The Typology of Jesus in Exodus
Text: Exodus 20:2
- “I am the Lord your
God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Introduction
The overriding theme of the book
of Exodus is redemption. The Hebrew title of this book is translated, ''these
are the names.'' This is in perfect harmony with the subject of the book, for
redemption is an individual matter. The word ''exodus'' comes from the title in
the Septuagint version, and means literally, ''going out.''
One of the main people in
the book is Moses. As D.L Moody said – “Moses spent forty years thinking he was
somebody, forty years learning he was nobody and forty years discovering what
God can do with a nobody!”
The exodus is a historical picture of God’s grace towards
humanity, how He redeemed us through the blood of the Lamb – “for Christ, our
Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Exodus shows us God’s
way of delivering sinful people – 1 Corinthians 10:6-11 shows us that they were
written as pictures for us.
The heart of this book is the Passover, after 9 plagues had been
sent on Israel the Passover angel was sent. The Israelites were only protected
by the blood of the Passover lamb on their doorposts – “the blood was
sufficient but not efficient unless applied” – in the same way it is no good
for us knowing about Jesus but we must accept Him. After the blood was applied to the doorpost
then the Israelites were directed to eat – first we are saved and then we are
nourished by Jesus – “my flesh is real food” (John 6:54-58) – we now can grow
in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Israel had been in Egypt for 400
years in bondage and slavery. God remembered them, raised up Moses as a
deliverer, and brought them out of the land of Egypt. This book records the redemption
of Israel from bondage, and it is typical of all redemption.
Redemption is:
Entirely of God.
Israel was helpless. Pharaoh represents Satan and the bondage he inflicts.
Egypt pictures the world. Through Moses, Israel's deliverer, portrays the Lord
Jesus Christ, our Deliverer.
By blood. The
apostle Peter wrote, ''Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with
corruptible things, like silver and gold, from your vain manner of life
received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ,
as of a lamb without blemish and without spot'' (1Pet 1:18,19).
By power. God
demonstrated His power in putting a difference between the people of Egypt and
the people of Israel (Exodus 11:7). By His mighty arm, He brought Israel out of
Egypt and through the Red Sea (see Ex 14:21,22; Rom 3:25,26).
If the theme of Exodus is
redemption, then the book must be filled with types of Christ and His
work. We will look at Christ as the
Passover Lamb, the Manna, The Rock struck at Horeb and the Tabernacle. There
are other types of Christ found in Exodus, but these are the ones we will cover
in this sermon.
The Passover Lamb (Ex 12, John 1:29,36) The Passover Lamb (12:5, 7,
13) is a type of Christ and his precious blood (John 1:29; 1 Pet 1:19; 1 Cor
5:7; Rev 5:6). Not one of his bones shall be broken (Ex.12:46; cf. Num. 9:12;
Ps 34:20; John 19:30).
Typology of the Passover in the
Redeeming Work of Jesus Christ.
The Passover
lamb was selected for sacrifice on the 10th of Abib/Nisan (Ex 12:3).
The Passover
lambs were to be kept in the community for five days (Ex 12:3, 6).
The blood of the
Passover lamb was spread from the threshold of the doorways to the doorposts
and lintel was a cross-shaped "sign" of the Israelites' firstborn
redemption from death (Ex 12:13, 21-23).
Hyssop was used
to put the blood on the doorposts and lintels (Ex 12:22).
No bones of the
lamb were to be broken (Ex 12:46).
The Israelites
were redeemed from slavery when they fled out of Egypt on the 15t of Abib/Nisan
(Ex 12:29-42).
Each Passover
lamb died so that the Israelites might live temporally.
The Passover
lambs were the food of the sacred feast which the Israelites ate so that they
might live (Ex 12:8, 13).
As part of the
covenant obligations, the first Passover and sacred meal of the Passover lamb
was to be remembered and relived by every generation (Ex 12:14, 42).
The sacrifice of
the Passover lamb was God's plan for the salvation of Israel (Ex.12:13
Jesus the Passover Lamb
Jesus rode into
Jerusalem to keep on the 10th of Nisan; He was the Lamb selected for sacrifice
(Jn. 1:29; 12:1-2, 12-14).
For five days
Jesus taught the community of Israel in the Temple (Mt 21-26:2).
Jesus' blood on
the Cross was the sign of man's redemption from sin and death (Acts 3:17-26).
Hyssop was used
to give Jesus His last drink on the Cross (. 19:29).
Jesus' bones
were not broken like the men crucified with Him (Jn. 19:32-36).
Jesus gave up
His life on the Cross, redeeming mankind from sin and death on the 15th of
Nisan (18:28, 17-18).
Jesus was the
Passover Lamb who died so that mankind might live eternally.
St. Paul
identified Jesus as our Passover Lamb that we might "celebrate the
feast" (1 Cor. 5:7-8) and eat Jesus' flesh that we might live (Jn.
6:50-58).
Jesus told the
disciples to eat His Body and Blood and to "do this in remembrance of
me," (Lk. 22:19- 20).
The sacrifice of
Jesus the Messiah was God's plan for the salvation of mankind (Jn. 3:1:16; 1
Jn. 4:9).
God's final judgment upon Pharaoh
and the Egyptians were announced by Moses beforehand to the Egyptians. However,
they would not heed the warnings. God would destroy the firstborn son of all
the households of Egypt except for those who applied the blood of a lamb upon
the doorposts of their houses.
The children of Israel complied
with God's directives. This event would mark a new beginning for the people of
Israel and their liberation from horrible bondage. On the 10th day of this
first month, every household was to select a lamb. It must be an unblemished
male of the first year. They were to keep it until the 14th day and slaughter
it in the afternoon of that day. The lamb would be roasted with fire, all of it
to be eaten that evening with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. The bitter herbs
were to be eaten as a remembrance of their bitter bondage in Egypt. Not a bone
of that lamb was to be broken. Before going into their houses that evening,
they were to apply the blood to the doorposts and lintels of their houses. Then
they were not to venture out until in the morning. God would pass through Egypt
that night and strike the firstborn son of every household with death. Where
God saw the blood applied to the doorposts of the houses, He would "pass
over" and exempt the firstborn of that home, and not allow the
"destroyer"(Ex. 12:23) to strike that firstborn with death. This
event would be a memorial for all generations to come. That night there was a
"great cry" throughout the land of Egypt. All this can be read in Exodus chapters 11,
12 & 13.
In "the fullness of
times" Christ came (Gal. 4:4). All four Gospels unite in placing the
substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ right square in the middle of
Israel's Passover celebrations of 30 A.D.
Notice in the Gospel of John, "Not a bone of Christ was
broken" in fulfillment of Exo. 12:46. Like Egypt of old the world, today
ignores the warnings of eternal judgment. But God has provided a Lamb (the Lord
Jesus Christ) Whose blood can be applied to the doorposts of their hearts by
faith. When this is done—God "sees the blood of the Lamb" and exempts
that person from eternal condemnation. This individual is also delivered from
the bondage of sin to walk in new life in Christ.
The Manna from Heaven (Ex 16, John 6) The manna (16:4) is a type of
Christ, the bread of life (John 6:31-35). The Typology of the Manna (Exodus 16)
A typical picture of the Lord
Jesus Christ is found in John 6, as Christ revealed himself as the bread of
life, he contrasted himself to the manna in the wilderness. In comparison, he
is "the true bread from heaven" (John 6:34), but there are many
similarities between Christ and the manna.
It came down to
the wilderness of Sin (v. 1). Jesus Christ came down to a wilderness full of
sin to redeem mankind.
It came down at
night time (v. 12). Christ's light shined into darkness (John 1:11, 3:19-21),
and his appearance brought life to men asleep in sin (Eph. 2:1).
It came down
from heaven (v. 4). Christ is called "the Lord from heaven" (1 Cor
15:48).
It related to
the glory of God (v. 10). So, Christ came making known the glory of God (John
1:14, 2 Cor 4:6).
It was a gift
(v. 15). Nothing could have merited such a gift from heaven even as Christ is
God's unspeakable gift (2 Cor. 9:15, John 3:16) to fallen man.
It was white (v.
31). This too points to Christ's purity and sinlessness (2 Cor. 5:21, 1 Pet
2:21, Heb. 4:15).
It was to be
gathered individually (v. 16). The gospel is appropriated to everyone that
believeth, a personal and individual choice (Rom 1:16, Gal 2:20).
It met a daily
need (v. 4). So, to Christ provides our daily bread and the privileges of his
finished work must be taken daily to have victory over sin (Rom 6:11, 1 Cor
15:31
It was prepared
for eating by grounding, beating, and baking (Num. 11:8). Like was Christ
striped for our healing, crushed under the weight of our sin, and endured the
torments of hell in our place.
It was preserved
through the Sabbath (v. 23-24 "until morning"). So too Christ's body
laid in the tomb through the Sabbath yet did not suffer corruption (Ps 16:10).
It was laid up
before the Lord (v. 33). At last, Christ was exalted in heaven at the right
hand of the Father pictured in the manna being placed in the ark of the
covenant.
Jesus Christ is
the Bread of Life, a gift from God to meet our spiritual nourishment, to
sustain us daily.
The next type of Jesus Christ we
will look at is an event that occurred at Horeb.
The Rock struck at Horeb (Ex 17, 1 Cor 10:4) Water from the rock
(Ex. 17:6) is a type of Christ, who provides living water (1 Cor 10:4; John
4:10; 7:37-39).
The book of Exodus is amazing.
Everywhere you turn there is a new picture of the Lord Jesus and His work on
our behalf. This passage of scripture, looking at the rock at Horeb and
Israel's battle with Amalek, is no exception. Now let me say that the framework
for this sermon is not original! Many authors have pointed out how Christ is
pictured in this chapter of Exodus. I wish to share what I have gleaned from so
many great teachers on this subject.
Exodus 17:1-4 The whole Israelite
community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the
LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people
to drink. So, they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink."
Moses replied, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the
test?" But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled
against Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us
and our children and livestock die of thirst?" Then Moses cried out to the
LORD, "What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone
me."
So, we start off with the
grumbling of the Israelites now they have no water. I think we all know our
propensity to grumble when we are not getting our way. But here we have a case of a necessity of
life missing—water. Let's look at their
need for a second. Unless you are a camel reading this, I think you would agree
that this is a universal daily need for us all. You don't have to be a rocket
scientist to know that water is an essential element to life. The people needed water, and there was none
around. Keep in mind, not only were
there people there was livestock as well.
The demand for water would be high.
There would need to be a significant body of water or a river flowing
near-by to meet the demand of people and livestock. Here is how the LORD met this need:
Exodus 17:5-7 The LORD answered
Moses, "Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of
Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.
I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water
will come out of it for the people to drink." So, Moses did this in the
sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the place Massah and Meribah
because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying,
"Is the LORD among us or not?"
Now here is a strange thing
indeed. The people need water ok, nothing unusual about that! But where does
God tell Moses that he will find the water? Not in digging a well or finding an
oasis, but from a rock. This was to be an event that would forever be
remembered—a miracle of flowing water.
And that reason is given to us in 1 Corinthians 10:4 where it says that
the Israelites ‘drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the
spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.'
The rock is Christ! So, a few questions come to mind from this
passage:
Why did the rock have to be
struck?
Why was it Moses had to do it?
What occurred once the rock was
struck?
As a type of Christ, the striking
of the rock pictured Christ being struck and crucified. Moses, the lawgiver, was the one to strike
the rock (Christ) as it was God's justice that demanded that sin is atoned for
through the death of an innocent sacrifice. And what occurred after the rock
was struck? Jesus Himself said what
would happen in John 7:37-39. He said that the water of the Holy Spirit would
be given, but not until He was glorified (His death and resurrection – John 12:23 -24).
Num. 20:7-13 ‘The LORD said to
Moses, "Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly
together. Speak to that rock before their eyes, and it will pour out its
water. Then Moses raised his arm and
struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and
their livestock drank. But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you
did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites,
you will not bring this community into the land I give them."
Now, while we are on this current
topic of bashing rocks, I will draw your attention to Numbers 20:7-13 mentioned
above. You would do well to read and meditate on the whole passage. This
incident occurred 40 years after Israel left Egypt. Again, we are presented
with a scene in which Israel needs water. Read the passage above and tell me
what God commands Moses to do. Now, look at what Moses does do. The rock that
gives water (Jesus) is only ever to be struck once! Just speaking to the rock will now give forth
water. The challenge is this - If you know that Christ died for your sins
(striking the rock), do you also know that He is alive and wanting to live
through you now?
Moses was a man with only half a
message. He declared the crucified Christ, but not the risen Lord! And a man
with just half a message does only half a job! He got them out of Egypt, but he
did not get them in the Promised Land.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, it is our responsibility, not only to
present the Lord Jesus Christ as the one who died to redeem sinners through His
atoning sacrifice but to show Him as the living Rock.
The LORD presented Israel with an
object lesson of His continued presence in the structure of the Tabernacle and
later the Temple.
The Tabernacle (Brazen Altar, Lampstand, Table of Showbread, Ark of
the covenant, etc.) (Gen 25-30)
First and foremost, the
tabernacle is a picture and type of that which takes the place of pre-eminence
in the Bible – and that is the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He is
the true fulfillment of this structure. John begins his account of the life of
Jesus Christ by saying, "And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human,
incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh) among us; and we
[actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only
begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness)
and truth."
The LORD said that the tabernacle
was constructed so that ‘I may dwell among them.' The LORD wanted to be in the
midst of His people, but His people were sinful! How could He dwell with them?
The tabernacle taught Israel the desire the LORD had for fellowship along with
their need to be a holy and righteous people.
The plan of salvation – The earthly tabernacle pictures salvation.
This applies to what it cost Jesus to provide the means of salvation and the
steps necessary for those who want to be saved. Concerning the former, Jesus
had to fulfil His role as the High Priest of the New Covenant, entering into
the Heavenly tabernacle as the book of Hebrews teaches: Hebrews 9:11-12, 24
"When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here,
he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made,
that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the
blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by
his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption... For Christ did not enter a
man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven
itself, now to appear for us in God's presence."
The tabernacle was designed into
three different areas – the outer court, the holy place and the holy of holies.
The three areas, represent various aspects of salvation in Christ. They also
point to three different dispensations within the plan of God.
Only One Way
Exodus 27:9-19 "Make a
courtyard for the tabernacle. The south side shall be a hundred cubits long and
is to have curtains of finely twisted linen, with twenty posts and twenty
bronze bases and with silver hooks and bands on the posts. The north side shall
also be a hundred cubits long and is to have curtains, with twenty posts and
twenty bronze bases and with silver hooks and bands on the posts... For the
entrance to the courtyard, provide curtain twenty cubits long, of blue, purple
and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer—with four
posts and four bases. All the other articles used in the service of the
tabernacle, whatever their function, including all the tent pegs for it and those
for the courtyard, are to be of bronze."
The first thing that we see was
that the tabernacle's outer court was enclosed by a curtain fence. There was
only one way into the court, and this was through an entrance on the east side.
This entry itself is a picture of the Lord Jesus. He is the door. He is the
gate. He is the only entrance into salvation. As Jesus said - "I am the
gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and
find pasture." (John 10:9)
As you approached this gate, you
would have first noticed the color on the curtain blue, purple and scarlet
thread made up the fine linen curtain entrance. These colors would remind you
that you were entering into something that was heavenly and involved royalty.
The scarlet would have suggested to you that this was also a place of sacrifice
and blood. The fine linen represented a place of complete righteousness. Going through that gate directly in your way
would be the brazen altar with its sacrifices and perpetual fire.
Exodus 27:1-8 "Build an
altar of acacia wood, three cubits high; it is to be square, five cubits long
and five cubits wide. Make a horn at each of the four corners, so that the
horns and the altar are of one piece, and overlay the altar with bronze. Make
all its utensils of bronze—its pots to remove the ashes, and its shovels,
sprinkling bowls, meat forks, and firepans. Make a grating for it, a bronze
network, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the network. Put
it under the ledge of the altar so that it is halfway up the altar. Make poles
of acacia wood for the altar and overlay them with bronze. The poles are to be
inserted into the rings so they will be on two sides of the altar when it is
carried. Make the altar hollow, out of boards. It is to be done just as you
were shown on the mountain."
Leviticus 6:12-13 "The fire on the altar
must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add
firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the
fellowship offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar
continuously; it must not go out."
The altar that lay directly in
front of the entrance was a solemn object. The altar had four horns in each of
the corners where the sacrificial animal was bound and killed by the priests.
These sacrifices went on daily, and the command from God was that the fire for
this altar was never to go out. On close
examination, everything was made from bronze. The altar itself was made from
acacia wood but was completely covered in bronze. All the utensils were
bronze... even the wooden poles used to carry the altar were covered in bronze.
This entire scene speaks of judgment. The fire that never went out... the
continual sacrifices and shedding of blood... the use of bronze on
everything... it spoke volumes of God's hatred of sin. It spoke volumes of the
constant judgment of God upon that sin.
This altar, of course, had its
fulfillment at the cross. This altar was a picture of the sacrifice for sin
that Jesus would accomplish at Calvary. But unlike the continual sacrifices of
unwilling animals that occurred at the brazen altar in the tabernacle, Jesus
was a willing sacrifice that would end all sacrifices. At the brazen altar, the
animals had to be tied down to the four horns for they didn't want to die.
Jesus went willingly to the cross saying ‘greater love has no man that he lays
down his life for his friends.' And what's more, the fires of God's judgment
burnt out in Christ! He was the final sacrifice taking all the judgment of God.
That is not to say that the fire of God's judgment no longer exists at all.
Surely it does, and for those that reject God's offer of salvation in Christ
for them, the text will be fulfilled that ‘it is a terrifying thing to fall
into the hands of the living God.' ‘Vengeance is mine says the Lord and I will
repay.'
The next large object was the Bronze Laver.
Exodus 30:17-21 "Then the
LORD said to Moses, "Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for
washing. Place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in
it. Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it.
Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water so that
they will not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting
an offering made to the LORD by fire, they shall wash their hands and feet so
that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his
descendants for the generations to come."
Exodus 38:8 "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."
This laver was for the priests to
wash before ministering at the altar or in the holy place. As you approach the
laver, an image would as you peer closer into the laver you are faced with...
yourself! You see the laver was made from the polished bronze that the women
used for their mirrors. (Ex 38:8)
So, what was the LORD trying to
say here? We've got water, washing, and a bronze mirror all these items are
used for making one clean. The LORD was
illustrating here the constant need that we have of being washed with the water
of His word. As we live in this world, the ways and thoughts of the world rub
off on us just as the earth dirties your feet when you go walking. There is no
real way of escaping it. God calls us to be in the world, but not of it. It is
inevitable that wrong thinking and some corrupt practices will rub off on you
as you associate with those that are not Christians. So how do we clean
ourselves of this dirt? That is where the word of God comes in. As you read the
Bible, it has a lasting washing effect.
As you read the thoughts of the LORD and meditate on His ways, it is
like pouring water over those dirty feet and hands of yours.
The constant need to see and
examine yourself. So, reading the word
of God is like washing in water and purifying yourself from the wrong ideas,
attitudes, and thoughts that exist in the world. But that is not all. The
bronze laver was also made from mirrors so that those who washed could see
themselves. This is critical. If we are to progress anywhere in the Christian
life, we must come to see ourselves as we indeed are in the sight of the LORD.
I'll repeat it – you need to
learn to see yourself and have the God-given ability to discern the old carnal
nature, at work. This Bronze Laver was not used for washing only but for
cleansing. We find our cleansing by the
Word of God as you wash with the truth once again you will then be able to
minister to God or His people just as the priests were only allowed to minister
after washing at the bronze laver we can enter the Holy Place.
The Table of Showbread
Exodus 25:23-30 Make a table of
acacia wood--two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high. Overlay
it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it. Also, make around it a rim
a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim. Make four gold rings for
the table and fasten them to the four corners, where the four legs are. The
rings are to be close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table.
Make the poles of acacia wood, overlay them with gold and carry the table with
them. And make its plates and dishes of pure gold, as well as its pitchers and
bowls for the pouring out of offerings. Put the bread of the Presence on this
table to be before me at all times.
When we enter the Holy Place, we
are faced with a table of bread.
This table had twelve loaves of
bread on it, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Lev 24:5-9
tells us that the showbread was made of fine flour and set on the table,
sprinkled lightly with frankincense. The bread could be eaten by the priests
only and was replaced weekly.
The table was made of acacia wood
and overlaid with gold represents the person of Christ – again emphasizing His
humanity and deity. But the specific emphasis is on Christ as the Bread of
life. You will remember John 6:32-35 no doubt. Remember when Jesus said,
"I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from
heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the
bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the
world." Sir, they said, "from now on give us this bread." Then
Jesus declared, " I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go
hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."
We are to feed on the person and
work of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why the Bible was written! That is one
of the critical roles of the Holy Spirit! And you are doing that now as you
study and meditate on Him once again! Think about how vital bread is in our
daily life. It is a staple food the
world over. And yet, God has designed us so that we need far more than just
average food. God says it like this: ‘Man does not live on bread alone but on
every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. (Deut 8:3)
And what better word to feed on
than that which tells us about Jesus? Every time you sit down for a meal and
take a slice of bread, you should be reminded of the Bread of Life. We are told
to remember that Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life and what He did for us on
the cross. The physical bread we eat at a meal is a constant reminder of the
Bread of Life.
Looking around in the Holy Place
we will see the Altar of Incense. This
was used by the High Priest, for the burning of incense every morning and evening
of every day! Incense is a primarily a picture of prayer.
The Altar of Incense
Exodus 30:1-8 Make an altar of
acacia wood for burning incense. It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit
wide, and two cubits high--its horns of one piece with it. Overlay the top and
all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it.
Make two gold rings for the altar below the molding--two on opposite sides--to
hold the poles used to carry it. Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them
with gold. Put the altar in front of the curtain that is before the ark of the
Testimony--before the atonement cover that is over the Testimony--where I will
meet with you. Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when
he tends the lamps. He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at
twilight so incense will regularly burn before the LORD for the generations to
come.
If Aaron had to offer incense
morning and evening each day, in what way does this picture, Jesus? You will remember
that Aaron was the High Priest and he was a picture of Jesus, our High Priest
today. As Aaron offered up the incense (a type of prayer and intercession) each
day, so this portrays the present-day work of Jesus on our behalf. This is
emphasized in a fantastic scripture in Hebrews that tells us: Hebrews 7:24-25
"...Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His
priesthood permanently. Therefore, He is able also to save forever those who
draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for
them. "
So, the brazen altar that stood
in the outer court speaks of the sacrifice of Jesus made 2000 years ago to
provide salvation for all who would believe. The golden altar in the Holy
Place, however, speaks of the present work of the living resurrected Christ who
intercedes and prays on behalf of His people! Did you know that Jesus
intercedes for you? It is for this reason that the writer of Hebrews wrote that
He can save to the uttermost. This High Priest will not let you down! Now
before looking at the personal aspect of this altar, let's just look at how the
incense itself was made.
Exodus 30:34-38 Then the LORD
said to Moses, "Take fragrant spices--gum resin, onycha, and galbanum--and
pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, and make a fragrant blend of incense,
the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. Grind some of
it to powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting,
where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. Do not make any
incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the LORD. Whoever
makes any like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from his people."
Now, there was a unique formula
that went into making the incense that was offered up to God on the golden
altar. It included onycha, galbanum, and other spices. But notice that God said
that this formula was not to be replicated and used by the people personally.
Why would God copyright the incense formula so that it couldn't be duplicated?
He even went so far as to say that if anyone does make it for themselves, they
must be cut off from the people! Why is He getting protective about this
fragrance?
Just as we are to feed on Christ
(the table of showbread), so, as priests before the Lord, we also offer up
prayers, intercession, and praise. And just as the fire burnt continually on
the altar of incense, the New Testament tells us to pray continuously (1 Thes.
5:17). This doesn't mean that we are continually in one long monotonous prayer
throughout the day. But we should
maintain an attitude where we are ready to offer up prayer and praise to God at
frequent intervals throughout the day, as people, needs and reasons for praise
are laid on our hearts.
The Lampstand
As we continue to look around, we
see the source of light for the Holy Place.
Without this lamp, the Holy Place would be dark.
Exodus 25:31-40 Make a lampstand
of pure gold and hammer it out, base and shaft; its flowerlike cups, buds, and
blossoms shall be of one piece with it. Six branches are to extend from the
sides of the lampstand--three on one side and three on the other. Three cups
shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch,
three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches extending from the
lampstand. And on the lampstand, there are to be four cups shaped like almond
flowers with buds and blossoms. One bud shall be under the first pair of
branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and
a third bud under the third pair--six branches in all. The buds and branches
shall all be of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold. Then
make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in
front of it. Its wick trimmers and trays are to be of pure gold. A talent of
pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all these accessories. See that
you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.
The lampstand was to be made of
pure gold. There was to be no acacia wood or any other material used here –
just pure gold. So straight away we can see that we are dealing with something
that is purely divine. Now apparently it doesn't take great intelligence to
know that the primary purpose of a lamp stand is to give light. In fact, it is
worth pointing out that this was the only light source in the Holy Place. So,
let me ask you this – what in the Bible is said to be light? Well, Jesus said
‘I am the light of the world.' He also said that Christians are the light of
the world.
But there is another. While Jesus
is pictured in the lampstand, David gives clarity when he writes, "Your
word is a lamp to my feet and light for my path." (Psalm 119:105) "And the words of the LORD are flawless,
like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times." (Psalm
12:6) "The law of the LORD is
perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making
wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart...
The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more
precious than gold than much pure gold..." (Psalms 19:7-10)
There were no windows or other
light sources in the Holy Place. If you wanted to see the table of showbread or
minister at the altar of incense, then it was the lampstand that gave you the
ability to do so. And so, it is the word of God that sheds light upon our walk
with the Lord today. It is God's word that brings us revelation and clarity
concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Now here is some exciting
confirmation that this lamp stand speaks of the word of God. God instructed
Moses to make a lampstand that had seven branches – three branches on each side
of a center branch. On each of the branches, there were to be 3 cups (in the
form of flowers), and each cup had buds and blossoms. The center branch had 4
cups with each cup again having buds and blossoms. The total number of
decorations on each of the outer branches is therefore 9 (3 cups/flowers, three
buds, and three blossoms). The total number of decorations in the center branch
is 12 (4 cups/flowers, four buds, and four blossoms). So, the overall total
number of decorations (taking into account all seven branches) is: 9+ 9 + 9 +
12 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 66. Why 66? Because the lampstand is a picture of the word of
God and there are 66 books in God's word the Bible that gives light to all that
would read and study its words! But also look at the splits - If we take the
first four branches, we get 39 (9 + 9 + 9 + 12). There are 39 books in the Old
Testament. The remaining three chapters give us 27 (9 + 9 + 9) which speaks of
the 27 books in the New Testament. Pretty amazing really. And remember that the
lampstand was made of pure gold. So, too is the word of God. The Bible is a
divinely inspired book! What is amazing
is this was designed long before the Bible was canonized and made into the Book
we have today.
The last point that I would like
to draw your attention to concerning the lampstand in the Holy Place is a
passage in Leviticus.
Leviticus 24:1-4 The LORD said to
Moses, Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the
light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually. Outside the curtain of
the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps before the
LORD from evening till morning, regularly. This is to be a lasting ordinance
for the generations to come. The lamps on the pure gold lampstand before the
LORD must continuously be tended.
The lampstand would give light,
but oil was required to keep it burning. It was the task of Aaron to tend to
the lamp to ensure that its wick was trimmed and that there was a fresh supply
of oil. If there was no oil, there was no light. It is the same for the word of
God. Oil is a picture of the Holy Spirit who has been given by our High Priest
(Jesus Christ) to illuminate the word of God for us. The revelation and light
that the word of God gives depended upon the oil. To some, the word of God is
stale and dead. If that is the case, you should pray as Paul did when he prayed
for the Ephesians saying: I keep asking
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the
Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I also pray
that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the
hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the
saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like
the working of his mighty strength (Ephesians 1:17-19)
The Veil
The next division of the
Tabernacle was the Holy of Holies, but you were blocked by a veil. This was no ordinary veil.
Exodus 26:31-34 "You shall
make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen; it
shall be made with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman. "You shall
hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, their hooks also being of
gold, on four sockets of silver. "You shall hang up the veil under the
clasps, and shall bring in the ark of the testimony there within the veil, and
the veil shall serve for you as a partition between the holy place and the holy
of holies. "You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in
the holy of holies."
Once you pass the veil, you are
in the Holy of Holies. While in the Holy
place, you look around to view the Holy of Holies. What do you see? Well, you
know an incredible veil made from fine twisted linen in blue, purple and
scarlet. This veil separated the Holy place from the Holy of Holies.
Understanding the use of these colors, you recognize that they represent the
entrance into a heavenly (blue), royal (purple) and redemptive (scarlet) area,
for beyond this veil is the very presence of LORD!
But this veil is no ordinary
curtain and entrance into the Holy of holies is through no ordinary means. The
veil was reported to be four inches thick, and entry into the Holy of Holies
was only allowed to the High Priest, through a blood sacrifice and only on one
day of the year – It was the Holiest day in Israel's year--the day of
Atonement.
Lev 16:2,29-30 The LORD said to
Moses: "Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into
the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, or
he will die; for I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat... This shall
be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the
month, you shall humble your souls and not do any work, whether the native, or
the alien who sojourns among you; for it is on this day that atonement shall be
made for you to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the
LORD."
Now, I guess you know what
happened at the time Jesus died on the cross, but let's have a look at it
anyway for it is remarkable given what we have just seen about the veil.
Matt 27:50-51 And Jesus cried out
again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the
temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks
were split.
The veil was torn in two! And it was torn from the top down! Being
completely outside the realm of possibility for any man to have done this, you
can only imagine the impact on the priesthood at the time that saw this. They
could only have recognized this as from the hand of God (for it was torn from
the top down) and I am confident that this event had a huge bearing on the
later salvation of many priests that we read about in the book of Acts:
The word of God kept on
spreading, and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem,
and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7)
Several New Testament scriptures
now encourage believers to go beyond the veil (see Eph. 2:13-18; Heb. 4:14-16,
Heb. 6:19, Heb. 10:19-22). Many believers stop at the brazen altar in the outer
court. They are happy to be saved but have no desire to go further. Others
learn to feed on Christ and grow as they move into the Holy Place. This is good
but as the scriptures above indicate, God does want us to come into the Holies
of Holies.
The Mercy Seat
Now, as mentioned earlier, for
the High Priest in the Old Testament, this could only happen on one day of the
year – The Day of Atonement. Now as the High Priest moved beyond the veil he
saw the ark of the covenant and upon that the mercy seat.
A place to find mercy...
Exodus 25:21-22 "You shall
put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark, you shall put the
testimony which I will give to you. "There I will meet with you; and from
above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of
the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in
commandment for the sons of Israel.
The Ark of the Covenant
The Ark of the Covenant
represented the very presence of God. As the verse above mentions, it is there
that the LORD met with the High Priest. In fact, the whole Tabernacle was
constructed just to house the Ark of the Covenant so that God could dwell among
man. But how could a holy God dwell among sinful men? Well, the High Priest had
to sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice upon the mercy seat so that the sins of
the nation could be atoned. Atonement had to occur every year. Now the amazing
thing is that this earthly tabernacle was only a copy of the very real heavenly
tabernacle which Jesus entered following His death.
Hebrews 9:11-12 ‘When Christ came
as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the
greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a
part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and
calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood,
having obtained eternal redemption.'
Hebrews 9:22-24 ‘In fact, the law
requires that nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and without the
shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. It was necessary, then, for the
copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the
heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did
not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered
heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence.
Jesus entered the heavenly
tabernacle by His blood, and in contrast to the earthly High Priest, Jesus
sprinkled His blood upon the heavenly mercy seat to make eternal redemption and
atonement! The impact of this act is given to us in the book of Romans and
Hebrews (amongst others!). Speaking of Jesus, Romans tells us that He was -
‘...displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was
to demonstrate His righteousness because in the forbearance of God He passed
over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His
righteousness at present, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one
who has faith in Jesus.' (Rom 3:25-26)
The word ‘propitiation' in the
passage above is the same word translated as ‘mercy seat' in Hebrews 9:5. Jesus
fulfilled that to which the earthly mercy seat in the Holy of Holies pointed!
His blood brought peace and forgiveness for those that have placed their faith
in Him.
Scripture tells us that there
were three objects placed within the ark. Each object speaks of a different
aspect of Jesus Christ.
Heb. 9:3-4 Behind the second veil
there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, having a golden
altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in
which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron's rod which budded, and the
tables of the covenant.
The Manna – That which had been a perfect food, containing all that
the Israelites required to sustain them on their entire journey through the
wilderness, was placed in the Ark. The manna was God's provision until they
reached the Promised Land. Jesus Christ is God's provision today. He is the one
that sustains and strengthens us on our journey. As Jesus said "Truly,
truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven,
but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread
of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world...I
am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes
in Me will never
Aaron's Budding Rod – The second object placed in the Ark was
Aaron's rod. Now, this was just an ordinary rod. Well, ordinary apart from the
fact that it would still bud, flower and bring forth almonds! [4] That a dead
rod could produce fruit is a miracle. It speaks of resurrection life! It speaks
of the one who though dead, came back to life after three days. And it is this
resurrection life that God now grants believers today. Death can no longer have
a hold on them just as it couldn't contain their Savior for the one who has
defeated death is the one who now dwells within the believer by His Spirit!
Tablets of stone – the third and final object within the Ark was
the stone tablets upon which God had written the Ten Commandments with His
finger. In contrast to the first stone tablets that Moses broke, these tablets
within the Ark of the Covenant speak to us of the one, the only one, who has ever
kept the law of God in its entirety. They speak to us of the one who said
‘'Here I am, it is written about me in the scroll, I have come to do your will,
O God." (Heb. 10:7) The Word of God states that despite all the
difficulties that the devil could throw at Him, Jesus was yet without sin!
"For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our
weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without
sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
Conclusion
As we can see, the theme of
Exodus is redemption by Jesus Christ.
Exodus is filled with the types and shadows of Christ and His work. We have seen Christ as the Passover Lamb, the
Manna, The Rock struck at Horeb and the Tabernacle. Jesus Christ is indeed the Savior and
Redeemer of all mankind. This knowledge
will be of no value to you unless you have accepted the gift of salvation. Christ wants to redeem you and give to you
the inheritance of eternal life. All you
need to do is accept the gift.
