Lessons from the Tabernacle

The craftsmen of ancient Israel were careful to build the tabernacle exactly according to the directions that God had given them. We have already seen evidence of this in Exodus 36:1–19, which describes how the craftsmen followed the instructions for the curtains of the tabernacle and the larger tent under which it sat to be shielded from the elements (see Ex. 26:1–14). In today’s passage, we see further proof of the Israelites’ obedience in the construction of the tabernacle. Exodus 36:20–38 records how the skilled laborers made the tent frame, veil, and entrance to the courtyard just as they were supposed to (see Exodus 26:15–37).

This repetition of the information about the underlying structure of the tabernacle gives us an opportunity to reflect some more on the theological lessons that the tabernacle itself teaches us. We have seen that the tabernacle seems to be a stylized garden of Eden, complete with cherubim (see Gen. 3:24), indicating that God’s intent was to give sinners a way to return to the fellowship that they had had with Him in the garden. Also, we have noted that the tabernacle was like a “home” for God among His people and had many commonalities with Israelite tent homes. For example, the altar for sacrifice in the courtyard outside the tabernacle can be likened to the outdoor kitchens of the Israelites’ tents, and just as Israelite tents had lamps and tables, so did God’s tent, the tabernacle (Ex. 25:23–40; 27:1–8). The furniture in God’s tent was simply a more ornate and expensive version of Israelite furniture, as befits the King. Moreover, this tent was placed in the middle of the Israelite tents when the nation set up camp (Num. 2). While Israel lived in the wilderness, God “lived” there as well.

Think about how remarkable all this is. God is transcendent, above all and distinct from all (Jer. 23:23–24), but He does not consider it beneath Him to draw near to His people. In the tabernacle, He came just about as close as was possible to His people, being willing to pitch His tent in the dusty wilderness. He did not think that His nature as the Exalted One and Almighty Creator meant that He had to be standoffish. This is the true God, the One whom we worship. He is the King of all creation, but He comes close and is near at hand to His children.

Yet, God later came even closer to His people by taking on their very nature and walking among them as truly man and truly God. Of course, He finally did do this in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14). God dwells with us most closely in Jesus.