Next [after placing the Ark of the Covenant and hanging the inner curtain] Moses placed the table in the Tabernacle, along the north side of the Holy Place, just outside the inner curtain. And he arranged the Bread of the Presence on the table before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded him. He set the lampstand in the Tabernacle across from the table on the south side of the Holy Place. Then he lit the lamps in the Lord’s presence, just as the Lord had commanded him. He also placed the gold incense altar in the Tabernacle, in the Holy Place in front of the inner curtain. On it he burned the fragrant incense, just as the Lord had commanded him. He hung the curtain at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and he placed the altar of burnt offering near the Tabernacle entrance. On it he offered a burnt offering and a grain offering, just as the Lord had commanded him. Next Moses placed the washbasin between the Tabernacle and the altar. He filled it with water so the priests could wash themselves. Moses and Aaron and Aaron’s sons used water from it to wash their hands and feet. Whenever they approached the altar and entered the Tabernacle, they washed themselves, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. [Exodus 39.22-32]
Inside the Most Holy Place - the Inner Sanctuary - was the Ark of the Covenant. This, in Tabernacle worship, would be the place God would dwell.
The next room, the Holy Place, contained the Bread of the Presence. Upon entering the Holy Place, the priest would find the table with the Bread of the Presence on the north side of the room, which would be to his right.
To the priest's left in the Holy Place would be placed the lampstand.
The "most holy" gold incense altar would be the central focal point directly in front of the priest upon entering the Holy Place in front of the inner curtain in front of the Ark of the Covenant.
It is overwhelming to consider all the symbolism in just these little details, but here are some thoughts I have had today:
As the gold altar and the incense upon it represents prayer, and that altar is located front and center in the Holy Place, we should understand that prayer plays a key role in our coming to God.
As we imagine ourselves entering the Holy Place, we must consider that the lampstand is on our right hand while the Bread of the Presence would be to our left. While the Son of God - the Bread of Life - would be perceived at the left hand of man, it must be remembered that God's perspective (from the perspective of the Ark of the Covenant) would have Jesus - the Bread - at God's right hand! This is all VERY significant because the lampstand with its essential oil represents the Holy Spirit - Who, at our right hand, demonstrates significance just the same as the Bread, Jesus, demonstrates significance at God's right hand!
With the gold incense altar in the center, we can be sure that prayer is central to the life of a believer in God. However, prayer must be flanked by the Holy Spirit and the work of Jesus the Bread of Life in order to be complete.
Also significant, is the fact that the articles above found in the Holy Place were all made of gold. One must furthermore consider that the water was found outside the Holy Place and that the water was in a bronze washbasin. Water most typically represents the Word of God - perhaps even more specifically the Law. Of even further interest is that this bronze washbasin was in the same area as the bronze altar for burnt offerings. Bronze never has, nor ever will, match the value of gold just as the Law and its sacrificial offerings will never match the value of prayer, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus!
There's more...
Father, as boring as the description of the Tabernacle seems at first, I am amazed as I consider all it represents and how it all fits together perfectly with the entire story of Your love and relationship with man! Thank You!
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