Thurs.’s Devo - Symbols of the Tabernacle

Read Ex. 35:10-36:38, Matt. 27:32-66, Ps. 34:1-10, Pr. 9:7-8 Everything about the tabernacle pointed to Jesus. It was to be the embodiment of God. The outer court was large enough for the people to all enter. It’s boundaries were curtains. These curtains stood for the flesh of man. We have to get past that to go deeper into God. The outer court had the brazen altar where the sacrifices were made and the laver where the priest washed their hands. The brazen altar stood for the cross and our salvation, the laver - our sanctification. The people could all participate in these ceremonies. Inside the tabernacle were two rooms: the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. Only the priests could enter the Holy Place. In it was the candlestick or menorah which stood for the illumination the Holy Spirit gives us about God. Across from the menorah was the Table of Shewbread which represented the Word of God that we need to eat daily. The last piece of furniture was the Table of Incense that was lit and gave a sweet smell. This stood for the prayers of the saints. Only the High Priest could go into the Holy of Holies. He had to go in carrying a censer with the incense. He went in once a year on the day of Atonement to pray for the people and the nation. In Matthew, Jesus was fulfilling every word of Isaiah 53. Jesus was always quoting the Old Testament so it is no surprise that He would quote David’s Messianic psalm (Ps. 22). “My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” The whole Psalms is giving us Jesus’ thoughts on the cross. It even talks of how they cast lots for his garments. God never forsook Jesus and he will never forsake us. They were one then and forever. Before the resurrection, no one went to heaven, they all slept under the earth in Sheol. Notice what happens when the earthquake shook the earth. Holy people were raised to life. They walked the streets of Jerusalem till Jesus ascended, they they went with him, thus fulfilling the feast of First Fruits. Jesus was the first fruit to raise from the dead. Lord, may we taste and see that You are good today. When we fear and trust You, there is nothing we lack.