Exodus 25:8-9
“8 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. 9 According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.”

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

The history of the people of Israel is quite incredible. In Hebrews 8:5, we can see that everything God instructed Moses to do had a special meaning. God commanded Moses to build a great meeting place called The Tabernacle so that God’s presence could continually be with them. The Lord wanted to be in their midst, but for this to happen they had to build a place of powerful influence since it would be where God would dwell. Both the furniture and the ceremonies represented the believer’s relationship with God and hold a powerful revelation. If we study closely we will see that God told them to build from the inside out. God always works from the inside out because He wants to impact our intimate life and then transform the outside.

But to understand the entire building process, it is important to know that there was a progressive order for building, from the door that was made of a special material, to the innermost parts that led to the Holy of Holies.

LET´S GO DEEPER

1. BUILDING A TABERNACLE

Chapters 25 and 26 of the book of Exodus give us the detailed instructions to build the tabernacle, a place that would represent the spiritual strength of God’s people.
The entrance to the tabernacle had a main door called “The Way” which represents the path where we all begin our spiritual life. This door is Jesus and that’s why He said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”.

These chapters teach us about the process that every high priest as well as all the people had to go through to have communion and intimacy with the Lord.

After the door, there are some elements that can be studied more in depth, but essentially represent that progressive path of growth in our relationship with God.

2. THE ALTAR OF SACRIFICE

Exodus 27:1
“You shall make an altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide—the altar shall be square—and its height shall be three cubits.”

When the priest entered The Tabernacle, the first thing he found was the Altar of Burnt Offering, or the Altar of Sacrifice. This was where the animals for burnt offerings were sacrificed. Spiritually, this represents the struggle to face the daily battles we may have in our prayer life. We must take this spiritual step and move forward, not staying behind in lukewarm prayers that lack depth and passion. The altar is a place of death and surrender for it is where the blood and life of an animal was shed. This also represents the sacrifice of Christ for us on the Altar which is the cross of Calvary. Every day the animals´ blood had to be shed on the Altar of Burnt Offering. Through the blood there was cleansing of sin and guilt, and reconciliation. This is an altar where our flesh must die, along with our thoughts, emotions, fleshly nature, and ego.
Let’s briefly review what the blood of Jesus conquered for us:

• Redemption
• Forgiveness of sin
• Justification (Romans 5:9)
• Sanctification
• Our cleansing

3. A BASIN

Exodus 38:8 (NIV)
“They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.”

After the Altar of Sacrifice (prayer), this basin, or fountain, made of mirrors and designed with a purpose is where we experience the power of the Word of God. This was where the priest could wash his hands and feet. The fountain was made of mirrors which represent the Word of God, for what we are is reflected in the mirror of the Word. The Word of God has the power to transform people’s hearts and that is why the Holy Spirit invites us to immerse ourselves in that fountain, in His waters. There we begin to receive revelation in our spirit, His truth reaches our heart and begins a profound transformation in our lives. His truth is what enables us to advance to the next level.

Here it is important to confess the Word and the promises of God for our lives.

Psalms 119:105 says “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”.

4. THE HOLY PLACE

This room held a few powerful elements, which are only seen when you go in deeper. After having seen the previous places, you must know that to go deeper it is necessary to walk through a second door. In this room we find:

The table and the showbread represent the Bread of Life by which we are fully satisfied. Nothing compares to being in this place. It is there that Christ reveals Himself in an intimate way and we can witness and experience praise and devotion to Him.

The gold lampstand represents a spiritual glow. We receive clarity and enlightenment in our understanding about things that were hidden. For example, Moses´ face shone after he had been face to face with the true light and had been transformed by that light. This represents when we receive revelation, advice and wisdom.

Psalms 96.9 says “Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth”.

5. THE HOLY OF HOLIES

This is the place where our spirit becomes one with God´s Spirit and we can worship Him without limits. It is a place of communion and intimacy. Here you experience a depth that is the product of what you have built step by step. God wanted to keep the people from observing from the outside or contemplating at a distance. He wanted them to go through the different stages and get to the Ark of God, which is where they, and we, could experience His majesty, His holiness and hear His voice.

God has not called us to have a superficial spiritual life, but to see what the Old Testament foreshadowed and know what God desires with us. He wants to build a tabernacle where He can meet with us to have a relationship with us. Jesus Christ is the door by which we enter: He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We can go through Him by His sacrifice, His blood and the presence of His Holy Spirit in us. It´s not about experiencing something momentary; when we live this kind of abundant spiritual life, we can lead lives of worship and obtain success in every area.

CHALLENGE

This week connect with Pastor Cesar Castellanos’ teachings in his daily devotional “Declarations of Hope”. Faith and passion for God and His Word will be rebuilt in your life. You can view them at www.cesarcastellanos.tv and continue to build your daily relationship with Jesus.