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Bible History - Tabernacle, Priesthood and Offerings

  1. THE TABERNACLE
    1. The Seven Temples (as an edifice used for worship)
      1. The Heavenly Temple (Exodus 25:8-9; Hebrews 8:1-2; Hebrews 9:24-25; Revelation 11:19; Revelation 15:5-8)
      2. The Portable Temple – Tabernacle (Exodus 39:321 Samuel 1:9; 1 Samuel 3:3)
      3. Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 6:1,37-38; 2 Chronicles 3:1-2)
      4. Zerubbabel’s Temple (Ezra 3:8-13; Ezra 6:14-15; Zechariah 4:6-10; Haggai 1:14-15; Haggai 2:1-4)
      5. Herod’s Temple (Matthew 24:1-2; John 2:20)
      6. Tribulation Temple (Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:31; Daniel 12:112 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
      7. Ezekiel’s Temple (Ezekiel 40:1-2; Ezekiel 41:1; Ezekiel 43:1-5; Ezekiel chapters 40-43)
    2. The Plan of the Tabernacle
      1. The Court of the Tabernacle
        1. 100 by 50 cubits (Exodus 27:9-19)
        2. Contained the brasen altar and the laver
      2. The Holy Place
        1. Separated from the Holy Place by the veil (Exodus 26:33; see Matthew 27:50-51)
        2. Place of priestly service (Exodus 35:19; Exodus 38:24; Exodus 39:1,41)
        3. Contained the candlestick, the table of shewbread and the altar of incense
      3. The Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:33-34)
        1. Contained the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat
        2. Entered only by the high priest once a year (Leviticus 16:1-2,11-16,34)
        3. Sometimes just called the holy place (Exodus 28:33-35)
        4. Called the Holiest of all (Hebrews 9:3,8)
    3. The Structure of the Tabernacle
      1. The Materials (Exodus 25:1-7)
      2. The Framework (Exodus 26:15-30)
      3. The Covering (Exodus 26:1-14)
      4. The Veil (Exodus 26:31-33)
      5. The Court (Exodus 27:9-15)
      6. The Gate of the Court (Exodus 27:16)
      7. The Colors (Exodus 25:1,31; Exodus 27:16; Exodus 28:5-6)
        1. Blue – Heaven
        2. Purple – Royal
        3. Scarlet – Blood
        4. Gold – Redemption
        5. White – Purity
    4. The Furniture of the Tabernacle
      1. Brasen Altar (Exodus 38:1-7)
        1. 5 by 5 cubits
        2. Picture of judgment and sacrifice
      2. Laver (Exodus 30:17-21)
        1. Made of mirrors (Exodus 38:8)
        2. Picture of cleansing
      3. Table of Shewbread (Exodus 37:10-16)
        1. On the north or right side on entering (Exodus 40:22)
        2. Contained 12 loaves (Exodus 40:23; Leviticus 24:5-8)
        3. Picture of word of God as the bread of life (Deuteronomy 8:3)
      4. Candlestick (Exodus 25:31-40)
        1. On south or left side
        2. 7 lamps and 22 almond-shaped bowls
        3. To burn continually (Exodus 27:20-21; Leviticus 24:1-4)
        4. Picture of illumination of God through the word and the Spirit
      5. Altar of incense (Exodus 30:1-8)
        1. Before the veil
        2. 2 by 2 cubits
        3. Pictures prayers of the saints (Revelation 8:4)
      6. Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:10-16; Exodus 37:1-5)
        1. In the Most Holy Place
        2. 2½ by 1½ by 1½ cubits
        3. Contents (Hebrews 9:3-4)
          1. Pot of manna
          2. Aaron’s rod
          3. Ten Commandments
        4. Picture of the presence of God
      7. Mercy Seat (Exodus 25:17-22; Exodus 37:6-9)
        1. Sat on top of the ark
        2. With two cherubim
        3. Picture of God’s mercy
  2. THE PRIESTHOOD
    1. The Qualification of a Priest
      1. Born to Aaron’s line (Exodus 28:11 Chronicles 6:49-53)
      2. Blameless in person (Leviticus 21:16-24)
      3. Holy in life (Leviticus 21:1-15)
      4. Mature in years (Numbers 4:3,23,30,35,47)
      5. Consecrated for service (Exodus 29:1-9; Exodus 40:15)
    2. The Work of a Priest
      1. Generally, to approach God on the behalf of man (Hebrews 5:1)
      2. To service the tabernacle
        1. Burn incense
        2. Trim the candlestick
        3. Change the shewbread
        4. Keep the altar fire burning (Leviticus 6:9,13)
        5. Remove the ashes
      3. To offer sacrifices to God (Exodus 29:38-44)
      4. To deal with people concerning their cleanness:  lepers, purification of women, etc.
      5. To judge causes (Deuteronomy 17:9; Deuteronomy 19:17-19; Deuteronomy 21:5)
      6. To teach the law (Leviticus 10:8,11; 2 Chronicles 15:3; Malachi 2:7)
      7. To make atonement for the people (Leviticus 4:20; Leviticus 5:6; Leviticus 16:6-7,15-19)
    3. The Garments of the Priest (Exodus 29:5-6)
      1. Coat (Exodus 28:39)
      2. Robe (Exodus 28:31-35)
      3. Ephod (Exodus 28:6-14)
      4. Breastplate (Exodus 28:15-29)
      5. Girdle (Exodus 39:29)
      6. Mitre (Exodus 28:39; Exodus 39:28)
      7. Crown (Exodus 28:36-38)
    4. Christ as Our Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14)
      1. Like Aaron
        1. Taken from among men (Hebrews 5:1)
        2. Represents man to God (Hebrews 5:1)
        3. Offers sacrifices for sin (Hebrews 5:1)
        4. Called of God (Hebrews 5:4-5)
        5. Has compassion on the people (Hebrews 5:2,7)
      2. Unlike Aaron
        1.  No offering for Himself (Hebrews 5:3; Hebrews 9:25)
        2. Entered the heavenly temple (Hebrews 9:24)
        3. One offering satisfied all (Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 10:10-14)
  3. THE OFFERINGS
    1. Burnt Offering (Leviticus 1)
      1. General offering for sin indicating complete dedication
      2.  Entire offering to be burnt (Leviticus 1:8-9)
      3. Must be given voluntarily (Leviticus 1:3)
      4. Pictures Christ’s entire sacrifice of Himself
    2. Meat Offering (Leviticus 2)
      1.  A memorial offering of thanksgiving (Leviticus 2:2,12)
      2. A portion burnt; the remainder eaten by the priests (Leviticus 2:9-10)
      3. The only bloodless sacrifice
      4. Offered without leaven (Leviticus 2:11)
      5. Offered with salt (Leviticus 2:13) and oil (Leviticus 2:1)
      6. Pictures the living consecration of Christ (John 4:34; John 5:30; John 6:38; see Romans 12:1)
    3. Peace Offering (Leviticus 3)
      1. Made for special thanksgiving
      2. Fat portions burnt; remainder eaten (Leviticus 22:29-30)
      3. Pictures Christ’s work of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:21)
    4. Sin Offering (Leviticus 4)
      1. For discovered sins of ignorance (Leviticus 4:1-2)
      2. Fat portions burnt; remainder eaten
      3. Pictures the redemption of Christ for our sin guilt
    5. Trespass Offering (Leviticus 5)
      1. For committed sins (Leviticus 5:1-6)
      2. Fat portions burnt; remainder eaten
      3. Pictures the redemption of Christ for our practice of sin
David Reagan

Daily Proverb

Proverbs 25:25

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.