Institution
The Tabernacle
God dwelling with His people
The shadow (Old Testament)
The tabernacle was the portable sanctuary where the glory of God met Israel in the wilderness. It had a courtyard with a brazen altar of sacrifice and a laver for washing; a Holy Place with the lampstand, table of bread, and altar of incense; and, behind a heavy veil, a Most Holy Place where the ark sat under the mercy seat. Every detail was given by God Himself (Exodus 25–40) — nothing was left to Moses' imagination.
- Exodus 25:8-9— Let them make me a sanctuary
- Exodus 26:31-33— The veil
The substance (Christ)
"The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us" (John 1:14). Christ is the true tent — He said His own body was the temple (John 2:19-21). Every piece of furniture is a picture of Him: the altar (the cross), the laver (cleansing), the lampstand (the light of the world), the bread (the bread of life), the incense (His intercession), the veil (His flesh — Hebrews 10:20), the mercy seat (His propitiation — Romans 3:25). Walk through the tabernacle and you're walking through the gospel.
- John 1:14— The Word tabernacled among us
Apostolic commentary
Hebrews 8–10 — the earthly tabernacle was "a copy and shadow of the heavenly things" (Hebrews 8:5). Christ entered the true sanctuary with His own blood.
- Hebrews 8:1-6— A copy and shadow
- Hebrews 9:1-14— Christ entered the greater tent
Take it in
Everything in Old Testament worship that draws you toward God was always pointing to Christ. Don't stop at the shadow — follow it to the Substance.