Construction And Raising of The Tabernacle, DCLM Children Search
LESSON 7
Exodus 37:1-29; 38:1-31; 39:1-43; 40:1-38
God told Moses to build the Tabernacle in a special way. It was to be the place where God would fellowship with His people. The Tabernacle would be the centre of worship, for Israel as a nation. Moses did as the Lord commanded and the Tabernacle was built according to divine instruction.
When God created Adam and Eve, He usually had fellowship with them. He often walked in the garden “in the cool of the day” to commune with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8). The fellowship was cut short when Adam sinned by disobeying God. The purpose of the Tabernacle was to restore the lost fellowship in the Garden of Eden. The Tabernacle was a moveable tent that God commanded Moses to build after the Israelites were freed from Egyptian slavery and were in the wilderness on their journey to Canaan. It was a place where the presence of God dwelt, and the high priest offered sacrifices on behalf of the people.
Today, God dwells in the hearts of saved children who are living a holy life. If you are still a sinner, repent and turn from your sin, and ask Jesus to come into your heart to be your personal Saviour and Lord. Then your life will become God’s dwelling place.
- CONSTRUCTION OF THE TABERNACLE IN THE WILDERNESS: Exodus 37:1-29; 38:1-31; 43; John 17:4
The building of the Tabernacle was handled by Bezaleel, Aholiab and other workers. The workers were very careful to follow the specific instructions for the building of the Tabernacle which the Lord gave to Moses. The people that were involved in the building of the Tabernacle were many. As a result, Moses shared the work among them. Although the work was shared, the people remained united in mind and purpose.
Bezaleel made the Ark of the Covenant, the Mercy seat, the Table for shewbread, and its utensils. He also made the Candlestick or Lampstand, the Altar of incense, the Holy anointing oil, and the Pure incense; all according to doing the work of God requires total obedience to the will of God as Moses, Bezaleel, Aholiab, and other workers did. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is our perfect example of obedience to God the Father. When He was carrying out His earthly ministry, He said, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34). As He was rounding off His ministry, He said “I have finished the work which thou gaveth me to do” (John 17:4).
The Tabernacle workers showed certain qualities that friends of Jesus should copy. These qualities helped them to be successful in their work.
(i) They showed total obedience to God.
(ii) They did not delay nor procrastinate in carrying out the work of God.
(iii) They were careful in the use of the resources provided for the work.
(iv) The work was shared so that each person would give proper attention to the area they were gifted.
(v) The workers were all united and determined to work.
There are many areas of work in which friends of Jesus can be engaged in the church. These include evangelism, follow-up and visitation, serving one another, contributing to the physical building of worship centres and many more. As a child of God, the Lord demands your personal contributions that will promote love and unity in the body of Christ.
- CONTENTS OF THE TABERNACLE AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE:
Exodus 38:1-8; 27:1-8;
All the items kept in the Tabernacle had spiritual significance.
(i) The Altar of Sacrifice: This is where sacrifices were offered for the sins of the people. The priests were to teach the children of Israel to know that sin brings separation from God. Only through their sacrifices can sin be atoned for and fellowship with God restored. Today, sin cannot be removed by animal sacrifice but through the shed blood of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He came as a Man and He was sinless, perfect, and spotless. He died and shed His blood for the sins of mankind.
(ii) The brazen laver: This was filled with water. The Priests were required to wash their hands and feet before entering the Holy place. This shows that cleanliness and holiness of life are essential in our fellowship with God.
(iii) The Table of Shewbread: This table was on the right side of the Holy Place. Every Sabbath day, twelve fresh loaves of bread would be put on the table for the priests. The twelve loaves of bread represented the twelve tribes of Israel dwelling in God’s presence. The bread points to Jesus as “the bread of life” (John 6:33, 35). Just like the aroma of fresh bread spreads everywhere in a room, so should the life of a child of God. It also indicates the complete dependence of Israel on God for their physical and spiritual needs.
(iv)The Golden Altar of Incense: The priests were to burn incense every morning and evening. The incense was burnt continually, day and night. It was a symbol of prayers and intercession of the people going up to God. God wants His dwelling to be a place where people could approach and pray to Him. The Bible says for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people” (Isaiah 56:7). It also represented Christ who is our Intercessor before God the Father. During His earthly ministry, Jesus prayed for His friends, and is still praying for us; He also taught us to pray.
(v) The Lampstand (or candlestick): The priests were to ensure the continuous burning of the lamps (Leviticus 24:1-3). Without the lampstand as the only source of light in the Holy place, it would be difficult for the priests to perform their duties. In the same way, the Bible says that Jesus is the true light that gives light to every man (John 1:9). Jesus came to the world so that sinful boys and girls can be saved and translated from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. Jesus, therefore, called all His friends “the light of the world” and commands them to let their light shine before men, so that as they see their good works, God will be glorified (Matthew 5: 14, 16).
(vi) The Holy of Holies and the Vail: Within the Holy place of the tabernacle, there was an inner room called the Holy of Holies Or the most Holy or sacred place where ordinary people could not enter. God’s special dwelling place was where He usually appeared as a pillar of fire or cloud. A curtain is known as Vail was used to separate the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. The Vail was a barrier preventing sinful man from the Holy God. Even before the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, he had to wash himself, put on special clothing, burn incense and bring blood to atone for his own and others’ sins (Hebrews 9:7). When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain in the temple was torn into two, from top to bottom exposing the Holy of Holies. Jesus’ death has opened the way for everyone to come to God without hindrance. He had completed God’s redemptive plan for mankind when He said, “It is finished.” We can now boldly enter into God’s presence (Hebrews 6: 19, 20).
(vii) The Ark of Covenant: The Ark of Covenant contains the Ten Commandments, a pot filled with manna, and Aaron’s rod which had budded. The ark of the Covenant which was kept in the Holy of Holies represents the presence of God.
We can have access to the Holy of Holies only through the blood of Jesus which was shed on the cross at Calvary. His death has finally removed the barrier that existed between God and man. This means that any child who comes to Jesus and is washed and purified by His blood will be given access to live with Him eternally in heaven. It is true that God wants to live in your heart right now. He wants to stay with you and go everywhere with you. But as a sinful child, you cannot enjoy God’s presence except you repent from your sins and the Lord saves you. Only then will you have access to Him.
- CONSECRATION OF THE TABERNACLE AND THE GLORY OF GOD:
Exodus 40: 1-38; Leviticus 9:6,7
When the Tabernacle was completed, Moses set it up and consecrated it. Then, God commanded Moses that Aaron and his sons should wash their bodies, wear their holy garments, and be anointed. The anointing oil represented the Holy Spirit which would empower them for service. Moses obeyed God’s command and anointed the priests. God’s approval for the entire work was manifested with the sign of His presence which were the cloud of glory and the pillar of fire. The lesson here is that God will accept our service only when we obey His word. On the other hand, God frowns at sin. His presence or glory will never be attracted to anything sinful or abominable.
The cloud of glory, apart from leading the children of Israel, provided divine presence, guidance and protection for God’s people. The glory of God remained with them except when they committed sin. In the same way, any child who allows sin in his life will lose the presence of God, Therefore, boys and girls who are saved must reject and resist sin in order to continually enjoy God’s presence in their life and fellowship.
QUESTIONS:
- To whom did God reveal the pattern of the Tabernacle?
- Mention three qualities that helped the Tabernacle workers to be successful in their work.
- Mention four things kept in the Tabernacle and their spiritual significance.
- What will a child of God do to enjoy God’s presence in his/her life?
- What must a sinner do to be saved?
MEMORY VERSE: “According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work” (Exodus 39:42).
LESSON: God desires to dwell in a holy temple.
THOUGHT: My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, so I will keep it holy.
ACTIVITY: With the help of the teacher, draw the Ark of the Covenant and the things that are kept inside.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 87 – TAKE MY LIFE CHORUSES:
(1) My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
(2) Solomon built the temple of God.
(3) Let the dew of heaven fall upon my thirsting soul.
HOMEWORK: Children should write out all the things in the Tabernacle and their significance.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH: Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
- Significance 2. Procrastinate 3. Emulate 4. Consecration 5. Symbolized.
