THE TABERNACLE REVEALS GOD’S HEART
Friends, the Tabernacle was never just a tent – it was God’s picture book of redemption. Every color, every thread, every shimmer of gold was a divine whisper pointing to Jesus Christ. From the Ark’s golden mercy seat to the humblest curtain loop, God was declaring, “I desire to dwell among you.”
Praise the Lord! He didn’t leave mankind groping in darkness. He gave Moses a pattern – a revelation that tells us who God is, how He saves, and how He wants to live within us. The Tabernacle is not ancient history – it’s a living prophecy fulfilled in Christ, the One who “tabernacled among us” (John 1:14).
So, brethren, let’s enter His courts with understanding. Let’s look upon each material not as dead relics of religion, but as burning symbols of grace, holiness, and glory that call us to deeper fellowship with God.
1. Gold – The Divine Nature
Exodus 25:11 – “And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it.”
Gold speaks of divinity, purity, and glory. Inside the Holy of Holies, everything glimmered with pure gold – a radiant reminder that only divine perfection can stand before God’s presence.
Friends, man’s works may shine for a season, but gold endures fire. The faith God gives is “much more precious than gold that perisheth” (1 Peter 1:7). Christ Himself is that unchanging gold – pure, incorruptible, eternal (Revelation 3:18).
Praise be to God! When we are in Christ, we share in His divine nature and become partakers of His glory.
2. Silver – Redemption
Exodus 30:12–16 – “Every man shall give a ransom for his soul unto the Lord.”
Silver is the metal of redemption. The very foundation of the Tabernacle rested on silver sockets, meaning God’s dwelling stands upon ransom and grace.
Brethren, our souls stand not on good deeds but on the blood-bought redemption of Christ (1 Peter 1:18–19). The Church is built on silver – paid for, redeemed, and established through the price of His blood.
3. Brass – Judgment and Strength
Exodus 27:2 – “Thou shalt overlay it with brass.”
Brass tells the story of judgment and endurance. The brazen altar was where sin met justice. There the fire of God consumed the sacrifice instead of the sinner.
Jesus said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up” (John 3:14; Numbers 21:9). On the cross, He bore the heat of judgment and turned wrath into mercy. Praise the Lord for that!
4. Blue – Heaven and Divinity
Exodus 26:1 – “Thou shalt make the tabernacle… of blue, and purple, and scarlet.”
Blue draws our eyes upward – it speaks of heaven. It reminds us of Christ’s divine origin and the authority that came from above (John 3:13).
Whenever Israel looked upon the blue, they remembered heaven’s call to holiness. The same Spirit invites us now to live heaven-minded, not earth-bound.
5. Purple – Royalty
Purple is the color of kingship. Formed by mixing blue (divinity) and red (sacrifice), it points to Jesus – the divine King who conquered through His own blood (John 19:2–3; Revelation 19:16).
Every time we see purple in the Tabernacle, we see a crown stained with blood – a King who reigns by love.
6. Scarlet – Sacrifice and Redemption through Blood
Isaiah 1:18 – “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”
Scarlet threads ran through the curtains and veils, testifying that sin requires blood. From the first lamb slain in Eden to the blood-stained cross of Calvary, God’s message has never changed: without shedding of blood is no remission.
Praise the Lord, Christ’s scarlet flow has made us white as snow (Hebrews 9:12–14).
7. Fine Twined Linen – Righteousness and Purity
Revelation 19:8 – “Fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”
White linen spoke of holiness – of a standard we could never meet but Christ perfectly fulfilled. The priests wore linen; so do the redeemed.
By His grace, we wear His righteousness like a garment, spotless and pure.
8. Goat’s Hair – Separation and Atonement
Exodus 26:7 – “Thou shalt make curtains of goats’ hair.”
The goat, used in sin offerings (Leviticus 16:15), speaks of atonement and separation. The covering of goat’s hair reminds us that our sins were laid upon Christ, the true scapegoat who carried them away.
And now, we are called to walk separate from sin and unto holiness (2 Corinthians 6:17).
9. Rams’ Skins Dyed Red – Consecration
Exodus 26:14 – “A covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red.”
The ram was the animal of consecration. Its red skin pointed to total surrender. Jesus offered Himself wholly to God, and He calls us to do the same (Romans 12:1).
Friends, true worship isn’t just songs – it’s a life laid down in red devotion.
10. Badgers’ Skins – Protection and Humility
Exodus 26:14 – “A covering above of badgers’ skins.”
This outer covering wasn’t beautiful – it was rugged, weatherproof, and common. Yet it protected everything sacred within.
Christ’s humanity was the same – plain to the eye, but divine glory lived beneath (Isaiah 53:2). Praise God, He chose humility over spectacle so that we could behold His heart.
11. Shittim Wood – Incorruptible Humanity
Exodus 25:10 – “Make an ark of shittim wood.”
Acacia wood resists decay – it represents Christ’s sinless humanity.
The Ark and altars were made from this wood overlaid with gold, showing both natures: human and divine (John 1:14; Philippians 2:6–8).
Friends, He was the perfect Man filled with perfect Deity.
12. Oil – The Holy Spirit
Exodus 27:20 – “Bring pure oil olive beaten for the light.”
Oil speaks of the Holy Spirit’s anointing and presence. It kept the lamp burning continually.
Without oil, the Tabernacle was just furniture; without the Spirit, the Church is just a building.
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” saith the Lord (Zechariah 4:6; Acts 10:38).
13. Spices and Incense – Prayer and Worship
Exodus 30:34–35 – “Take sweet spices… pure and holy.”
The incense rising before the veil represented prayer and worship ascending to God (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3–4).
Only pure incense was accepted – so God still seeks worship that flows from a sincere, sanctified heart.
14. Precious Stones – God’s Covenant People
Exodus 28:17–21 – “Every one with his name… according to the twelve tribes.”
The high priest bore twelve stones on his breastplate, each engraved with a tribe’s name.
What a picture of God’s personal love! He knows every name, every need. We are “living stones” built into His house (1 Peter 2:5).
15. Onyx Stones and Gold Chains – Priesthood and Access
Exodus 28:9–12 – “Grave on them the names of the children of Israel.”
The priest carried Israel on his shoulders – just as Christ carries us before the Father (Hebrews 7:25).
When we can’t lift ourselves, He still bears us. What a Savior!
16. Blue, Purple, and Scarlet Thread – Unity of Divine Truth
Exodus 26:36 – “Make a hanging for the door… of blue, and purple, and scarlet.”
These colors blend heaven, kingship, and sacrifice – three threads woven into one Person: Christ.
Through Him, all divine truth meets in harmony (Colossians 1:19–20). Heaven touched earth, royalty embraced sacrifice, and love triumphed over sin.
17. The Laver of Brass – Cleansing
Exodus 30:18–19 – “Thou shalt also make a laver of brass.”
Made from women’s mirrors (Exodus 38:8), it symbolized self-examination and cleansing through the Word (Ephesians 5:26).
Friends, before service comes cleansing. Before glory comes repentance. Let us be washed anew by His Spirit every day.
18. The Curtains and Boards – Fellowship of Believers
Exodus 26:15–30 – “Boards for the tabernacle… standing up.”
Each board was joined to another with silver sockets – redemption bound them together.
So it is in the Church. We stand upright only when joined together by faith, built into one dwelling for God (Ephesians 2:21–22).
19. The Veil – Access to God through Christ
Exodus 26:33 – “The veil shall divide.”
That veil barred sinners from the Holy of Holies until the day Christ’s body was torn on the cross (Matthew 27:51; Hebrews 10:19–20).
Now, praise the Lord, the way is open! The curtain of flesh has been rent, and the presence of God is no longer hidden but revealed through Jesus Christ.
20. The Altar of Incense – Continual Fellowship
Exodus 30:1–10 – “Thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon.”
This golden altar stood nearest the veil – a symbol of ongoing communion with God.
Its fire came from the brazen altar, showing that true prayer is born from a redeemed heart.
Let your worship rise with holy fire every day.
Conclusion: The Tabernacle and the Lamb
Every metal, thread, and gem in the Tabernacle told a story – a prophetic portrait of Christ.
From the gold of His deity to the linen of His righteousness, from the scarlet of His sacrifice to the oil of His Spirit, it all cried out one message:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
Praise be to God! The shadow has passed, the glory remains. The Tabernacle was temporary – but Christ abides forever.
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
