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Storyline Biblical Theology #18: Exodus 25-40. "Touring the OT Tabernacle"

When Saddam Hussein rose to power in Iraq, he purposed to build himself a palace that would symbolize his absolute power and rule. He idolized the ancient king Nebuchadnezzar and his rule. So, he not only built a palace like his, but he also built it with the ruins of the ancient palace. Six hundred rooms, 60 million sand-colored bricks each inscribed with a tribute to his rule, overlooking the Euphrates river, architected like a ziggurat (ancient temple), as high as four stories, as long as five football fields, hundreds of thousands of feet of marble, and gold bathroom fixtures are just some of the intimidating tactics that Saddam had to playing a part in his palace. The funny thing is, Saddam rarely even lived in it.

In Exodus 25 – 40, we see God instructing Moses how to build a house for His dwelling: a Tabernacle. Every single detail that God gave to Moses was to reflect His glory, His holiness, and His Son. Even though the tabernacle was to illustrate God’s transcendent holiness, man’s rebellious sinfulness, and Christ’s incarnational coming; it wasn’t to be built as an intimidation factor. Rather, God’s house was to be built because He desired to dwell with His people. The more we understand the Tabernacle, the more we understand God’s presence through Jesus!

God’s Tabernacle was to be located in the center of Israel’s camp whenever they stopped. When looking at The Tent from all of the other Israelite tents, you would see a huge wood fence with cloth between the slats separating you from the holy presence of God. Israelites could go in the gate of the fence and enter into the Courtyard (27:9-19). The first item in the courtyard would be the Bronze Altar (27:1-8) where Israelites would bring animals for the priests to sacrifice as a substitute offering for their sin. This pictures Christ’s one and final sacrifice as a substitute for our sin in which we must believe (Heb 9:15). The next item in the courtyard would be the Bronze Basin (30:17-21) where priests would wash their hands and feet before sacrifices and before entering into the Tabernacle. In Scripture, water is usually a symbol of being washed and cleansed of sin through the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:26).

Within the courtyard was the Tent (Tabernacle) in which only Israelite priests could enter. They would pass through a curtain and enter into a magnificent room of beautifully woven fabric and gold-plated furniture. To the left, the priest would see the Golden Lampstand (25:31-40) which was the only source of light within the Tabernacle. It was to symbolize God watching over His people, and remember that Jesus called Himself the Light of the world (John 8:12). To the right, the priest would see the Table of the Bread of Presence (25:23-30). It had twelve loaves on it to represent the twelve tribes of God’s people. It was to symbolize how God would continually provide for His people. Jesus calls Himself the Bread of Life from which we must eat (John 6:35). Straight ahead in the back of this first room (the Holy Place), the priest would see the Altar of Incense (30:1-10) which would burn a fragrance within the Tabernacle. The smell was to remind the priest of God’s nearness, and to be a pleasing aroma to God since it was just on the other side of the veil behind the ark. The Apostle Paul says that we are the aroma of Christ to God (2 Cor 2:15).

Not just any priest, but only The High Priest (Exo 28-29) could pass from the Holy Pace into the next room: The Most Holy Place or Holy of Holies. Jesus Chrit is our final High Priest (Heb 4:14). The rooms were separated with a very thick cloth often called the Veil in Scripture separating God’s specific presence. Within the Holy of Holies, the High Priest would see the Ark of the Covenant (25:10-22). The ark was a box that contained some very important artifacts which served to be reminders of God’s provision in the life of Israel. It had a lid that was decorated with two cherubim whose wings spread to make a throne: the Mercy Seat. This is where the glory of the Lord would descend from heaven and rest to specially dwell among His people. After the Tabernacle was built, the glory of God did just that! Jesus fulfills the Holy of Holies. He is the specific presence of God in our lives (John 1:14 – Jesus “tabernacled” among us). Jesus is the bright radiance of God’s glory (Heb 1:3). Jesus is the final One who entered the veil, tore it from top to bottom, and brought us in by His blood so that we too can draw near this holy God with confidence (Heb 9:11-28).

In 2003 when the U.S. army invaded Iraq, a group of soldiers approached one of Saddam’s dozen palaces. As they inched closer, they expected an onslaught of attack as protection by the Iraqis. But the U.S. soldiers found that it was deserted. As a sign of victory, they ran in his palace, toured his rooms, sat on his furniture, and made it their homes. In a much different way, Jesus of Nazareth entered into the Tabernacle of God on our behalf. He didn’t have to storm nor invade it. Rather, the God-man tore the now-unnecessary veil, and walked into the presence of the Godhead of which He was a part. And for those of us who are in Christ, the author of Hebrews explains that Christ has brought us in with Him. This is something incredibly special as it was completely off limits for the Israelites and the non-High Priests. What are we supposed to do since we are able to enter into the specific presence of God? The author of Hebrews gives us three important instructions (10:19-21)…

Draw Near (10:22). We are to draw near unto God and realize His specific presence in our lives through the blood of Jesus. We are to pray to Him as those who are living in His Holy of Holies. We are to constantly practice nearness to Him.

Hold Fast (10:23). We are to firmly grasp and hang on to the truths of Christ that God has revealed to us. Not holding them lightly, but firmly within our grip for special care.

Stir Up (10:24). We are to lovingly encourage and serve each other by participating as the church (the presence of God and body of Christ): by sharing what we own with each other, by giving each other our time and love, and by holding each other accountable to meet together for regular worship of God through Christ with each other – the local church.

Let me encourage you as your brother. Be a regular participant of your local church. If we see the importance of the Tabernacle in the Old Testament and the body of Jesus Christ as the specific dwelling of God in the New Testament, then we must see that the gathering of our local church is equally important to the life and godliness of each and every Christian.

Storyline Biblical Theology #17: Exodus 25-40. "BE AWARE: God's presence in our lives through Christ"

Just the other night, I woke up to a loud noise which sounded like someone had gotten my front door open and they were trying to rip the chain lock off to get in. As soon as I woke up, the noise stopped. I laid very still in my bed for several minutes listening for footsteps all over my house. I turned sideways, and it looked like someone was standing outside my window looking in to watch my every move. I laid even more still. I finally got up the nerve to go look through my blinds and saw it was the shadows of the trees outside. I then army-crawled on my belly to look under my door to see any feet in my house. I saw nothing. I laid back in bed and fell back asleep after several more minutes. I woke up the next morning and found all my doors locked, nothing missing, and nothing wrong. I guess I totally dreamed-up the noise in my head!

When we sense the presence of someone or something greater than us, it changes our every move and consumes our thoughts. Are we fully aware of God’s awesome presence in our lives? God is omnipresent which means He is everywhere at all times, but God is especially present with His people in a very specific way. In Exodus 25 – 40, God commanded Moses to have His people build Him a tabernacle so that He could dwell among them and they would know He is their God (29:46). While God was commanding Moses this very thing, Israel was at the bottom of the mountain making an idol so that their “God” would be present among them. This infuriated God so much so that He told Moses He would not go with them to the Promise Land (33:3). This news devastated Israel. So Moses went outside the camp to the Tent of Meeting. God descended from heaven to the tent in the pillar of cloud, and all the people would watch from their own tents in worship. There Moses begged God to go with them and dwell among them. He didn’t want to go any farther without God’s presence (33:8-16).

Do you feel that way about God’s presence in your life? Do you refuse to go anywhere, to not do anything, to not make any decision without being aware of the presence of God Himself? Many Christians today do desire to have contact with God, but they leave the daily experience with God to the professionals. They go to church to hear from a pastor who has a real relationship with God, to pray for them, and to study God’s Word for them. All those are great things, but each Christian should personally be aware of God’s dwelling presence in their life. How is God present in our lives today if there is no Tabernacle or Tent of Meeting?

John, one of Jesus’ closest friends and disciples, wrote “And the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Wow! John is saying that just as God dwelt among His people in the Old Testament by His glory, Jesus has dwelt among His people in the New Testament. The author of Hebrews says that whenever God’s glory is present, Jesus is present. How is God present in our lives today? He is present through our union with Jesus Christ in salvation.

My favorite basketball player of all time is Michael Jordan. I saw him play one time against the Hawks in Atlanta. But there was another time that I got to go to Jordan’s personal restaurant in Chicago. While we were eating, our waitress told us that Jordan was in the building that day doing a press conference. I got more excited than being at the game! He was supposed to be there, but this was being around Jordan in my every day life! When we learn to be aware of God’s presence in our daily lives, we change. Our relationship with Him is deepened because we realize how near He is. Our power over sin is strengthened because we do not want to bring Him shame in His presence. Our courage to witness is heightened because we want those around us to experience His personal presence just like we are. I pray that no one thinks they sense God’s presence, imagine Him watching over us, lay still to listen to Him, and even look around to see Him there…but wake up in eternity to find that it wasn’t God after all. It was our imagination. Is God present in your life by believing in the saving gospel of Jesus Christ?

Storyline Biblical Theology #16: Exodus 19-24. "Camping Out At Fear Mountain: Friendship, Obedience, and Worship"

As we turned the corner and heard the sound, we knew our lives were in danger. A couple friends and I decided to go hiking and camping in the Tennessee mountains over a July 4 weekend. We hiked up a 2 mile mountain, pitched our tent near the top, and came back down the mountain for a good meal that night with more friends in the area. Those friends warned us about going back up the mountain that night since many bear attacks were reported in the areas at night, so we decided to sleep in the car that night. When we couldn’t sleep, we started driving around. When we turned the corner on the road, we nearly hit a huge, 3-foot-long wild boar. Early that morning, we decided to hike back up the mountain quickly to get the tent. While hiking up and winding around the corner of the trail, we heard the snorting sound of a hog. I remember running like a gazelle down the mountain for the fear of getting eaten alive by Porky. We finally got up the courage to go back up the mountain, get the tent, and drive home.

In Exodus 19 – 24, Moses writes about an even more fearful camping trip. Israel had just recently left their bondage in Egypt, and they are traveling through the wilderness toward the land God had promised to provide for them. In Exodus 19:1-6, God is reminding them that if they continue to follow Him they will be His “treasured possession.” God is promising friendship with Him. Friendship with God is too often misunderstood. We can’t think of being God’s friends like a buddy, a pal, or an equal. Just like Jesus calls the disciples “His friends,” we are God’s friends in the way of Him sharing Himself with us. That is why we don’t call God our friend. That would be an insult. God is not our friend. He is our God, our King, our Lord!

Isn’t it interesting in Exodus 19 that Moses is the only one who God seems to be speaking to and who can speak back to God? God is showing him and Israel how Holy and unapproachable He is to sinners. Through Christ, we can speak with God in prayer. Moses isn’t our mediator, but Jesus is. Do we understand how awesome this is…that we can pray to the Almighty God? Are we guilty of rushing through our prayers and not speaking to Him in such a way that He is unapproachable apart from His Son’s mediation?

God is displaying Himself as holy, fearsome, and unapproachable through a blazing mountain. The mountain that Israel has come to is the Mountain of God. The mountain has thick smoke swirling around it, and deafening-thunderous blasts that shake the ground. Needless to say, the people trembled with fear seeing the fierce holiness of God. Not only were they prohibited from climbing the mountain, but they weren’t even allowed to touch it – or they would die. Moses reverently climbs the mountain, and God gives Him the 10 commandments there. We can’t fall into the trap of thinking God’s laws are just a list of do’s and don’ts. God’s laws are a way of revealing His character to His people. If they are to be His people, then they must live out His character. The first 4 commands speak directly to our relationship with God. The last 6 commands speak to our relationship with other people. When asked the greatest command, Jesus answered that the greatest commandment is to love God and the second greatest is to love others. He perfectly summed up the Law of God! In fact, Jesus didn’t just sum it up perfectly with His answer, but He also perfectly fulfilled the Law of God for us with His obedient life. God expects every believer to fulfill God’s Law. We cannot. So Christ has done it for us. That is why we believe salvation by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9).

The last thing Moses did in this passage is something that I would get fired for as a youth pastor. Moses read the law to the people, and he sprinkled (covered) them all with the sacrificial blood of oxen (Exodus 24). God never wanted His people to forget that salvation will only come through blood. Hebrews 12 tells us that we have come to Mount Zion to worship God in reverence and awe through the blood of Jesus – an even better covenant of salvation. Is that what your weekly worship of God looks like – a complete reverential awe for who Christ is?

Framework Systematic Theology #10 - MACRO Theology - Doctrine of Revelation

Imagine living hundreds of years ago in a medieval kingdom, with a castle in the middle, and citizens living as servants to their sovereign king. Imagine your King making an appearance once a week to verbally address his kingdom from the castle’s third-floor balcony. Remember, whatever the King says is law for his kingdom and life for his citizens. All would listen intently!
Likewise, the Doctrine of Revelation is all about God revealing Himself, His character, and His purposes through the way in which He speaks to all people. Here are some true/false questions:
1. People can be saved by looking at the created universe and believing in God as creator.
2. People can be saved by listening to their conscience tell them that God really exists.
3. All people in all times and in all places have known that God really exists.
4. God wouldn’t send someone to hell who has never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Divine Revelation is the one true God speaking to us in order to reveal Himself. What if God wrote a daily column in the newspaper? I’m sure everyone would read it daily! But do we believe that God speaks just as fresh, just as powerful, and just as daily through His revelation?
There are a few things we must understand about Divine Revelation. First, Divine Revelation was natural in the beginning between God, Adam, and Eve. There was no separation as God would speak and reveal Himself to them in the garden. Would they have needed a Bible? Secondly, Divine Revelation is now necessary because of sin. Sin is not only wrong, but it also separates us from the holy God. Therefore, God must speak to reveal Himself to sinners who do not naturally know Him. Third, the purpose of Divine Revelation is for us to know God through Jesus Christ. God’s goal is that we look to Him and know Him through His Son (John 17:3).

While Divine Revelation is the broad doctrine of God revealing Himself, General Revelation is the doctrine of God revealing Himself to all persons, at all times, and in all places through the creation and the conscience (Psalm 19:1, Rom 1-2). As a youth pastor, I get lots of questions from teenagers about the people in foreign lands like Africa who die without knowing the gospel. Do they go to heaven or hell? The Apostle Paul says that all people everywhere have always looked at the creation, perceived that God exists, but reject Him (Rom 1:18-21). Not only creation, but also all humanity’s conscience bear witness of God’s law and existence, yet they reject Him and His law (Rom 2:14-16). This means that all people, at all times, and in all places are guilty before God because of their need of Jesus Christ. It is both contrary to a sinner’s nature to come to God without Christ, and contrary to God’s purposeful plan in Christ. While General Revelation is true, it is never enough to lead a sinner to Christ (Rom 10:10-15).

Because General Revelation is insufficient for salvation, what we call Special Revelation is needed. Special Revelation is when God reveals Himself to specific people at specific times and in specific places for them to enter into a saving relationship with Him through Jesus.
Dreams, Visions, and Prophecies are Special Revelations from God used throughout Scripture to reveal His plan, His will, and His desire for the people within His covenant (Matt 1:20).
Direct Address is used by God to speak to people in specific events (Gen 3:16-19, Matt 3:17).
Scripture is said by the Apostle Peter to be an even more sure and confident revelation of God than His audible voice. This is because the written Word of God passed down throughout generations is more protected from alteration than “God told me…” (2 Peter 1:16-21). Jesus Christ is the fullest, most exact, and most special revelation of God (John 1:1, 14:9, Heb 1:1-4). Nothing reveals God better to humanity than His own Son – fully God and fully man.

Why does God reveal Himself to us? It is because God’s absolute best plan for our lives is that we are in relationship with Him. We know God best through His Son, Jesus Christ. And we know Jesus Christ best through His Word (Rom 10:17) and His church (Eph 1:22-23). We only know God as much as we know Jesus. We only know Jesus as much as we know His Word.