The Tabernacle

How God’s Dwelling Among His People Points to the Person and Work of Jesus

When God delivered Israel from Egypt, he did not simply free his chosen people from slavery. Rather, he fulfilled his promises to their ancestor Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) and called them into a covenant relationship with himself.

At Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the Law that helped to codify the terms of the relationship. But there he also gave Moses something else that was truly remarkable: detailed instructions for building a sacred tent called the “tabernacle” (Exodus 25–40). This was to be the earthly dwelling place of the holy God in the midst of his people. Every thread, board, and piece of furniture was intentional—not only for worship in Israel’s day, but also as a prophetic picture of Jesus Christ.

God’s Blueprint: How the Tabernacle Was Built

The tabernacle was not designed by human imagination. God gave Moses a precise heavenly pattern (Exodus 25:9, 40). It was to be portable, carried along with the people on Israel’s wilderness journey. Yet despite its portability, it was also designed with the finest materials available—gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, acacia wood, and richly colored fabrics.

The structure had three main sections:1. The Outer Court – An open area surrounded by linen curtains that were hung on bronze pillars.2. The Holy Place – A tented chamber that only priests were allowed to enter.3. The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) – A cube-shaped inner room where God’s glory dwelled above the ark of the covenant.

The entire complex spoke of both God’s holiness and his desire to dwell with his people.

Furnishings of the Tabernacle

Each piece of furniture inside the tabernacle carried deep meaning. (For a model of the tabernacle and an illustration and explanation of all of its furnishings, see pp. 142 and 143 in the NIV Study Bible, or turn to pages 133 and 134 in the NIV Application Bible.)

1. The Bronze Altar (Exodus 27:1–8)

Located in the outer court, this altar was where costly animal sacrifices were made. Blood was shed here according to God’s specific instructions to atone for sin. The imposing altar was made of sturdy wood, overlaid with bronze, as God had specified. Its location as the focal point for the shedding of blood sacrifice reminded Israel that sin is serious and that approach to God requires atonement.

Pointing to Jesus:Jesus is “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). His cross became the ultimate altar. It formed a rugged, enduring image that still reminds believers that Jesus’ blood was shed to offer atonement for human sin. Jesus took the punishment for all human sin, making a way for all who would believe to experience salvation and a restored relationship with God.

2. The Bronze Basin (Exodus 30:17–21)

Between the altar and the tent stood a basin for ceremonial washing. Priests washed their hands and feet in this basin before entering the Holy Place. This was a required preparation for entering the presence of God.

Pointing to Jesus:Christ cleanses his people—not just outwardly, but inwardly (John 13:8–10; Titus 3:5). Through Jesus, we are washed from the defilement of sin and made fit for God’s presence. The gift of purity in God’s eyes comes from Jesus’ perfect, sinless sacrifice. Through shedding his blood, he wiped the stain of sin away for all who would believe.

3. The Table of the Bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:23–30)

Inside the Holy Place was a gold-covered table with twelve loaves representing the twelve tribes of Israel. It was a sign of God’s covenant provision for the people of Israel, and it also demonstrated God’s willingness and desire to commune with his people.

Pointing to Jesus:Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). Jesus is God’s provision for our spiritual hunger and thirst, fulfilling God’s promise to provide for his people and to sustain his people with his presence.

4. The Golden Lampstand (Exodus 25:31–40)

Also in the Holy Place stood the seven-branched menorah, made of pure gold. The priests were tasked with tending the lamps and keeping the oil filled. The lamp thus burned continually, providing light in the otherwise dark tent of the tabernacle.

Pointing to Jesus: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). Just as the lampstand illuminated the Holy Place, so also the light of Christ shines into our darkness, guiding us along the path to God and allowing us to continue our relationship with him as we walk through the murky shadows of this fallen world.

5. The Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:1–10)

Placed before the thick curtain leading to the Most Holy Place, this small gold altar was used for burning fragrant incense both morning and evening. The rising smoke symbolized the prayers of God’s people, and its location near the Most Holy Place demonstrated God’s willingness to hear both praises and concerns from his people.

Pointing to Jesus:Jesus is our High Priest, always interceding for us before the Father (Hebrews 7:25). Our prayers, made acceptable through Jesus’ presence before God on our behalf, rise like incense to God (Revelation 8:3–4).

6. The Curtain (Exodus 26:31–33)

A heavy curtain separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Only the high priest could pass through it, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16).

Pointing to Jesus:When Jesus died, “the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51). Jesus’ once-for-all-time, perfect sacrifice opened the way for all believers to freely enter God’s presence (Hebrews 10:19–22).

7. The Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:10–22)

Inside the Most Holy Place was the ark of the covenant—a gold-covered chest containing the tablets of the Law, Aaron’s budding staff, and a jar of manna (Hebrews 9:4). The atonement cover (or mercy seat) rested on top, flanked by two cherubim that were carefully sculpted out of pure gold. This was the place where God promised to meet with his people. It was here that the high priest sprinkled sacrificial blood once a year (see Leviticus 16 for a complete description of the high priest’s work on this day).

Pointing to Jesus:Jesus is both the fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17) and the true meeting place between God and humanity (John 14:6). The atonement cover foreshadowed his atoning work: Jesus Christ is our substitute (Romans 3:21–26), the One through whose sacrifice God’s mercy covers our sin.

The Tabernacle’s Spiritual Message: God’s Holiness and Grace

The tabernacle’s design emphasized carefully orchestrated separation—layers of access, from the outer court to the inner sanctuary—showing that sinful humanity cannot casually enter God’s holy presence. But it also revealed God’s grace—God made a way, through sacrifice and priestly mediation, for his people to draw near and enter into relationship with him.

Hebrews 9 explains that the sections and furnishings of the tabernacle were “copies of the heavenly things” (v. 23). The true and final reality of God’s love for his people came in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the High Priest, the sacrifice, the cleansing, the bread, the light, and the very presence of God. His Spirit lives inside all those who choose to follow him for salvation, leading us in the direction he has chosen for all who believe.

How the Tabernacle Points to Jesus

The New Testament repeatedly shows that the tabernacle’s every part was fulfilled in Christ:

• God dwelling among us: John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The Greek word for “dwelling” can also be translated “tabernacled.” Jesus came to earth to accomplish his saving work. He came as God’s presence in human form, and his Holy Spirit still resides with us today.

• The way to God opened: Through his death, Jesus removed the curtain of separation between humanity and God. Those who choose to believe now “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16), knowing that our prayers will be heard.

• Perfect atonement: Unlike the endless cycle of sacrifices required in the old system, represented by the activities in and surrounding the tabernacle, Jesus offered himself once for all, securing eternal redemption for all who will believe (Hebrews 9:12).

• Heavenly reality: The tabernacle was patterned after the heavenly sanctuary. Jesus ministers for us there now (Hebrews 8:1–2).

  
  

From Tent to Heart: God’s Dwelling Today

The tabernacle was a temporary tent, later replaced by the beauty and majesty of Solomon’s temple. But God’s ultimate goal was not to build a tent or a magnificent building—it was to build a saving relationship with his people. Through the Holy Spirit, God now dwells in every believer (1 Corinthians 3:16). The divine presence that was once centered in a golden box in the Most Holy Place now lives in us because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross.

Revelation closes the story with this promise: “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God” (Revelation 21:3). The tabernacle was a carefully ordered, senses-engaging, visible first step toward that eternal reality.

But the tabernacle was more than just ancient architecture—it was a gospel blueprint. From the bronze altar to the atonement cover, from the outer court to the Most Holy Place, every element whispered the name of Jesus. For Israel, the tabernacle was the center of worship, the meeting place between heaven and earth. For those who believe and trust Christ for their salvation, Jesus is that center—our true and better tabernacle.

When we read Exodus and see God’s intricate design instructions, we are reminded that redemption was never an afterthought. It was planned from the beginning, woven into the very fabric of Israel’s worship, pointing God’s people to the Savior who was to come and “tabernacle” among us forever—in our very hearts. That’s the offer that Jesus still makes today to all who will believe and follow.