The Gospel of the Tabernacle

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ANSTS

Chapter I. The Tabernacle A Symbol Of Holier Things

“And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” —Exonvs. xxv., &.

“A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.’’—HEnR. viii, 2.

In this chapter our remarks will be chiefly introductory.

WE cannot contemplate the Tabernacle, without thinking of God’s ancient people the Jews ; it is so thoroughly associated with them. It was set up in the midst of the Jewish encampment. It was entirely made by Jewish hands. “Salvation is of the Jews.” The nation of which Christ came will therefore always have a peculiar interest to the Christian mind.

We go back to the call of Abraham, and the birth of Isaac. We think of Jacob, and his twelve sons. We think of Joseph, and his wonderful dreams, and how wonderfully they were fulfilled. We think of the famine, and of Jacob sending hi§ sons to Egypt to buy bread. We have passing before us the touching picture of Joseph making himself known unto his brethren. Jacob and his family go down into Egypt—threescore and ten souls. Jacob dies, full of faith, blessing his sons, and proclaiming the coming Exodus. “ Behold I die; but God will be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.”’ Gen. xlviii., 21. In faith Joseph died. “And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.’’—Gen. 1., 24.

Israel in Egypt rapidly multiply. A King arose who knew not Joseph. He oppressed, and afflicted the people ; but, “ the more they afflicted them, the more they grew.”

Moses was born. By God’s providence his life was preserved ; and in the court of Pharaoh he was trained for his future work. When he grew up to manhood, he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season ; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.’’—Heb. xi., 24-27. For forty years Moses dwelt in Midian. There he married, and kept the flocks of his father-in-law. The “ Burning Bush ” startles us with its wonders! Commissioned by God, and armed with the promise of the Divine presence, Moses returns to Egypt, and in the palace of the King demands the release of God’s beloved people. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. Plague after plague was given, until God executed judgment upon all the gods of the Egyptians. Then with a mighty hand He brought out His chosen people with gladness. Who that has read, can forget the passage of the Red Sea? The echo of Israel’s song has not yet died away. “I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.” They come to Marah. The bitter waters are sweetened, Elim, with its twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees, gives them sweet refreshment. Manna is given from heaven for their bread, and the smitten rock gives them water to drink. Victory is given over Amalek, and an altar is reared to the praise of /ehovah-m'ssi—their defending banner. In the third month the people came into the wilderness of Sinai. Here, it was the will of God they should rest for some time. Moses was called up into the mount, and there all alone in the glory cloud, he received the moral, and the ceremonial law, and also the pattern of the . Tabernacle—the Sanctuary in which God was to dwell among the people. ‘And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”

A knowledge of the Tabernacle and its services ts essential to a right knowledge of other parts of the Bible. There are constant allusions to it ; especially in Paul’s epistle to the Hebrews. Without some knowledge of the Tabernacle, it would be impossible to understand the meaning of many of its words and phrases. On the other hand it is impossible to learn the gospel of the Tabernacle, without a knowledge of Paul’s letter to the Hebrews. That letter lights up the whole Tabernacle with the glory of the gospel.

This subject zs deeply interesting. The book of Revelation—the Bible—in some respects is like the Book of Nature, its development is gradual. In nature, fresh beauties are being constantly discovered. New treasures are being constantly found. The resources of nature are

B very great. But no book gives the student such promise of a rich reward as the Bible! Take the study of the Tabernacle. Viewed in the light of the gospel, it isa mine of choicest treasure. True, many have gone before us in this field of thought, but we are not without hope, that new beauties will sparkle before us, that new discoveries will enrich our souls, that new views of Christ, the true tabernacle, will be given to us. There are some parts, I know, we cannot fully understand. But let not this be a hindrance to our study. Rather let it lead us to pray for more light, and to seek His guidance, who only can lead us into the truth. There are difficulties in every study. None of God’s works can be perfectly comprehended. But the diligent student receives the richest reward. May the glorious Spirit lead us into the gospel mystery of this Sanctuary ! May He who dwells between the cherubim of glory shine forth. “In thy light shall we see light.” ; “God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain.”

The Tabernacle was ¢he dwelling place of God. “ And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.’’ What is its teaching respecting God? It tells us God is great. It was acostly Tabernacle. The value of the structure was probably not much less than £300,000. There was mystery. The Israelities were not to enter the Tabernacle, but only the priests. Only the high priest could enter into the Holy of Holies, and that but once a year. Thus God surrounded Himself with an impenetrable veil of mystery. It has been said, ‘‘God is the greatest mystery in the universe.” But, if there is mystery, there is mercy. There was also justice, holiness, and majesty. The name God proclaimed before Moses, is here brought before us. “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and

THE TABERNACLE. II gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty.” ‘In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.’’

The Israelities no doubt looked upon the Tabernacle as the Palace of their King, The Jewish nation at that time was a Theocracy—they were governed immediately by God. God was their King. The Tabernacle was His visible Palace. The furniture was palace furniture, and the priests were ministers of state. :

The Tabernacle was set up in the wilderness. In all our wanderings God is with us. The Tabernacle glory was in the midst of the tribes of Israel. Christ is the glory in the midst of the church. “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

The Tabernacle was ¢he first religious structure in which JSehovah condescended to dwell. It was first erected in the desert of Sinai. It therefore became the symbol of Divine grace. While God was giving Moses directions respecting the Tabernacle, the people made a golden calf, and worshipped it! “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” The Tabernacle was erected zx the midst of sinners. They could not go up into the mount to God. No! They could not even come near unto it. It was death to touch the mountain. And yet the people in their ignorance—ignorance respecting their own inability, and God’s holiness—said, “ All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.”” But God came down to the people in mercy. We are saved, not so much by our coming to God, as in God coming to us. It is not by our works, but by His grace ; not by our doing, but by His giving. “For by grace are ye saved through faith ; and that not of yourselves ; it is the gift of God : not of works, lest any man

B 2 should boast.” Christ is with us full of grace, and truth. He only is the way of life.

God’s presence ts the cause of holiness and wt alone removes the curse. God came down to dwell with His people, not because they were holy, but to make them so. No place is holy without God. That place—wherever it may be— is holy if God is there. The Israelities by their sin had incurred the curse, but God came down, and recorded His name among them, and made provision righteously to bless them. “In all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.”

The Tabernacle was a place of worship. In the outer court the people gathered, and unitedly offered sacrifices to God. The Tabernacle was admirably suited for its purpose, and adapted to the circumstances of the people. It was called “ The tent of the congregation.””—Exodus xl., 22. They hada property in it. It was the palace of their King. It was the house of ¢hezr God. There they came to confess their sin. There was no other place of the kind. It was the One Tasernacte for all the tribes, and for all the individual members of those tribes. All the congregation felt that they had a right to gather there to worship God. They all felt that they had an interest in its services. The Tabernacle was therefore a centre of influence, and a bond of union for all the tribes. Whatever distinctions there might be among them, they were all one there.

It is called “ The tent of the testimony.’’—Num. ix. 15. It was the evidence of God’s relation to the people, and of God’s presence among them. God dwelt among them because they were His people.

The Tabernacle was not a model for our imitation, but “a shadow of heavenly things.”—Heb. viii. 5. The substance having come, we need not go back to the shadow. The ritualism of the present day grasps at “the shadow.” In the simple gospel we have “the substance.” In the Tabernacle we have “ the figures of the true.””—Heb. ix. 24. In the gospel we have reality. Its blessings are everlasting. _ Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the truth of every figure, the way to a holy God, and the life of all _ who believe.

Lvery part of the Tabernacle was typical. It was a symbol of holier things, of “‘ The true Tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.’”’ Nothing was made in vain. It was designed by infinite wisdom ; and every part, from the pins to the cherubim, from the snuffers to the mitre ; has a voice to teach us the riches of Divine love.

It was typical of Curtst Himsztr. The word was made flesh, and “Tabernacled”” amongst us, and we beheld His glory : the glory as of the only begotton of the Father, full of grace and truth. Like the people, Jehovah dwelt in a tent. What condescension! Christ was made in all things—sin excepted—like His brethren. Christ’s humanity was the dwelling place of God. Christ is “ the true tabernacle.’”’ He is the Sanctuary where God dwells, and only in Him can we worship God in spirit and in truth. All other worship is false. No man truly cometh unto the Father without Christ. What the Tabernacle, and afterwards the Temple was to the Jews, Christ is to us. He is all, and in all.

In some things the Tabernacle was typical of THz Cuurcu or Gop. The Church is God’s dwelling place. “God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved.”” “In whom the whole building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the spirit.” The Tabernacle was especially typical of the Church in her wilderness state. The Temple was more of a type of the heavenly glory. The Tabernacle was movable, and outwardly not so glorious as the Temple. But nevertheless it was God’s habitation. So God is with His people now. He is with them in all life’s changes. In all life’s trials ; and in all their works.

In some respects the Tabernacle was typical of Tur Gosret DispensaTion. Its doctrines, promises, blessings, ordinances, and invitations, are here in beautiful figures set before us.

It was figurative of the glory of the latter days. The Tabernacle in the wilderness was only a copy. In the latter days the great original that Moses saw in the mount -will be set up on earth. “AndI heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God.’’—Rev. xxi., 3-4. ‘Look upon Sion, the city of our solemnities : thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down ; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.’’—Isa. xxxiii., 20.

‘For ever with the Lord, Amen, so let it be ;

Life from the dead is in that word, *Tis immortality.

Here in the body pent, Absent from Him I roam ;

Yet nightly pitch my moving tent, A day’s march nearer home.”

Chapter II

THE MATERIALS. THE WILLING PEOPLE. THE WORKMAN. THE SOLEMN INJUNCTION.

“And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments,’’—Exodus xxxv. 21, “‘ Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the Lord put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the Lord had commanded.”’—Exodus xxxvi. 1.

I. We may NoTIcE THE MATERIALS OF WHICH THE TaBERNACLE WAS MADE. We are reminded of Goa’s chotce. God not only gave Moses directions respecting the size and furniture of the Tabernacle, but also respecting the materials of which it was to be made. The materials were earthly substances. So God has chosen men and women as the living materials of His spiritual house. He might have chosen angels, and have left men to perish. But He has passed the angels by, and chosen men. If we ask the reason why, the only answer is, “ Even so, father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.” “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels: but he took on him the seed of Abraham.”

In looking at the materials we find varzefy. There was gold, silver, and precious stones. Nothing is too good for God’s service ; He is worthy of the very best! Common things are useful, and are not to be despised. There was a place for wood, and a use for goat’s hair. The meanest things may be sanctified to God’s service. The Tabernacle was “composed of very different materials, but all were useful; all had a place, and all were necessary to the

beauty and perfection of the structure. The gold could ~ not say to the brass; nor the silver to the wood; “I have no need of you.’’ The pillars occupied a prominent position ; but without the pins, the Tabernacle would have been incomplete. There was a place for the hooks, loops, and taches, as well as for the curtains, The badgers’ skins were useful, as well as the shining gems. The candlestick could not say to the snuffers; nor the altar to the tongs, ‘‘ I have no need of you.”

In the Church of Christ we find persons of all nations. «‘ All nations shall call him blessed.’? The rude Indian; and the polished European, meet at the cross of Calvary ; and influenced by the same grace, adore the Christ of God. In the Church of God there are persons from different stations in life. ‘The rich, and the poor meet together ” in the true Church, even as the gold and the copper met in the Tabernacle. In the Church of Christ there are sinners of every sort. No kind of sinners are excluded from the benefits of God’s salvation. Sinners of every degree, colour, character, and size; redeemed, called, sanctified, and blessed, are the materials with which God builds His spiritual house.

The materials of the Tabernacle were suztable. They were every way adapted for the purpose. We cannot improve on God’s choice, nor conceive of a better plan. So in the Church of God perfect wisdom is seen. His glory is great in our salvation. Christ will have a revenue of praise from every soul He rescues from hell. Great sinners are just suitable fora great Saviour. Christ is a great Physician, and the more terrible the disease, the more suitable the patient. The gospel is a feast, and the poor, the halt, the lame, and the blind, are suitable guests.

Salvation is of grace, and the more unworthy the sinner, the brighter will the grace shine.

The materials were very cos‘ly. Who can tell the value of one soul? “ Know’st thou the value of a soul immortal ? Behold the midnight giory ; worlds on worlds! Amazing pomp! redouble this amaze; ten thousand add, and twice ten thousand more, then weigh the whole :—one soul outweighs them all!’’ What then must be the value of the ten thousands of millions of souls, who are the materials of God’s spiritual house ? In the price of their ransom, we see something of their value. ‘The Church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.’’

The materials of the Tabernacle mostly came from Egypt, God gave His people favour in the eyes of the Egyptians. They did not leave Egypt empty; but came out loaded with treasure. God gathers all the materials for His Sanctuary out of the house of bondage. God ‘will make the wrath of man to praise Him. Pharaoh shall train the future deliverer of God’s Israel; and with the treasures of Egypt God will build Himself a house! ‘‘The earth helped the woman.’’—Rev. xii. 16.

Very much of the material for the Tabernacle was beautiful. All was wrought into beauteous form, by skilful workmen. Everything in God’s Church is beautiful. “He hath made everything beautiful in his time.”

Durability was considered in the choice of the materials. The most durable wood known was used. What is more durable than gold, silver, and precious stones? Here we

have an emblem of that house which shall never be taken down. “A Tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.”

II. Tue Witiine PropLe wHo BROUGHT THE MATERIALS. «« And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up»

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and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the Tabernacle of the congregation.” “And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted.’’ They offered willingly unto the Lord.

We have here a beautiful illustration of the fruit, and effect of God’s forgiving love. But recently the people had greviously sinned, in making a golden calf. God threatened to destroy them. He spake roughly to them to bring them to repentance. Three thousand were slain in one day, and thus the Israelites learnt that it was a bitter thing to sin against the Lord. Moses—beautiful type of Jesus—made an atonement for them. He went up into the mount to plead with God on their behalf. God heard his prayer, pardoned the people, and promised to dwell among them. ‘‘Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell‘among them.’’ ‘Thus, influenced by forgiving love, the people freely parted with their treasure. “ Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.’ A willing Saviour will have a willing people. God will not be served by slaves. The Israelites could not serve God in Egypt. “Let my people go, that they may serve me.’”’ A worldly mind cannot render spiritual service. The bondage of Egypt must be left, before we can be sanctified to God. “Come out from among them, and be ye separate.”

The people had willing hearts. ‘“ And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted.’’ Our persons must be accepted, before our gifts are acceptable in the sight of the Lord. “The Lord had respect unto Abel ”’—his person first—“ and unto his offering.’”? Some have thought that the Apostle had reference to the freewill offerings of Israel, when he said “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”—Rom. xii. 1. God gave Himself to Israel. Constrained by His grace, they gave themselves to Him. “Son, give me thine heart.”” “TI will Say, it is my people ; and they shall say, The Lord is my God.”

Having willing hearts, the people brought wlling offerings. Their contributions were voluntary. If the heart is open, the purse will not be shut. A willing heart will make an open hand. Hard-hearted people give but little to God’s cause. If the heart is right, the gifts will flow forth without asking. Moses did not go round the camp begging. But the people came to him with their voluntaay gifts. They not only offered “unto the Lord,” but they brought “ the Lord’s offering.”’” They gave back to God what He had given them. ‘‘O Lord our God, all this. store that we have prepared to build thee a house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.’’ 1. Chron. xxix. 16. | All classes had a share tn the giving. The princes, the men, the women, and no doubt the children, all brought their offerings. He that could not offer gold, silk, or purple, might bring goat’s hair. God will not despise the day of small things. If you cannot give gold to God’s cause, give silver. If you cannot give silver, give copper. There was a place for brass in the Tabernacle, as well as gold; and he that only brought brass, helped on the good work. ©

If you cannot bring to God’s cause shining gifts—the gold and silver of eloquence—come with thy meaner gifts, God won’t despise them. If you cannot preach, you can pray. If you cannot pray in public, you can pray in private. If you cannot with your tongue sing His praise, remember that a holy life is musical! “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man

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hath, and not according to that he hath not.”—2. Cor. viii. 12. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity : for God loveth a cheerful giver.’’—2. Cor. ix., 7.

What a noble example these willing people presented. One can easily picture the interesting scene. So freely did they offer, that proclamation was made throughout the camp that no more was needed. “ Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. For the stuff they had was sufficient for the work to make it, and too much,’’ Exodus xxxvi., 7.

There was once a missionary meeting held in the West Indies among the negroes, at which these three resolutions were agreed upon:—1. We will all give something. 2. We will give as God has prospered us. 3. We will all give willingly. As soon as the meeting was over, a | leading negro took his seat at the table, with pen and ink, to put down what each came to give. Many came forward to give, some more and some less. Amongst those that came was a rich old negro, almost as rich as all the | others put together, and threw down upon the table a small silver coin. ‘Take dat back again,” said the negro that received the money; “dat may be according to de first resolution, but it not according to de second.” The

rich man accordingly took it up, and hobbled back to his | seat in a great rage. One after another came forward, | and as almost all gave more than himself, he was fairly | ashamed of himself, and again threw down a piece of

\money on the table, saying, “Dare! take that!’’ It was 'a valuable piece of money: but it was given so ill-temperedly, that the negro answered again, “No! dat won’t do yet! It may be according to de first and second resolutions, but it is not according to de last;” and he was \ \

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THE TABERNACLE. aah obliged to take up his coin again. Still angry at himself \ and all the rest, he sat a long time, till nearly all were gone, and then came up to the table, and with a smile on his face, and very willingly, gave a large sum to the treasurer. “ Very well,” said the negro, “dat will do; dat according to all de resolutions.’ __ Whatever we do for the worship and service of God, we should do it freely, cheerfully, and cordially. “ God loveth a cheerful giver.” If cheerful giving to God’s cause was required under the old dispensation, how much more is it required under the new!

Il. Tue Sxirrut WorkMEN WHO WROUGHT THE MATERIALS into Brautrous Form.—* Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab and every wise-hearted man, in whom the Lord put wisdom ahd understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary.” There was work to do, and the people were willing to do it. When God wants men He knows where to find them. God only can qualify men to do His work. Our colleges may educate men, but God only can fit and qualify a man for the work of the ministry. Bezaleel and Aholiab were called, and qualified for the work of the Sanctuary. Their wisdom and understanding were from the Lord. They were raised up for a special purpose. God sometimes makes choice of men of fine natural talents, and leads them to consecrate them all to His service. Natural gifts are from God. Gifts, as well as grace, are of Him. Gifts are not grace, but gifts are useful, and God should be praised for them. A great intellect is the gift of God. A holy heart is by the grace of God. There may be gifts without grace. Gifted men are not all gracious men. Many have had great intellects, who have had very bad hearts. Some have had sanctified hearts, but their intellectual powers have been very weak. A man by his gifts may

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‘shine, but only by grace can he be saved. Christ is the life, and the light. He gives life to the heart, and light to the head. “The light of life” is therefore the intellect influenced, and guided by a sanctified heart! Bezaleel, and Aholiab, were gifted and gracious men.

Some see in Bezaleel a type of Christ. The meaning of the name Bezaleel is, in the shadow, or under: the protection of God. Christ was always near His Father. “He Shall cry unto me, Thou art my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.” Like Bezaleel, Christ was chosen, and called of God. Was Bezaleel filled with the Spirit of God? So was Christ. When He commenced His public ministry, He could truthfully say, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken. hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are

ruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord,” Luke iv., 18, 19. Without the work of Christ we shall never be prepared for “the true Tabernacle.” “Even He shall build the Temple of the Lord, and He shall bear the glory,” Zech. vi., 13.

In some respects the work of Bezaleel, and Aholiab, was typical of the work of the floly Spirtt. His work is necessary to salvation. Regeneration is the work of the Spirit, and without it there can be no admissions into the Kingdom of God. “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.”

But we may also look upon Bezaleel, and Aholiab, as - typical of the ministers of the everlasting gospel. For the ministry of the Word, a special call and special gifts are necessary. Did the name Bezaleel mean under the protection of God? Christ is always with His servants. Did Aholiab mean the tent, or tabernacle of the Father ? The