Jesus Revealed in the Sanctuary

The sanctuary in the desert was God's visual aid to point His people to the coming Redeemer. Everything in it or connected to its services was a symbol of what Jesus would do to save us.

THE COURTYARD [The physical structures of the tabernacle]

The courtyard was 75 feet wide by 150 feet long (measurements in feet in this chapter are based on an 18-inch cubit) surrounded by white linen curtains representing the righteousness of Christ.

Size: Ex. 27:18; 38:9,11-15, 18.

Hangings: Ex. 27:9, 11, 12, 15-l8; 38:9, 12-18.

Pillars, Sockets, Hooks & Fillets [bands]: Ex. 27:10-12, 15-18; 38:10-12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 31; 39:40.

Gate: Ex. 27:14, 16; 38:14, 15, 18.

Chapiters [capitals]: Ex. 38:17, 19.

Pins [pegs] & Cords: Ex. 27:19; 35:18; 39:40.

The Altar of Burnt Offering

This was where animals were sacrificed. It represented the cross of Christ, and the animal represented Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice. See John 1:29.

Material & Size: Ex. 27:1-4; 38:1, 30.

Horns: Ex. 27:2; 29:12; 1 Kings 1:50, 51.

Utensils: Ex. 27:3; 38:3, 30; 1 Sam. 2:13.

Grate & Rings: Ex .27:4, 7; 38:4, 5, 7, 30.

Staves [poles] & Boards: Ex. 27:6-8; 38:5-7.

The Laver

This was a large basin of brass where the priests washed their hands and feet before entering the sanctuary or offering sacrifices. The water represented baptism, cleansing from sin, and the new birth. See John 1:13.

Material: Ex. 30:18; 38:8.

Foot: Ex. 30:18; 38:8; 39:39.

Position & Purpose: Ex. 30:18-21; Ex. 29:4.

The Tabernacle

The tabernacle was a tent 15 feet wide by 45 feet long consisting of two apartments, rooms, where the presence of God was manifested.

Curtains & Coverings:

Material & Size: Ex. 26:1-14, 36:8-19.

Colors: Ex. 26:1, 14, 36:8.

Loops: Ex. 26:5, 10; 36:11, 12.

Taches [clasps]: Ex. 26:6, 11, 33; 36:13, 18.

Cherubim: Ex. 36:8.

Boards:

Material & Size: Ex. 26:15, 16, 29; 36:20, 34.

Tenons: Ex. 26:17, 19; 36:22, 24. Sockets: Ex. 26:19, 21, 25; 36:24, 26, 30.

Rings & Bars: Ex. 26:24-29; 36:29, 31, 34.

First Veil:

Material & Colors: Ex. 26:36; 36:37, 38.

Pillars, Hooks & Sockets: Ex. 26:37; 36:38.

Chapiters [capitals] and Fillets [bands]: Ex. 36:38.

Second Veil:

Material & Colors: Ex. 26:3l; 36:35, 36.

Pillars, Hooks & Sockets: Ex. 26:32; 36:36.

Cherubim: Ex. 26:31; 36:35.

Purpose: Ex. 40:3,21; Num. 4:5.

Oil of Anointing: Ex. 30:22-33; 40:9-15.

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The Holy Place

The first room of the sanctuary, the holy place, was 15 feet wide by 30 feet long. It contained three pieces of furniture.

The Table of Showbread

The bread on the table represented Jesus, the living bread. See John 6:51.

Material & Size: Ex. 25:23, 24; 37: 10, 11.

Crown [molding] & Border [frame]: Ex. 25:24, 25; 37:11-14.

Rings & Feet: Ex. 25:26; 37:13, 14.

Staves [poles] & Utensils: Ex. 25:27-29; 37:14-16.

Purpose: Ex. 25:30; 40:23.

Location: Ex. 26:35; 40:22.

The Seven Branch Candlestick

This represented Jesus, the light of the world. See John 9:5; 1:9. The lamps of oil symbolized the Holy Spirit. See Zechariah 4:1-6; Revelation 4:5.

Material: Ex. 25:31, 39; 37:17; Num. 8:4.

Design: Ex. 25:31-37; 37:17-22.

Tongs [wick-trimmers] & Snuffdishes [trays]: Ex. 25:38; 37:23.

Weight: Ex. 25:39; 37:24.

Purpose: Ex. 25:37; Num. 8:2.

Location: Ex. 26:35; 40:24.

Oil for the Lamps: Ex. 27:20, 21; 35:8.

The Altar of Incense

The incense burned on this altar represented the righteousness of Christ that mingles with the prayers of God's people as they ascend to the Heavenly Father. See Hebrews 5:7.

Material & Size: Ex. 30:1-3; 37:25, 26.

Crown [molding] & Horns: Ex. 30:2-4, 10; 37:25-27.

Rings & Staves [poles]: Ex. 30:4, 5; 37:27, 28.

Purpose: Ex. 30:1, 7, 8, 10.

Location: Ex. 30:6.

Incense: Ex. 30:34-38, 31:11; 37:29.

The Most Holy Place

This room of the sanctuary was 15 feet wide by 15 feet long. It contained the ark of the testimony and was only entered once a year by the high priest.

The Ark of the Testimony

This was the only object in the most holy place. It was a chest of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Inside the chest were the tables of stone upon which God wrote His law with His own finger. Above them was the cover of the ark, called the mercy seat (see Exodus 25:17-22) where God's presence dwelt between two golden angels. This spot symbolized God's throne in heaven, which is likewise located between two angels. See Psalm 80:1; Isaiah 6:1, 2. The mercy seat signified that as long as God's people confessed and forsook their sins (see Proverbs 28:13), mercy would be extended to them through the blood that was sprinkled there by the priests. See Leviticus 16:15, 16. That blood represented the blood shed by Jesus to bring to all people forgiveness and cleansing. See Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:22.

Material & Size: Ex .25:10, 11; 37:1, 2.

Crown [molding]: Ex. 25:11; 37:2.

Rings & Staves [poles]: Ex. 25:12, 14, 15; 37:3, 5.

Testimony (Law): 25:16, 21; Ex. 31:18; 32:15, 16; 34:1-4.

Purpose: Ex. 25:16,21, 22; Deut. 31:25, 26.

Mercy Seat: Ex. 25:17-22; 37:6-9.

Location: Ex. 26:34; Heb. 9:3-5; Lev. 16:2.

Cherubim: Ex. 25:18-20, 22; 37:7-9.

THE OFFERINGS & SACRIFICES

The Burnt Offering:

Ceremony & Offering: Lev. 1:2, 4-17.

Location & Purpose: Lev. l:3-5, 7-13, 15, 17.

Law for the Priests: Lev. 6:8-13.

Priest's Portion: Lev. 7:8.

The Meat Offering:

Ceremony & Offering: Lev. 2:1-9, 11-16.

Location: Lev .2:2, 8-9.

Law for the Priests: Lev. 6:14-18.

Offering: Lev. 6:19-23.

Priest's Portion: Lev. 2:3, 10; 6:16-18; 7:9-10.

The Peace Offering:

Ceremony & Offering: Lev. 3:1-16.

Location: Lev. 3:2, 5, 8, 11, 13, 16.

Law for the Priests: Lev. 7:11-2l.

Priest's Portion: Lev. 7:28-34.

The Sin Offering:

The Whole Congregation:

Ceremony & Offering: Lev. 4:15-21.

Location & Purpose: Lev. 4:2,13-21.

A Ruler: Ceremony & Offering:

Lev. 4:23-26.

Location & Purpose: Lev. 4:2, 22-26.

A common Person:

Ceremony & Offering: Lev. 4:28-35.

Location & Purpose: Lev. 4:2, 27-31, 33-35.

The Priests:

Ceremony & Offering: Lev. 4:4-12.

Location & Purpose: Lev. 4:2-7, 10, 12.

Law for the Priests: Lev. 6:24-30.

Priest's Portion: Lev. 6:26, 29, 30.

The Trespass Offering:

Ceremony & Offering: Lev. 5:6-12, 15, 18.

Location & Purpose: Lev. 5:1-13, 15-19; 6:2.

Need of Restoration: Lev. 6:4-5.

Law for the Priests: Lev. 7:1-7.

Priest's Portion: Lev. 5:13; 7:6-7.

The Drink Offering:

Offering & Purpose: Ex. 29:40; Lev. 23:13; Num. 15:7, 10; 28:7; l Chron. 11:17-19.

The Offering of the Red Heifer:

Ceremony: Num. 19:3-6, 17-19; Deut. 21:2-8.

Offering: Num. 19:2; Deut. 21:3, 4, 6.

Location: Num. 19:3, 4, 9; Deut. 21:3, 4.

Purpose: Num. 19:9-22; Deut. 21:1, 8, 9.

Law for the Priests: Num. 19:1-10.

The Yearly Routine of Sacrifice:

Daily: Num. 28: 1-8.

Weekly: Num. 28:9-10.

Monthly: Num. 28:11-15.

Yearly: See pp. 14, 15.

Services Reveal Christ

The Sanctuary and Christ:

Christ our Lamb:

John 1:29; Acts 8:32; 1 Pet. 1:19; Rev. 5:6; 7:10, 14; 12:11; 13:8.

Christ our Offering & Sacrifice

Eph. 5:2; Heb. 7:27; 9:26; 10:5-12.

Christ our High Priest & Mediator:

Heb. 2:17; 3:1; 4:14, 15; 5:10; 6:20; 7:26; 8:1, 3; 9:11; 10:21; 12:24.

Christ's Better Blood:

Matt. 26:28; Rom. 3:25; Heb. 9:12, 14; 10:19; 12:24; 13:12; 1 Pet. 1:19; 1 John 1:7; Rev. 1:5; 5:9; 2:11.