Student
5 - The Work of Christ Portrayed in God’s Covenant
with Israel
Antitypes (spiritual realities) are anticipated (pictured, prophesied) by types (illustrations,
object lessons, portrayals) through points of correspondence (with things,
people, activities, and events). Though
we may not have all the details exactly right, we can think about types in the
correct way and get the general direction right.
·
This lesson is
an example of a lesson plan to guide students in discovering how the
Tabernacle in its existence, configuration, furniture, and rituals typified certain
realities.
List or describe everything that was included in the description
of the tabernacle and what was associated with it.
How is the exactitude concerning these things emphasized?
(Ex.25:9, 40; 26:30; 27:8; Acts 7:44; Heb.8:5)
(Ex.25-31) (Ex.35-40;
Num.7-8)
(Num.8:4, 22).
Read Ex.39-40 and list
the verses affirming that the work was performed as commanded.
We have seen that the Bible sometimes leaves out things that must
be supplied by the interpreter to completely express the meaning. Here we see the text is excruciatingly
detailed. Why?
What does Ex.35:30-35
suggest to you?
What was the tabernacle’s overall purpose? Ex.25:8
What things, people, their actions, or events does the NT
connect the tabernacle with? Jn.1:4 Heb.9:23-24
1 Cor.3:16-17; Rev.1:13, 20; 2:1
2 Cor.6:16
What was the position of the tabernacle when
What was the position of the ark when
·
The following
exercise takes one thing associated with the tabernacle and examines one
or several offerings or rituals pertaining to it.
The sacrificial system was a graphic representation of the work of Christ. The burnt
offering [ascension, like smoke] was a sweet savor offering [the other
category was guilt offerings], and
the most general of the regular sacrifices. Our question - What was involved and what lessons
about the atonement did it teach?
The altar of burnt offering
(bronze altar Ex.39:39) dominated
the center of the front of the outer court.
It was the first object encountered upon entering the courtyard and the
focus of most of the activity related to the tabernacle. Its base was composed of unhewn
stones testifying to man’s inability to contribute toward the work of
salvation. The altar itself was a large
square (4½ ft. high; 7½ ft. on each side) made of Acacia wood overlaid with
brass (or copper) with a horn at each corner signifying divine judgment.
(1) the
sacrifice (Lev.1:3,10) was to be a
healthy male without physical defects from the herds [bull or bullock], flocks
[ram or he-goat], or birds [dove or pigeon]
What principle did this teach and symbolize? To bring an offering (v.2) was to voluntarily
present a gift (22:18 NIV); only a
sacrifice that was (in the spiritual sense) pure, perfect, and blameless was
acceptable
What about Christ did it point to?
1 Pt.1:19 the perfect
(obedient and righteous) lamb (sacrifice) God provided
(2) the
offerer (Lev.1:4)
laid his hands on (leaned on) the animal’s head
What did this act teach and symbolize?
What work of Christ did it point to? 2 Cor.5:21
(3) the
slaughter (Lev.1:5a) - the offerer slew the animal
What did this teach and symbolize?
What did it point to? Rom.4:25; 5:6
(4) the
priest (Lev.1:5b) sprinkled (threw,
flung) the blood against the altar on all sides.
What principle did this teach and symbolize?
What did it point to? Heb.9:12
Heb.10:19
(5) the
remainder of the sacrifice (Lev.1:6-9)
- the offerer skinned, cut the whole animal in
pieces, and washed some; the priest built-up the fire upon the altar,
laid the parts on it, and burnt-up everything except the hide. [All of the other bloody sacrifices parallel
the previous four steps, but the burning of the entire animal is unique to this
whole burnt offering.]
What did this teach and symbolize?
What did it point to? Eph.5:2