"THE TABERNACLE" PART 2

Welcome back everyone. Today we continue with our thoughts on the "TABERNACLE" and begin with a look at what each piece of the furniture represents. First of all;

I. THE ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERINGS REPRESENTS JESUS, OUR SACRIFICE
This altar was to be made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze. According to the instructions it was square-shaped (5 cubits by 5 cubits, and 3 cubits high), with horns projecting from the four corners. Halfway up, it was circled by a projecting ledge; presumably a priest would stand on this ledge while offering a sacrifice. Implements of bronze were to be supplied for the altar: "shovels" to collect the ashes, "pots" to carry them away, "basins" from which the blood of sacrificial animals would be tossed against the altar, "forks" for arranging the flesh on the altar, and "fire pans" for removing coals of fire from the altar.The altar was to be placed in the courtyard outside the tabernacle entrance. The actual slaying of animals would be North of the altar and the animal parts would then be arranged on the altar. The ashes would later be dumped East of the altar.
The fire on the altar was never to go out, not even during the daily cleansing of the altar. Burnt offerings were to be sacrificed on this "bronze altar" each morning and evening. The sacrifices were innocent victims whose lives were given and whose blood was shed because of the sins of those offering the sacrifices. This ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERINGS was a "type" of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus Christ was the innocent victim who knew no sin and whose blood was shed because of the sins of others.
"Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth" (Is. 53:7). "Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed" (Is. 53:4-5). II. THE LAVER REPRESENTS BIBLE BAPTISM (TRANSLATED IMMERSION).
Moses was instructed to put a laver in the outer court of the tabernacle, which contained water for washing. Aaron and his sons were to wash their hands and their feet from the laver before approaching the Altar of Burnt Offerings that they may not die.The laver was a type of our baptism or immersion, burial. Priests must wash before serving God. (a royal priesthood- 1Pet. 2:9))Prevented death (Physical – Spiritual in New Covenant)Notice the washing was done before sin was dealt with at the brazen altar. (not forgiveness, then baptism) Acts 22:16

If the priest did not wash as directed, his life was in danger. Washing always should take place before we sit at The father's Table. Washing in the New Testament always takes place before a person is cleansed of their sins. This is a referrence to Bible baptism or immersion into Christ and should never be taken lightly. God instituted baptism and man should never remove it from its rightful place.

We will end there for today and take up more next time. God bless until we meet again.