What is the Tabernacle according to the Bible? and the Meaning of their Utensils

What is the Tabernacle?

To know what the Tabernacle is according to the Bible, the word teaches us that it was an earthly sanctuary inspired by God and ordered for its construction to Moses, according to the design he showed him at Mount Sinai (Ex 25:40; 25:8-9). It was made by a voluntary offering of the people, that is, an offering of heart, since God desired a willing heart (Ex 25:2). His purpose was to show God’s desire to live in the midst of his people (Ex 25:8). It was also known as the Tabernacle of Reunion and the place where the congregation of Israel brought their offerings and sacrifices to present them to God, it was usually a lamb or a pure and flawless animal, they could be goats, calves or bulls, they were presented to God by expiation of sins. (Lev 4:13, 14, 15).

The Tabernacle was the place where the presence of God manifested and gave direction to His people (Lev 9:23, Ex 33:9-11, Ex 40:34, Nu 20:6), by a cloud of day and fire at night (Ex 40:34-38).

What does the Tabernacle symbolize?

The Tabernacle was the method that God used to teach his people Israel. The Bible points to Christ as symbolism of the Tabernacle, in The Gate (Jn 10:9), The Lamb (Jn 1:29), The Priest (He 3:1; 9:11) and many more that we will study next.

The word of God in Exodus 25:8 says: “And I will dwell in their midst”. Therefore, this became a shadow of what was to come, God made man in the person of Christ, since in John 1:14 it says: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

The sacrificial system that was instituted by God in the Tabernacle, is a revelation of the redeeming work of Christ on the Cross, in this way we can understand the meaning of the Tabernacle and in a clearer way the truths of the gospel.

Symbolism of the Tabernacle in:

Christ: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14).

The Church: “in whom you also are edified together for the dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Eph 2:22).

The Believer: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy “(1 Cor 3:16-17).

The Coming Things: “And I heard a great voice from heaven saying: Behold, the tabernacle of God with men, and he shall dwell with them; and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God “(Rev 21: 3).

The Tabernacle and its parts

The Atrium of the Tabernacle

The court of the Tabernacle of meeting was surrounded by a fence of fine linen. This fence was supported by 60 bronze columns, with their respective bronze bases, and silver capitals.

The south consisted of a curtain of fine linen of 45 meters, 20 bronze columns, 20 bronze bases and 20 silver capitals (Ex 27:9-10).

The north likewise with a curtain of fine linen of 45 meters, 20 bronze columns, 20 bronze bases and 20 silver capitals (Ex 27:11).

The western one of the vestibule counted on a curtain of fine linen of 22.5 meters, 10 bronze columns, 10 bronze bases and 10 silver capitals (Ex 27:12).

The width of the eastern side was 22.5 meters (Ex 27:13) with curtains of fine linen of 6.75 meters supported by 3 bronze columns, 3 bronze bases and 3 silver capitals on one side and the other (Ex 27:14-15).

The gate of the court measured 9 meters and was made of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth and twisted linen, supported by 4 bronze pillars, 4 bronze bases, and 4 silver capitals (Ex 27:16-17).

The atrium of the Tabernacle, was the area where the sacrifices were carried out. Also to the only section to which the people had access, to present an offering or Sacrifice to God (Ps 96:8, 100:4;1 Ki 8:64). In this way, being in the atrium of the Tabernacle was for the people to be in the presence of God (Ps 65:4, 84:2, 84:10).

The Tent or Sanctuary

Another part of the Tabernacle was the Tent, it was built of 48 acacia mother-of-pearl boards covered with gold. Which were 20 on the south side (Ex 26:18-19), 20 on the north side (Ex 26:20-21), and 6 tables on the west side (Ex 26:22). Therefore, each of these boards had two spikes (wooden dowels) and each of these spikes, was embedded in 2 silver bases to join the boards (Ex 26:17), the total of the bases was 96.

The Tent was divided into two parts:

Holy Place of the Tabernacle

The Holy Place was the first section of the Tent of the Tabernacle and through which one had access to the dwelling. it was separated from the atrium by five golden columns and a veil that was the entrance to the enclosure. Therefore, there was inside the altar of incense, the table of the showbread and the candelabra. These were utensils of the Tabernacle, of which the priest was responsible for maintaining.

The Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle

The Holy of Holies was the second section of the tent of the Tabernacle. This was behind the four golden pillars and the second veil, where the ark of the covenant is (Ex 26:33; He 9:3). Therefore, the Holy of Holies was where the presence of God lived. In this part of the Tabernacle, the high priest entered once a year, to make atonement for the sins of himself and those of the people (Ex 30:10; Heb 5:3). When Jesus died on the cross, the bible says “Then the veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (Mk 15:38), symbolizing our free access to God through the sacrifice of Christ. “So, brethren, having freedom to enter the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus Christ” (He 10:19).

Utensils of the Tabernacle and its Meanings

In the Atrium was:

The Bronze Altar

The Bronze Altar of the Tabernacle was the first thing that the people of Israel saw upon entering the courtyard. There continually sacrifices were made (Ex 29:38), in this way, the people were taught that the only way to approach God was through a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.

It was also called Altar of God (Ps 43:4) or Altar of Jehovah (Ml 2:13). It was made of acacia wood and covered with bronze (Ex 27:2). Its measurements were 2.25 meters long by 2.25 meters wide and 1.35 meters high (Ex 27:1). The fire on the bronze altar was to be lit continually (Lev 6:13) and everything the altar touched was sanctified (Ex 29:37).

Meaning of the Bronze Altar

The Bronze Altar symbolizes the Judgment of God for sin. Therefore, in this way we can understand the goodness of God towards us and the severity toward the victim. This came to typology the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins , in order to get closer to God, being justified by his blood (Ro 5:9, 3:25; He 10:1-18).

The Bronze Laver

The Bronze Laver was located between the altar and the tent (Ex 30:18, 40:7). This utensil was made with the mirrors of the women who ministered at the door of the Tabernacle (Ex 38:8). And in it the priests who served there washed their hands and feet , before being able to minister in the holy things of the Tabernacle (Ex 30:19-20).

Meaning of the Bronze Laver

The Brazen Laver symbolizes sanctification by the word of God. It also symbolizes the confection of sins and baptism (Jn 15:3, Mk 1:4).

In the Tent was:

The Table of Showbread

The Table of Showbread was located on the north side of the Holy Place in the Tabernacle Tent. It was made of acacia wood and covered with pure gold, with gold moldings around it. Its measurements were 90 centimeters in length, its width 45 centimeters and its height 68 centimeters (Ex 25:23-24), the surrounding molding was 7.5 centimeters wide (Ex 25:25). All their plates, cups and ladles were made of pure gold (Ex 25:29). The loaves were placed on the table in two rows of six (Lev 24: 6). Only the show bread could be eaten by the priests and they were replaced every day of rest (Lev 24:7-8).

Meaning of the Table of Showbread

Therefore, the Table with the 12 loaves can typify the 12 tribes of Israel, the provision of God, the spiritual nourishment that God gives to his people and the communion between the church and Christ (Mt 26:26; Lk 24:30).

The Lampstand

The Lampstand was located on the left side when entering the Holy Place or on the wall facing south in the Tabernacle Tent. It was made of pure gold and hammered in one piece (Ex 25:31), on one side three arms with their candlesticks and on the other side three arms with their candlesticks, supported by a cane in the center with a candlestick, Each of these candlesticks was shaped like an almond blossom (Ex 25:32-33). The weight of the Candelabra with all its utensils was 34 Kilos (Ex 25:39). This utensil served to illuminate the Holy Place and the priests had to continually keep their flames lit with olive oil (Ex 27:20).

Meaning of the Lampstand

Therefore, the Lampstand is a type of Christ as the light of the world (Jn 8:12), and who lights the way of his holy people (Ps 119:105), Jesus Christ as eternal light (Rev 21:23). Also its workmanship in pure gold and hammered is a type of the sacrifice of Christ. His 6 arms on the sides (symbol of man), supported by a cane in the center, teaches us the dependence that believers have of Jesus Christ, so that through him we can be light and bear fruit (Mt 5:14; Jn 15:4).

The Altar of Incense

The Altar of Incense was in the Holy Place, in front of the veil that divided the Holy place of the Holy of Holies (Ex 30:6). Its measurements were 45 cm in length, 45 cm in width and 90 in height (Ex 30:2). It was made of acacia wood (Ex 30:1) and covered with pure gold, had a horn at each end, similar to the altar of bronze (Ex 30:3), but this altar was not made to burn burnt offering, but to burn aromatic incense day and night continually (Ex 30:7-8), this symbolizes prayer, praise and worship (Ps 141:2; Lk 1:10; Rev 5:8).

Meaning of the Incense Altar

Therefore, the Altar of Incense is a type of Christ in its nature Human (acacia wood) and Divine (pure gold). The incense that was burned morning and evening on the altar, represents the interceding prayer of Christ for his saints (Jn 17:9, 14:16, 16:26). So also, once a year the blood of the atonement was applied on the horns of the altar, this teaches that the interception of Christ has virtue in the sufferings suffered on earth.

The Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant was located in the Holy of Holies, after the second veil, it was made of acacia wood and covered with pure gold inside and out. His measures were 1.12 meters in length, his width of 68 centimeters and his height of 68 centimeters (Ex 25:10-11). He had a propitiatory (mercy seat) with two cherubs one in front of the other, his wings extended upwards and their faces looked towards the ark. This propitiatory (mercy seat) was made of pure gold, its measurements were 1.12 meters in length and 68 meters in width (Ex 25:17-19).

Within the Ark of the Covenant were the commandments that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai (Ex 25:16, 31:18). The book of Hebrews explains that it also contained the rod of Aaron that budded and the manna (Heb 9:4). The Ark of the Covenant was the throne of God on earth and where his presence was, there God spoke to Moses (Ex 25:22; Nu 7:89). Aaron in his office as High Priest, could only enter once a year on the Day of Atonement to sprinkle blood of the sacrifice on the mercy seat (Ex 30:10; Lev 16:2, 14-15). The Levites were the only ones who could move the ark and only by the rods (Dt 10:8; 1 Ki 8:4).

Meaning of the Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant symbolizes the covenant of God with his people. It was also a symbol of God’s presence. The ark was made of acacia wood representing the humanity of Christ and covered in gold inside and out representing its Divinity. He is also a type of Christ in his nature without sin and as the only one who kept the law, since the tables of the law were inside the ark. The blood that the high priest sprinkled on the mercy seat symbolizes the death of Christ and how with his blood he makes atonement for our sins. The cherubs represent the service of the angels to Christ to do his will, his presence in the congregation of the saints, and his longing to look at the mysteries of the gospel.

The Door of the Tabernacle

The door of the Tabernacle was located to the east. This was a curtain or veil that measured 9 meters, it was made of blue, purple, scarlet cloth and fine twisted linen. He also had 4 bronze columns and 4 bronze bases that supported him (Ex 27:16)

The door was the only access to the Tabernacle, no one could enter the Tabernacle without first going through the door, in the same way that no one can go to God without knowing Christ, so the door symbolizes Christ as the only access to God (John 10:9, 14:6, Ro 5:1-2, Eph 2:18).

The Veil of the Tabernacle

The Veil of the Tabernacle was made of blue, purple, crimson (red cloth) and white twisted linen, with cherubs on each veil (Ex 26:31). The Tabernacle had two veils, one that separated the Atrium from the Holy Place and another that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies.

The veil represents separation from the holy God of sinful humanity. So once a year on the day of atonement, the high priest crossed the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies to offer to offer sacrifices for his sins and those of the people. Therefore the veil represents the Flesh of Christ, when the Lord Jesus Christ dies on the cross, the veil of the temple is torn from top to bottom indicating free access to God through the sacrifice of Christ. (Mk 15:37-38; He 10:19-20).

The cherubs in the veil represent the angels with the flaming sword who guarded the way to the tree of life and to the presence of God (Ge 3:24).

Colors of the Tabernacle

The colors that were used to make the Door and the Veil, have their symbolism as everything in the Tabernacle.

Blue: Celestial color. The Lord Jesus Christ came from heaven, this color teaches us that our salvation is heavenly (1 Cor 15:47-48).

Purple: Color of royalty. This tells us that our Savior is King of kings and Lord of Lords (Rev 19:16), through Him, we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a people acquired by God (1 Pe 2:9).

Red: Color of the Blood. Our Redeemer buys us at the price of Blood (1 Pe 1:18-19).

Fine White Linen: Color of purity. It represents Holiness and Justice. Thus, this reminds us that we were justified by our Savior and that when we come to Christ we are clothed with His righteousness (Ro 3:24, 5:1; Ga 3:27).

Who is the Tabernacle?

The Tabernacle is Christ. When we study each of its parts we see that all of these have a type of Christ. Therefore now we can understand the sacrificial system imposed by God so that the people could approach Him. This gives us a clearer way of Christ’s atonement for the sins of the world. And how I carry the sins of the world in him, to make us approved before God and give eternal redemption to all who trust in his name.

Who designed the Tabernacle?

When we study the Tabernacle we see that God is very precise in the instructions given to Moses in the construction and design of the Tabernacle (Ex 25:9). The Bible shows God giving Moses order in every detail, design, measurements, materials and every color in the fabrics that were used. These in turn have a spiritual symbology of celestial truths that God wanted to teach the People of Israel.

All this came to make shadow and design the true Tabernacle that God was going to raise, not made by man, nor of this creation, to Christ, The Tabernacle of God among men. Therefore I charge Moses to do everything according to what he had shown him (Heb 8:2, 5, Ex 25:8, Jn 1:14).

Construction of the Tabernacle of Moses

God ordered the Tabernacle of meeting to Moses and for this work he had also provided himself with the people who would work on him. So the chosen ones were Bezaleel and Aholiab, who were gifted by God with special wisdom and talents in craftsmanship, to work with gold, silver, bronze, in the making of jewelry, carving wood and all kinds of artistic works that they were required in the elaboration of the Tabernacle (Ex 31:2-5). Along with them worked all those to whom God gave the ability and the understanding to work in the work (Ex 31:6). The people of Israel in Egypt had been brick makers and workers. Therefore, they were not qualified for craft work. But the Spirit of God gave Bezaleel and Aholiab the abilities and talents they needed (Ex 31:3).

Who could enter the Tabernacle?

The people were only allowed to enter the Tabernacle atrium to carry their offerings and sacrifices. The priests had access to minister in the atrium and in the Holy Place. Only Moses and the High Priest had access to all parts of the tabernacle and the only ones who could enter the Holy of Holies. But only Moses could enter at any time without offering sacrifices. While the High Priest could only enter once a year on the Day of Atonement (Ex 30:10).

Where was the Tabernacle of meeting?

The first time the Tabernacle was erected was in its construction, but the Bible does not give an exact location of where it was built. The order of its construction was given by Moses on Mount Sinai, and according to the time and location that the bible points out was during the 40 years in the desert. After this, I pass to the city of Siloh as the book of Joshua recounts at the time of the conquest of Canaan (Joshua 18:1, 19:51).

While the Tabernacle in Siloh, the city had become the center of Worship and Adoration of the people of Israel. The Tabernacle was approximately 300 years in Siloh during the period of the judges. The Bible tells how Elkanah and his family traveled to Shiloh every year to worship and offer sacrifices to God (1 Sa 1:3). In Siloh it was where Ana, who would later be the mother of the prophet Samuel, prayed to God to grant her to have a son, which she would consecrate to his service (1 Sa 1:9-11). There also took place in Siloh three times a year the religious festivals that were celebrated in the Tabernacle: the Passover, the feast of the unleavened bread, the feast of the tabernacles and the feast of the weeks (Dt 16:16).

Finally the Tabernacle was located in Gibeon in the time of King Solomon, and was still considered a center of worship until the Temple was built in Jerusalem.

The Tabernacle of Israel and the 12 tribes

The Tabernacle was in the middle of the camp of Israel. It was the place of worship and worship where the people approached God. Therefore, at the moment of being raised to be taken from one place to another, he was also taken into the midst of the 12 tribes, this taught the people that God was always in their midst (Is 12:6, Ps 46:5-7; Zephaniah 3:17)

Location of the tribes

North: Aser, Dan and Naftalí

South: Gad, Rubén and Simeón

East: Issachar, Judah and Zebulun

West: Benjamín, Efraín and Manasés

Difference between The Tabernacle and The Temple

First, The Tabernacle was a mobile sanctuary of worship. Therefore, it was built while the people traveled to the promised land. While The Temple was built as a permanent place of worship. This then, that the people of Israel were already established and had peace in the land that God promised.

Significant events in the meeting Tabernacle

• The consecration of Aaron as high priest and his sons as priests (Ex 29:1-4, 10-11).

• The manifestation of the glory of God (Ex 40:34-38).

• Place where God communicated with Moses (Lev 1:1, Nu 7:89).

• Place where sacrifices were offered to God (Lev 1:3-5, 3:2, 8).

• The cloud over the Tabernacle (Nu 9:15-23).

• They name Joshua as Moses’ successor (Dt 31:14-15, 23).

The 7 Pieces of Furniture of the Tabernacle

God gave the specific order for the arrangement of the furniture (Exodus 40:20-38). If you could trace a line around their divine order the following would appear (the ark and mercy seat are two pieces forming one).

The tabernacle and its rituals are called a “shadow of good things to come”; the salvation of Jesus Christ – of which He is the substance (Hebrews 9:9-11, 10:1, Colossians 2:17). Many still focus on religious rituals rather than receiving the reality – the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They are chasing shadows. They are like a husband who sees the shadow of his bride appearing as she is ready to walk down the aisle. He then ignores his bride and embraces her shadow. Are you chasing shadows or have you embraced the only living Savior?

1. The Altar of Sacrifice

The first piece a worshipper would encounter as he came through the door was the altar. It was wood covered with brass (or copper at that time). It was a perfect square with horns on each of the 4 corners. It was where the blood sacrifices of clean lambs and goats would be offered in the heat of fire unto God for atonement (the covering and forgiveness of sins) (Exodus 27:1-8, Leviticus 17:11).

Since the brazen altar was FIRST, it tells us that judgment on sin and forgiveness must come first in one’s approach to God.

If the courtyard had been set up with no altar or priest to offer the sacrifice, it would convey that one could come into God’s presence without a sacrifice or mediator. Some religions teach this way. But the altar says our sin must be dealt with first by God’s ordained Priest.

It was the Son of God who on the cross sacrificed His sinless blood on behalf of the sinner; ” Christ died for our sins.” Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (1Corinthians 15:3, John 1:29). It was Jesus who was resurrected as the High Priest. When people receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, they are taking their place as a sinner under judgment and trusting Christ alone as their Savior before God.

The equal four sides of the altar remind us that the gospel of Christ is nondiscriminatory. For God so loved the world (north, south, east and west) what He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The four horns speak of power. The blood of Jesus Christ has the power to forgive all sin (1John 1:7, 9).

2. The Laver of Washing

The second piece of furniture was a washing basin for the priests called the laver (lavatory – place of washing). It came after the altar of sacrifice and before the entrance to the sanctuary. It was made of polished copper. Its purpose was “to wash”. The priests had to daily wash their hands and feet from dirt and contamination before they worshipped God at the altar or entered the sanctuary to serve. The laver was not for the shedding of sacrificial blood for sin but for the washing of dirt. One had to be clean to serve. (Exodus 30:18-21).

This second piece tells us that God is not only interested in the forgiveness of our sin but also our daily cleanliness in living for Him.

The New Testament teaches that once one is forgiven of sin by Christ’s sacrifice he or she receives the “living water” of the Holy Spirit. One purpose of the Spirit is to renew our minds to serve God acceptably. We also read of “the washing of water by the word.” As the Christian daily learns God’s Word, the Bible, he or she is cleansed from wrong thinking and ways so his service is acceptable to God. (John 8:37-39, Romans 12: 102, Hebrews 12:28, Ephesians 5:26, Psalm 119:11).

If the order was the laver first and the altar second the picture would convey that Christ’s gospel says to live clean and then God will forgive and make one right. Many religions proclaim this order. But God’s order reveals that first God forgives by Christ and then He gives the power (Spirit) for one to live clean unto Him.

The Holy Place

(The First Sanctuary with 3 Pieces of Furniture)

The holy place contained gold not copper: the golden lampstand, the golden table of bread and the golden altar of incense. Here the washed priests entered to perform service and representative worship unto the Lord. This section tells that God is not only interested in our forgiveness and daily cleanliness but also our worship.

3. The Golden Lampstand

On the south side of the holy place stood the pure golden lampstand. The gold was formed into the shape of an almond tree in the full bloom of life by beating or hammering. It had six fruitful branches with a central shaft or trunk. They were designed to hold seven bowls filled with olive oil to provide light. Light and life merged together in one unit. The light was continual and was never to go out.

There was no light at all in the holy place except that which came from the golden lampstand. The varied colors and beauty of the inner sanctuary could only be seen in this one light.

John 1 presents the one Christ (Jesus) as both light and life. “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” He alone as God in the flesh gives life eternal and the light to understand and know God. The number six of the branches reminds us of man (created on the sixth day). The number seven of the lamps reminds us of God’s perfect number (resting on the seventh day for all things were completed and good). Jesus Christ is both six (man) and seven (God) in one person.

The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is also pictured as a lampstand through which his Spirit and Word reveals the gospel truth and glory of God (Revelation 1:20).

4. The Golden Table of Showbread

Directly opposite the lampstand stood the table of showbread on the north side. One could only see the bread by the one light. Twelve loaves of bread were set on it once a week. During the week the bread was to be displayed before God. On the Sabbath the priests were to eat it. Thus God and man shared the same table together in fellowship of the same bread.

A table is a place where friends fellowship while eating. We read of the “Lord’s table” in the New Testament where the Christian breaks the bread and eats it in the fellowship of the body of Christ (1Corinthians 10:16-21). Here God and man are in harmony over the same thing: the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His death was pleasing to the Father as an acceptable offering for our sin and His death is precious to us as the means by which we are forgiven and know God’s love (Romans 5:8).

5. The Golden Altar of Incense

The third and last piece of furniture in the holy place was the altar of incense with its four horns. This stood by the veil, which separated the holy place from the holiest of holies. This altar was for one purpose only: to burn incense, not sacrifice. The incense was a special God-prescribed formula, which sent out a rich fragrant smoke when the priest lit it at morning and evening.

Incense pictures prayers to God (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8, 8:3). When one prays in the name of God’s priest (the Lord Jesus) there is power and it is a pleasing aroma to God.

The Holiest of Holies

(The Second Sanctuary with 2 Pieces of Furniture)

The holiest place of all contained the Ark of the Covenant covered with a special lid called the mercy seat. This was where God’s presence resided and where He communed (talked) with Moses (Exodus 25:22). The veil or curtain blocked the way so others could not enter in. However, the minute the Lord Jesus died on the cross the veil, then in the temple, was split in two showing the way was now made for all to come into the communion with God (Matthew 27:51, Hebrews 9:7-8, 10:19-21).

6&7 The Golden Ark and Mercy Seat

The Ark was a chest made out of wood covered with gold and sporting a crown border like the table and incense altar. It, however, rested in the holiest place where the presence of God dwelt. The chest contained the two tablets of the Ten Commandments: God’s standard of righteousness – a golden pot of manna: Gods provision to sustain His people in life – and Aaron’s rod that budded with life: God’s choice as High Priest to be our continual mediator and intercessor (Psalm 40:6-10, John 6:51, Hebrews 4:14).

The Mercy Seat was the cover of the ark. It was solid gold beaten into winged cherubim; one at each end looking down where God’s presence was. Cherubim are involved with the protection of God’s holiness. Here, once a year, the high priest alone went in with sacrificial blood from the brazen altar to sprinkle it on the mercy seat to obtain forgiveness of sins for Israel.

The mercy seat tells us that there is mercy with God. The sacrifice of Christ is God’s mercy seat (Romans 3:25). “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He [the Lord Jesus] entered in once into the holy place [heaven], having obtained eternal redemption for us [all believers]” (Hebrews 9:12).

Follow the tabernacle signs and they will lead you to His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord

The Tabernacle and the 7 Pieces of furniture of the Tabernacle

The Tabernacle (Hebrew: מִשְׁכַּן‎, mishkan, "residence" or "dwelling place"), according to the Hebrew Bible, was the portable earthly dwelling place of God amongst the children of Israel from the time of the Exodus from Egypt through the conquering of the land of Canaan. Built of woven layers of curtains along with 48 boards clad with polished gold standing like vertical blinds held in place by five bars per side with the middle bar shooting through from end to end and furnished with items made from the gold, silver, brass, furs, jewels, and other valuable materials taken out of Egypt at Yahweh's orders, and according to specifications revealed by Yahweh to Moses at Mount Sinai, it was transported [1] by the Israelites on their journey through the wilderness and their conquest of the Promised Land. Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem superseded it as the dwelling-place of God some 300 years later.

The main source for the account of the construction of the Tabernacle is the biblical Book of Exodus, specifically Exodus 25–31 and 35–40. It describes an inner shrine, the Holy of Holies, which housed the Ark of the Covenant, which was held up under the veil of the covering suspended by four pillars and an outer chamber (the "Holy Place"), containing a beaten gold reflector impressed into what is generally described as a lamp-stand or candlestick featuring a central shaft incorporating four almond-shaped bowls and six branches, each with three bowls shaped like almonds and blossoms, 22 in all. It was standing diagonally, partially covering a table for showbreadand with its seven oil lamps over against it to give light along with the altar of incense.[2]

This description is generally identified as part of the Priestly source ("P"),[2] written in the sixth or fifth century BCE. However whilst the first Priestly source takes the form of instructions, the second is largely a repetition of the first in the past tense, i.e., it describes the execution of the instructions.[3] Many scholars contend that it is of a far later date than the time of Moses, and that the description reflects the structure of Solomon's Temple, while some hold that the description derives from memories of a real pre-monarchic shrine, perhaps the sanctuary at Shiloh.[2] Traditional scholars contend that it describes an actual tabernacle used in the time of Moses and thereafter.[4] According to historical criticism, an earlier, pre-exilic source, the Elohist ("E"), describes the Tabernacle as a simple tent-sanctuary.

God gave the specific order for the arrangement of the furniture (Exodus 40:20-38). If you could trace a line around their divine order the following would appear (the ark and mercy seat are two pieces forming one).

The first piece a worshipper would encounter as he came through the door was the altar. It was wood covered with brass (or copper at that time). It was a perfect square with horns on each of the 4 corners. It was where the blood sacrifices of clean lambs and goats would be offered in the heat of fire unto God for atonement (the covering and forgiveness of sins) (Exodus 27:1-8, Leviticus 17:11).

The second piece of furniture was a washing basin for the priests called the laver (lavatory – place of washing). It came after the altar of sacrifice and before the entrance to the sanctuary. It was made of polished copper. Its purpose was “to wash”. The priests had to daily wash their hands and feet from dirt and contamination before they worshipped God at the altar or entered the sanctuary to serve. The laver was not for the shedding of sacrificial blood for sin but for the washing of dirt. One had to be clean to serve. (Exodus 30:18-21).

The holy place contained gold not copper: the golden lampstand, the golden table of bread and the golden altar of incense. Here the washed priests entered to perform service and representative worship unto the Lord. This section tells that God is not only interested in our forgiveness and daily cleanliness but also our worship.

On the south side of the holy place stood the pure golden lampstand. The gold was formed into the shape of an almond tree in the full bloom of life by beating or hammering. It had six fruitful branches with a central shaft or trunk. They were designed to hold seven bowls filled with olive oil to provide light. Light and life merged together in one unit. The light was continual and was never to go out.

There was no light at all in the holy place except that which came from the golden lampstand. The varied colors and beauty of the inner sanctuary could only be seen in this one light.

Directly opposite the lampstand stood the table of showbread on the north side. One could only see the bread by the one light. Twelve loaves of bread were set on it once a week. During the week the bread was to be displayed before God. On the Sabbath the priests were to eat it. Thus God and man shared the same table together in fellowship of the same bread.

The holiest place of all contained the Ark of the Covenant covered with a special lid called the mercy seat. This was where God’s presence resided and where He communed (talked) with Moses (Exodus 25:22). The veil or curtain blocked the way so others could not enter in. However, the minute the Lord Jesus died on the cross the veil, then in the temple, was split in two showing the way was now made for all to come into the communion with God (Matthew 27:51, Hebrews 9:7-8, 10:19-21).

The third and last piece of furniture in the holy place was the altar of incense with its four horns. This stood by the veil, which separated the holy place from the holiest of holies. This altar was for one purpose only: to burn incense, not sacrifice. The incense was a special God-prescribed formula, which sent out a rich fragrant smoke when the priest lit it at morning and evening.

The Ark was a chest made out of wood covered with gold and sporting a crown border like the table and incense altar. It, however, rested in the holiest place where the presence of God dwelt. The chest contained the two tablets of the Ten Commandments: God’s standard of righteousness – a golden pot of manna: Gods provision to sustain His people in life – and Aaron’s rod that budded with life: God’s choice as High Priest to be our continual mediator and intercessor (Psalm 40:6-10, John 6:51, Hebrews 4:14).

The Mercy Seat was the cover of the ark. It was solid gold beaten into winged cherubim; one at each end looking down where God’s presence was. Cherubim are involved with the protection of God’s holiness. Here, once a year, the high priest alone went in with sacrificial blood from the brazen altar to sprinkle it on the mercy seat to obtain forgiveness of sins for Israel.

Synagogue construction over the last two thousand years has followed the outlines of the original Tabernacle.[23][24] Every synagogue has at its front an ark, aron kodesh, containing the Torah scrolls, comparable to the Ark of the Covenant which contained the tablets with Ten Commandments. This is the holiest spot in a synagogue, equivalent to the Holy of Holies.

There is also usually a constantly lighted lamp, Ner tamid, or a candelabrum, lighted during services, near a spot similar to the position of the original Menorah. At the center of the synagogue is a large elevated area, known as the bimah, where the Torah is read. This is equivalent to the Tabernacle's altars upon which incense and animal sacrifices were offered. On the main holidays the priests, kohanim, gather at the front of the synagogue to bless the congregation as did their priestly ancestors in the Tabernacle from Aaron onwards (Numbers 6:22-27).[25]