The Substance of God's Plan Part 4

In the beginning of this series we looked at the “Shadow of God’s Plan” in the Old Testament typology of the Feasts and Rituals of Jewish life that all pointed to the Cross. In the first three parts this set of follow on articles we’ve look at “The Substance of God’s Plan” in the “why” of the need for a New Covenant and the “how” in the choice of the chosen vessel in the Ark of the New Covenant, the Blessed Mother. We also looked at the “how” in the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this final section I want us to look at one of the most important parts of Old Testament life… the Tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness and its successor the Temple of Solomon.

When God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt He brought them to Mount Sinai in the desert of what is now Saudi Arabia. There He had Moses come up on the mountain where He gave him The Law. The Ten Commandments were only a small part of it. There was a myriad of rules governing every aspect of Jewish life and worship. If you ever want to get an idea of just how extensive they were read Leviticus and Deuteronomy. You’ll be glad that you are under grace. Part of that Law was the detailed instructions on the construction of the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant where God’s presence would dwell. They are very meticulous because it is right in typology pointing to Jesus.

The Layout of the Tabernacle

The Tabernacle consisted of three parts: the Outer Court, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies or Most Holy Place. The last two were in what was called “The Sanctuary”. The Outer Court was surrounded by white linen suspended on poles. We see the meaning of this in the Book of the Revelation where we see the Saints before the Throne of God dressed in white linen in chapter 19 verse 8. John tells us that the white linen represents the righteousness of the Saints.

There was only one way into the Outer Court: through the 4 pillars that formed the doorway. Of course, we only come into the Kingdom of God through the one door: Jesus and we are brought in through the four Pillars of the Gospel: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Just inside the door was the Altar where the blood of the sacrifices were shed and on the Day of Atonement the blood of the lamb was gathered to be taken into the Holy of Holies. The Altar, of course, represents the Cross but also the Altar where the Body and Blood of the “Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world” is honored in each and every Mass celebrated around the world. Of course, the Scriptures tell us that “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin”.

Inside the Outer Court was the next piece of furnishing, the Bronze Laver… a large polished basin filled with water. The priests were to cleanse themselves from the dirt of the world before entering the Sanctuary for service. It was polished so they could see that they’d the job properly. We do the same when we compare ourselves to righteousness that God expects of us and how short we come. Then we go to Confession and cleanse ourselves by what Paul calls “the washing of water by the Word” and receive the promise that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. “ (1 John 1:9).

Inside the Sanctuary in the Holy Place on the left side was the Lampstand or Menorah, on the right was the Table of Showbread and in the center was the Altar of Incense in front of the curtain that led to the Holy of Holies. Jesus is called “the Light” several times in John’s Gospel. He is “The Bread of life” in John Chapter 6. The incense we’re told in Revelation 8 presents the “prayers of the saints” We can never “come boldly to the Throne of Grace” as the author of Hebrews says except with the Blood of the Lamb, the Bread of Life and prayer.

In the Tabernacle and in the Temple which succeeded it there was a heavy curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy. No one but the High Priest was allowed beyond this point and even then only once a year. The fate of this curtain is told in Matthew’s Gospel: “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;” (Matthew 27:51)... signifying that access to the Presence of God was open to all. We’ve previously discussed the typology contained in the Ark of the Covenant so there is no need to repeat it here.

One thing that has always interested me is that the furnishing of the Tabernacle were laid out in such a way as to form a Cross. You can see the Cross to in the first Passover. The Hebrews had to take lamb’s blood and strike the side posts and top posts of their doorways…forming a cross.

All this demonstrates just how intricate God’s Word is and how it all fits together like a hand in a glove. It’s not possible that so many authors, spread out over distance and one another could great a work of such integrity. It’s part of what proves that the Bible is divine rather than human in authorship and why you can trust the Church that organized it, preserves it and protects it…and proclaims it to the world in confidence.