The Spiritual Meaning of the Tabernacle
The preparation and construction of the tabernacle take up a significant amount of time from Exodus 25 through the end of the book. You will see that God was very attentive to detail if you take the time to read those chapters.
What Functioned as a Tabernacle in Exodus?
God was very particular about the construction of the tabernacle and the materials that should be used for each section. Each component of the tabernacle served a specific purpose because of the nature of God, who does not waste anything. What was the spiritual significance and symbolism of the tabernacle in Exodus, and how can we apply it to our lives and salvation today, as we think about these things?
Also Read: The Spiritual Meaning of Moon Phases
Since it is impossible to study the tabernacle in its entirety in one article, I won’t even try. I do, however, want to draw your attention to three tabernacle symbolisms and meanings that you can use in your daily life.
What Does the Tabernacle Mean spiritually in Exodus?
1. The Burnt Offering Altar (cleansing that creates access)
The altars were a vital component of the tabernacle. The altar of burnt offering was one of the first things you saw when you entered the courtyard. The Israelites offered sacrifices on this altar, which was located outside the holy place, in order to atone for their sins.
This served as an altar of sacrifice and sanctification that allowed you to approach God’s presence. I’m hoping this sounds familiar to you because, thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice, this is how we can now approach God. It wasn’t on an altar, but rather on a cross, and that sacrifice atones for our sins and makes a way for us to enter God’s presence.
2. The Incense Altar (prayers that are constantly being lifted)
The burning of incense in the holy place was one of the high priest’s duties. This was the first command God gave to Aaron. This portion of the tabernacle represented the spiritual idea that God desires for his people to continually pray to him. Because Jesus said something similar in the new testament, this was a foreshadowing. In Mark 11:17, Jesus reminds them that his house will be known as a house of prayer after driving out the dishonest money changers from the temple courts. This idea was, in my opinion, being established by God from the very beginning. While the church can be a place of worship, instruction, fellowship, and praise, it should also be a house of prayer when we enter and gather. Where we address the great God we serve with our hearts’ desires.
3. The Most Holy Place, where God’s presence is assured.
God was reassuring the Israelites that he would always be with them when he built the tabernacle. God has always wanted to be present with his people, but he also wants them to know that he is there. The tabernacle served as a visible reminder that God was with the Israelites.
Where Does the Modern Tabernacle of God Stand in Relation to the Exodus Tabernacle?
The spiritual significance and symbolism of the tabernacle in Exodus may prompt you to wonder where the God’s tabernacle is today.
What God told Moses back then still holds true today. God will reside in your created sanctuary if you build one. Which sanctuary is this? You are the place where God’s Spirit resides and the sanctuary.
The tabernacle in Exodus probably had the greatest spiritual significance and symbolism when God revealed what it would be like for his presence to reside inside of us. Jesus’ death on the cross purifies us, allowing us to enter the Most Holy Place and commune with our heavenly Father through prayer.
What is the Tabernacle’s spiritual significance?
The ritual represented spiritual liberation from the dirt, blood, and impurities of the world and of sin. In a pure and holy state, priests offered sacrifices and themselves to God in this manner. The New Testament explains how certain features of the tabernacle and later temples may be typified by Jesus Christ.
What does the word “tabernacle” mean in the Bible?
The portable sanctuary built by Moses as a place of worship for the Hebrew tribes during their wandering before entering the Promised Land is known in Jewish history as the tabernacle, Hebrew Mishkan, or “dwelling.”
What does it mean to pray in the Tabernacle?
A potent and very real method of prayer, tabernacle prayer (also known as temple prayer), allows one to approach God and worship and praise him with a true understanding of who He is. As described in the scriptures, the Tabernacle serves as a metaphor for how to approach God’s presence.
What is the real tabernacle of God?
Young people have a way to participate in God’s work through Truth Tabernacle’s Youth Department. Young people from all backgrounds take part in a variety of activities, such as ushering, Bible quizzing, bus ministry, choir, and Sunday school teaching.
A spiritual tabernacle is what?
The more thorough description of a tabernacle can be found in Exodus chapters 25–27 and 35–40. It speaks of an outer chamber (holy place) with a table for showbread and an altar for burning incense, as well as inner shrine (the most holy place) housing the ark.
Summary
The ritual represented spiritual liberation from the dirt, blood, and impurities of the world and of sin. In a pure and holy state, priests offered sacrifices and themselves to God in this manner. The New Testament explains how certain features of the tabernacle and later temples may be typified by Jesus Christ.
