Exodus- Christ Through the Bible

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.