Home Study Lessons The Charts Lesson One Lesson Two Lesson Three Lesson Four Lesson Five Lesson Six Lesson Seven Lesson Eight Lesson Nine Lesson Ten Lesson Eleven Lesson Twelve Lesson Thirteen Lesson Fourteen Lesson Fifteen Lesson Sixteen Lesson Seventeen Lesson Eighteen

 

Study Series 

Lesson Fourteen – The Framework Of The Tabernacle

 

Exodus 26:15  - And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up.

Exodus 36:8  - And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubim of cunning work made he them.

 

        In our study thus far we have dealt primarily with the furniture INSIDE the Tabernacle. We have studied the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat, which sat within the Holy Of Holies as well as the three articles of furniture - The Table of Shewbread, The Golden Lampstand and the Altar Of Worship Or Incense - in the second compartment of the Tabernacle - the Holy Place.

 

From God's perspective He instructed Moses to build the articles of the Holy Place FIRST then proceeded to give instructions on each article of furniture going from IN to OUT. That has always been God's way - the INSIDE FIRST, then the OUTSIDE. Everything starts with God! The glory of His anointing rests with HIM first and proceeds from His throne. When we end this study we will be at the outer court, which will show us, how man must approach God - at the brazen altar of sacrifice - CALVARY. For us to reach God, we must first be washed in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise God.

 

        This study is a short look at the Tabernacle framework itself. The Holy Place and the Holy of Holies were both contained in a building, which led to the Outer Court. In our next sets of lessons following we are going to deal with the curtains, coverings and the veil. It is fitting however to look at the Tabernacle itself.

 

        The Tabernacle consisted of a framework of 48 boards overlaid with GOLD. These 48 boards stood in 96 sockets of silver and were braced by five bars on each of its three closed sides. At the entrance of open side of the Tabernacle there was a hanging called "the Door of the Tabernacle." The Door was made of fine linen and was upheld by FIVE PILLARS. This Door gave access to the HOLY PLACE. At the end of the Holy Place there was another hanging curtain. This was the VEIL, which was upheld by four pillars and guarded the entrance to the Most Holy Place or the Holy of Holies.

 

This curtain is often referred to as the "second veil." Over this whole structure there were other curtains and coverings, which were the ceiling and roof of the Tabernacle.

Boards For The Tabernacle Of Shittim Wood Standing Up

 

Exodus 26:15  - And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up.

 

        These boards were made of shittim wood. This continues to speak to us as it has in other lessons of the incorruptible nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is referred to as "THE BRANCH," who was cut off in the land of the living. Because this wood would be shaped into boards, it had to be cut off from the land of the living. Christ is that ROOT out of dry ground who was cut off to become God's Tabernacle and in turn make us vessels and tabernacles as well! Christ is the one and only meeting place between God and man.

 

        The wood also speaks to us of Christ's sinless nature. His manhood was untainted by sin. As He became flesh He tabernacled among us! He did not sin nor did the Father allow Him to see corruption in the grave. In relation to the Church, the boards of shittim wood speak to us of our redeemed nature. When God found us, we were knar led, knotted, and twisted like this desert wood growing in a parched land. In Christ we are taken through the process that these boards experienced. The sinner is cut off from the former old life of the world, and he is shaped into BOARDS (stones) that fit together into ONE TABERNACLE (building) to become the habitation of God by the Spirit!

 

1 Peter 2:5  - Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9  - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

Isaiah 53:1-2 ,8  - Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? [2] For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

Zech. 3:8  - Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

Zech. 6:12-13  - And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord: [13] Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

1 Tim. 2:15  - Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

The Tabernacle Was To Stand Upright

 

Each board was to be standing up or upright before the Lord. The Bible promises that "the upright shall dwell in the Presence" of the Almighty. Paul also tells us that having done all we are to stand. This is all we are told to do against Satan. Christ has already won the battle; all we must do is REST or STAND in the victory already accomplished at Calvary:

 

Psalm 140:13  - Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

Psalm 64:10  - The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

Psalm 112:4  - Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

Ephes. 6:13  - Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Galatians 5:1  - Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Ten Cubits The Length And A Cubit And A Half The Width Of One Board

 

Exodus 26:16  - Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board.

        Each of the 48 boards measured 10 cubits in height and 1 1/2 cubits in width. Each of these Boards was to be overlaid with Gold. All of the Boards were to measure up this Divine Standard in order to qualify as a Board in God's Tabernacle. There was only ONE STANDARD for all the Boards. God has but ONE STANDARD for the Church - THE LORD JESUS! We get ourselves into horrible deception and delusion when we start measuring and comparing ourselves to others. The MAN CHRIST JESUS is the pattern and standard for living.

 

Ephes. 4:11-16  - And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: [14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: [16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Rev. 11:1-2  - And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. [2] But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Ezekiel 43:10  - Thou son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern.

        The Boards were to be TEN cubits high. The number TEN speaks to us of trial and testing, law, order and responsibility. In Scripture there are:

·         10 Commandments

·         10 Talents

·         10 Virgins

        This speaks to us of our responsibility before God. The Lord will have a building made up of those who are TRIED and tested, who have submitted to His Divine law and order and who are not afraid to take responsibility before Him.

 

        Another interesting measurement of these boards was their width - 1 1/2 cubits wide. As we have already seen, the Grate Of The Brazen Altar, the Table of Shewbread and the Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant were all 1 1/2 cubits high. As we see all four of these in connection with the Tabernacle, we see that the believer must have met CHRIST at the Brazen Altar (THE CROSS), he must have been to the MERCY SEAT (THE THRONE OF GRACE), and he must be in fellowship at the SHEWBREAD TABLE (COMMUNION) to find his proper place in the structure of the Tabernacle. While God is not as concerned about what "CHURCH" we belong to, it is important, we come seeking the PRESENCE OF GOD at our local tabernacles - the LOCAL CHURCH. It is here where we will participate in the embracing of these ordinances and fellowships.

 

Two Tenons Shall Be On One Board

 

Exodus 26:17  - Two tenons shall there be in one board, set in order one against another: thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle.

        The Hebrew word for "tenon" is literally "hands." These tenons were instrumental in holding the structure together. Each Board had its two tenons. The two tenons speak of those two foundational facts that hold us together in fellowship. They are the DEATH and RESURRECTION of JESUS CHRIST. Every believer (which is typified in each of these boards) must see that CHRIST DIED FOR US and the He also LIVES FOR US. Both His DEATH and His LIFE save us.

 

A gospel message that only emphasizes His DEATH without the power of His resurrection will always produce DEATH. Jesus rose from the grave but He had to DIE in order to SECURE eternal salvation for us. We must DIE DAILY so that WE MAY LIVE THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST so that the LIFE OF JESUS can live through us.

 

Set In Order One Against The Other...

 

Exodus 26:18
And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward.

 

The Boards were to stand upright on their own and yet they were to stand COLLECTIVELY to make up a dwelling place for the Lord. No individual Board could make up a fit dwelling place for the Lord God. It was only as the many Boards CAME TOGETHER and, as we will see later, were held together by the bars that the structure became stable and functional. When every Board was in its place the Tabernacle was complete and the Glory of God could dwell within.

 

        The Church is ONE BODY, yet many "boards," or MEMBERS. God respects the assembly of believers when they dwell together in ONE ACCORD and in ONE PLACE.  It is a very "pleasant" thing for brethren to dwell together in UNITY.

 

Acts 2:1  - And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Psalm 133:1-3  - A Song of degrees of David. - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! [2] It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; [3] As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Ephes. 2:21-22  - In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Ephes. 4:3  - Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephes. 4:13  - Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:

1 Cor. 12:12-18  - For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. [13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. [14] For the body is not one member, but many. [15] If the foot shall say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? [16] And if the ear shall say, because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? [17] If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where was the smelling? [18] But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

Twenty Boards On South And North; Six Boards On East And West

 

Exodus 26:18
And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward.

Exodus 26:20
And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side there shall be twenty boards:

Exodus 26:22-24
And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards. [23] And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides. [24] And they shall be coupled together beneath, and they shall be coupled together above the head of it unto one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners.

        In the actual Framework of the Tabernacle there were 48 Boards. There were:

·         20 Boards for the South Side

·         20 Boards for the North Side

·         6 Boards for the West Side

·         2 Board for the corners on the West end

·         GIVING A TOTAL OF 48 Boards

        These 48 Boards formed ONE TABERNACLE. In the number 48 we have the factors 4 X 12. FOUR is the number of the EARTH and speaks of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ that would eventually go into ALL THE WORLD. The Church reaches to the four corners of the earth.

 

        The number 12 is the number of Divine Government and Apostolic fullness. There were TWELVE loaves in the Table of Shewbread. The Church is built upon the foundation of the TWELVE APOSTLES of the Lamb.

 

        The Corner boards speak to us of Christ who is the CORNERSTONE (Psalms 118:22; Isaiah 28:16). They were to give stability and structure to the Tabernacle. They were instrumental in squaring off the building and giving it its alignment. Even so Christ and His Apostles were that which gave that initial stability to the EARLY Church. They laid the foundation and got the building off the ground on the proper alignment being firmly laid in God's WORD.

 

        Coupling rings, which were to be beneath and above the Corner Boards, supported the Corner Boards. These rings would give added rigidity to the Framework and would be instrumental in keeping the Boards from leaning. These rings were very important to the overall strength of the Framework, and yet, they were virtually unseen when the Tabernacle was fully erected. A ring always speaks to us of the eternal nature of God. The unseen binding ring would best apply to the ministry of the Holy Spirit who is unseen and yet BINDS believers (Boards) together to make up the ONE BODY, the ONE BUILDING, of CHRIST.

 

        The number 48 is used one other time in scripture in Joshua 21 where Joshua gave the Levitical tribes 48 cities to dwell in as part of their blessings for priestly service and ministry.

 

Overlay The Boards With Gold

 

Exodus 26:29  - And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars: and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold.

        These Boards were to overlay with pure god. Again, the same thought as in many other articles of furniture in the Tabernacle, which were made of shittim wood overlaid with gold, that deity overlaid humanity in CHRIST AND also the CHURCH. Jesus is the God-man. He received the wood, or human nature from His mother Mary, making Him the Son of Man. He receives the gold or Divine nature from His heavenly Father, GOD, making him the SON OF GOD.

 

        The Boards overlaid with gold point to the believer (wood) who is standing IN CHRIST. The believer is cut off from the old desert life of sin, his natural glory is stripped off, he is planed, shaped and fashioned to God's pattern and measurements. In CHRIST we are BORN AGAIN of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God (1 Peter 1:4, 23). We become PARTAKERS, not imitators of the DIVINE NATURE (2 Peter 1:4)

 

1 Peter 1:4, 23 - To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you; Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever.

2 Peter 1:4  - Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.


Forty Silver Sockets,  20 Boards; Two Sockets. One Board, 2 Tenons

 

Exodus 26:19-22; 25 - And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons. [20] And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side there shall be twenty boards:  And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards. 25 - And they shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.

        For each of the 48 Boards, there were two sockets of SILVER. There were:

·         40 Sockets for the 20 Boards on the North Side

·         40 Sockets for the 20 Boards on the South Side

·         16 Sockets for the 8 Boards on the West Side

·         TOTALING: 96 Sockets In All

        The sockets were made of SILVER. The question must be asked, where did this silver come from? The answer is found in Exodus 30:11-16 where Moses instructed every man who was over the age of 20 to bring a half shekel of silver to the Lord. This half shekel was to be after the shekel of the sanctuary, which were 20 gerahs. This meant that each half shekel was 10 gerahs.

 

This was God's standard and points to the 10 Commandments, God's Divine Standard of the LAW. This money was to be ATONEMENT MONEY for the souls of the people. The poor as well as the rich were to pay the same amount for himself. None could pay for another. The soul had to be redeemed with silver, and as it was, God promised to prevent plagues from coming upon them.

 

Numbers 3:46-51  - And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites; [47] Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:) [48] And thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons. [49] And Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites: [50] Of the firstborn of the children of Israel took he the money; a thousand three hundred and threescore and five (1365) shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary: [51] And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Numbers 18:16  - And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.

Exodus 30:11-16  - And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, [12] When you take the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the Lord, when you number them; that there be no plague among them, when you number them. [13] This they shall give, every one that passes among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the Lord. [14] Every one that passes among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the Lord. [15] The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls. [16] And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls.

Psalm 49:7-8  - None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: [8] (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceases for ever:)

 

Silver ALWAYS speaks of ATONEMENT and REDEMPTION. It also speaks of ransom money and the price of a soul. Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver.

Matthew 26:15  - And said unto them, ‘What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?’ And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

 

        Peter interprets this symbol for us in the New Covenant when he writes:

 

1 Peter 1:18-21  - Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: [20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, [21] Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

 

The silver atonement of the Old Covenant becomes the BLOOD atonement of the New Covenant (1 John 1:6-7). The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the New Covenant takes the place of the "ransom money" that was established under the Mosaic Covenant and the Tabernacle God ordained Moses and the nation to build. His BLOOD is our atonement, our ransom, our redemption and the price for our soul. This is the PRICE by which we were bought. This is the STANDARD that God has set for our redemption. The Bible says that Jesus came to minister and give HIS LIFE A RANSOM for many."

 

That word ransom has its root meaning in this Old Covenant Tabernacle where the boards were placed in SILVER SOCKETS. We have been placed into HIS BODY through the precious blood of His sufferings on Calvary. This is God's standard and ALL MUST MEET THIS STANDARD. None can pay for another to get into the Kingdom of His Dear Son. No one can be numbered in the TRUE CHURCH and with the SAINTS unless they are redeemed with this price. Calvary is the MINE (VEIN) of silver to which we all have access that we might obtain the price of atonement.

 

 As we find our place in CHRIST, God's judgment is stayed off our lives and eternal souls. What a glorious picture of our Redeemer in these boards. What a glorious thought to see how God enfolded His great plan of redemption inside this Tabernacle of Moses.

 

 The Silver And The Numbering Of The People

 

        Another thought seen here in the silver is found in relation to the result of the numbering. In this numbering there were found to be 603,550 persons. This means that there would have been 301,775 shekels of silver that were collected from the people. Each of the sockets was to be made by ONE TALENT of silver. There were 3,000 shekels in a talent. Thus, we see that each of the 96 sockets was composed of ONE TALENT or 3,000 shekels of silver. In addition there were four Sockets needed for the four pillars that upheld the veil. When we subtract the amount of silver needed for these 100 sockets we are left with 1,775 Shekels to be used for the hooks, chapiters and the connecting rods in the pillars of the Outer Court.

 

If each Socket was comprised of 3,000 shekels, then each Socket represented the redemption price of 6,000 souls. Each board had two Sockets. Each Board was, therefore, typically upheld by 12,000 redeemed Israelites. In the book of Revelation, 12,000 of each tribe of ISRAEL are redeemed from the earth to go forth and spread the word of the Lord during the Great Tribulation.

 

Rev. 7:1-8  - And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. [2] And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, [3] Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. [4] And I heard the number of them, which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. [5] Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. [6] Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manassas were sealed twelve thousand. [7] Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. [8] Of the tribe of Zebulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

 

        It speaks to the CHURCH of her roots in Judaism as we, the New Testament Tabernacle, are engrafted into the VINE, the OLIVE BRANCH, THE OLIVE TREE, from which the covenants, the oracles of God and the testimony of Jesus came from - ISRAEL! We must never forget it. We are the New Testament tabernacles of God and our redemption was paid for with the blood of a Jewish Savior and REDEEMER! We are ONE NEW MAN in CHRIST! That one new man is both Jew and Gentile.

 

Ephes. 2:13-15  - But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. [14] For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; [15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
 

        These sockets were the very FOUNDATION of the Tabernacle. The Boards each had TWO TENONS (two hands or feet) by which they stood in the silver Sockets. The Sockets of silver were the foundation or standing place for these boards. No Board had its feet in the dessert sands of this world, but each stood in REDEMPTION METAL. 

 

We as believers must never forget our salvation and redemption does not hinge on the world's system or the world's economy. We are standing upon the BLOOD FOUNDATION of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. It is absolute proper to have the right foundation laid. Even as Moses laid the foundation of silver and atonement for the Old Covenant Tabernacle, so Paul in Apostolic ministry lays the proper foundation of Blood-Atonement for the New Covenant Church.

 

Matthew 7:24-29  - Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: [25] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. [26] And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: [27] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. [28] And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: [29] For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

1 Cor. 3:9-14  - For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. [10] According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. [11] For other foundation (the silver-socketed gold-overlaid BOARDS!) can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (THE BLOOD COVENANT) [12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; [13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. [14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

Psalm 11:3  - If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Isaiah 28:16  - Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Luke 6:46-49  - And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? [47] Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: [48] He is like a man which built an house, and dug deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. [49] But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Hebrews 6:1-2  - Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, [2] Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
 

Shittim Wood Bars; Five For North, South And East Sides; Two For West

 

Exodus 26:26-29  - And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, [27] And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward. [28] And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end. [29] And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars: and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold.

        On each side of the structure there were positioned five bars of Shittim wood overlaid with gold. These bars were placed through rings of gold attached to the Boards. As they were inserted, they would act as brace-bars to hold the entire structure in a firm position. Without these brace-bars the structure would be susceptible to every desert wind that came up. As the bars fulfilled their ministry the Tabernacle would stand for sure. It speaks to us today of the Lord Jesus Christ being our STABILITY in the midst of our trials and "winds" of life.

 

        The most interesting of these bars is the central bar. In speaking of the bar the Scripture says, "The middle bar in the midst of the Boards shall reach from end to end." And again in Exodus 36 where the details of the actual building are recorded: he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from one end to the other." Perhaps this bar ran through a hole in the middle of each Board. If this was the case, it would have been in the midst and shooting through the boards.

 

        FIVE is the number of GRACE. God's grace is manifested to the Church in many ways. The FIVE-FOLD ministry gifts of the prophet, teacher, apostle, evangelist and pastor have been given to the Church to STABILIZE HER and keep her on the path of life. Just as the five bars on each side was used to stabilize the whole structure and keep it from being shaken by every wind that came along - so is the five ministries in the CHURCH given to us to keep us stabilized and kept from being swayed by every wind of doctrine.

 

Ephes. 4:14-16  - That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: [16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
 

        Just as the bars were also responsible for keeping the Boards COMPACTED TOGETHER, even so these ministries keep the Church united in our goal. Without these ministries functioning and functioning PROPERLY, the Church lacks stability, solidity and proper structure. The five bars are seen in relation to each side of the framework. This five-fold ministry should be operating in EACH CHURCH as well! The Church is the household of God, built upon the foundation of the APOSTLES and PROPHETS:

 

Col. 2:2  - That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Col. 2:19  - And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with the increase of God.

Ephes. 2:20-22  - And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; [21] In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

1 Peter 2:5  - Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Make Rings Of Gold For The Bars

 

The symbol of the ring speaks to us of endlessness, eternity, having neither beginning or ending. God has established an EVERLASTING Covenant of love with His redeemed. It is the LOVE OF GOD that LINKS all believers together. If each of the 48 Boards had three rings, as most Bible teachers suggest, through which the five bars passed, they could point to the "abiding three," - FAITH, HOPE and LOVE. It is these that bind God and all believers together eternally.

 

Hebrews 13:20  - Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

1 Cor. 13:13  - And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

 

Study Questions: