The Tabernacle…A Part of God’s Story
Tabernacle means “place of dwelling,” and in the Old Testament it was a place where God and the Israelites came together to meet one another. This is where the Israelites offered sacrifices and worshipped God. Each aspect of the Tabernacle offers unique symbolism of God’s relationship with humankind. Below are just a few examples…
The Israelites brought their sacrifices to God at the Brazen Altar, and through this practice, God emphasized his hatred for sin but also demonstrated his great grace.
The Laver, a bronze water basin, stood in the Courtyard of the Tabernacle, and reminded the Israelites that they needed to be clean before approaching God.
The Menorah, held in the large outer room known as the Holy Place, is said to be a symbol of the nation of Israel and its mission to be a light to the world.
You may see parallels between these aspects of the Tabernacle and the Christian life, and isn’t it exciting? God’s truth and his ways have been consistent throughout generations, and exploring ancient traditions like the Tabernacle help us grow in our understanding and appreciation of God’s great plan for humankind.
We are really excited about giving students the opportunity to walk through a replica of the Tabernacle this summer at Merge—to take time to reflect on our relationship to God and learn more about his character. You can also purchase a great resource on our website called, Experiencing the Tabernacle.
To explore more aspects of the Tabernacle and learn how it relates to Christ and Christian life today, check out this cool site!
Vanessa
Student Event Support
