Every year when I read through the book of Exodus and come to the series of chapters that deal with the Tabernacle I find something new that causes me to be amazed. Just think about this: The entire creation of the world is covered in only 2 chapters. In Genesis 5 we read 32 verses which cover twelve generations spanning over a thousand years. The creation of the universe and the establishment of mankind would seem to be extremely important events, yet they are covered in only a few lines of text. Then we come to the book of Exodus and 15 entire chapters are written about the design and construction of the Tabernacle from Exodus 25 to Exodus 40.
This number of chapters and verses used to cover this one topic should make anyone reading the Scriptures wonder why so much was written about what is in truth a temporary structure. There has to be a reason why so much detail about who was involved, what they made and how they made it. Explicit details about the dimensions, weight, and materials were used. To the casual observer, these details may be seen as overkill.
But when we look deeper into the design of the Tabernacle in these chapters, we find that these 15 chapters are some of the most prophetic in the Bible. Within these chapters, we find a way to come to faith. We find the plan of redemption. We find the Death, Burial and Resurrection. We find cleansing by immersion, We find repentance. These are only a few of the things foretold and prophesied through in the design and construction of the Tabernacle.
Every material used, every color used and every piece of furniture tells the story of the promised Messiah and redemption through Yeshua. There is a reason that the Tabernacle is called the Tabernacle of testimony in Exodus 38:21.
These are the accounts of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, as they were recorded according to the commandment of Moses, by the service of the Levites, under the hand of Ithamar son of Aaron the kohen.
It is important for those of us who read and study the Bible to remember that the most important thing about the Tabernacle was not the magnificence of the workmanship or the vestments of the priests, or even the artistry of the altar, laver, menorah, table of showbread or altar of incense. It isn’t even the beauty of the Ark of the Covenant. The most important thing about the Tabernacle is that it provides clear testimony to the promise of the Messiah. Once we realize the prophetic testimony of the Tabernacle, we can more fully understand the Song of Moses and what takes place after that song is sung in Revelation 15:3-5:
3 And they are singing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and wonderful are Your deeds, Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations! 4 Who shall not fear and glorify Your name, O Lord? For You alone are Holy. All the nations shall come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed!” 5 After these things I looked, and the Temple of the Tent of Witness in heaven was opened.