Plans for the Tabernacle, Exodus 25-28

This may have made for some dull reading, but you've got to know that something so detailed and specific, had meaning to God. He went to great lengths to outline the exact template and materials for the Tabernacle, and not surprisingly, there is a great deal of symbolism to be found in the plan. Parallels to Christ can be found in many of the elements including the lampstand (Jesus is the light of the world) and the showbread (Jesus is the bread of life), and in details as small as the colors chosen for the embroidery and the numbers used for the measurements. The most striking relationship of the Tabernacle to Jesus, is not in the materials or elements, but in the layout itself. The Tabernacle contained an outer courtyard, which anyone could enter who was ceremonially clean. The Holy Place could be accessed only by the Levitical priests and the Holy of Holies, God's dwelling place, could be accessed just once a year by one man...the High Priest, for the purpose of making atonement for the sins of the Israelites. A thick veil walled off the Holy of Holies, reminding all of Israel that there was something separating them from God. We know that "something" to be sin, as God in His Holiness cannot be in the presence of it.

When Jesus was crucified and uttered his last words, "It is finished", the temple veil separating the Holy of Holies was torn in two. His death had made a way for man to be cleansed of his sin and approach a Holy God. The sacrificial system was instantly obsolete, as man had no further need to offer continual sacrifices for sin. Jesus death paid the price once and for all...for all sins past, present and future of anyone who would claim it. The Jews spent a few thousand years offering sacrifices and still not being able to approach God. Jesus accomplished in one act what they had not been able to. And that was the point of the sacrificial system, of the Tabernacle, of all Old Testament history...to show mankind that he could not be good enough to enter the presence of God on his own. Jesus now serves as our High Priest...One who is able to enter the Holy of Holies and tear down the curtain that separated us.

If you would like to see a visual representation of the Tabernacle, I am attaching a link. It really helps to get a visual of what all those details translated into. You will probably have to type it in manually, but it's worth doing! I found something similar for Noah's ark, which I also recommend. Just google Noah's Ark replica. A Dutch man built a life-size model and it's incredible. http://www.bibleplaces.com/tabernacle.htm

About Melissa Gibbs:

 Melissa is the mother of four boys and the wife of her junior high sweetheart, JD.  He is the President of Joe Gibbs Racing and the son of NFL Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs.  JD and Melissa have been married 16 years and are actively involved with Young Life, Motor Racing Outreach, their church, and other ministries.  Their youngest son Taylor is nearing completion of a 3 year treatment protocol for leukemia, which has been a powerful faith walk for their family.  Since his diagnosis, Melissa has been called upon to share their family's testimony with many local churches.

 Visit Melissa at http://chronologicalbiblein2010.blogspot.com/