The Tabernacle in the Wilderness

-Please Read this FIRST- On this site we prefer to use the actual Name of our loving Heavenly Father as it was written in the Word, and thus you will note that we will use the Four Letter “Memorial Name” of - YHVH, which is pronounced as YaHVaH or YaHWaH. In addition we will also use our Heavenly Father’s attribute/title, which is Elohim rather than “God,” which sadly is the name of a pagan god. In addition we also love to use the actual and real Name of our beloved Messiah which is - Yahushua for this is our Saviours original Hebrew Name as given to Him at birth in Lukas - Luke 1:31. This was the only Name ever used when He was on the earth by His family, disciples and His followers OVER THE centuries, even until today! However, it was changed to a foreign name by the founder of the new “pagan church of Rome.” Occasionally, we may also use other Hebrew or Greek names as well as different words in our studies for certain common words used are from pagan backgrounds and thus are not suitable. All names will be translated when they are FIRST used in a study or at various times as needed for clarity. There is a full explanation of YHVH’s blessed “Memorial Name” as well as the wonderful blessed Name of our Messiah and Saviour, thus please read … “The Memorial Name.”

Page One

As I commenced this study, I did not realise how long and widespread it was going to be, and I very soon discovered it would be better to spread this study over three pages, as 1; it is quite extensive and 2; there are quite a good number of images to support this work. I pray that you will be richly blessed by it!

1. Introduction to the Tabernacle Study

Believers will be well aware that our beloved Saviour is well represented in the Tabernacle and that is what this study is all about. However, I am sure that within this study you will discover a few new things that you may have never heard, for it obviously comes from a Hebrew perspective and thus there will be some new and wonderful revelations, that I am sure will bless all the faithful! For this reason I will commence with the Book of Yochanan - John chapter One and the Immersion of Yahushua our Saviour by Yochanan the Immerser (John the Baptist) and this culminated by two men following Yahushua when he left the scene!

However, we should commence with the timeline of event from the time of the Jordan!

Yochanan – John Chapter One:

Chapter 1 of the book is full of events and I would like to list these in sequence so that we are able to place them all in a clear order!

Vs 1- 5; I call a Magnificent Revelation.

Vs 6 - 18; I call a Marvellous Recollection.

Vs 19 - 28; Shows us Day One of a particular Seven day period, which would change the world.

Vs 29; Speaks of Day Two – “The next day.”

Vs 35; Speaks of Day Four – “The next Day.”

However in Chapter 2 Verse 1, we read the words “On the third day,” this actually means, three days after Day Four – thus ending with Day Seven. In these 36 verses we have discovered the first seven days of our Saviour’s Ministry on earth!

Please Note: Most of us should be aware that the other Gospel’s speak of the Master’s journey into the wilderness for 40 days, and that the evil one - HaSatan attempted to test our Saviour, etc, however for some reason, when the Gospel of Yochanan - John was written no mention was made of this whatsoever. Thus, we will not cover this subject here either and remain precisely with what is written in Yochanan – John.

“Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” Lukas - Luke 3:3

In Yeshayahu – Isaiah 40:3 and Yochanan – John 1:23 we read the following statement …

“The Voice of him that cries in the wilderness: ‘Prepare you the way of YHVH and make straight in the dessert a highway for our Elohim.”

This may be called day one of our Masters ministry having been Immersed by Yochanan – John the Immerser. We know that when Yahushua arrived at the River, Yochanan - John proclaimed loudly …

“Hinei Ha’Seh Elohim. Behold the Lamb of Elohim who takes away the sin of the world.”

Thus, led by the Ruach HaKodesh (the Sanctified Spirit) Yochanan - John proclaimed to all about who Yahushua really was and that He was the prophesied Messiah of YaHVaH Elohim (the LORD God)!

Yahushua entered the waters of the Mikvah by Yochanan - John who testified …

“I saw the Spirit (Ruach) come down from heaven as a dove and it remained on Him. I would not have known Him, except that the one who sent me to Immerse with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is He who will Immerse with the Ruach HaKodesh (Sanctified Spirit). I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of Elohim.” Yochanan - John 1:32-34

In Chapter 1 Verses 35 and 36 we read that on the next day our Master Yahushua returned to the Jordan and that Yochanan - John proclaimed for a second time – “Hinei Ha’Seh Elohim.” - “Behold the Lamb of Elohim.” It was said twice for it was a “double witness”! and we all know that in the Tanach, the Old Covenant only “double witness”, such as repeating a statement of fact, or “two witnesses” could be counted as being worthy! However, on these two occasions at the Jordan there were two special men present who followed Yahushua as He left and they asked Him a Question – “Master where do You live?”

But let us first look at the word “Lamb” - “Seh”:

Did you realise beloved, that there are very different Hebrew and Greek words in the Scriptures for “lamb”?

Let me start with the Hebrew word, and we should realise that the Brit Chadashah, being the New Covenant was originally mostly written in Hebrew, and this has now been proven without any doubt whatsoever (see a link to our study regarding this at the bottom of the page).

“Hinei HaSeh” – “Hinei” means either “Here I am” or “Behold.” And “Ha” before any word is simply “the.” but “Seh” is superbly wonderful and a special word for “Lamb,” but beloved, the beauty is that there are different words that mean lamb! For example in Yeshayahu – Isaiah 65:25 it states …

“The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock.”

The Hebrew for “lamb” in this verse is “taleh” and there are several other variations for lambs. However, ONLY the Sacrificial Lamb(s) without spot and blemish - “Ha-Seh” is in fact “the Sacrificial Lamb!” Thus Yochanan was making it very clear to all that stood round about, when he said …

“Behold the Sacrificial Lamb of Elohim, who takes away the sin of the world.”

What a wonderful and a powerful word that was, and it gives us all so much assurance, but ONLY to all who believe, and have repented in and through the Name of Yahushua!

You may have noted that the word “sin” is in the verse above is in the absolute singular. In the Hebrew “sin” it is “Chet” and in the Greek it is “Hamartia” and both are singular, for even one sin is worthy of death according to the Word of Elohim, unless we repent in the Name of Yahushua The Messiah and we are covered by the shed blood of the Passover “Lamb” – “Seh” - “Amnos”, which in the Greek has the identical meaning as “Seh.”

There is just one further point I would like to share here, it is something that not many tend to think about, for when we think of a Lamb, we tend to think of a young, or even a baby animal. And for “christians, who celebrate that pagan Roman Catholic festival “mass for christ” something that was instigated by the sun worshipping Emperor Constantine who believed in his much beloved sun god till the day he died, and thus this pagan festival was and is held on the day of the old Roman feast of the birth of SOL, being Mithra the SUN god of course, in addition it is their beloved winter solstice. Now, considering this, we all know that our loving Saviour was born, but He was certainly not born in December, but during one of the “Feasts of YHVH” when the men of Israel were commanded to come to Jerusalem at least once or twice during their lives, which would be either during; 1. Passover, Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits in March/April. Or the 2, the Blowing of Trumpets, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement and Sukkoth (Tabernacles) in September/October.

In addition, the picture of a cuddly baby lamb is not what we saw on the stake (cross) at Golgotha either, for He was a fully-grown man! Let me provide you with a better picture as we go back to the days of Avraham and Yitzchak - Isaac and as a young man was lying on the altar as his faithful father stood there with his knife held high and ready to do what he had been commanded by YaHVaH Elohim! But at the very moment he was going to plunge that knife, he was stopped by the Angel of YaHVaH and he and Yitzchak was provided with what? Yes a “substitute,” but is was a Ram as we can read in Bereshis - Genesis 22:13. The word for “Ram” in Hebrew is “Ayil” and I believe that this “Ayil” also clearly speaks of our Master and Saviour, for He was not a Babe, no He was a fully grown man, who had shared His life with many and taught His Father’s Word, He was now ready to lay down His life for no man could take it, He gave it freely! This was THE MAN the RAM – Yahushua our blessed Redeemer! Yet, still “the Passover sacrificed for us!

On the second day, as Yahushua departed, and as I have already indicated there had been two men present, they were in fact Yochanan’s disciples, one being Andreas - Andrew and who the other was we are not told. Some believe that it may have been Thomas, but others feel that it was Yochanan - John the author of this Gospel himself, whose manner it was to conceal his name, yet we are never told. Both men decided to follow Yahushua and as Yahushua saw them, they asked him …

“Rabbi (master), where do you live. And He (Yahushua) said come and see.” Yochanan – John 1: 38-39.

“8 But you, do not be called ‘rabbi’; for One is your teacher, the Messiah, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Messiah.” Mattityahu - Matthew 23:8-10.

I wish to note that, Yahushua would never have said “Do not be called rabbi,” for it is a simple word, as it clarifies, meaning “teacher”! I personally believe there is nothing wrong with the word “rabbi” or “teacher”! In addition “Do not call anyone on the earth your father” verse 9. What, there is something terribly wrong here, for we all have an earthly and a loving mother and a father, just as we have a loving heavenly Father, thus why would our most loving Saviour be so unkind and suddenly say so cruelly – Yes you can call the lady who gave birth to you “Mother”, but the man who happens to be married to her and played a major part in the relation ship and cares for all our needs, you must never call him “father?” No, that is not our loving Yahushua, for He is totally different!

Beloved, in this part of the Scripture we can very sadly see terrible hand of man’s interference and they have done a horrid job at it! If you would look at the original Scriptures, you would find that none of that is found, except for Yahushua’s attack on the Pharisees and the Sadducees who were indeed binding heavy burdens on the shoulders of the people, whilst they were walking around like righteous and holy men, yet they were far from it!

“Master where do You life?”:

Would you not love to go with Yahushua and see where He lives? I mean walking besides Him as a friend, not sneaking and spying from behind as these two men did at first. Beloved, obviously all this has been leading up to looking where our Saviour lived, and still lives in a way. First we will look at Elohim’s dwelling place on earth.

Yochanan - John 1:14 tells us that Yahushua …

“The Word became flesh and dwelt” (Greek “Skaynoo” Dwelt - Camped) among us.”

What we can learn from this is that our Master and Redeemer would be with us on the earth for just a short time, however that short time would have the greatest impact on a permanent basis not just for Israel, but also the Gentile world as due to His death, resurrection and returning unto His Father, we the faithful are aware that Yahushua will soon return and that this will have the greatest impact than any other event on the earth! Indeed, mankind will have had the opportunity to accept the true Messiah for over 2000 years, and if they have not, and are not upholding the commandments Yahushua spoke about, the Seventh Day Sabbath that was instituted by Him at creation and His Sanctified Feasts, just as He did whilst on the Earth and His Apostles did throughout their lives, then there is no place for them in the “Kingdom of Elohim.”

The Word makes it clear that the ‘Individual” in Yahushua, His Body is called by a special word “Na’os.” This word does not mean, for instance, the whole structure, or a building of the Tabernacle or Temple, but the “Inner Sanctuary,” in other words, that private “Sanctified Place!”

The truth be our Masters home is by far grander than any home they would be dwelling in throughout the land, for the best description of a home for our Master and Redeemer as well as being a wonderful picture of the faithful in Him is the Tabernacle that stood in the wilderness, and the detail that can be found therein. Just to understand how it was built and put together for it is so intricate and it has so much to teach us. Thus let us now go into a wonderful journey back in time!

“Know you not that your body is the inner private place (Na’os) of the Spirit of Elohim?” 1 Corinthians 6:19. (From the ancient Translation).

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Sanctified Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (NIV).

Please Note: Although most translations just use the word “temple”, this does not really fully describe the fullness of the original. At least Strongs has the truth, but even there it has been hidden for some reason for NT:3485 says, “Na’os (nah-os'); from a primary naio (to dwell); a fane, shrine, temple KJV - shrine, temple. Comp NT:2411.” Then when you click on 2411 on the online Scriptures, or visit it in the book, you will read this regarding Na’os - NT:3485: denotes the central sanctuary itself. That is the Sanctified of Holies the inner private place where the Spirit of the Master lives in all the Faithful in Messiah Yahushua!

As you will have noticed I have just mentioned the “Sanctified of Holies” and in Hebrew this is “Kodesh HaKodeshim” , and as you will have noticed earlier in this study I have also used the term “Ruach HaKodesh,” being the Hebrew for “The Sanctified Spirit!” to break this down the meaning of the Hebrew is as follows; “Ruach” = “Spirit or breath,” whist “Ha” = “the” and “Kodesh” = “Sanctified” or “Holy.” Thus the Sanctified of Holies was a place that was filled with a double Holiness of YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name! Thus anyone who was permitted to enter into this most Sanctified place had to be pure of body and mind and the High priest would come in on one day per year to sprinkle the blood of atonement, for when he entered there would be such a sense of holiness and a Spirit of power that it would be difficult for a human to bear a long stay there! Our time to be present with the Father is not yet, for only through Messiah will that be possible and that will come when we will be permitted to enter the Millennium Reign with Him when He comes and then into the New Heaven and the New Earth. But all that is ONLY for the faithful in Messiah Yahushua, be they from Hebraic or Gentile backgrounds having become ONE in Him, having been Immersed and live according to His and His Father’s Words!

In conclusion to part one:

Beloved, in this study, I will only be touching what we might call the surface of this amazing structure, but I believe that by the end I am sure you will be richly blessed! I would very much like to hear from you if you have been blessed by this study. You can send me an email via the link at the bottom, and no we do not keep mailing lists or send out news, come beg letters for we are 100% non commercial, thus we do not sell nor market anything, nor ever ask for anything whatsoever. We live on the simple principle as given by our Saviour “Give us this day our daily bread.” His Name be praised, for we have sufficient each day!

2. Introduction to the Tabernacle

Tabernacle, or Mishchan in Hebrew, means “Tent,” “Place of Dwelling” or “Sanctuary.” It was the most Sacred place where YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, decided to choose to meet His people, the Children of Israel, during the years as they wandered through the wilderness under Moshe’s leadership and right through until the Temple was built in Jerusalem. It was the place where the leaders and people would come together to worship and to offer sacrifices, and the High priest would offer the annual blood sacrifice for the sin of all Israel on the Feast of “Yom Kippur,” being the “Day of Atonement.”

The Tabernacle was erected in the wilderness one year after the Passover that took place in Egypt and the Children of Israel departed the next morning from Egyptian slavery. The Mishchan was a very large, yet a mobile tent that had portable furniture that travelled with the people each time they moved and then it was set up again, wherever they stopped and set up their camp. The Tabernacle was always in the centre of the camp, and the 12 tribes of Israel would set up their tents around it according to their tribe. The instruction on how to build the Tabernacle was first given to Moshe in the wilderness, who then gave the orders to the Israelites.

“…make a sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them.” Shemos - Exodus 25:8.

“Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their Elohim. They will know that I am YHVH their Elohim, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them.” Shemos - Exodus 29:45-46.

The Tabernacle with YHVH Elohim presence clearly visible day and night, a pillar of fire or a pillar of cloud!

Note the camps of the Children of Israel, there where three tribes placed on each side

And thus YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, dwelled in the midst of His people and He appeared as a pillar of cloud over the Tabernacle by day and a pillar of fire by night in the sight of all Israel. The people would not set out on their journey unless the cloud lifted. It was an unmistakably powerful visual statement indicating Elohim’s presence among them.

Elohim knew that the Israelites needed visual evidence of His presence. When Moshe went up to Mount Sinai for 40 days and the people did not see or hear from him, they grew impatient and gathered their gold and so tragically so many of them formed that hideous and evil golden calf and began to worship the graven image, instead of their Elohim. We need to remember that having lived for a good ten generations in Egypt, this may not have been all to surprising for the vast majority of the Israelites during that time had turned to the Egyptian gods and they had then also fashioned visual idol’s of their own. But, thankfully there always remained that remnant of faithful in Elohim, as the Scriptures prove, some of these were Moshe’s family and many others, for throughout history, there have always been faithful Hebrews and that remains to this very day!

But, this act of gross disobedience showed the need of these people to follow and worship a deity that was visually tangible. Thus, after the golden calf event Elohim decided to provide the Mishchan, Tabernacle, as it would be beautiful, as well that the people would be able to sense His presence! In addition they would see their leader Moshe go in to meet with YaHVaH Elohim in this special meeting, or set apart place, that was their very own, and not have to vanish up a mountain for a month, every now and then!

But as we should well know the Mishchan in the wilderness has much more to it then the many wonderful blessings that can be found in it and they all have such great blessings! But of course all of it is in truth part of His plan, and the Tabernacle shows His forward vision towards the great and blessed redemptive plan that has been set in action from the days of Bereshis – Genesis! And I can tell you beloved that especially in one of the vessels, the entire redemptive plan and completion of Yahushua is shown in prophecy!

In the Brit Chadashah, the New Covenant - Yochanan - John writes:

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” Yochanan - John 1:14.

This word “dwelling” is the same word for “Tent” in Greek it is “Eskeno” whilst in the Hebrew this word is “Ochel”, which is Tent or Tabernacle. In other words, He who is “the Word” dwelled or to be Tabernacled amongst His people. As He walked upon the earth and lived among the Judeans, Yahushua the Messiah Himself fulfilled the picture of the Tabernacle. Thus we now are well aware that the Tabernacle really was a prophetic type, a picture of YaHVaH’s redemptive plan for His people Israel and the whole world!

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of Elohim is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and Elohim Himself will be with them and be their Elohim.’” Revelations 21:3.

Now, we will go and take a walk throughout the Tabernacle as well as each component of both the “HaKodesh” - “The Sanctified Place,” being the front section of the tent, and the “HaKodesh Kodeshim” “The Sanctified of Holies” thus the Mishchan – the Tabernacle.

3. The Tabernacle Exterior

Let us turn to Shemos – Exodus Chapter 40:2.

This chapter provides us a superb picture of the Tabernacle and it is also a picture of those saved by the shed Blood of “HaSeh Elohim,” – “the Lamb of Elohim” our blessed Redeemer Yahushua the Messiah!

“Then YHVH spoke to Moshe (Moses), saying: ‘On the first day of the first month you shall set up the Tabernacle of the tent of meeting.’” Verse 2.

There in verse 2 we read about the “Tabernacle of the tent of meeting” alternatively in other versions it is called the “tent of the congregation. However in Hebrew it has another name for its actual name is the “Place of Appointments” It is vital to understand this word “Appointment.”

The first time it occurs in Scripture is in Bereshis – Genesis 1:14, where it speaks of the sun, moon and the stars being for seasons – “Mo’adim.”

“And Elohim said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons (Mo’adim - appointments), and for days, and years.

Thus this word is also used in verse 2 in Shemos – Exodus 40 “the tent of the Mo’ed – Appointments.” We all know that the sun, moon and the stars did just as they were appointed to do, and they are still doing this today. Each one is at the right place and time, for they are to be signs unto us. They have been obedient unto the letter of Elohim’s appointment!

Thus when YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, instructed Moshe on how the Tabernacle was to be made and called the “Tent of Appointments,” He was saying that the faithful must come together and be as obedient as the sun, moon and the stars! We just cannot please ourselves on how and when we come, for our Elohim has given all of us a special Appointment to follow!

For example …

“To this you were called, because Messiah suffered for you, leaving you an example (Greek: Ippo’gram’mos), that you should follow in his steps.” Shime’on - 1 Peter 2:21.

That example could mean a great deal, even suffering for His sake if it needs it, for the question is, are we living in the self or the spiritual? Are you part of the Sanctified (Holy) of Holies, or living out side of it? If you are, you most likely will know some god, be it Krishna, Buddha, Allah, and the countless others who are the gods that offer no real salvation at all, or you may follow a messiah by some other name or just follow the I, me and myself, a world of greed, sex and good times. If that is the case my friend you are a lost soul, and you need to come unto Yahushua The Messiah and live in the “Na’Os,” in that private “Sanctified Place” and be assured of eternal life with Him!

Now let us look at the actual structure of the Tabernacle.

An overview of the completed Boards of the Tabernacle

“And for the Tabernacle you shall make the boards of acacia wood, standing upright. Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the width of each board.” Shemos - Exodus 26:15 & 16.

The walls of the Tabernacle were made up of separate boards, with some 20 boards on each side and 8 boards behind the Sanctified of Holies, a total of 48 boards. In addition there were five pillars at the front entrance and four at the front entrance to the “Sanctified of Holies!” To be more precise in regard to the boards: The front section, being the “HaKodesh” – the “Sanctified Place” this section had 14 boards on each side, whilst the “HaKodesh HaKodeshim” – the “Sanctified of Holies” had 6 boards on each side and 8 on the aft, or west side.

The Great Timber Posts!

Now we come to something most remarkable for the timber for these huge boards had to be gathered in the place that the Scripture clearly calls “the wilderness”, yes that is in the heart of the Sinai dessert! The question begs, where can anyone possibly find such tall and majestic thick trees in the Sinai dessert, or any trees that are big enough to make up even one of these magnificent boards that measured 15 feet (4.57m) tall and 18 inches (45.7cm) wide?

Now, we need to ask the next question. What kind of timber was used for these boards and was the timber of these trees substantial enough to make up even one of these very large boards. The Scripture tells us that it had to be “Acacia wood,” thus obviously the Children of Israel would have gone out and gathered the Acacia trees as they grow aplenty in the wilderness!

However, I have travelled throughout the Sinai over the years I have seen countless Acacia trees, and I was amazed how small and how twisted the Acacia trees are. Beloved, we need to realise the conditions in wilderness, for it can be extremely hot during the day and icy cold and even snowing at night. The weather is very changeable, for there is either not a breath of wind, or the winds are fierce to the extreme. The Acacia tree is a lowly and a horridly twisted tree and thus a rather ugly looking tree to say the least! Most of them are badly bent over in the direction of the prevailing winds! Yet YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be He, instructed that Israel take this rather humble and not the most attractive tree and use it to make all these magnificent straight boards out of them for His mighty Tabernacle!

This is a typical Acacia tree in the Sinai Wilderness

Here comes the interesting part. The Hebrew for “boards” is “Kerashim” and if we check in verse 15, you will discover it is written in the plural. Not only were there 48 boards, but each board was made out of many pieces of Acacia timber, in other words they were you may say, an early form of “laminated timber.” And there is no doubt that YaHVaH Elohim intended it just that way, for in it we should be able to see a clear picture! Remember beloved, the Word is full of typologies and the most beautiful of pictures!

Therefore let me repeat what happened in the wilderness, here we discovered that many pieces of Acacia wood were worked into one beautiful upright board, and upon completion the board must have looked, well rather strange. It had all those timber pieces so beautifully and craftsman like formed into one perfect big board but it was certainly not very attractive looking! Upon completion, each of the 48 boards and nine entrance pillars each of them were fully covered with pure Gold to become part of the Tabernacle! Thus, at that stage the timber was no longer visible and only the sheer beauty of the grand pillars could be seen! Obviously Gold speaks of the Greatness of YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name! And beloved, I have NEWS FOR YOU, our beloved Saviour wishes to see you just like one of these chip board’s, but covered in pure Gold, where you can no longer see all those twisted ugly little bits of Acacia wood that came out of a sinful dessert, but are now part of those who have been redeemed by the Blood “HaSeh Elohim” - “the Lamb of Elohim,” Yahushua The Messiah, and thus we are now covered in His Glory (Gold) and filled with His Ruach HaKodesh (Sanctified or holy Spirit)!

The many pieces of timber in the one board also denoted that many, regardless where we are from, be it an Israelite or from a Gentile background, but in Him we are all ONE in the Body of the Messiah!

--------

Left: Two silver sockets per Board & Right: Rectangular rings to join the Boards at the top

“You shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards: two sockets under each of the boards for its two tenons. And for the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, there shall be twenty boards and their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under each of the boards. For the far side of the tabernacle, westward, you shall make six boards. And you shall also make two boards for the two back corners of the tabernacle. They shall be coupled together at the bottom and they shall be coupled together at the top by one ring. Thus it shall be for both of them. They shall be for the two corners. So there shall be eight boards with their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets, two sockets under each of the boards.” Shemos - Exodus 26:19-25.

We have just read that at the bottom of each Board there were two prongs that would be fitted with two sockets of silver. The idea of this was to separate the Gold from the earth. We know that the earth represents sin, and the Gold of the grand Boards represents the Glory of YaHVaH Elohim. But there is much more to the silver than meets the eye for throughout the Tabernacle we can see Yahushua our Redeemer and the faithful in Him! But, I will come back to this shortly!

Each Board had to have two silver sockets and the Israelites were instructed to give ½ a Shekel of (pure) silver each, which is about the size of a 20-cent piece. But as there were millions of them, as we know from the “Exodus Studies” when it all came together it was a huge amount when it was melted down!

Silver as we know is the Price of Redemption and Gold represents the Glory of our Elohim! Thus these Boards stood upright because of Redemption, separating them from the earth, which represents sin! These two Silver sockets clearly shows us that Salvation was always intended for the Children of Israel and all the World, for that is why there were two silver sockets, just as there were Two Silver Trumpets in Bamidbar – Numbers 10:2 and also there were two loaves of leavened bread for the Feast of Shavout (Feast of Weeks), and they are mentioned in other places!

Beloved, the redeemed in Yahushua The Messiah, were once just like those simple acacia trees, yet now redeemed through faith and repentance, are now just like those great boards of the Tabernacle, covered in shinning gold, standing on silver, the metal of redemption, because our blessed Saviour has shed His precious Blood for the forgiveness of our sins! All we have to do now is follow His Words and commandments for as in Ya’akov - James in chapter 2 verse 20 it makes it so clear, that “faith without works is dead.” Thus, like our Saviour told us we need to Go and share the Gospel of Love to our families and our neighbours and to whomever the Spirit leads us to!

At this point I would like to suggest this personal prayer for you:

“Heavenly Father, I realise that once I just was like those twisted Acacia trees that was cut up into small chips of wood and made up into one solid Body, a Board of the Tabernacle! Father, at times I do not feel very attractive just like an Acacia tree and sometimes I do not even feel very nice and I often feel ashamed! There are times Father when I ask if we ought to be in fellowship with the faithful, but where are they? But I thank You loving Father for teaching me, that being One in the Body is so very important, and that I am covered with your blessed love and Glory. Even when I do fail Father I can always come to You in the most precious Name of Yahushua my beloved Messiah, who shed His precious Blood when He gave His life for me. But praise You Father, You raised Him after three days and three nights, just as Yahushua stated in Mattityahu - Matthew 12:38-40, and then He returned to be with You.

Thank You YaHVaH Elohim that in and through Yahushua I am covered with Spiritual Gold, being your Glory, and that I am standing on Silver and thus Redeemed, for I can repent whenever we make an error and I know that I will be forgiven and made as “white as snow!” Thank You Yahushua for what You have done for me and I pray that I will be able to do more for You in the future. Please lead and guide me my beloved Saviour to the right fellowship that upholds Your Word!

Amen”

The “Central Rod” holds the entire wall together!

“The central rod shall pass through the midst of the boards from end to end.” Shemos - Exodus 26:28-29.

We have read and seen the Silver sockets, the gold interlocking Rectangular rings on the top that tie the Boards together, but now we have seen and read about the most important integral part of this entire structure that binds everything together and what it all really means.

Looking at what we have just learned:

The boards we have learned are made of timber that shows that man is humble. The boards were made up of ugly twisted pieces of timber, and compressed, showing that although we were sinners, in YaHVaH and redeemed in Yahushua, we are upright! Then we were covered in gold, thus filled with His glory, and the two clasps of gold holds the true faithful in Yahushua together! But most importantly, the Tabernacle stood directly on the ground, for that reason it required silver sockets, for that which was pure (the saved) could not stand directly on sinful earth, it required separation. We know from the Word that silver is the metal of salvation, as we can learn from the silver trumpets and silver coins, etc.

Beloved, in Yahushua we have an ongoing covering of Salvation, even when we err we can come before our Elohim and repent!

Having read this, it is important to note that all the aforementioned items are relevant typologies, or pictures of the faithful in Messiah, but the scene is about to change!

The ROD:

The central rod is very different, for the rod is a direct picture relating to the Messiah Himself, for it is He who holds the entire structure together, for without the rod, all the boards could separate and even fall during strong dessert winds or a big storm, but the rod is the ultimate strength of the Tabernacle!

Yahushua is indeed our Rod, He is our Strength and He keeps the Faithful in Him together, come storm, or enemy! Blow wind blow, for you will never blow us over! Just hold on to your Faith in Yahushua THE Messiah, our beloved Saviour!

Beloved, we all know with assurance that the PRICE has been PAID IN FULL! We have learnt that we will always stand on Silver and even if we fall, due to our own failures, we can go before the Throne of Glory in repentance and be assured of forgiveness, for beloved we, the true faithful in Him, are knit together in Yahushua!

Come Inside and Stand on Dirt:

Now we have seen the exterior picture of the Tabernacle structure of YaHVaH’s Dwelling Place in the Wilderness, as well as a picture of Messiah and us the faithful, but there is so much more! Even though all the Boards stood so firm and were shining Gold, the truth is inside the actual Tabernacle there was no floor, thus when the priest went in he would get dirt and sand between his toes. This would constantly remind him of his state in Elohim and to be humble. We are also on the earth, but we are not to be of it!

We need to be reminded that although we have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb of Elohim, but although we are covered in His Glory, meaning filled with His Spirit, we as individuals are still able to err and sin. This reminds me of the first “Feasts of YHVH,” Passover/Unleavened Bread, where it begins with the eating of unleavened bread, and these feasts represents prophetically the Lamb without spot and blemish of Elohim, the death of Yahushua and the resurrection! Whilst Fifty days later there is the “Feast of Shavout” or the “Feast of Weeks.” Representing prophetically the outpouring of the Sanctified Spirit Acts:2:2-4. However, for this feast Israel was ordered to bake two loaves of bread, but it had to have leaven, and we all know from the Word that leaven represents sin! So why was there no leaven at the Feast of Passover/Unleavened Bread? Beloved, we need to understand that each of the Seven Feats are prophetic, looking forward to our Saviour Yahushua coming and Unleavened Bread represented Him as being without sin!

But the “Feast of Weeks” that speaks about the faithful we discover the … 1. Two loaves, meaning that salvation was always destined for the Hebrews and Gentiles. 2. Leaven, because we, even though we are redeemed in Messiah, we can still have sin in our lives, for the day will come … “we shall all be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. Now if we were perfect, we would be like Him right now, IF ONLY? But sadly beloved, we are NOT, even though salvation is ours!

4. Tabernacle Interior

The Sanctified of Holies, with the “Ark of the Covenant” seen from above

The first two thirds as you would step inside through the front entrance is known as the “Sanctified” Hebrew; “Kadosh” area whilst at the end there was a veil/curtain behind which there were four pillars into the most Sanctified Place that led into what was a perfect cube, and it measured ten cubits in height, length and breath or 15x15x15ft, whilst the forward section was 30x15x13ft. At the entrance to the most Sanctified Place there were two small side entrances and one wide entrance in the middle, but it is interesting that there were three and the middle one would be the one that the bowl of blood would go through on the Day (Feast) of Atonement and the priest would sprinkle it around the Ark. Again we see Messiah in that middle door!

“And it came to pass in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month that the Tabernacle was raised up. So Moshe raised up the Tabernacle, fastened its sockets, set up its boards, put in its bars, and raised up its pillars. And he spread out the tent over the Tabernacle and put the covering of the tent on top of it, as YHVH had commanded Moshe.” Shemos - Exodus 40:17-19.

The word “Tent” or “Dwelling Place” in Hebrew is “Ochel”, the same word used as tents that shepherds and ordinary people would live in. However, the word for “Tabernacle” is “Mishchan” and the very first time this word occurs is in Shemos – Exodus 25:9.

“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this Tabernacle (Mishchan) and all its furnishings exactly after the pattern I will show you.”

This word is exclusively used in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Joshua and in 1 and 2 Chronicles. However David did use the title “Ochel” for the Tabernacle in Tehillim – Psalm 27: 6-7. But “Mishchan” is obviously the main word for Tabernacle and the most Sanctified Place!

There is a special message here! A trumpet or a Shofar would be blown to call the people to Tabernacle and they had to come like it or not. Obviously they would not all come in for there were far too many, but the elders, or chiefs among them would come in to wherever they were needed be it in the outer court or inside the Ochel, the Tabernacle’s forecourt. If they did so they would see that there was no floor and no solid roof for the ceiling had been overlaid with three very special layers, each being very significant!

The Coverings on the Tabernacle:

Now let us read about these coverings in Shemos - Exodus 26:1-14.

“Make the Tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with Cherubim worked into them by a skilled craftsman. All the curtains are to be the same size, twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide. Join five of the curtains together and do the same with the other five. Make loops of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set, and do the same with the end curtain in the other set. Make fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the other set, with the loops opposite each other. Then make fifty gold clasps and use them to fasten the curtains together so that the tabernacle is a unit. Make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle eleven altogether. All eleven curtains are to be the same size, thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. Join five of the curtains together into one set and the other six into another set. Fold the sixth curtain double at the front of the tent. Make fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in one set and also along the edge of the end curtain in the other set. Then make fifty bronze clasps and put them in the loops to fasten the tent together as a unit. As for the additional length of the tent curtains, the half curtain that is left over is to hang down at the rear of the Tabernacle. The tent curtains will be a cubit longer on both sides; what is left will hang over the sides of the Tabernacle so as to cover it. Make for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red and over that a covering of hides of sea cows.”

The coverings of the Tabernacle structure were in two distinct but related sections: The Mishchan and the Ochel. The Tabernacle or Mishchan was covered by two sets of five curtains joined together to form a covering over the structure. Each curtain was made of fine twined linen and embroidery, worked in blue, purple and scarlet. Each measured 28 cubits long by 4 cubits wide, or 42 feet by 6 feet. The joining together of the two sets of five curtains was immediately over the veil which divided the Sanctified Place from the Most Sanctified Place (Shemos - Exodus 26:31-33,36). They were joined by fifty golden “Taches” - Hebrew “Qeres” a “knob,” or “hook” connecting fifty loops of blue (Shemos -Exodus 26:4-6.

The curtains were cunningly embroidered with Cherubim (Shemos -Exodus 26:1) the faces of which thus looked into the inside of the Tabernacle. The significance of the Ochel was that is was clearly conspicuous from a distance (Strong).

Here we see the three layers of the Mishchan roof

The coverings comprised:

1 … Goats’ Hair - Eleven curtains, each thirty cubits long by four cubits wide, or 45 feet by 6 feet. These were made up into two sets, one of five curtains and the other of six held together by the use of fifty brass clasps (“Taches”) and fifty loops of blue upon each set. The sixth curtain of the front set was doubled (Shemos -Exodus 26:9) over at the front of the Tabernacle, forming a porch-like arrangement. Half of the rear set of five curtains fell over the rear of the structure so that the two sets were joined over the veil. Hence the Sanctified Place was separated from the Most Sanctified both inside and out.

2 … Rams skins dyed red, concerning which no actual dimensions or quantities are recorded:

3 … Badger's skins for which, likewise, no quantities are provided. These skins are considered more reliably to be the skins of the Dugong. Records indicate that this mammal was found in the area of the Red Sea in times past or even quite recently. The colour of its skin is reported to have a bluish hue.

In addition, the interior featured a white linen ceiling that would have reflected some light that the great Lamp stand, the “Seven Branched Menorah” would have provided.

The actual shape of the roof structure had a flattop.

Inside there were surrounded by the huge golden pillars and the silver sockets that separated the gold from the dirt, thus the Glory of YaHVaH Elohim and His Redemption always surrounded those who were so blessed to be inside the Sanctified Mishchan! As we look at the interiors and the coverings we can always see our Master and Saviour in the details. Lets us venture a little further! Let us first read a part of Hebrews 8:2 … “ … the true tabernacle which the Master erected, and not man.”

Messiah in the Mishchan:

There are a number of features connected with the Tabernacle structure and its coverings which illustrate to us the character and work of our beloved Saviour Yahushua the Messiah! They become rather evident as we approach and view it in a Hebraic way for should one enter the Outer Court and looking towards the Mishchan the first thing you would see is the superb curtains at the entrance!

They typified our beloved Messiah as follows:

The curtains comprised an entrance. In Yochanan - John 10:9 the Master declared that He is “the door!” You might ask the door into what? He is the door out of the wilderness, out of a life of sin and evil, and as you pass through the door you enter into a life of Redemption, being forgiven of sin standing on Silver and coming into holiness and being covered in the Glory (Gold) of YaHVaH Elohim in His “Sanctuary.” As such Yahushua displayed His Father’s righteousness (white) of character and truth as in Yochanan - John 1:14.

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Yahushua put complete trust in His Father, and was in constant communion with Him (blue). He conquered all, despite the weakness of the human nature (scarlet), which He shared with us all. In Him the “blue” and the “scarlet” met and mixed (purple) proclaiming that YaHVaH was manifest in and through His Son!

The curtains were supported by five pillars of Shittim wood, covered in gold, but these stood on brass sockets. The curtains were a constant reminder to the priests, who laboured in the Outer Court on behalf of those who approached YaHVaH in sacrifice, that those who would progress into the Sanctified Place of the Sanctuary must reveal the characteristics represented by the Tabernacle curtains.

Thus the curtains marked an important development in the progress of YaHVaH’s chosen priests. They were called to enter into a closer dedication to the Name and Service of YaHVaH so that He could have them serve Him and also dwell richly in them and bless them and all Israel! Today, the faithful in Yahushua are the priests and are filled with the Glory (Gold) having already been covered by the silver! We now have to go and do our service for we are now the “Temple of YaHVaH Elohim!”

Progress into The Sanctified Place:

“That you may show forth the Virtues of Him who has called you.” 1 Shime’on - 1 Peter 2:9.

Messiah manifested the qualities shown in the Tabernacle curtains and the faithful in Yahushua THE Messiah, must do likewise. Upon the basis of Divine righteousness only (White), is it possible for YaHVaH to manifest Himself (Blue), through His chosen human (Scarlet) servants, thereby also showing His own Royal Supremacy (Purple) and, at the same time, that we as such are “a Royal Priesthood.”

At this stage of development as YaHVaH’s “dwelling place,” the faithful in Yahushua have developed beyond the stage of experience denoted by the brass of the Altar and Laver. The carnal mind, with its fleshly-inclined thinking and ideas, has been subjected to mental changes as the Word of YaHVaH exercises its influence. And this mental change will have its outworking in the moral application of the Truth that will follow, and which was symbolized by the Sanctified Place, which I pray we are soon to enter. That stage in turn, will ultimately give place to a physical change of nature, denoted by the Most Sanctified Place which typified the ultimate development.

In the same way as Yahushua’s virtues and character have attracted us to Him, it is possible for us to influence others by drawing them into a closer relationship to our beloved Messiah by encouraging a similar development, mentally and morally.

Please share the love, mercy and forgiveness that our beloved Messiah offers and may the Spirit of our Precious Master touch and change them, that they may also receive the REWARD … FOR …

“Great is your reward in heaven!” Mattityahu - Matthew 5:12.

Go to PAGE TWO of “The Tabernacle”

This page contains all the internals & vessels

Or Return to the MAIN INDEX of “The Tabernacle”