The Old Testament Tabernacle, detailed in Exodus, stands as one of the most profound foreshadows of the New Testament plan of salvation. Each component, from its singular entrance to the inner sanctum of the Holy of Holies, reveals truths about the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through the Tabernacle, God provided Israel not only with a place of worship but also a pattern for understanding the future redemption found in His Son. This essay explores how the structure, furnishings, and rituals of the Tabernacle prefigure the way to salvation through faith in Christ.
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A Singular Entrance: The One Way to God
The Tabernacle had only one entrance, a gate on the eastern side (Exodus 27:16). This single point of entry reminds us of Jesus’ declaration in John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Just as there was no alternative way to enter the Tabernacle and approach God’s presence, there is no alternative path to salvation apart from Christ.
The gate’s specific placement on the east parallels the biblical theme of approaching God from the east, often symbolizing new beginnings and the dawning of salvation. In the same way, Jesus offers new life to those who enter through Him, the only door (John 10:9).
The Outer Court: Cleansing and Atonement
The first area within the Tabernacle was the outer court, containing two key elements: the brazen altar and the bronze basin. These components illustrate the initial stages of salvation—atonement for sin and cleansing from unrighteousness.
The Brazen Altar: The Substitutionary Sacrifice
The brazen altar was the place where animals were sacrificed for the sins of the people (Exodus 27:1-8). Blood was shed to atone for sin, foreshadowing Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. Hebrews 9:22 reminds us, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” Jesus, as the Lamb of God (John 1:29), fulfilled this role by offering Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10).
The substitutionary nature of the altar reminds us that sin requires a price, but through Christ’s death, that price has been paid. As believers, we no longer bring sacrifices to an altar; instead, we rest in the finished work of Jesus.
The Bronze Basin: Cleansing for Service
After offering sacrifices at the altar, priests washed their hands and feet in the bronze basin before entering the Holy Place (Exodus 30:18-21). This cleansing symbolizes the sanctification believers receive through Christ. While the altar signifies justification—being declared righteous before God—the basin points to the ongoing work of sanctification, cleansing us from sin as we walk in obedience (1 John 1:9).
Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:26 that Christ cleanses the church “by the washing with water through the word.” Just as the priests needed daily washing to serve, believers are continually purified through God’s Word and the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Place: Fellowship and Sustenance
Within the Tabernacle, the Holy Place contained three significant furnishings: the table of showbread, the golden lampstand, and the altar of incense. Each item reveals aspects of the believer’s relationship with God.
The Table of Showbread: Christ, the Bread of Life
The table of showbread held twelve loaves of bread, symbolizing God’s provision and fellowship with the twelve tribes of Israel (Exodus 25:23-30). This bread points to Jesus as the Bread of Life (John 6:35), who satisfies the deepest hunger of the human soul. Just as the priests consumed the bread as part of their service, believers today partake in Christ spiritually, drawing strength and sustenance from Him.
The Golden Lampstand: Christ, the Light of the World
The golden lampstand provided light within the Holy Place (Exodus 25:31-40). Its perpetual flame symbolizes the illumination Christ brings to a darkened world. Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). For believers, the lampstand also represents the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who illuminates God’s Word and empowers us for holy living.
The Altar of Incense: Prayers of the Saints
The altar of incense, positioned before the veil leading to the Holy of Holies, symbolized the prayers of God’s people rising to Him (Exodus 30:1-10). Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4 connect incense with the prayers of the saints, showing that our communion with God is both heard and treasured. For the believer, the altar of incense reminds us that Christ, as our High Priest, intercedes for us continually (Hebrews 7:25).
The Holy of Holies: Access to God’s Presence
The innermost room of the Tabernacle, the Holy of Holies, housed the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God’s presence and glory (Exodus 26:33-34). Only the high priest could enter this sacred space, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement, to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:15).
The Veil Torn: Access Through Christ
The veil separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place symbolized the barrier between sinful humanity and a holy God. At Christ’s crucifixion, this veil was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), signifying that through His death, believers now have direct access to God. Hebrews 10:19-22 explains, “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.”
The tearing of the veil fulfilled what the Tabernacle foreshadowed: that Christ’s sacrifice bridges the gap between God and humanity, granting believers intimate fellowship with Him.
Christ: The Fulfillment of the Tabernacle
The Tabernacle’s design and rituals were not random; they were divinely instituted to point forward to Christ. John 1:14 states, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The phrase “made his dwelling” literally means “tabernacled,” indicating that Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the Tabernacle. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), and our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).
As believers, we see in the Tabernacle not only a picture of God’s holiness but also His incredible grace in providing a way for sinful humanity to be reconciled to Him. Each element—from the gate to the mercy seat—reveals a facet of salvation’s richness, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion: The Tabernacle’s Timeless Message
The Old Testament Tabernacle serves as a profound pattern of salvation through Christ. It teaches us that there is only one way to God, that sin requires atonement and cleansing, and that believers are called into fellowship and worship in God’s presence. The Tabernacle foreshadowed the greater reality fulfilled in Jesus, who not only grants us access to God but also makes us a dwelling place for His Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
As we reflect on the Tabernacle, we are reminded of God’s sovereignty, holiness, and grace. The Apostle Paul captures the essence of this in Romans 5:1-2: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”
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New International Version (NIV)
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