The Tabernacle

It was God’s own mind from before the creation of the world to have a people and to dwell among them. After Adam’s fall in sin, mankind was driven from God’s presence, and the way of return was barred by Cherubim with flaming swords. But God’s plan of redemption was already set in place. He called a people to himself, made them great, and raised up Moses to deliver them from bondage. Taking them into the wilderness, God commanded Moses to build the Tabernacle according to His perfect and detailed instructions—a house for the great God of creation to dwell among his people. The key to understanding everything in the Tabernacle is the central Person of the entire Scripture, Jesus Christ. God intended this holy structure to be the most visual presentation of the glory of Jesus Christ. It’s really the gospel in the Old Testament.

Like the Brazen Altar, the Altar of Incense was made of shittim wood, but covered with gold instead of bronze. The Brazen Altar symbolized Christ in his humiliation, suffering, and death. But the Incense Altar, placed inside the Tabernacle next to the Holy of Holies, was covered in gold, with a golden crown around the edge, pointing to Jesus’ exaltation in the glory of God’s presence after his ascension. The Altar of Incense symbolizes the intercessory work of our High Priest, Jesus Christ.

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Rev. A.T. Vergunst is minister of the Gospel in the Reformed Congregation of Carterton, New Zealand.