Exodus introduces us to the Tabernacle which would literally be at the center of Israel’s worship. Most of the remainder of Exodus is concerned with the Tabernacle. God directed Moses to build the Tabernacle so He might have a sanctuary… [and] that [He] may dwell among them (25: 8). The Tabernacle was to be made according to a divinely detailed design so that it might picture Christ and picture Him it does. Consider some of the foreshadows of our Lord in the Tabernacle.
- Gold speaks of His deity (Rev. 3: 18)
- Silver speaks of His redemption (Ex. 30: 12 – 16)
- Bronze speaks of His judgment (Rev. 1: 15)
- Blue (the heavenly color) speaks of the heavenly Man (1 Cor. 15: 47 – 48)
- Purple (the royal color) speaks of His sovereignty (Rev. 19: 16)
- Scarlet speaks of His bloody sacrifice (Rev. 5: 9 – 10)
- Fine linen speaks of his righteousness (Rev. 19: 8)
- Goat hair speaks of His service (God’s prophets/servants wore it Zech. 13: 4 – 5)
- Rams’ skins speak of His devotion (the breast of the ram was waved before the Lord at the consecration of Aaron Ex. 29: 26 – 27)
- Manatee skins speak of His humility (Is. 53: 2)
- Acacia wood speaks of His incorruptibility (Lk. 1: 35)
- Oil speaks of His anointing (Lk. 4: 18) and the light He provides (Jhn. 1: 4, 9)
- Spices speak of His fragrance (2 Cor. 2: 14 – 15)
- Stones speak of His sympathy (Heb. 4: 15)
The list could go up for pages. The Tabernacle is a testimony to Him!
Innermost in the Tabernacle was the Ark of the Covenant bearing the Mercy Seat. There God said he would meet us (25: 22). Jesus is referred to repeatedly in the New Testament as our Mercy Seat (Rom. 3: 25; Heb. 9: 5; 1 Jhn. 2: 2). It isn’t on the basis of our obedience to the Commandments contained within the Ark (Heb. 9: 4) but on the basis of God’s mercy which covers our sin and rebellion that we are saved (Tit. 3: 5).