January 9, 2012

Divine Order in the House Of God Exo. Chapters 25-30; Exo 40 Part 1-The Tabernacle

Kathleen Maples

When God delivered His people from the idolatrous nation of Egypt that so viciously oppressed them and made them slaves for so long, He led them out victorious. He completely smashed the bondage Himself to them, through giving Moses the law for the people. He called Moses to come up the and set them free. He led them through the wilderness, toward the place He chose to begin to reveal mountain when He came down on Mount Sinai. There, for forty days and nights God communed with Moses, giving him clear and precise instructions. It must have been an overwhelming experience. So how in the world are we going to get all this done? When God had finished detailing the work He much information to remember! The natural human mind would have automatically tried to figure out wanted done, He then told Moses, in Exo 31 that He had already chosen certain men, and filled them with the wisdom and ability to fulfill the building of the Tabernacle God required His people build. He had gifted certain individuals He Himself had chosen and endued with the ability to understand and perform the work that needed to be done. Even as He is revealing Christ to Moses in the Pattern of the Tabernacle, He has already chosen other vessels whom He would give wisdom in preparation for the had to listen to God and do what He said. work to be done. Moses need not be worried about how the work would be accomplished. He simply

The first example of divine order in the House of God is that only God gives the Pattern for the House of God, its service, its ministry, who is to operate in this ministry and service, how and when. It is not up to man how to run the House of God, nor is it to be man's decisions on whom shall serve in the House of God. God set the requirements for their service. The instructions and the Pattern He gave

Moses are exact, and each, unbeknownst to them at the time was a prefiguring of Christ, and the plan of redemption through His atoning sacrifice. This is why God repeatedly warned Moses to make sure

He stuck to the Pattern. 1 Every bit of material, every structure, every piece of furniture that was to go into the Tabernacle, every thing was going to be sacred, and set apart for divine service. There was nothing common or familiar about any of these things. Still, the Tabernacle was but a vessel that was to contain the Testimony and the Glory-the Presence of Almighty God. Who else but His Only Begotten Son could this be pointing us to?
God detailed these things in the order of their importance. First and foremost, God said "let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them."
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pure throne, surrounded by angels, and beauty and perfection. Yet, He wants to be here among His

Consider, this is God, who is in Heaven, on a

very weak, and often disobedient people. That is a very humbling thought to my heart. That desire He expressed to be with us, in our midst, that amazes me. My heart wonders why He would even bother with us. What are we that He should concern Himself with us, that He would desire to help us and live

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(Exo_25:9; Exo_25:40; Heb_8:5, Heb_9:9) (Exo_25:8)

in and among us? He said in Exo_29:45 that He will dwell among them and be their God. What does it mean for Him to be their God? Our God? He will be the Source of their life, their Provision, their Defense and Shield, their Power, their Justice, their Righteousness, their wisdom, their Redeemer,

their Sovereign Ruler, Lover of their souls. We must consider the lengths He went to so He could have these people separated for Himself. He destroyed a nation who refused to set them free. But under the New Covenant, He allowed His Son to be killed to set us free. My heart, my mind cannot fathom that kind of love. It makes me want to bow my head and shut my mouth and wonder in awe at such a God and cry out for deliverance from this heart of mine who tends to be contrary to His wonderful nature. The Tabernacle was called the Tent of the Congregation and the Tabernacle of Witness. These two place that would reveal to them His character, His nature and His Word. The Tabernacle was to be

titles convey important truths. A gathering place of God's people, so He could be close to them, and a erected at the appointed time, by the people God appointed to set it up. This was not work one could choose or not choose to do, or do it his own time or his own way; it was a calling God gave only to a select group of people. It was to be put up on the first day of the first month of the year. God told them it was to mark the beginning of the calendar year. He's the Beginning of everything, amen? Word of God? After the frame was put together, it was to be covered with with curtains of fine linen, skillfully
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And what would the Tabernacle be but a place, a vessel that would contain the Presence, Power and

embroidered with colorful cherubim. There were to be ten curtains of fine blue, purple and scarlet linen. Each curtain had the same measurements. The curtains were to be joined together into two 5 piece sections. These two sections would be joined together by 50 blue loops on the edge of the last curtain in the first 5, to the 50 blue loops on the edge of the last curtain of the second 5 by 50 gold clasps which would hold the curtains together. This would join the two sections of curtains into one

single covering. The linen speaks of His righteousness, the colors, His royal Deity, and the 50 loops, of Pentecost, of the sustaining and miraculous power of the Holy Spirit of God. This covering would cover the walls of the Tabernacle which would be overlaid with gold. These would enclose what would be the Holy Place and Holy of Holies. When constructed, it would be beautiful, and gleam with the shine of the gold walls. The linen curtains would be colorful and beautiful. Yet they would be covered almost completely except for the main entry into the holy place by the goatskin curtains that would make up the outer covering that would cover the linen curtains. This would not be attractive.
For the outer covering, there were to be 11 curtains of goat's hair; a little bigger
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than the linen curtains, but still, each of

these were also to be the same size. These were to be joined into two sections. The first was to be five curtains, joined together to form one section. The other 6 curtains joined to be the second section.

On the edge of the last curtain of each section, like with the linen curtains, were to be 50 loops. There were to be 50 bronze clasps put through the loops to join the two sections, making it a single covering. The sixth curtain on the second half of the curtain was to be folded over double. There

would be a flap left over from the tent curtains of goat's hair to hang down the back of the tabernacle, covering the linen curtains and on either side of the tent. Then a final outer covering for the tent from ram skins dyed red, and a covering of seal or manatee (badger, KJV) skins on top of that. The animal skins would be additional (waterproof) protection from the weather. It would also be unsightly, hiding the inner beauty of the Tabernacle. Does not the Scripture say in Isa_53:2 that there was no beauty to be seen outwardly that people would desire Him. Human flesh covering the glory of God was being illustrated here, as it would be when He wrapped His Word in flesh and put it in the womb of a virgin.

The walls of the tabernacle were to be made from acacia wood, covered with pure gold, with precise measurements and set in silver bases to secure them. A veil of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, finely spun linen with the design of the cherubim embroidered into

it was to hang inside the tabernacle, dividing it in half within. One side would be the holy place, the other side of the veil-the holy of holies; the holiest place. In Exo_31:2-3 God tells Moses He has already given a man of the tribe of Judah wisdom,

understanding and knowledge in all manner of construction. He would be able to design what the Lord required, and cut the gemstones for mounting to the priests' garments. There were others He selected and appointed to the work to help this man, with God given ability as skilled craftsmen in order they may make all that God had commanded. And remember, they are in the wilderness, there

is no Lowe's or Home Depot. They left Egypt with everything they would need to build the Tabernacle. From the materials and setup of the Tabernacle, God begins to detail the first thing that would be placed inside the Tabernacle-the Ark of the Covenant. The Tabernacle would simply be a vessel to contain this Treasure that would be placed in what was to be the Holy of Holies. This is the most holy place. The Tabernacle would then be surrounded by an outer court of curtains. The entrance to the Unlike the Tabernacle, the outer court curtains, though made of fine linen, were held up with silver clasps, not gold. outer court would also be made of fine linen, of blue, purple and scarlet, embroidered with cherubim.

We see here a picture of the Tabernacle-a foreshadowing of Christ, surrounded by flesh. He was at and all that is true. The Divine Design of the Tabernacle speaks of the order of God. The laws

the Center. He is to have the Preeminence in all things. He is the Source of all life, of all that is holy, concerning the Tabernacle, its use and the ministry to be performed there speak of divine order. The Tabernacle was to be anointed by Moses with the holy anointing oil, and all that was in it. Every was to hallowed-pronounced, and observed, regarded by all as holy or hallowed. vessel, every dish, every bowl, every piece of furniture, everything was to be anointed with the oil. It

The Holy Spirit IS the anointing of God. In the Scriptures we see time and time again God thinking the thought, the Word of His mouth commanding the thought to become reality and the Holy Spirit making it happen or come into being. From Genesis 1all through the Bible we see this example. Without Him, we can do nothing. Without Him, without His divine life, His leadership, the church is nothing but another dead and dry institution of what has become a man centered religion just as impotent as any other man-made religion of this world. If Christ is not the Center, if it's not in divine order, or at least striving to be, it's because HE is not in control, man is.
No wonder Moses said if Your Presence go not with us, carry us not up from here!
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was to also be sanctified. It was to be a sacred place, set apart by and for the ministry of God and His high priest. Service was to be done in there to God, that the people might be blessed and fed spiritual truth-the Word of God. There was to be bread, which is the Word of God. There was to be oil for the light in the Tabernacle. This is the Holy Spirit who gives light, or understanding to the hearer of the revelation-again from the Holy Spirit who alone is able to reveal truth to us, to reveal Christ to us. There was to be incense offered up before the Ark, on the golden altar of incense which stood in front of the Ark just outside the veil in the Holy Place. This golden altar represents the intercession of blood from the sacrifice sprinkled on the altar, sprinkled on the mercy seat, which blood Christ shed for our sins.
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The Tabernacle

Word, and makes it alive within them-makes it a reality not just a dead letter. There was to be light-

the High Priest, Christ, that goes before the Throne with the prayers of the saints. There was to be the

Every vessel in the Tabernacle, including the Tabernacle itself, every instrument had its own God appointed service just as we are to abide in the calling wherewith God has called us. He did not wanted to do what needed doing when it was to be done. Every vessel (person operating in the consult with Moses and ask Moses who he wanted to do any of these things. God chose the people He ministry or service of the Tabernacle) had to be sanctified-which means it was or they were set apart by and for God for the purpose He chose. This Tabernacle was only to be used in the service to and for God-as He prescribed. God never granted any reason or precedent to even wonder if there were any exceptions. He left no room for drama teams and plays, no political activism, no skits, no bake sales, puppet shows, dance and praise teams, no singings or fund raisers, power teams or pagan holiday celebrations-except for those He prescribed which pointed to spiritual truth and His Son. And ask yourself this: when Israel walked in the will of God, did He not provide for their every need? Did

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(Exo_33:15) (Lev_16:14; Heb_9:13, Heb_9:25, Heb_10:4, Heb_10:10-12, Heb_10:19, Heb_12:24)

He not ensure they left Egypt with everything they would need in a wilderness to build this Tabernacle? He provided everything.

It's only when we operate in the natural realm we run out of provision and have to either hit our knees and cry out to God or resort to other methods and human effort. There were to be no worldly things or events in or around the Tabernacle, like bingo games, trunk or treat or any other thing that would entertain the flesh. This is an offensive truth to people and it provokes that human nature that is

always opposed to God and what is holy. I have diligently searched this Holy Word of God and can find NO precedent, no allowance for any of these things that are so common in what is supposed to be His house today. It's simply not there. Maybe that is why His glory and His presence isn't either . I do find Him instructing us to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make NO provision for the flesh. To do so, to

bring any of the world's methods of operating in to the Sanctuary is to profane it, defile it and can and will result in bringing God's judgment and wrath down on it and the people. He will not bear witness of what is not truth nor what He refuses to sanction.

In the wilderness, He provided for the needs of His people. Can He not now, in this wilderness of this world do the same? Yes. But when His people resort to the methods of the world in the strength of the flesh to try to build His kingdom, He will withdraw His Presence and they are left with an appearance of godliness but no corresponding power. The Tabernacle, the Divine order on display in its service is a pattern of the priesthood and advocacy of Christ to and for His people. Can you imagine any of the His throne? I can't. It's inconceivable. The angels, so mighty in power, able to do miraculous things, such as slaughter 185,000 enemy soldiers in one night, travel back and forth between time and foolishness we see in and around the church, in the name of the church, on display in heaven around

eternity, in just hours, these mighty supernatural beings are so awestruck in His Presence all they can say is holy, holy, holy....and they obey without question. The devils believe in Him and tremble at His Presence but people, who bear the same corrupt nature the devil himself does, think to do things that in their own way, in their own time and think they do God a big favor? How utterly tragic! Of course these are fighting words to the unregenerate carnal man who has not experienced the from God by sin. Too many times excuses and allowances are made for what God has already plainly rejected. No their own way? They devise in their little, finite minds who and what they think God is and worship

presence and revelation of the Almighty God. But they speak out of a darkened mind that is alienated

matter how we try to justify it, with the excuse we are considering people's feelings, and we have to be compassionate, we don't want to offend or hurt anyone. Well how badly do we think hell will hurt offer our lives for His use, His purpose, then He could move in a demonstration and power of the them if we don't stand up for the truth? The sad thing is if we would only submit ourselves to God and Spirit showing the accurate reality and representation of Jesus Christ to a desperately lost world. Then His church would not be an object of scorn and exist in the condition of abject humiliation it does now. We tell the world we serve a mighty God, but all they can see is our failures, our flaws, our impotence to do anything, to bring healing and deliverance to broken lives. When we use the world's

methods to try to carry the message of the Gospel, it's polluted, it's unacceptable and will not produce eternal results. God gets no glory from it. It's a corrupt thing. He will not bless such effort nor accept it. I mean, what part of sanctified do we not understand? Remember in Exo 20 God talked to Moses

about His altar. He said 'an altar of earth you will make Me. You will sacrifice on it your burnt

offerings, peace offerings. If you make Me an altar of stone, you will not build it of hewn stone, (shaped by human tools with the strength of human hands) if you use your tools on it you have profaned it. Neither will you make steps to go up to the altar so no flesh is exposed on it .'
What does that tell us? Have you ever considered what God is saying here? Don't approach me as if you think you are something special or I should be pleased with your human wisdom, your human strength, your human ideas. It's My way, not yours. When you try to reshape it, or change it to suit you, then it is profane, unacceptable to Me, God says. When you hear about the altar in the church, all too often, you hear it said we need to come to the altar to get something from God. Come and get a blessing. But that is lifting our tool upon it, changing it from what God said it was to be- a place of

death, sacrifice, offering something to God. This was a place of worship, one commentator said, where there was no human labor or effort required to make it or approach it. The former could only pollute, and the latter could only display human nakedness. God would not share His glory-nor did He want intricate stone carvings to be the center of attention at His altar. God, at His altar would refuse to share glory with any man, the beauty would only be found in the provision of God not in any fleshly display. Amen!

Without the covering of the Lord Jesus, we are truly as naked as Adam and Eve were before God after they sinned. We are to worship Him in Spirit and in truth-not in any emotional display and not based on our feelings at the time, but based on His truth as revealed to us by the Spirit of God. His truth sets us free when we know it in the inner man as only He can reveal it. Understanding of His great mercy births worship in the spirit that is reverent. We can't operate based on our thoughts or feelings because they have their source in our corrupt human naturethat is why God revealed to Jeremiah in Jer 17:9 that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked and only God Himself knows it. We can't trust our own heart-we are fools if we do! It will never be anything but opposed to God.

When it was time to move the Tabernacle, there were appointed persons, chosen by God to do this, of the tribe of Levi. Each family in that tribe had different responsibilities. For example, they had to be at least 30 years old or older. In other words, no young novice who lacked wisdom and maturity. There along with his sons, had to dismantle and cover the holy things of God with blue linen cloths before touch them or look on them or they would die. When flesh tries to touch the holy things of God the result is death. Remember Uzzah.
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had to be an education, a preparation before being allowed to perform these duties. The high priest, the other Levites could come and carry the ark of the covenant and other things out. They could not Remember Aaron's two oldest sons.
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Right outside the Door of the Tabernacle-another illustration of Christ who is the Door-the only priests were commanded to wash their hands and feet before entering the holy place inside the

entrance into God's Presence, was to be the bronze laver. This was a basin to be filled with water. The Tabernacle. To enter without washing meant death. This shows us it's necessary that those who approach God must have clean hands and clean feet. They must be living clean and honest lives6 7 2Sa_6:7 Lev 10:1-2

according to God's ways not man's nor their own ideas. Before the bronze laver was the bronze or brazen altar for burnt offerings. It is the first thing you see

when you enter the courtyard-or outer court. It stands directly in front of, though feet away, from the Door of the Tabernacle. Before the priest could go in, a sacrifice had to be made. It is interesting and notable that the first thing that will go into the Tabernacle that God focuses on is the Ark of the Covenant. It too was to be made of the acacia wood, covered with pure gold, as well. The

measurements of everything was precise. The ark was to have four gold rings on it, two on each side. Two acacia poles, covered with pure gold were to be placed in the rings. These were never to be once they were anointed and sanctified. To do so would bring swift and tragic results. We live in a world that is so lost, so covered in darkness that people can't see the right way. The devil has deceived multitudes of millions of souls. Many times he has used religious people to do his dirty work. Such people have their own concepts of who God is, and their concepts are deeply rooted in the Isa 29:13 tells us the result of this kind of thinking: people who honor God with their mouths but whose hearts are far from Him. removed-and by that command God shows us that human hands could not touch these holy things

traditions of men, and what they know of God they have been taught by man, not by God's Holy Spirit.

We wonder why the church is on nearly every corner in this country but for the most part, powerless, ineffective, and regarded with thinly veiled contempt by much too many people. Most of those who look on the church with contempt and suspicion do so because they have been wounded or driven away from the House of God by religious pride and ignorance. When flesh is allowed to operate it will always want to be in control. People will be taught to conform to the preacher's convictions not the wounded. image of Christ-which work only the Holy Spirit can perform within us. When flesh rules, people are

I read an article by a man of God one time that said this: When the child of God messes up it breaks

their heart and they come to their Father, head bowed low and they lay themselves before their God and expect, no desire to be punished. And what do they find? Mercy rather than judgment and they weep to find it so. They leave the mercy room of God enthralled and determined to live ever more like their Lord because they love Him so much and know in their very DNA just what the Lord has done for them and it is a beautiful thing. Now contrast that with the way a religious man deals with children of God. Harsh words, judgment, no love, no desire to see a man restored, its all very ugly and always, always the missing ingredient is supernatural love.
God help us to get a vision, an understanding of Who He really is and let Him change us into His pain. Only He can order our steps in His divine order. If we take our instruction from man and it for it is better to obey God rather than man when the two do not agree.

image and deliver us from the idolatry of religion and self with all its awful fruits of destruction and doesn't confirm what His Holy Spirit has been teaching us at home, then we better not listen to man