Author’s Note: This is the second in a three article series. We will explore the Old Testament tabernacle and how it relates to New Testament living today.
In part one, we examined the outer court, the Brazen Altar, which is Christ on the Cross, and also our praise and our worship of Him. We also explored the Laver, where we cleansed ourselves before entering His Presence. Now we will move into the Holy Place, inside the Tent of Meeting. This is where we move into the glorious Presence of God Himself. Let us enter the Holy Place.
Upon entering the Holy Place, there are three pieces of furniture, the Menorah, the Table of Showbread, and the Golden Altar of Incense. The high priest was in charge of the Menorah, or the golden lampstand. It was a single piece of pure gold with one tall central branch and six shorter branches, three on each side of the central branch. The high priest was to keep these branches which were filled with olive oil and contained wicks, lit continually. The Menorah was the source of light inside the Holy Place, also, God commanded that it be tended to at all times. See Leviticus 24:1-3. The Menorah in modern Christianity, our day and age, relates us to Jesus. We are the six shorter branches and He is the tall central Branch we focus on. In John 15:5, Jesus said, “I am the Vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing”. Jesus is light, He is a lamp unto our feet. If we ask Him, He will direct our paths. Darkness has no dominion over Him. This is best exemplified in John 8:12, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”.
Next, we move on to the Table of Showbread, which was on the right side of the Holy Place, across from the Lampstand. The table held twelve loaves of bread, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. The high priest would eat the bread on the Sabbath and replaced that which he consumed with fresh loaves. The Table of Showbread was a symbol of God’s willingness to commune and fellowship with man. Today, we can still sit at the table with God. Every time you take communion, you are breaking bread with our Creator. Jesus is the Bread of Life, as He declares in John 6:35 and John 6:51.
The last item in the Holy Place is the Golden Altar of Incense. Upon the altar incense must burn day and night as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Jesus Christ is now our Golden Altar of Incense, as He is seated and the right hand of God, making intercession for us day and night. Romans 8:34. Our incense today is our prayers, which rise up into the throne room of God, and are a pleasing aroma to Him.
Tomorrow, we will enter into the Holy of Holies, the very Presence of God. We will examine the final items in the Tabernacle, and give them meaning for us today. Until next time, may God bless and keep you, and may His face shine upon you.
In part one, we examined the outer court, the Brazen Altar, which is Christ on the Cross, and also our praise and our worship of Him. We also explored the Laver, where we cleansed ourselves before entering His Presence. Now we will move into the Holy Place, inside the Tent of Meeting. This is where we move into the glorious Presence of God Himself. Let us enter the Holy Place.
Upon entering the Holy Place, there are three pieces of furniture, the Menorah, the Table of Showbread, and the Golden Altar of Incense. The high priest was in charge of the Menorah, or the golden lampstand. It was a single piece of pure gold with one tall central branch and six shorter branches, three on each side of the central branch. The high priest was to keep these branches which were filled with olive oil and contained wicks, lit continually. The Menorah was the source of light inside the Holy Place, also, God commanded that it be tended to at all times. See Leviticus 24:1-3. The Menorah in modern Christianity, our day and age, relates us to Jesus. We are the six shorter branches and He is the tall central Branch we focus on. In John 15:5, Jesus said, “I am the Vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing”. Jesus is light, He is a lamp unto our feet. If we ask Him, He will direct our paths. Darkness has no dominion over Him. This is best exemplified in John 8:12, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”.
Next, we move on to the Table of Showbread, which was on the right side of the Holy Place, across from the Lampstand. The table held twelve loaves of bread, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. The high priest would eat the bread on the Sabbath and replaced that which he consumed with fresh loaves. The Table of Showbread was a symbol of God’s willingness to commune and fellowship with man. Today, we can still sit at the table with God. Every time you take communion, you are breaking bread with our Creator. Jesus is the Bread of Life, as He declares in John 6:35 and John 6:51.
The last item in the Holy Place is the Golden Altar of Incense. Upon the altar incense must burn day and night as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Jesus Christ is now our Golden Altar of Incense, as He is seated and the right hand of God, making intercession for us day and night. Romans 8:34. Our incense today is our prayers, which rise up into the throne room of God, and are a pleasing aroma to Him.
Tomorrow, we will enter into the Holy of Holies, the very Presence of God. We will examine the final items in the Tabernacle, and give them meaning for us today. Until next time, may God bless and keep you, and may His face shine upon you.
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