The tabernacle teaches that God is holy and that approaching Him requires purity, obedience, and atonement. Every detail of its design, from its structure to its furnishings, emphasized separation from sin and reverence for God’s presence. The tabernacle was not an ordinary tent, it was a sanctuary set apart for the worship of the Lord.
Exodus 25:8 states the purpose:
“And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”
God’s presence in the midst of Israel was a great privilege, but it demanded holiness. The arrangement of the tabernacle reinforced this truth: the outer court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place showed degrees of access, with the innermost chamber restricted to the high priest once a year (Leviticus 16:2). This structure demons/”>demonstrated that sin creates separation from God and that atonement is necessary to draw near.
The materials: gold, silver, bronze, and fine linen all symbolized purity and value, while the sacrifices offered at the altar reminded Israel that fellowship with God required the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22). The tabernacle taught Israel that worship was not casual but regulated by God’s commands.
Spiritually, the tabernacle points to Christ, who fulfills its meaning. John 1:14 says:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
The word “dwelt” literally means “tabernacled.” In Jesus, God’s holiness and presence are revealed perfectly, and through His sacrifice, believers have direct access to God (Hebrews 10:19–20).
The tabernacle teaches that God desires to dwell with His people, but His presence demands holiness. This truth remains today: we can only come to God through the cleansing and righteousness provided by Christ.
