Exodus 26-27: Now I Know How to Make a Tabernacle...

My Summary
Here instruction is given concerning the building of the tabernacle. The instructions are very specific and lay out every aspect of the length and materials to be used.


And So What We Have Learned Applies to Our Lives Today...
I have struggled with specific applications from this passage. There have been attempts to draw symbolism from the different materials used or the certain numbers of curtains, however, I do not believe that is profitable or demonstratable. I will instead focus on the meaning of the tabernacle for Israel.

The first part of Hebrew 9 talks about the earthly tabernacle used by Israel. It talks about how the priests would go in and offer sacrifices and informs us that this was an example. It was a image of the future Lamb who would take away the sins of the world. Hebrews 9 says:
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here,he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.  Hebrew 9:11-15

The Israelites looked forward through their cultic rituals of sarifice to the sacrifice of Jesus. The tabernacle was the place where they could come to meet the presence of God since their sins separated them from Him. However, through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus we have His very presence in our hearts. Instead of a priest, Christ is now our mediator and His sacrifice is continually effective so we do not require continual sacrifices.