The Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle Set up — God With Us — Exodus 40

In this presentation we learn about the final aspect of the Tabernacle which is the Most Holy Place and the Ark of the Covenant which was placed there. Then we talk about Moses setting up the Tabernacle. God responds by filling the Tabernacle with His presence! The whole message points to how God wants to be with us. Our text is Jude 24. God has made a way for us to come before His presence with great joy! The craft is priest or coloring picture of the High Priest. I had hoped we would have time for both, but we only had time for one. “Give praise to the God who is able to keep you from falling into sin. He will bring you into his heavenly glory without any fault. He will bring you there with great joy.”

Ark of the Covenant model directions.

A Closer Look

God told Moses how to set up the Tabernacle. (Exodus 40) It tells the story of Redemption. Ironically this story of Redemption happens on the anniversary of Israel’s freedom from Egypt. God works like that. It is His purpose. God told Moses to erect the Tabernacle. I’m not sure how exactly they erected the tabernacle, but it included setting up the 48 golden wall panels set in bases of silver and laying over them the roof coverings. (Exodus 36).

Let’s consider the meaning behind those coverings. The first and inmost covering was the woven linen covering that included colors that tell us about God’s ministry: white because God is Holy and pure, purple because God is King, blue because He is faithful to His promises and just in His law, red because He loves us so much that He gave His only Son [Jesus gave His life for us] that whoever believes in Him might not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Golden cherubim were woven in the cloth. The cherubim continually worship God and remind all present that God is Holy, Holy, Holy. This first covering shows God’s grandeur, holiness, and perfect plan. The second covering is goat’s hair. I learned that black goats hair was commonly used for tents because it naturally provided protection from the sun by absorbing the UV rays, protection from heat because when it was dry it let the air flow through the loose fibers, and protection from rain because when wet the fibers expand and become water proof. It reminds me of God’s mercy and protection. Black reminds me of our sin. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Over this, the third covering speaks of His death. This cover was ram skin died red. We hear of this in other redemption stories foretelling the story of Jesus. Abraham was asked to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, but, as Abraham himself prophesied, God would and did provide a ram. (Genesis 22:1-14). Finally, over this was a durable leather. This message is for all people everywhere for all time.

I find the order that God told Moses to set the items within the sanctuary most fascinating. I believe it tells of God coming to tabernacle with us; It tells Jesus’ life story. First Moses was told to bring in the Ark of the Covenant and set it within the Most Holy Place (Exodus 40). This represents God’s throne room in heaven. Or might we say His judgement seat, His Supreme Court. The Ark of the Covenant’s name talks about God’s first Covenant; His promise to be Israel’s God; and His law and testament (Exodus 20). Now a New Covenant is established. Jesus has fulfilled the first Covenant and promised that He will write His law on our hearts. (Jeremiah 31:33, Romans 2:14-15) His law is within us like it was within the Ark of the Covenant. Above the gold covered ark box is the pure gold cover with cherubim facing each other and looking down upon what is called the Mercy Seat (Exodus 37:1-9). Here is the other aspect of God’s judgement seat, it is His Mercy. It is this mercy that is demonstrated in the Tabernacle’s and Jesus’ Redemption story. Then Moses hung the curtain that separated the Most Holy Place from the Holy place which veiled God’s glory. (Spoiler Alert: The debt was paid, we are redeemed, the veil was torn as Jesus said, “It is Finished”, now we can come boldly before the throne.)

The second piece of furniture to be brought in was the Table that held the Bread of Presence (Exodus 25:23-30). God came from heaven. Jesus was the bread of life, the true bread from heaven, born in Bethlehem, the city of bread, born to give us life. (John 6:30-40) He will be called, Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23).

The third piece of furniture to be placed was the lamp stand, which also represents Jesus. He also is the light of the world (John 8:12). Because He came, we do not need to walk in darkness. Jesus came to show us God’s love through His good works. He encourages us to also let our light shine so that our good works will glorify the LORD in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Then the altar of incense was placed in front of the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The smoke and aroma of this incense on this table would continually rise as our prayers rise to heaven. Jesus continually prayed (Luke 5:16). He prayed for his disciples and for us (John 17). What other insights can be drawn from this altar?

After Moses hung up the curtain in front of the Holy Place, he set up the Altar of Sacrifice. Here we see foreshadowed Jesus’ death. Jesus, the lamb of God, came to take away the sin of the world once and for all. It was a perfect sacrifice. (John 1:29, Hebrews 10:5-14)

Finally, the basin of water was set up. Jesus said, “‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.'” (John 7:37-39)

Find more Presentations about the Tabernacle and the Israelites at Mt. Sinai here.