The Wilderness Tabernacle/Holy Spirit

BIBLE PASSAGES

Exodus 35:1-40:38

1 Kings 7:40-50

Acts 1:1-11, 

Hebrews 9:1-14

There is so much packed into this lesson, it is hard to get our head around it all. One thing is clear, we see the instructions that were given for the order of worship. This order was established in the wilderness. The children of Israel were willing and there was more than enough to get the job done. Moses at one point had to stop the people from bringing more resources forward for the project.

In 1 Kings, we find Solomon building a more permanent residence for God’s presence to dwell. It was David’s desire to accomplish this task, however, David had blood on his hands and the task came to Solomon. This temple was absolutely one of the most beautiful buildings in the world at the time.

In this reading, we are given some further understanding of Hebrews 9. We understand that progressively these intersections of time and history are types and shadows of what we can know to be true today. We need more than ceremonial cleaning. Individually we must be cleansed from impurity or brokenness through a perfect sacrifice.

The second portion of the reading for this week unveils the presence of God filling the tabernacle in the wilderness. Fast forward to the time of Solomon and we see God fill the temple with His presence. God promised David that a house would be built for Him by one of David’s sons.

The description we find in the readings of the presence of God in these places was thick smoke. In the book of Acts, we read about Christ and His command to go and wait for the power that would come to those who waited. The power that was about to be received by the people came from the Holy Spirit just as Yeshua had promised. On day 50 after Jesus's resurrection, the Holy Spirit came upon all those who were in the upper room and filled them.

"Now the first covenant had both regulations for worship and a Holy Place here on earth. 2 A tent was set up, the outer one, which was called the Holy Place; in it were the menorah, the table and the Bread of the Presence. 3 Behind the second parokhet was a tent called the Holiest Place, 4 which had the golden altar for burning incense and the Ark of the Covenant, entirely covered with gold. In the Ark were the gold jar containing the man, Aharon’s rod that sprouted and the stone Tablets of the Covenant; 5 and above it were the k’ruvim representing the Sh’khinah, casting their shadow on the lid of the Ark — but now is not the time to discuss these things in detail.

6 With things so arranged, the cohanim go into the outer tent all the time to discharge their duties; 7 but only the cohen hagadol enters the inner one; and he goes in only once a year, and he must always bring blood, which he offers both for himself and for the sins committed in ignorance by the people. 8 By this arrangement, the Ruach HaKodesh showed that so long as the first Tent had standing, the way into the Holiest Place was still closed. 9 This symbolizes the present age and indicates that the conscience of the person performing the service cannot be brought to the goal by the gifts and sacrifices he offers. 10 For they involve only food and drink and various ceremonial washings — regulations concerning the outward life, imposed until the time for God to reshape the whole structure.

11 But when the Messiah appeared as cohen gadol of the good things that are happening already, then, through the greater and more perfect Tent which is not man-made (that is, it is not of this created world), 12 he entered the Holiest Place once and for all.

And he entered not by means of the blood of goats and calves, but by means of his own blood, thus setting people free forever. 13 For if sprinkling ceremonially unclean persons with the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer restores their outward purity; 14 then how much more the blood of the Messiah, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself to God as a sacrifice without blemish, will purify our conscience from works that lead to death, so that we can serve the living God!" - Hebrews 9:1-14

Questions for reflection:

▪ Can I see how Christ was the culmination of the original system in Moses's time?

▪ Do I believe that Christ was the fulfillment?

▪ Do I believe God has all that I need and more to accomplish God’s work in my life?

▪ Do I believe God’s power raised Christ from the grave?

▪ Do I believe He ascended and will come again in the same place?

▪ Do I acknowledge that the power of God has come to temples made of flesh and not stone?

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