This is a beautiful reality in approaching hearing from the Lord with the Tabernacle experience from Exodus 25-30, Hebrews 8:5

On Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the design for the Tabernacle where the Israelites were to worship God, offer sacrifices, and hear directly from Him. Hebrews 8:5 tells us that this Tabernacle and the services offered there were a copy, a shadow and example of the heavenly realities. It’s not just a way for the Israelites to approach God and hear His voice but it also demonstrates the way for us to approach God.

The Tabernacle represents the spirit, soul, and body of man. The Outer Court corresponds to man’s body, where we receive knowledge mainly through our five senses.

The Holy Place corresponds to man’s soul. It had a roof over it, but inside it was illuminated by oil burning in a lamp stand, representing the Holy Spirit revealing truth to our minds. (oil often symbolizes the Holy Spirit in the Bible.)

Each of the six pieces of furniture in the Tabernacle represents an experience in our approach to God.

First, enter the Tabernacle through the Gate of Salvation. Enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart and enter His courts with praise as I prepare myself to hear God’s voice.

The brazen altar, symbolizing the Cross (Exodus 27:1-8)

The altar was the first thing you faced when you entered the Tabernacle. If you wanted to meet with God, you first had to stop at the altar with a living sacrifice. This is where we present ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him. (Romans 12:1-2) This is an absolute prerequisite to approaching God. I must lay down my own initiative, self effort and strength.

The bronze laver, representing God’s Word (Exodus 30:17-21)

The bronze laver was a large basin where the priests would clean their hands and feet before moving into the Holy Place. The New Testament says in Ephesians 5:26 that Jesus cleanses and sanctifies us by the washing of water with the Word. So the laver signifies that I wash myself by applying the Word of God to my life.

The Table of Showbread, symbolizing our will (Exodus 25:23-30)

The Table of Showbread was a table on which the priests place 12 special loaves of bread. Just as flour is ground fine for the making of bread, so our will is ground fine as we totally commit our ways unto the Lord.

The Golden Lampstand, representing our illumined mind (Exodus 25:31-39)

In the Holy Place was a seven-branched golden lampstand lit by oil. This is what gave light to the Holy Place. The oil represents the Holy Spirit. so I ask, “Am I allowing God to illuminate my mind as I meditate upon His Word?”

The Altar of Incense, representing our emotions (Exodus 30:1-10)

The incense represents the worship of God’s people. The way into the Holy of Holies, the manifest presence of God, is to worship. As we offer up a continuous sacrifice of worship, our emotions are brought under the control of the Holy Spirit and come into balance.

The Ark, symbolizing direct revelation of the Spirit into our hearts (Exodus 25:10-22)

The Ark of the Covenant was a chest overlaid with gold that held symbols of God’s covenant with Israel. The flat top of the Ark was called the Mercy Seat. On it, two golden angel stood facing each other with their wings stretched out toward the center as a covering over the Mercy Seat. It was from the Mercy Seat that God promised to meet with and speak to Moses and the priests. Here I ask this question: “Am I still and quiet in God’s presence, fixing the eyes of my Heart upon Jesus?”

Using the imagery of the Tabernacle can be a powerful means of preparing our hearts to meet with our Lord. 

Be still (Psalm 46:10), fix your eyes on Jesus, (Hebrews 12:1-2), write down the pictures, words, or Scriptures He will give you. (Habakkuk 2:1-3)

Ask Him.

Dr Mark and Patty Virkler, Communion With God