Tag Archives: Tabernacle of Moses

In Hebraic Thought, Who and What Is the Narrow Gate?

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Matthew 7:13, Enter the narrow gate. Here Yeshua speaks of the straight gate and the narrow way that leads to life versus the wide and broad gate that leads to destruction.

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In Genesis 28:10–22, we have the account of Jacob’s dream of a ladder reaching into heaven. The dream greatly amazed Jacob and afterwards he concluded he had had a divine encounter. He named the spot where he had the dream Beth El meaning “House of El (God)” and concluded that this spot was “the gate of heaven” (verse 17).

In Hebraic thought, “the ladder” to heaven is equivalent to the Tree of Life, which is another term for the Torah of Elohim. We know that Yeshua was the Torah-Word of Elohim made flesh ( John 1:1,14). Not only that, Yeshua likened himself to a ladder reaching to heaven ( John 1:51).

Furthermore, we see both Moses and Joshua describing the Torah-law of Elohim as a (narrow, by implication) path from which one must turn neither to the left nor to the right (Deut 5:32; 17:11, 20; 28:14; Josh 1:7; 23:6).

In Proverbs, the path of wisdom (i.e., Torah) is also likened to a (narrow, by implication) path from which one must not turn either to the left or to the right (Prov 4:27). The term “gate” (or door) itself in Matthew 7:13 is a Hebraism referring to the means by which one enters into the Tabernacle or Temple of Elohim (Exod 27:14, 16; 32: 35:17; Ezek 40:3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 etc.).

The Tabernacle (or Mishkan) of Moses was representative of the pathway to redemption or salvation. Before actually entering the tabernacle, one encountered the altar of the red heifer, which pictures the cross of Yeshua. To enter the tabernacle, one passed Continue reading →

 

A Tithe on War Booty and the Holy Half Shekel — A Memorial Pointing to Yeshua’s Atoning Death

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Numbers 31:50, Make atonement. 

Exploring the Concept of Atonement as It Relates to the Tabernacle and Salvation

In this verse we read, “We have therefore brought an oblation for YHVH, what every man has gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before YHVH.” In a similar passage in Exodus 30:15–16, we read, “The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto YHVH, to make an atonement for your souls. And you shall take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shall appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before YHVH, to make an atonement for your souls” (emphasis added). The question before us is this: Do these passages in the Torah imply that YHVH grants man absolution based something other than the shedding of blood, and by logical extension, does this call into question our redemption from sin through our faith in Yeshua the Messiah’s blood atonement?

Natan holding an actual 2000 year old silver half-shekel from his biblical antiquities collection. This actual coin likely passed through the temple treasury in Jerusalem.

Natan holding an actual 2000 year old silver half-shekel from his biblical antiquities collection. This actual coin likely passed through the temple treasury in Jerusalem. YHVH commanded the Israelites to a pay yearly temple tax of a half-shekel of silver to help fund the sacrificial system that  was a prophetic picture of Yeshua’s atoning death on the cross.

The concept of atonement can be a confusing one. Some in rabbinic Jewish circles teach that the Torah (i.e., the first five books of the Bible) does not require the shedding of blood for atonement of one’s sin to occur. According to the above scripture, this could appear to be the case. Before briefly discussing the subject of atonement, let us not forget the stern warnings of the Apostle Peter when he warned end-time saints against false teachers who would lure people away from the simple truth of the gospel:

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not…. But these, as natural Continue reading →

 

Hanging Out in the Holy of Holies

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Numbers 7:89, When Moses. Moses going into the inner most sanctuary of the tabernacle is a lesson for us in experiencing intimacy with YHVH Elohim.

The holy of holies in the tabernacle from which the voice of YHVH emanated pictured what? (See Rev 7:15.) The Tabernacle of Moses is a spiritual picture of what? (Read Eph 3:21–22; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:5.) If the saints are the temple of the Set-Apart Spirit, can they, like Moses, hear the voice of Elohim? (See what Yeshua said in answer to this question in John 10:3–5, 27 cp. Acts 8:29; 10:19; 11:12; 29:4.)

How does YHVH now speak to his people? (Note John 16:13; 1 Cor 2:12.) How does the Spirit interact with man to speak the mind, heart and will of Elohim to humans? (See John 14:17; Job 32:8; Prov 20:27; Rom 8:16; Eph 3:16; 1 John 2:20, 27; 4:2–3; 1 Cor 2:10–14.)

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A corollary passages to this verse is found in Psalms 61:4 where David speaks of abiding in YHVH’s tabernacle forever, and putting his trust in the shelter of YHVH’s wings. Consider this. Over the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant are the over-shadowing wings of the two cherubim, which is representative of Elohim’s throne and glorious Presence on earth (see Isa 37:16; Ezek 10:1–22; 11:22–23). It was in this place of intimate worship before the “Rock that his higher than me” (verse 2) that David sought shelter or refuge and deliverance from his enemies (verse 3). Phrases like, “under the shadow of your wings” is a Hebraism meaning “before YHVH in the place and state of worship” (see also Pss 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 63:7; 91:1,4). It was also in this place —between the cherubim — that Moses heard the voice of Elohim (Num 7:89), and that David would see the power or might, strength and glory or manifest Presence of Elohim in a prophetic, ecstatic or spiritual vision (Ps 63:2).

The saints now have access to throne of Elohim through prayer (Rev 5:8; 8:3). Occasionally, YHVH will still communicate with his servants through an audible voice, dreams, visions, or an angelic visitation. But this is rare even as it was in biblical times. This is because YHVH is testing his people to see if they will walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7), and will remain faithful to his written word.

Currently, YHVH is refining, testing and preparing his bride for her marriage to him. Will she be faithful to him having never seen him? The time is coming, however, when she will be in YHVH’s blessed Presence forever, which is the object or end goal of her faith.

 

Gifts for the One Who Already Has Everything

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Numbers 7:12–88, A silver platter…silver bowl…fine flour mixed with oil…one gold pan/ladle…full of incense…one young bull. These items that each tribe brought as a gift to the tabernacle symbolize spiritual aspects of the redeemed believer’s life. Let’s now explore this.

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By offering these gifts to YHVH for the tabernacle service, it’s as if, as Matthew Henry points out in his commentary, that the tribes were preparing a banqueting table for YHVH Elohim, the Great King. He desires to abide and to fellowship with his people (see Exod 25:8).

Each tribe bringing the same gift signifies what? (See Deut 10:17; Acts 10:34 cp. Rom 2:11; Col 3:11.)

We see that YHVH is totally impartial and righteous in his dealings with men. Silver represents what in the Scriptures? (Note Lev 5:15 cp. 1 Pet 1:18.)

The Scriptures liken man to what? (Read Isa 64:8 cp. Acts 9:15; 2 Tim 2:20–21.)

The fine flour mixed with oil to make unleavened bread on the altar of Elohim is a spiritual picture of what? (See John 6:35,48 cp. 1 Cor 5:7.)

Gold in the Scriptures is always a picture of that which is of the highest quality and value. It is a picture of YHVH’s thoughts and character (see Exod 39:1, 30), and the priceless value of his Torah-word (note Ps 119:72, 127). Golden bowls full of incense symbolizes what? (See Rev 5:8; 8:3.)

The animals gifts that the tribes brought pictured what? (Read Heb 9:11–15; 10:12–13.)

As you can see, these gifts were symbolic of spiritual realities in the life of the redeemed believer. (Ponder or discuss this.) What can man possibly give to YHVH that he doesn’t already have? Any gift we give to him is simply a symbolic gesture of our love and devotion to him. It speaks of the condition of our heart vis-à-vis our relationship with our Heavenly Father, and when our hearts our hearts are totally inclined to serve him, this pleases him immensely!

 

The Legal Symbolism of Blood

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Leviticus 7:26, Not eat any blood. YHVH revealed in the Torah that the life of flesh is in the blood (Lev 17:11). Therefore, the blood symbolizes the whole life of the living being. This is why the blood being poured upon the altar made atonement for the souls of men (Lev 17:11), since it represented and pointed to the shedding of Yeshua’s blood when he sacrificed his life on the cross in atoning for men’s sins.

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Respecting the blood is necessary not only because it symbolizes the sanctity of the life of man who was made in the Creator’s image (Gen 1:26 cp. 9:6), but more importantly, because of the blood of Elohim’s Son that was shed for man’s redemption (Lev 17:11). For one to eat the blood showed disdain for what the blood typifies. In times past, such a violation resulted in the punishment of being banished from the nation of Israel.

The blood was to be reserved for the sacrificial service where it was used symbolically to represent Yeshua’s shedding his blood on the cross.

The blood of a lamb was put on the door posts to protect men from YHVH’s judgment against sin (Exod 12:7,13). Moses sprinkled the blood of oxen on the people symbolizing their coming into covenantal relationship with YHVH (Exod 24:5–8).

Additionally, the blood of sacrificed animals was sprinkled throughout the tabernacle, on Aaron and his sons, and all around the altar to sanctify it.

All these acts and uses of the blood were illustrative of the unrestricted cleansing power of the blood of Yeshua, which is why YHVH expected his people to treat the blood with a reverence. Those who didn’t evidenced a heart of indifference for the set-apart or kadosh things of Elohim—an intolerable offence in the Creator’s eyes.

 

New Video: The Tabernacle of Moses—Hidden Mysteries Revealed

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The Tabernacle of Moses when viewed from the outside looking in reveals one spiritual mystery relating to the redeemed believer, but when viewed from the inside looking out, it reveals another spiritual mystery. This video also explains how the number three in the tabernacle relates to the human makeup and that of the Godhead, as well our theosis, or our union with Elohim as his adopted and glorified children.

 

A Final Word on the Tabernacle of Moses and Theosis

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The process of man going from being a physical and human creature to becoming an immortal and glorified child of the Most High, in theological terms, is called theosis. This is an ancient Christian concept that is still held by the Eastern Orthodox Church referring to the spiritual process that occurs resulting in the deification of man. The goal of theosis is to become like Elohim and to become eventually united with him spiritually. Theosis is the biblical concept of a redeemed or spiritually regenerated individual becoming a partaker YHVH’s divine nature (2 Pet 1:4), and being adopted into the family of Elohim (see verses below). It is about man becoming like Elohim — becoming part of the family of Elohim as a son of Elohim (John 10:34; Ps 82:1; 1 John 3:1–3).

Genesis - Bible - Creation - Old & Young

This is our theosis, that as the Ruach haKodesh (the Holy Spirit) identified Yeshua as the Son of Elohim at his  baptism, so we too become a son of Elohim at our baptism, when we become a new creation through Yeshua and the work of the Holy Spirit (Gal 2:20; 2 Cor 5:17). At that time, one is begotten into the family of Elohim, and when one receives one’s glorified body at the resurrection one will be fully born or adopted into the family of Elohim as a full-fledged son of Elohim, for, as the Scripture says, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is (1 John 3:1–3).

Paul refers to theosis in several places when he uses the term adoption. Continue reading →