DAILY READING : [EXODUS 28 – 29]

 

TEXT : Exo 28:35  And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not. Exo 28:36  And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

 

THEME : THE TABERNACLE                           

 

The old adage – "a picture is worth a thousand words" is apropos when it comes to the Tabernacle and the attire of Aaron's High priestly garments. Below, is a picture of the Tabernacle and how it looked after it was built. This picture may not be clear enough or large enough for you to appreciate the elaborate beauty of the Tabernacle, but it gives you an idea. It would serve you well to do a search on "Old Testament Tabernacle," or "Moses' Tabernacle" on the Internet to see the many images ministries have posted there. It is hard to appreciate the fullness of splendor and magnificence of the Tabernacle from just reading the text. The images provided on the Internet are ample and abundant. If you take the time, you can see not only the Tabernacle, but also each piece of furniture in the Tabernacle. This includes Aaron's garments we just read about in Exodus. 

 

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TRUTH FOR TODAY : THE BLOOD OF JESUS WILL NEVER LOOSE ITS POWER!

 

In the New Testament Book of Hebrews, the writer gives a good description of the Tabernacle, and the purpose of the Levites and the High Priest. We read -

 

Heb 9:1  Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. Heb 9:2  For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. Heb 9:3  And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Heb 9:4  Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; Heb 9:5  And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Heb 9:6  Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. Heb 9:7  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: Heb 9:8  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Heb 9:9  Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Heb 9:10  Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

 

Next, we read that the Tabernacle was an "image" of something greater, more accurately of "Someone" greater. In the Bible, this is known as a "type." When the image or symbol is fulfilled in the New Testament, it is called an "antitype." In other words, the antitype is the fulfillment of the type. Below, we see Jesus was the antitype or fulfillment of the image of both the blood of the sacrificed lamb, and the High Priest. It says -

 

Heb 9:11  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Heb 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Heb 9:13  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Heb 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Heb 9:16  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

 

Notice that Christ [through His own blood – not a lamb or a goat] is the mediator of a New Testament through His death on the cross. In addition, they, which are called, receive the promise of an eternal inheritance. Jesus' death on the cross, and His office as High Priest, or better - the Great High Priest, makes the sacrifice once for all. The Word of God assure us -the blood of Christ, will NEVER lose its power!