Life Lessons from the Tabernacle

Moses --> the Exodus (great exit out of Egypt) ---> Sinai ---> Moses receiving the 10 words (commandments)/all the Law and the instructions for the Tabernacle  Ex. 25:1-9 - Vs. 8 - the dwelling place of God.
The Tabernacle:
1.  Courtyard - roughly 75' x 100 ' made up of the gate (only one gate), linen hangings, wood, bronze

2.  Tent (45 x 15 x 15)
Made up of the frame - acacia wood overlaid with gold
                        base -  made of pure silver - 100 blocks each containing 1 talent of silver (75 - 95 lbs)
                        covering -  (A)  linen embroidered with blue, purple, scarlet.... (cherubim)
                                       -  (B) goat's hair
                                       -  (C) Ram skins (dyed red)
                                       -  (D)  Badger? sea cow (manatee)?  seal?  porpoise? skins - not sure exactly what is referred to here.

3.  Furnishings
         Altar - wood overlaid with brass (bronze) - 7' square by 4' deep
         Laver (basin) - made of brass/bronze  (size unknown)
         Left side - Lamp stand - 7 branches made from 1 talent of hammered gold
         Right side - table - wood overlaid with gold  (3' x 1 1/2' x 27" high)
         Incense altar - wood overlaid with gold - 18" square x 36" high
         Veil dividing the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies
         Ark of the Covenant - 2' x 4' x 2' high - wood overlaid with gold  (contents = tablets inscribed with the 10 commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, a jar of manna)
         Mercy seat/atonement cover - made of pure gold with two cherubim on it - Ex. 25:22

The tabernacle was completed/inspected by Moses and God came to dwell on the mercy seat -
Ex. 40:34-38

Ex. 25:9 - "exactly like the pattern" - Why????  The tabernacle was much more that just a tent.
Heb. 8:1-2,5 9:23-24 - copy and shadow of what is in heaven.  Shadows don't tell the whole story but they tell something.

So.......how far does the symbolism go?
Answer:  Don't know ... but...The most important lessons are also the most obvious.

#1.  The Approach to God's Presence - there is only one way to approach God.  You don't come the way you choose, but the way God chooses.

#2.  The Barriers to that Approach - the altar (for cleansing - sin nature), the laver - cleansing from daily sins.  We often overlook God's holiness - He is the LORD.

#3.  How Christ Destroyed those Barriers -
       a.  gate  - John 14:6 with Rev. 22:17 - on one hand there is only one way to God, however, whosoever (all) may come by that way.
       b.  altar - John 1:29      1 John 2:2       1 Pet. 2:24
       c.  laver - 1 John 1:8-9  ( John 13:10 )
       d.  lamp - John 8:12  ( John 1:9 )
       e.  table - John 6:35, 51
       f.  VEIL - Mark 15:37-38  ( Heb. 10:19-20 ) - veil torn in two from top to bottom when Jesus died - whosoever will may come through Christ.

APPLICATION
#1.  Draw Near - He did it so we could come - His presence is not obtained by gazing from afar -
Heb. 10:19-22 (a)    Must enter.  We can choose to believe with our head & heart and not ever enter into His presence.  Just because you have access does not put you in His presence.

#2.  Go Far - 2 Cor. 5:18-20 (a)  - All this is from God and He gave us a ministry to go and make disciples.  We are Christ's ambassadors.