Series:  Victory in the Wilderness

Message # 2:  The Glory of God

Exodus 25:1-9 Hebrews 8:1&2

INTRODUCTION: The Tabernacle was an object lesson to the children of Israel for

nearly 500 years, from Moses to David. It gave place to the temple the more perma-

nent structure during the reign of Solomon. Although the Tabernacle itself has

long since ceased to exist its lessons remain to this day. Dr. M.R. Dehone said

"There is no portion of scripture richer in meaning or more perfect in its teaching

of the plan of redemption than this divinely designed buidling. " During these

studies of the Tabernacle we will learn from God how we may have victory in the

wilderness.

1. THE DIMENSIONS OF THE TABERNACLE

A. The outer court

1. It's size - 75 feet by 150 feet

2. A fence 7' feet high enclosing it

3. One gate toward the east 30 feet wide

4. The furnishings of the outer court

a. The brazen altar

b. The laver

B. The inner court

1. The first part of the inner court a space 15 feet wide, 15 feet high

and 30 feet long containing three pieces of furniture

a. On the north a table of shewbread

b. The golden lamp stand or menorah on the south

c. In the center at the door of the Holy of Holies the altar of incense

2. The innermost court or Holy of Holies - 15 feet by 15 feet by 15 feet,

a perfect cube

a. The Ark of the Covenant

b. The Mercy Seat

II. THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TABERNACLE

A. The Tabernacle is a description of diety - it pictures for us the person

and work of Christ

1. Jesus "tabernacled" among us - John 1:4

2. Like the Tabernacle Christ was the one in whom the Shekinah Glory of

God dwelt

3. Like Christ the Tabernacle had an inner beauty but was plain on the

outside

B. The Tabernacle was a blueprint of the believer - The Tabernacle has three

rooms picturing the triune nature of man - I Thessalonians 5:23

1. The outer court corresponds to the physical body and it was the

brazen altar where sacrifices were made - Romans 12:7 says we're

to present our bodies a living sacrifice

2. The inner court corresponds to the soul - the inner court was the

place of worship and fellowship picturing the inner man

3. The innermost court or Holy of Holies corresponds to man's spirit -

This is the place where God's Shekinah Glory dwelt in the most inti-

mate way - John 14:17

C. The Tabernacle is a shadow of salvation - Notice the furnishings of

the Tabernacle and how they symbolize what Christ is doing in the lives

of believers

1. The brazen altar - pictures Christ our sacrifice

2. The laver, the place of washing - pictures Christ our sanctification

3. The table of shewbread - pictures Christ our sustenance - Jesus is

the bread of life

4. The menorah - pictures Christ our light or our sight - John 9

5. The altar of incense - pictures Christ our supplication

6. The Ark of the C.:venant speaks of Christ our sovereign

7. The Mercy Seat speaks of Christ our satsifaction