed with beautiful and glorious clothes, but this does not mean that they were clothed with true righteousness. Their bodies were washed with pure water, but this does not mean their consciences were cleansed. Their guilt as atoned for with animal blood, but this does not mean their sins were taken away. If you wish to learn all about the superficiality of the Old Covenant, her priesthood, and her sacrifices, then read the book of Hebrews. 

The provisional and superficial nature of the Old Covenant, her tabernacle, priesthood, and sacrifices becomes clear when we ask the question, did this covenant, with its tabernacle, priests, and sacrifices solve the problem of sin, suffering, death, and alienation from God that came into the world when Adam fell into sin? More than this, we must ask, did this covenant, its tabernacle, priests, and sacrifices, bring its participants into the glorious life that was offered to Adam in the beginning, but forfeited by him when he sinned? No, it did not. It dealt with sin in an earthly way. It cleansed the flesh, not the conscience. Men and women were invited to approach the God of heaven from on earth. These were all great blessings. But the Old Covenant, with its tabernacle, priests, and sacrifices did not solve the problem of sin, really and truly. It did not bring people into the immediate presence of God eternally.

When I say that the priesthood was provisional, I mean that it meant to serve a purpose for a time. It served that purpose will. But it was designed to give way to another order – a New Covenant, with a new priest, who would be clothed, not with fine garments, but with true righteousness, holiness, and glory. This priest would offer himself up for sinners. This priest would take away sin really and truly and make provision for full reconciliation between God and man. When I say that the Old Covenant priesthood was provisional, I mean that it served the purposes of God for a time until the Christ was brought into the world through the Hebrews.

When I say that the priesthood was prophetic I mean that the Aaronic priesthood was forward-looking. It was a picture of the priest who would come, not from Aaron, but in the order of Melchizedek, and to the work of salvation that he would accomplish. 

Jesus Christ fulfilled the office of priest, but he was not a descendant of Aaron. This is important to understand. He was the priest of God, but he did not come to serve as a priest of the Old Mosaic Covenant. No, he is the Priest of a different Covenant – the New Covenant, which is the Covenant of Grace. A change in covenants required a change in the priesthood, and so Jesus was not a priest in the order of Levi and Aaron, as if the New Covenant was simply a continuation of the Old. No, he was a priest in the order of Melchizedek, who lived long before Levi and Aaron. Melchizedek was a priest/king who ministered to those who believed in the promises of God in the days of Abraham. Christ was a priest in the order of Melchizedek because he came in fulfillment to those promises. And as a priest in the order of Melchizedek, he served, not the Hebrews only, but all nations, just as Melchizedek did.  

I cannot say more about Christ as a priest in the order of Melchizedek, for time is quickly running away, That will have to wait for another time. But know this: though Christ was a priest in the order of Melchizedek, and not Aaron, the Aaronic priesthood did still prefigure him. 

Their fine garments of beauty and glory prefigured Christ who would be clothed, not with superficial and earthy garments of gold, wool, and linen, but with true holiness, righteousness, and glory. 

As Aaron, and the high priests who would descend from him, offered up the blood of animals for the purification of the flesh, it was a picture of the blood of Christ, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. 

As the Aaronic priests were washed bodily with water, it was a picture of the priest who would provide for the forgiveness of sins to the cleaning of the conscience. 

As Aaronic priests entered the tabernacle with Israel on their shoulders and heart, and as the high priest entered the holiest place once per year as representative of Isarel, it was a picture of Jesus Christ, the great High Priest, the only mediator between God and man, who is able to take his people all the way into the immediate presence of God to remain there for all eternity.

Indeed, so great is the work of Jesus, our Great High Priest, that he makes all who are united to him by faith, priest to God. He washes away our sins, purifies our conscience, anoints us with his Spirit, invites us to eat and drink before him, and having opened up the way for us, invites us to come boldly before the throne of grace, there to remain forever and ever 

This is why Peter could write to Christians, saying, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9–10, ESV)

Did you hear that, brothers and sisters? Through faith in Christ, our great High Priest, we are made to be a royal priesthood. Having been forgiven, washed, clothed, and anointed, through faith in the crucified and risen Messiah, we have all been appointed to the service of God as priests. And what is our duty? To intercede on behalf of the world in prayer, and to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light.” We are to pray for the world, and we are to proclaim Christ to the world as God’s royal priesthood, washed in the blood of Jesus, the priest who has come in the order of Melchizedek to earn our salvation. 

Old Testament Reading: Exodus 25-27

“The LORD said to Moses, ‘Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats’ hair, tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood, oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it. 

[25:10] They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half shall be its length [45”], a cubit and a half its breadth [27”] , and a cubit and a half its height [27”]. You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside shall you overlay it, and you shall make on it a molding of gold around it. You shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet, two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark by them. The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. And you shall put into the ark the testimony that I shall give you. You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be. And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel. 

25:23] You shall make a table of acacia wood. Two cubits shall be its length [36”], a cubit its breadth [18”], and a cubit and a half its height [27”]. You shall overlay it with pure gold and make a molding of gold around it. And you shall make a rim around it a handbreadth wide, and a molding of gold around the rim. And you shall make for it four rings of gold, and fasten the rings to the four corners at its four legs. Close to the frame the rings shall lie, as holders for the poles to carry the table. You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, and the table shall be carried with these. And you shall make its plates and dishes for incense, and its flagons [a flagon is jar or pitcher] and bowls with which to pour drink offerings; you shall make them of pure gold. And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me regularly. 

[25:31] You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes [a calyx is a flower bulb, or blossom], and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. And there shall be six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of one side of it and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it; three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on the other branch—so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. And on the lampstand itself there shall be four cups made like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and flowers, and a calyx of one piece with it under each pair of the six branches going out from the lampstand. Their calyxes and their branches shall be of one piece with it, the whole of it a single piece of hammered work of pure gold. You shall make seven lamps for it. And the lamps shall be set up so as to give light on the space in front of it. Its tongs and their trays shall be of pure gold. It shall be made, with all these utensils, out of a talent of pure gold. And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain. 

[26:1] Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them. The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall be the same size. Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another. And you shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set. Likewise you shall make loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set. Fifty loops you shall make on the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain that is in the second set; the loops shall be opposite one another. And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains one to the other with the clasps, so that the tabernacle may be a single whole. You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair for a tent over the tabernacle; eleven curtains shall you make. The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. The eleven curtains shall be the same size. You shall couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and the sixth curtain you shall double over at the front of the tent. You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set. You shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together that it may be a single whole. And the part that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. And the extra that remains in the length of the curtains, the cubit on the one side, and the cubit on the other side, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, on this side and that side, to cover it. And you shall make for the tent a covering of tanned rams’ skins and a covering of goatskins on top. You shall make upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. Ten cubits shall be the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each frame. There shall be two tenons in each frame, for fitting together. So shall you do for all the frames of the tabernacle. You shall make the frames for the tabernacle: twenty frames for the south side; and forty bases of silver you shall make under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons; and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side twenty frames, and their forty bases of silver, two bases under one frame, and two bases under the next frame. And for the rear of the tabernacle westward you shall make six frames. And you shall make two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear; they shall be separate beneath, but joined at the top, at the first ring. Thus shall it be with both of them; they shall form the two corners. And there shall be eight frames, with their bases of silver, sixteen bases; two bases under one frame, and two bases under another frame. You shall make bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the side of the tabernacle at the rear westward. The middle bar, halfway up the frames, shall run from end to end. You shall overlay the frames with gold and shall make their rings of gold for holders for the bars, and you shall overlay the bars with gold. Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to the plan for it that you were shown on the mountain. And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it. And you shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, with hooks of gold, on four bases of silver. And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy. You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place. And you shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand on the south side of the tabernacle opposite the table, and you shall put the table on the north side. You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five bases of bronze for them. 

[27:1] ] You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits. And you shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze. You shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and fire pans. You shall make all its utensils of bronze. You shall also make for it a grating, a network of bronze, and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners. And you shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net extends halfway down the altar. And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. And the poles shall be put through the rings, so that the poles are on the two sides of the altar when it is carried. You shall make it hollow, with boards. As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made. 

[27:9] You shall make the court of the tabernacle. On the south side the court shall have hangings of fine twined linen a hundred cubits long for one side. Its twenty pillars and their twenty bases shall be of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. And likewise for its length on the north side there shall be hangings a hundred cubits long, its pillars twenty and their bases twenty, of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. And for the breadth of the court on the west side there shall be hangings for fifty cubits, with ten pillars and ten bases. The breadth of the court on the front to the east shall be fifty cubits. The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. On the other side the hangings shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. For the gate of the court there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. It shall have four pillars and with them four bases. All the pillars around the court shall be filleted with silver. Their hooks shall be of silver, and their bases of bronze. The length of the court shall be a hundred cubits, the breadth fifty, and the height five cubits, with hangings of fine twined linen and bases of bronze. All the utensils of the tabernacle for every use, and all its pegs and all the pegs of the court, shall be of bronze. 

[27:20] You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn. In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel.” (Exodus 25–27, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Hebrews 8

“Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, ‘See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.’ But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. For he finds fault with them when he says: ‘Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” (Hebrews 8, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

Introduction

In the time that we have remaining, I wish to answer two basic questions before offering you some suggestions for application. The first question that I wish to answer is this: what was the tabernacle? And after that I will address the question, what was the significance of the tabernacle? You see, it is one thing to know about the dimensions and details of the tabernacle’s construction, but it is quite another thing to understand its significance, purpose, or meaning. It is certainly important for us to understand what the tabernacle was (how it was made and what its features were). We must start with this. But after that, we must ask the deeper question: What was the significance or meaning of the tabernacle? Why was it given? What was it for? What did it communicate about God, his relationship to man, and his plans and purposes? 

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What Was The Tabernacle?

First, let us ask the basic question, what was the tabernacle? 

In general, it was a portable sanctuary built by Israel with precious things according to God’s design. These general facts are introduced to us in Exodus 25:1-9. 

Firstly, we are to see that it was a portable sanctuary, or temple. In 25:8 the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,  “And let them [Israel] make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” That this sanctuary was designed to be portable so that Isarel could take it with them as they sojourned towards the Promised Land will become clear later in this passage. But here I wish to emphasize that the tabernacle was a sanctuary or temple.  Once constructed, it would be the place where Isarel was to worship God. And it would be there in the tabernacle that God would manifest his glory in a special way. “And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst,” the Lord said. Yes, God is omnipresent. He is fully in all places at all times. But just as God is present in a special way in the heavenly realm that he created in the beginning, so too he determined to be present in a special way in the midst of Israel in the tabernacle. 

Secondly, this sanctuary was to be built by Israel. Look at 25:2. “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.” So not only was Israel to construct the tabernacle, they were to construct it with the contributions that they themselves willingly made. They were to pour themselves into this temple. 

Thirdly, this sanctuary was to be built by Israel with precious things. In 25:3-5 we read,  “And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats’ hair, tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood…” (Exodus 25:3–5, ESV). These precious things were to be an earthy reflection of the glory of God in heaven. 

Fourthly,  this sanctuary was to be built by Israel with precious things according to God’s design. This command is repeated throughout the passage we read, but it is stated for the first time in 25:9. There the Lord says, “Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.” So Israel was to construct this temple, not according to their imagination, but in obedience to the command of God. And the same is true for us today. The church, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, is to be built, not according to the imaginations and creativity of man, but according to God’s design. 

So I have told you what the tabernacle was in general. It was a sanctuary built by Israel with precious things according to God’s design. It was the place where God would manifest his glory to Israel, where they were invited to approach him, worship, and serve him. 

Now let us consider the specific parts of it. They are described to us in detail in Exodus 25:10-27:19. The most holy things are described first, and the least holy things are described last. That is the order. 

Firstly, in 25:10-22 we find instructions for the construction of the ark of the testimony, which is also called the ark of the covenant. This was a rather small chest (45”x27”x27”) made of acacia wood and overlaid inside and out with pure gold. It was designed so that the tablets containing the law of the covenant which God would write on stone could be kept within it. The lid of this chest was called the mercy seat. It was made of pure gold. On top of it were the images of two angels, one on the left and one on the right with their wings stretched out towards the middle. In 25:22 we read the word of the Lord to Moses, “There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.” So this is where God would meet with Israel, above the mercy seat, and between the angels. This ark of the covenant which we are now describing was to be kept in a special place in the tabernacle – not in the courtyard, not in the Holy Place – but in the holy of holies, behind the veil, through which only Moses and the High Priests would go. The High Priests would go once a year, and not without the blood of a sacrificed animal to sprinkle on the mercy seat for the purification of their own sins, and the sins of the nation.   

Secondly, in 25:23-30 we find instructions for the construction of the table which was to hold the bread of presence. This bread is sometimes called the showbread. It was to be set before the face of God as a perpetual reminder of his provision for us. Twelve loaves would be placed before God in two groups of six (signifying the twelve tribes of Israel. Each day, fresh loaves would be placed out and the priests were to eat the day-old bread. Notice this: it was the priests as representatives of the people who would eat the bread, and not God. Where was this table of the bread of presence to be placed? Not behind the veil in the Holy of Holies, but in the Holy Place in front of the veil where the priests could have daily access to it. Certainly, this bread of the presence signified Israel’s covenantal communion with God. What did Israel do after the Old Covenant was confirmed and as they saw the heavenly throne room of God open up to them while they were on the mountain? They ate and they drank. They enjoyed covenantal communion with God, in other words. Brother and sisters, it was the LORD who set this table before Israel. Yes, they made this table and set it in place in the tabernacle, but the LORD initiated it. He commanded that this table be set between him and the people in the tabernacle. Certainly, this signified communion with God. It also was a perpetual reminder that it is the Lord who gives us this day our daily bread. Christians should remember that the Lord has set a table for us in the New Covenant temple of God. On that table, which we call the Lord’s table, the New Covenant “bread of presence” is set before God’s people signifying Christ’s broken body, our covenantal communion with God through faith in him, and that he is with us always to the end of the age.

Thirdly, in 25:31-40 instructions are given for the construction of the lampstand. Perhaps you have heard this lampstand called the Menorah, which is the Hebrew word translated as “lampstand”. This lampstand was shaped like a tree. It had a trunk, and seven branches – one in the middle and three on each side. The light of this lampstand would illuminate the Holy Place. By this light, the priests would walk and be able to see the tapestry and the bread of the presence. This light was a reminder that in the beginning, God said, let there be light. The lampstand represented the sun, moon, and stars within the tabernacle, which I will argue, was designed to remind the worshiper of the created world. This tree was a strange tree in that it had flowers, buds, and fruit all at once. This is a reminder of God’s continual provision through the cycles of the seasons, springtime and harvest. This tree-shaped lampstand also represented the tree of life that was present in the garden from which man was barred when he fell into sin. We will soon come to talk about the significance of the tabernacle, but I cannot help to draw your attention to this symbolism. The tabernacle was a picture of heavenly realities. It was a picture of Eden. 

Fourthly, in 26:1-37 we find instructions for the construction of the tabernacle itself. The tabernacle consisted of two rooms – the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place – with a courtyard around them. The Holy Place was 30’ long, by 15’ feed wide, and 15’ tall. The Most Holy Place was shaped like a cube: 15’x 15’x 15’. So in total, the tabernacle was 45’x15’x15’. In between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place was a curtain or vail with large angels embroidered on it – certainly, this was to remind the worshipper of the angel that was placed outside of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life and into the presence of God. The tabernacle itself was constructed with inner curtains. These were also embroidered with angels to remind the worshipper of the heavenly hosts that look down upon them. On the outside of these elaborate curtains was a layer of animal hides to protect the tabernacle from the elements. These were hung on wooden beams overlaid with gold on golden hooks and rings.

Fifthly, in 27:1-8 instructions for the construction of the bronze alter upon which animal sacrifices were to be burnt are given. The bronze altar was 7.5’ square and 4.5’ feet tall. Along with it, utensils for tending the fire and the sacrifices were made, along with poles to carry it from place to place. 

Sixthly, and lastly, in 27:9-19, instructions for the construction of the courtyard are given. The courtyard was to be enclosed with “fine twined linen” hung on pillars with bases of bronze and with hooks of silver (notice that the metals are getting less precious the further we get from the Most Holy Place). An entrance gate was also to be made. It was to be made of “blue and purple and scarlet yarn”, with a width of 30’. The dimensions of the whole courtyard were 150’ long by 75’ wide with linen walls 7.5’ high. All of the utensils of the courtyard were to be made of bronze, and that includes a large laver for washing which will be described to us in Exodus 30, along with other items associated with the priesthood. 

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What Was The Significance Of The Tabernacle?

So it should be clear to you what the tabernacle was. I hope you understand the facts about its features and dimensions. But now we must ask the deeper question: what was it for? What was its purpose, significance, or meaning? What did the tabernacle communicate to Israel, and through them, the world?

I hope you can see why this is the deeper and more important question. If you were to ask me, what is baptism? Or, what is the Lord’s Supper? I could tell you all about the proper recipients, the elements used, and how they are to be administered. As important as those facts are, that sort of answer would be superficial. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are sacraments. That means that they symbolize spiritual realities. If you really want to understand Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, you must know what the dipping of a person in water and the eating of bread and drinking of wine signify.  And you know what these means of grace signify. They remind us of a historical event – the death and resurrection of Christ. They are signs of heavenly and spiritual realities – his being seated at the right hand of the father now, our having been washed in his blood, and our covenantal and Spirit-wrought union with him. You see, if we wish to answer the question, what is baptism?, or, what is the Lord’s Supper?, this is what we must talk about. We must go beyond a consideration of the elements – bread, wine, and water – and beyond questions of administration, to a discussion about meaning and significance. The same is true with the tabernacle, and later temple, of the Old Covenant. The tabernacle functioned in a sacramental or symbolic way.  

I think I can briefly answer the question, what was the significance of the tabernacle?, under three headings: place, picture, and promise. 

Firstly, the tabernacle was the place where Israel was to worship the LORD and where God would dwell in the midst of them in a special way. There at the tabernacle, and later the temple, Israel was invited to draw near to God in the way that he prescribed. The tabernacle was the place of God’s special presence under the Old Covenant. 

In the past, I have taught you that the kingdom of God was prefigured within Old Covenant Israel. The kingdom was offered to Adam but forfeited, promised to Adam, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was prefigured within Isarel under the Old Mosaic Covenant. It was inaugurated (or started) at Christ’s first coming with the making of the New Covenant. And it will be consummated (or completed) when he comes again to judge and to bring his elect into the new heavens and Earth which he has purchased with his blood. The whole story of the Bible can be described in terms of the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth and amongst men. And what is the kingdom of God except for the Holy God ruling and reigning in the midst of a holy people in a holy realm? 

 I have taught you in previous sermons that the kingdom of God is the Holy God dwelling in the midst of his holy people in a holy realm. If you wish to know what the kingdom of God is in its full and consummate state, you may go to the end of the book of Revelation to read of the vision that John saw of the new heavens and earth. He saw a vision of the Holy God ruling and reigning in the midst of a holy people in a holy realm. That was what was offered to Adam, promised to the patriarchs, prefigured in Old Covenant Israel, and inaugurated at Christ’s first coming. Everything is heading towards the consummation of the kingdom when Christ returns. 

In Old Covenant Israel the kingdom of God was prefigured. It was not present yet with power. This is why John the Baptist came preaching, repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. But it was prefigured in Israel. And if the kingdom of God is the Holy God dwelling in the midst of his holy people in a holy realm, then you can see that the tabernacle, and later the temple, was the particular place through which God was present with his people. The holy and omnipresent God dwelt in the midst of his holy people whom he had set apart and redeemed by taking up residence, if you will, in this tabernacle. There he manifested his presence. There the people were invited to approach. But they were to approach according to God’s design so that they could approach in a way that was safe.  The LORD said, “And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” The sanctuary was built, not for God, as if he needed a house to dwell in to be sheltered from the elements. It was built for man so that sinful man might have a way to draw near to the Holy One and not be consumed. 

Two, the tabernacle was a picture. 

I could make an argument for the tabernacle as a picture of Eden. I think it certainly was that. The tree-shaped lampstand clues us into this. But for the sake of time, I will emphasize that the tabernacle was a picture of heavenly realities. One should not forget that Israel was just given a glimpse into the heavenly throne room of God through the mediation of Moses, Aaron, Nadab,  Abihu, and the 70 elders as they went up on the mountain. Now, Israel is instructed to build this tabernacle according to the design that God showed to Moses on the mountain. The Most Holy Place was a picture of the throne room of God in heaven. No image of God was made, but the Holy of Holies, the ark of the covenant, and the angels which adorned it symbolized God’s throneroom. There between the cherubim and above the mercy seat, God would be present with Israel. The tabernacle, and particularly the Most Holy Place, was a picture of heaven. 

Secondly, the tabernacle was a picture of the earth and of man’s approach to the God of heaven from on earth. Imagine walking into the courtyard of the tabernacle through those wide curtains. What was the first thing you would see except the altar upon which the burnt sacrifices were offered up to God? Immediately you would have been reminded of your sin and of the need for atonement so that God’s wrath would be turned away from you. You would then come to the bronze laver filled with water, which would remind you of the need for purification. Entering then into the Holy Place you would be struck by the contrast between the harsh, dry, and dusty world outside and the pleasant, beautifully ornate, and glorious comfort of the sanctuary. The light of the lampstand shining in the darkness would remind you of the stars of heaven and of God, the source of all light. By this light, you would see the beautiful tapestry and the embroidered images of angels. These images would remind you of the spiritual world and of the angels of God who look down upon us day and night. The lampstand itself, being shaped like a tree, would remind you of the tree of life offered to Adam in Eden, but forfeited by him. The bread of the presence of would remind you of God’s gracious provision for you while you sojourn before him on earth. Though we did not read of the altar of incense in this passage (it will be described to us in Exodus 30), it was placed immediately in front of the veil which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. As incense was burned on that altar, the smoke from it, and the pleasant aroma, would make its way past the veil and into the Holy of Holies, that is to say, into the very presence of God. The smoke from this incense symbolized the prayers of God’s people. Brother and sisters, when you pray on earth with faith in Jesus the Messiah, your prayers are heard by God. They make their way into his presence through his mediation. So then, the tabernacle was a picture of the heavenly throne room of God and of the way that the Lord had made for sinful men and women to approach him from on earth. To understand this, it might help to visualize the tabernacle and to tilt it heavenward in your minds so that you can see it as a kind of ladder to God in heaven – through the gates and into the courtyard, past the alter, past laver, and into the Holy Place having been covered by the blood and washed with the water. There, the Lord would commune with Isarel. Isarel was invited to approach the God of heaven in this way through the mediation of their priesthood.   

But notice something very important. Under the Old Covenant, in the tabernacle and later the temple, a veil remained which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. On that veil, angels were embroidered as if standing guard to block the people from having full access to the God of heaven. The smoke from the altar incense would continuously make it sway in. And the High Priest was invited in one year, but not without animal blood to atone for his own sin and the sins of the people. So the way to God was not completely closed off. But neither was it throne wife open in Old Covenant times.    

This brings us to the third word which describes what the tabernacle was. The tabernacle was the place where God dwelt in the midst of his Old Covenant people. It was a picture of God’s heavenly throne room and of the way that God had made for man to approach him from on earth. Thirdly, the tabernacle was a kind of promise. 

Any Israelite who understood what was offered to Adam in the beginning, but lost by his fall into sin – any Israelite who knew and understood the promises of God made to  Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning the salvation that would be proved, not for the Hebrews only, but for all the world, through one of Abraham’s seed, would know that the tabernacle was not the end goal. Or to put it differently, though God’s presence was really there in that tabernacle, and though a way was made for Israel to approach the God of heaven in that place, the work of our full and final redemption and reconciliation to God was not accomplished there. The tabernacle, and later the temple, was a picture of the Savior who was to come. It was a picture of how the way into the presence of God would open wide for sinners. The way to God would be opened wide not through the blood of animals, not through the washing of the body with water, and not through the mediation of Moses or the priests who descended from Aaron, but by the shed blood of the Messiah, through the cleaning of the conscience that comes to those whose sins are forgiven through faith in him, and through the mediation of Jesus Christ, a priest in the order of Melchizedek, and the New Covenant ratified in his blood. 

Place, picture, promise. Those three worlds should help us to remember what the tabernacle was all about for the Old Covenant people. 

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Contemplations

So what benefit is there for the New Covenant people of God to consider these things?

Well, first of all, we must acknowledge the tabernacle is no longer the “place” where God dwells in the midst of his people. Where does God commune with his people now? It was to the church that Paul said, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16, ESV). It was to the New Covenant church, made up of Jews and Gentiles together that Peter said, “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5, ESV). So I ask you, where is God’s temple today? Where does God meet with his people? Or to state it differently, where has God set his table with bread and with drink? He has set his table, not in a tent, nor in a house of stone, but before his people who have been covered by the blood of the Messiah and washed in the waters of baptism. As you reflect upon the tabernacle, and as you consider its fulfillment in Christ and in the church of Christ, it ought to open up worlds of application for you. 

Think of what God has done for you to reconcile you to himself and to open up the way for you really, fully, and eternally through the curtain, that is through Christ’s flesh. 

Does this fill your heart with awe and with gratitude?

Does this encourage you to pray?

Does this encourage you to draw near to your Father in heaven to enjoy sweet communion with him?

Does this help you to understand what it is that we are doing when we assemble together on the Lord’s Day?

Does this increase your longing for Christ’s return, the consummation of his kingdom, and the day when his temple will fill the earth, his glory will fill all, and his people, made holy by the blood of Christ, will enjoy his presence forever and ever immediately and without interruption? 

It should. But it will require us to contemplate these things prayerfully and thoughtfully. 

Thanks be to God for the salvation that is our in Christ Jesus. May he bless his church, the temple of the Holy Spirit. Lord help us. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Exodus 24:9-18

“Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank. The LORD said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.’ So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. And he said to the elders, ‘Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.’ Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” (Exodus 24:9–18, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Hebrews 10:1–25

“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ When he said above, ‘You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings’ (these are offered according to the law), then he added, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will.’ He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, ‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,’ then he adds, ‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’ Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:1–25, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

Introduction

One of the things that I enjoy doing as a pastor is conducting wedding ceremonies. Weddings are such joyous occasions, and they are also very significant occasions. In a wedding ceremony, a covanant is made. And in that covenant, a man and woman are joined together as one. Marriages are covenants. 

In our culture, it is customary to have a wedding rehearsal a day or two before the wedding ceremony itself. At the rehearsal, the bride and groom and all who will be involved in the wedding ceremony go through the motions of the ceremony so that everyone has a clear understanding of what will happen on the wedding day. Everyone enters and stands where they are supposed to stand. The minister leads the bride and groom through the various elements of the service in a summary fashion. He shows them how the rings are to be exchanged and placed on the finger. He even walks them through the exchange of vows. But the vows are not stated at the rehearsal. The rings are not placed fully upon the finger. And the bride and groom are not pronounced husband and wife, for it is a rehearsal, and not the wedding ceremony itself. For this reason, the man and women leave the rehearsal as individuals, and not as a married couple. The covenant of marriage will be ratified at a later date. Clearly, the rehearsal is not the wedding. But the two things – the rehearsal and the wedding – are related. The one is a  preparation for the other. The one is a foretaste or foreshadowing of the other.

I mention this because I think that the relationship between a wedding rehearsal and a wedding ceremony can serve (in a limited way)  to illustrate the relationship between the Old Covenant and the New. What is the connection between the covenant that God made with ethnic Israel through Moses, and the covenant that God transacted with all of his elect in every age through Christ? Stated very simply: the one prepared for the other.  

Now, it is possible to push this illustration too far. The Old Mosaic Covenant was not merely a Covenant of preparation. The Lord did actually work in and through that Covenant. Many who lived under that Covenant did actually enjoy sweet communion with God through the means that God prescribed. Nevertheless, the fact remains, the Old Mosaic Covenant was a covenant of preparation. It was forward-looking. It was, in many ways, a rehearsal for the New Covenant, which is the Covenant of Grace, through which all who have ever been reconciled to God are reconciled. 

As you know, God’s plan for the salvation of sinners is to save them through faith in Jesus the Christ and according to the terms of the New Covenant, the Covenant of Grace, of which Christ is the mediator. It is the new covenant ratified with Christ’s blood that saves. It is the new covenant ratified with Christ’s blood that provides for the forgiveness of sins. It is through the new covenant ratified with Christ’s blood that sinners are reconciled to God the Father and are invited to boldly approach his throne of grace. 

While the Old Covenant with Moses as mediator provided a type of salvation, it with earthly, not eternal. Israel was saved from Egyptian bondage, not from bondage to sin, Satan, and the fear of death. While the Old Covenant with Moses as mediator provided a type of forgiveness, it was not the kind of forgiveness that cleansed the conscience before God  – no, only the flesh was cleansed by the blood of those bulls and goats (Hebrews 9:11ff). While the Old Covenant with Moses as mediator provided a way to access the God of heaven from on earth, it did not open up the way to God really, truly, and eternally.

If you wish to have Biblical proof for these claims that I have just made, you will only need to re-read the Hebrews 10 passage that was read to you just a moment ago. It is through the death and resurrection of Christ and the New Covenant which he mediates  – not through Moses and the Old Covenant which he mediated – that sinners are forgiven, have their guilt removed to the cleansing of their consciences, are perfected and are therefore invited to confidently “enter the holy places” and to “draw near” to the God of heaven. 

I say all of this by way of introduction because I think it will help us to fully appreciate the story that is told to us here concerning the making of the Old Mosaic Covenant. There are important themes present in this narrative – themes that should sound very familiar to you. This story that is told here in the Old Testament should remind you of the story that is told in the New Testament, for the two stories are very related. The old one was a picture which was meant to prepare for the new.

Think with me for a moment of all that the LORD did for Israel on earth. 

He accomplished redemption for Israel to free them from Egypt. And this pictured and prepared us for the eternal and spiritual redemption that Christ would accomplish through his death and resurrection. 

God then called Israel to himself at Sinai to bring them into the Old Mosaic Covenant to make them partakers.  And this pictured and prepared for the calling of God to all of his elect to bring them into the New Covenant to make them partakers of it through faith in Jesus the Messiah. 

God then gave his law to Israel. He spoke it from Sinai, revealed it through Moses, and then delivered it on tablets of stone. This pictured and prepared for the writing of the law of God on the hearts of his elect by the Spirit of God sent forth by the Son.

Israel was then moved to respond to the call of God and the proposal of the terms of the Old Covenant with these words: “All that the LORD has spoken we will do…” In other words, they confessed the LORD to be their Lord. This anticipated the response of all of God’s elect to the call of God that comes to them through the word of the gospel and by the power of the Holy Spirit. How do sinners come to be partakers of the blessing of the New Covenant except by believing in the heart in the risen Christ, and confessing with the mouth that Jesus is Lord?  

And lastly, remember that animal blood was applied to the people of Israel to confirm the Old Covenant and for the purification of the flesh. This pictured and prepared for the application of the blood of Christ to all who believe upon him for the purification of the soul leading to a cleansed conscience before God.

And now we continue with the Exodus story. What happened after the Old Covenant was confirmed?

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They Went Up, Saw God, Ate And Drank

In Exodus 24:9 we read, “Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up…” This means that they went up on the mountain a bit. They went up as representatives of Israel. One should not miss the significance of going up the mountain. Not all ascents up all mountains are of spiritual significance, but some ascents up certain mountains under certain circumstances signify an approach to the God of heaven. Surely that is the case here. God, having redeemed Israel, having called them to himself, having given them his law, and having cleansed them with blood, did then invite them to approach him through the mediation of the priests and the representation of the elders.   

In verse 10 we read, “…and they saw the God of Israel.” This, brothers and sisters, is the end goal of all of the covenants that God has transacted with men. When God makes covenants with man he offers them something greater than what they currently possess, namely, the beatific vision. Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden. They enjoyed his presence. But they did not live before God in glory. No, by sinning, they fell short of the glory of God. When the promise of the gospel was made to Adam, and when this promise was reiterated and enshrined in the covenant that God made with Abraham, and later with Moses, this was the end goal – to bring fallen sinners into the presence of God Almighty, to behold his glory, to enjoy him, and to worship, and serve him forever. 

That this was the end goal of the Old Mosaic Covenant is very clear. After the covenant was confirmed by the sprinkling of animal blood, Israel, through the mediation of Moses and the representation of Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders, went up the mountain “…and they saw the God of Israel.” But please do not miss this very important point. Israel was not brought into the presence of God Almighty to remain there eternally through the mediation of Moses. No, they were only given a glimpse or a taste of his glory. This observation is very, very important. Did the Old Mosaic Covenant have something to do with God’s plan of redemption wherein he would redeem sinners and reconcile them to himself to dwell in his glorious presence forever and ever? Yes, certainly. This passage makes that clear. But did Moses and the covenant he mediated get the job done? Did it take them into the presence of God really, truly, and eternally? No. They were given only a brief glimpse of the glory of God, and that through the priesthood and through their elders.  

Verse 10 goes on to clarify what it was that Israel saw. “There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.” So, when the text says, “and they saw the God of Israel”, it does not mean that they saw God as he is. The scriptures are clear, “No one has ever seen God”(John 1:18, ESV). In fact, in Exodus 33:20 we read God’s words to Moses – “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live”, he said (Exodus 33:20, ESV). What did Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel see when they “saw the God of Israel”? They were given a glimpse of his glory as it is manifest in heaven. They saw the floor of heaven if you will. They saw the underside of the throne of God who is in heaven.  It looked to them like a clear, precious, sapphire stone. In the beginning, God created the heavenly realm and the earthly realm. The heavenly realm is typically invisible to us. But from time to time, God’s people are given a glimpse of that realm and the glory of God which is manifest there. Here is one of those instances. 

In verse 11, we read, “…and [they] ate and drank.” What is this about? Why did Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, eat and drink before the God of heaven? Well, in Old Testament times, this is how a covenant (let’s say, between kings) would be concluded. After making a covenant the kings would eat and drink together signifying their alliance. 

All of this should remind us of the meal that Jesus Christ the Messiah, God incarnate, ate with his disciples on the night before his crucifixion. “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom’” (Matthew 26:26–29, ESV).

So you can see that when the Old Covenant was put into place the people of Israel, through the representation of Moses, the priests, and the seventy elders, ate and drank in the presence of God. And similarly, but in a much greater and more intimate way, when the New Covenant was instituted, the church of God, through the representation of the Apostles, ate and drank before God. And each and every Lord’s Day this covenant is remembered and renewed as the church of God assembles to hear God’s word proclaimed, to confess that Jesus is Lord, and to eat and drink in the presence of God through the mediation of Jesus, our great High Priest.   

Brothers and sisters, do you see the similarities between the making of the Old Covenant and the New? I trust that you do. But do you also see the New Covenant is far superior?

Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel were given a glimpse of the glory of God in heaven, and they ate and drank before him. But the Apostles communed with the incarnate Word of God when the New Covenant was made. This is why John the Apostles could write, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth… For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:14–18, ESV).

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They Were Not Consumed

Let us return now to Exodus 24. Look with me at the beginning of verse 11. There is a little remark there that we skipped. The text says, “And [the LORD] did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God and ate and drank.”

Why would this need to be said? 

Well, the words of the LORD from Exodus 33:20 have already been cited. “…you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live”, the LORD said to Moses. Add to this the likelihood that not all of the elders were believing in the promises concerning the Messiah, and thus were not justified before God’s sight. And we must remember that the animal blood that was sprinkled upon the people when the covenant was ratified did nothing to cleanse the conscience before God – it only cleansed the flesh.

So the question is a reasonable one. How could these men see the glory of God and not be consumed? And the answer is that God showed mercy. “[The LORD] did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God and ate and drank.”

You should know that there is a debate among theologians as to whether we should call the Old Mosaic Covenant a covenant or works, or a covenant of grace. I’m convinced that it is a covenant of works. That seems quite obvious given its conditional nature. If you do this… then this will be the result, is the principle. 

But those who wish to call it a covenant of grace will draw attention to passages like this one where it is emphasized that God was gracious to Israel, that this covenant did carry within it the precious promises of the gospel, and that this covenant did lead to the New Covenant ratified in Christ blood. 

In response to all of these valid observations we ought to say, God’s graciousness, the presence of the promise of the gospel, and the Old Testament’s fulfillment in the New do not make this a covenant of grace substantially. Substantially, the Old Mosaic Covenant was a covenant of works. If the people wished to have the blessings of this covenant they had to work (or obey). But certainly, it is also true that God was merciful to Israel. He withheld his judgment. He did not “lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel” so as to preserve Israel until Christ would be brought into the world through them. When we say that the Old Mosaic Covenant was a covenant or works, we do not mean that it was a strict and graceless covenant of works like the one that was made with Adam in the garden. God was merciful to Israel. His grace was certainly present through the promise of the gospel. But the covenant itself was a conditional covenant of works. If the people and the nation were to be blessed in the land, they had to keep the terms of it. They had to work for the earthly reward. 

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Moses Ascended The Mountain Of The Lord

Lastly, let us consider verses 12 through 18 where Moses’ ascent up the mountain is described. 

Verse 12: “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.’”

Verse 13: “So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God.” This man, Joshua, was introduced to us back in 17:9. There he led the armies of Israel to fight. Here he ascends the mountain with Moses. In 40 years time, he will be the one to lead Israel into the promised land. It is hard not to see Josua as a type of Joshua the Christ 

Verse 14: “And he said to the elders, ‘Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.’” So Moses delegated authority to Aaron and Hur. This will become important later in the book as we encounter the story of the golden calf. 

Verse 15: “Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain.” Moses ascended the mountain of the Lord. Remember that. 

Verse 16: “The glory of the LORD dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud.” Here we have God relating to Moses (and to Israel) according to the pattern of the weekly Sabbath. 

Verse 17: “Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.” God manifested his glory on Sinai, and the people saw it. That is significant. The people heard God’s voice when the Ten Commandments were spoken and they also saw his glory. In other words, there were many, many witnesses to these things which Moses has written down for us. 

Verse 18: “Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.”

In many ways, these verses simply set the stage for what is to come. But here is the thing that I want for you to see. Moses ascended to the top of Mount Sinai when the Old Covenant was ratified, but he did not ascend into heaven. Mose’ ascended the mountain and he was enveloped by the glory of God Almighty, but as amazing and important as that was, he did not remain there. He came down from the mountain and dwelt on earth amongst the people until the day he died. 

Contrast this with Jesus Christ the mediator of the New Covenant. After accomplishing our redemption, after cutting the New Covenant, and after communing with his people for 40 days, he ascended into heaven and was seated at the right hand of God with all authority in heaven and earth given to him. And there he remains and will remain until he returns to bring his people into the Promised Land, the New Heavens and Earth.

Moses ascended the mountain. Christ ascended into heaven, and there he remains. This doctrine of “ascent” is very important, brothers and sisters. Compare and contrast the Old Covenant with Moses as mediator and the New Covenant with Christ as mediator in terms of the doctrine of ascent. 

As mediator of the Old Covenant Moses was invited to ascend to the top of Mount Sinai alone and the glory of God graciously descended upon him. He remained there for a time and then returned to the people. 

As mediator of the New Covenant Christ earned the right to ascend, not to the top of some earthly mountain, but into heaven to the Father’s right hand. In other words, he made it all the way into the presence of God Almighty and he sat down. He finished his work and so he sat down, for he was there to stay. 

And Christ did not ascend alone like Moses did. No, he takes with him all who are united to him by faith. This is what Paul speaks to when he says, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4–7, ESV). 

Moses, having ratified the Old Covenant with animal blood, ascended Sinai alone for a time. Christ, having ratified the New Covenant with his own blood,  ascended into the glorious presence of God who is enthroned in heaven and there he remains. This he did, not for himself only, but to bring many sons and daughters to glory with him. 

The Old Covenant was great. Let us never demean the Old Covenant. It was great because God initiated that covenant, It was great because it accomplished God’s purpose for it. But the New Covenant is far superior. For it is through the New Covenant ratified with Christ’s shed blood that the forgiveness of sins is available, and reconciliation with the God of glory is possible.

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Reflections

One, consider how marvelous the accomplishment of our redemption is from the days of Adam to Christ. In the days of Adam, a promise was made concerning our redemption. And from that day forward, God was working. And when God worked in the days before the arrival of the Christ, he often worked in such a way so as to paint a picture of the redemption that was to come. This should bring great confidence to us, brothers and sisters, concerning the truthfulness of our redemption in Christ. Christ came in fulfillment to these things. Just as a bride and groom are set at ease by the rehearsal in preparation for the wedding day, so too the hearts of those who believe in Christ are set at ease as they consider these works of God in ages past which prepared for and prefigured our full and final redemption in Christ. 

Two, as you contemplate the marvelous works of redemption that God did in the days of Moses – and they were indeed marvelous and ought to be seen as such – do not forget to compare them to the work of Christ. Ponder the similarities and see Christ prefigured in them. But do not forget to ponder the differences. As we consider the similarities and differences we come to see that though Moses was a great servant in God’s house, he was not the Son – he was not the Messiah. Jesus Christ and the Covenant that he mediates are far superior to Moses and the Old. Moses himself would happily take the words of John the Baptist on his lips, who said concerning Jesus the Messiah, I must decrease, and he must increase. 

Thirdly, I offer this exhortation: be very sure that you are found in Christ and his in Covenant, for it is only through Christ that we have reconciliation with God. 

It will do you no good to be found in Adam (all men and women are born in Adam and into that broken Covenant of Works which brings only death, not eternal life). Adam did not ascend the mountain of the Lord. No, by his sin he only descended into sin and misery and was expelled from that garden and from the presence of God’s Holy Mountain. 

And it will do you no good to be found in Moses. For though Moses did ascend the mountain of the Lord, by God’s grace, it was an earthy mountain only – a type of the heavenly. And though Moses, the priests,  and the elders of Israel were given a glimpse of heaven, the way was not opened up to them. As I have said, Moses was a faithful servant in God’s house. But he was not the Messiah, the only mediator between God and man. Moses was good. The covenant he mediated was good. And so too were the laws of that covenant. But that covenant was designed to prepare for another – the New Covenant in Christ’s blood. 

We must be found in Christ if we hope to be saved from our sins and to go to heaven. Only Christ, through his obedient life and sacrificial death, ascended the mountain of the Lord to remain. He ascended to the Father and sat down. And he ascended to bring many sons and daughters to glory. 

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:19–25, ESV)