Moments With God

Exodus 25-29 (selected)

The Old Testament ceremonial laws were foreshadowings and beautiful pictures of our salvation and our walk with the Lord. Because these ceremonial laws and practices have been fulfilled in Christ, we no longer need to observe them. We are privileged, however, to be able to learn some beautiful truths from the symbolism of these Old Testament ceremonies and objects used in worship.

The bread of the Presence that was always on the table in the Old Testament tabernacle (Exodus 25:30) reminded God’s Old Testament people of the Lord God’s continual presence with them. As the Lord God’s children today we also have the assurance that the Lord God is with us during both times of trial and difficulty and during times of relative ease. The bread on the table in the tabernacle which numbered twelve loaves (symbolizing the twelve tribes of God’s Old Testament people) also represented the people’s dedication to the worship and service of the Lord God for their entire lives. It was further an acknowledgment that all their blessings came from the Lord God alone. May we also acknowledge that all of our blessings are from the Lord God’s hand, and may we be dedicated to the Lord God by our lives of grateful service and worship. The seven lamps spoken about in Exodus 25:37 represented God’s glory being reflected through the dedicated service and worship of God’s Old Testament people. May our lives also truly reflect our Lord God’s glory and character.

The Old Testament’s altars were for the offerings that the people would offer the Lord God. We no longer need to offer animals sacrifices on altars as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins once and for all on the cross. Jesus is the true Lamb of God who takes away our sins. The only sacrifice that the Lord asks from us now is the sacrifice of our lives. The Lord God wants us to be totally dedicated to Him and totally given over to His authority in all areas of our lives. The horns on the Old Testament altar of burnt offering (Exodus 27:2) were a symbol to God’s people of old of the Lord’s help and refuge. As believers today we are also able to count on the Lord’s help in times of difficulty, as we seek to live our lives as sacrifices of praise and service to Him.

In the Old Testament tabernacle there was a Holy Place and a Most Holy Place. (Exodus 26:33) Only an Old Testament priest could enter this Most Holy place, and the priest could enter only on certain occasions. The Most Holy Place represented the Lord God’s throne room. At the very moment of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross many years later, the curtain that divided the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was torn. This symbolizes the privilege that we as believers today experience. Because of the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross we are now declared righteous in God’s sight. Hence, we now have direct access to the very presence of our Lord God! Hebrews 4:16 says to us, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross we as the Lord God’s children are now also His holy priests. As Aaron and his sons, God’s priests of old, were sprinkled with the blood; so we as believers today are saved by the blood of the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. The blood was also put on the lobes of Aaron and his sons’ right ears, on their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. The blood on their ears symbolized sensitivity to God’s Word. May we also we sensitive and obedient to the Lord God and His Holy Word. The blood on their hands and feet symbolized their dedication to a life of service to the Lord God. May it be our passion as the Lord God’s people today to also always live in obedient service to our Lord!