The Tabernacle -  Timeless Truths of The Foundation, Boards, and Bars.

The Foundation

The foundation was made of solid s_______________ . It was very costly. Exodus 30:11 - 16

Every man had to give a half shekel as a ransom for his soul. This was not optional. Some will make an error and say that this is works. This is an example in the Bible of buying your way to heaven. Paying a ransom for the soul. The Catholics call it selling indulgences. That is not what is being pictured here. You cannot buy your way to heaven. Eph 2:8-9

If you were to try to buy your way, what is a soul worth?

Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

The implication there is that one soul is worth more than the whole world. The answer to the rhetorical question what shall a man give in exchange for his soul is n____________________ .

There is nothing in the world valuable enough. In fact the only thing valuable enough to redeem a soul is the precious blood of Christ.

So since it is not works and buying your way to heaven, what is being pictured here?

First the amount that they were to give was almost insignificant. It really was pocket change. I read one estimate that put it around 60 cents by our standards. It was an amount that was so small that anyone could pay it. It was available to all. It cost them almost nothing.

Second every man had to partake for h_______________ . There are no exceptions.

Third every man was equal. Exodus 30:15 The ground is level at the cross.

The point in having everyone bring the money was that everyone had to take part for himself.

They had to apply this truth for themselves. Salvation is an individual issue. Rom 10:13

God clearly told them that this money was only a m_______________.

The foundation is Christ. The foundation speaks of redemption. It was made of the redemption money of the children of Israel. Thus the connection between silver, and the atoning redemptive work of Christ.

Each of the 100 sockets of silver was made of a talent of silver. A Talent is about 75.5 pounds. At 17.50 cents an ounce that is 21,140 each. It would cost 2,114,000 dollars today for this foundation.

Christ is the foundation. 1Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

It’s Boards The church is built upon the foundation of Christ. He is the chief corner stone.

The boards of the tabernacle can be likened unto individual Christians who are being builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit. Eph. 2:19-22

The boards had to first be cut down from their natural standing. The board was first a tree that had to die. We are all born sinners. We must die that we might have life. 2 Tim. 2:11 Rom. 6:4-8

Each board was then prepared and shaped. And that is what God does to us. 2 Cor. 5:17

Each board was put in proper place by Moses. Moses was a type of Christ. Christ alone can add to His Church. Acts 2:47

Moses put each board in the exact place he wanted it. Jesus also places us in the exact place He wants us.

Each board had two tenons (Hands) that fit into the foundation. We are held by God the Father and God the Son. John 10:28-30

Every board was the same length. All rested upon the same atonement money. Gal. 3:28

All were covered with gold. God sees every believer in Christ.

The boards stood vertically. Each believer must rest on the foundation for himself. You cannot count or rest on anyone else’s faith. You have to rest on the foundation for yourself.

The foundation also separated the boards from the earth. We must be separated from the world.

Each board was made of wood overlaid with gold. Wood represents the human nature and gold the divine nature. Each Christian also has the two natures. God comes and lives within you when you get saved.

As the boards stood upon the foundation of silver, they reflected the light of the lamp stand. Christians rest upon redemption and reflect the glory of the Lord.

Each and every board had a past history. In the past it was a tree drawing its very life from the ground. But it was cut off. The connection with the earth was severed. It once had natural beauty such as branches, leaves and bark. This was removed and it was overlaid with gold.

Christians once lived in the world and drew their pleasures from that source. Once the Christian is saved their connection with the world was severed. The natural attractions to Satan’s worldly system were lost. Their old associates and habits fell away and they were made partakers of the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4

The Bars - The boards were held together by 5 bars.

We can be held together as Christian by visible ties such as our local church body of believers.

4 bars were visible and one was invisible.

One bar was made to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other. Exodus 36:33

But there is an inner tie that binds our hearts together. It is the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eph 4:3

The invisible Holy Spirit that ties us together is what is pictured by the bar that ran thru the inside of the boards that could not be seen.

We should be like the boards of the Tabernacle. Joined together in fellowship. Held together by ties that bind. Each and every one standing on the foundation of Christ. Each one being held by the grip of Christ. Every one of us separated from the world by Christ. Each one showing forth the gold of our divine nature instead of the bark of the old life. Each one reflecting the light of the candlestick.

We are just boards that have been reworked and put into a place of usefulness by Christ, we are just boards resting only on Him.