Coachlight Bible Study – Exodus Lesson 26

Coachlight Bible Study – Exodus Lesson 26 – Approaching God

Part IV – Approach God Only By Way Of The Altar

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me….

Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

It is God’s eternal plan to tabernacle with man. But since Adam fell, it has been difficult for sinful man to approach a holy God. God of course knew this, and planned out His will centered on the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Through this slain Lamb, we can approach God, and without Him this approaching is completely impossible. Many times we twist Scripture by inserting our own preconceived notions into Scripture, instead of extracting out of Scripture God’s meaning.

The Messiah, the One the Father sent into the world, dealt with the religious of His day. Christ healed a man on the Sabbath. The religious Jews had interpreted this miracle on the Sabbath as being against the law of Moses. When these religious Jews confronted Jesus about this, He answered them, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” Now the religious hated Him more because they had no conception of Who He Is. He is the God Man Whom the Father sent into the world. Although they had “searched the Scriptures”, they had interpreted the Scriptures erroneously. Christ, after explaining Who He Is, told them they were interpreting the Scripture incorrectly, and taught all of us that the Scriptures actually testify of the very One that they were accusing of breaking Moses’ law! He then told them:

John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

Can we see that the Jews were seeking religious respect from each other, rather than finding eternal life through the One whom the Father sent?

We often are guilty of doing the very same act today. Instead of extracting God’s message from the Scriptures, we often, just like the Pharisees of Jesus’ time, insert into the Scriptures our erroneous religious knowledge instead of seeking what God meant when He wrote it. That process is not worshipping God, it is worshiping each other. The Scriptures teach:

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

How do we worship God in Spirit and in truth? The study of the tabernacle in Exodus teaches us that the only way to approach God is by gathering together and opening up Scripture truthfully by seeking God’s meaning not man’s, we are worshiping in Spirit and in Truth:

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

The Book of Exodus is all about how to approach God. Remember in the third chapter, God appeared to Moses as a flame in a bush that was not consumed? God was teaching Moses then how to approach a Holy God and not be consumed. Yahweh continued throughout the Bible teaching all who desires to dig into God’s Word, the way for a sinful man to approach a holy God, not unto death, but eternal life

Part I – Approach Christ Through The Father’s Draw

It is through Scripture that we are drawn by the Father to the Son:

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Part II – Approach The Father Only Through Christ

In part two of this series we went a bit further into the concept of approaching God. While it is true, that the Father draws us to Christ with Scripture, it is also true that no one approaches the Father except through Christ:

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

This teaching is taught in Exodus as God had Moses build the Tabernacle.

We know that every part of the Tabernacle and its furnishings and priestly works were a type of Christ and His work:

Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Part III – Approach God Only Through The Rent Vail

In part III we investigated the problem that existed concerning the entrance into the Holy of Holies, barred to everyone except the High Priest, and then only once a year, and then only with blood. The veil, which covered the entrance, symbolized Christ’s flesh, actually prevented man from approaching God. God’s glory could only be seen from the outside. There was no way for sinful man to approach a holy God.

We learned before that sinful man could approach Christ only by the Father’s draw, and that the Father draws by the Scripture. Then we learned that we can approach God only through Christ. But the problem still existed. Sinful man could not approach God because Christ’s sin less life, which was symbolized by the veil, stood in the way.

Christ’s life did not give us access to the Father, rather it gave us condemnation. When we stand facing the veil of His sinless life, we realize how unworthy we are.

But Glory to God, His death caused that wall of partition to be abolished so that we can approach the throne of God with boldness by a new and living way.

Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Hebrews 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Ephesians 2:15 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;

Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Matthew 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Mark 15:38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

Luke 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

I. The Book Of Exodus Is Typical Of Christ And His Work

Moses – A Type of Christ
Moses	Christ
At Moses birth, the Pharaoh wanted all Hebrew boys killed. Exodus 1:15-16	At Christ’s birth, Herod wanted all Hebrew children killed. Matthew 2:16
The common Hebrew was actually a prince and heir to Egypt. Acts 7:21-22; Hebrews 11:24; Exodus 2:10	Christ, a carpenter’s son, was actually heir of all things. Hebrews 1:2; Philippians 2:6-2:8
Moses, seeing their burdens, refused the position of second in command in Egypt. Hebrews 11:24-25	Jesus, seeing His people’s oppression, became a servant in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:6-8
Moses was rejected by brethren, who said to him, who made you a ruler and a judge over us. Exodus 2:11-14; Acts 7:23-27	Jesus was rejected as He came unto His people and was accused of using the power of the devil. Matthew 27:22; Matthew 12:24
After his rejection, Moses took a Gentile Bride. Exodus 2:15-16; Exodus 2:21-22	Christ is now gathering together His mostly Gentile Bride of Christ. II Corinthians 11:2
Israel didn’t understand why when the king of Egypt died, that their bondage being increased, asked, “Why God?” Exodus 2:23	His disciples didn’t understand why their Messiah had to go to the cross. The church age a mystery. Matthew 16:21-23; John 19:10-11; Acts 1:3-7
God heard their groaning, and remembered His covenant with Abraham. Exodus 2:24-25	God will hear the cry of Israel, and remember His covenant with Abraham in the Tribulation. Romans 11:27
The Lord comes down Himself to deliver Israel out of bondage, Moses will lead them out. Exodus 3:7-10	The Lord will send Himself, to deliver Israel after the Tribulation. Romans 11:26-28
The Lord sent judgment upon Egypt, Moses, the only one worthy, “broke the seals” of judgment on Egypt. Exodus 7:1-5	Christ will be the only One worthy to open the seals of judgment on the antichrist. Revelation 5:6-9
The Pharaoh’s heart was hardened with the judgments of God on Egypt Exodus 7:10-13	The world’s heart will be hardened with the judgments of God on the world. Revelation 16:9-11
Through judgment, Israel is delivered out of Egypt. Exodus 14:8-14	Through judgment, Israel will be delivered out of the Tribulation Romans 11:25-29

III. Tabernacle Furniture - A Type Of Christ And His Work

Tabernacle Furniture – Typical Of Christ And His Work

Earthly Tabernacle

Christ And His Work

Purpose – For God To Dwell With His People – Exodus 25:8

Revelation 21:3 …the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, …

Patterned After Heavenly Tabernacle – Exodus 25:8-9; Acts 7:44

Christ Presented His Blood – Hebrews 8:2; Hebrews 9:23-24

Ark of the Covenant Made Of Shittim Wood Overlaid With Gold

1. Indestructible Wood Symbols Of Christ’s Humanity - 1 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9

2. Gold Symbolic Of His Deity - Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23

Mercy Seat – 1. Where The Meeting Took Place.

2. Between The Cherubs Where Communion Took Place – Exodus 25:22

1. God Often Pictured As Between The Cherubs. – Psalm 80:1; 99:1

2. In This Age God Dwells Within Those Who Are in Christ – John 14:23

Contents Of The Ark: - Exodus 25:10-22

1; Table Of The Covenant

2. Golden Pot Of Manna

3. Aaron’s Rod That Budded

Type Of Christ

1. Christ As King – Fulfilling God’s Plan

2. Christ As Prophet, Spoke For God; He Is The Bread Of Life – John 6:32

3. Christ As Priest, symbolizing His Resurrection: - Hebrews 7:25, 9:1-28, 10:19-24; I Peter 1:18-19

Table Of Shewbread – Exodus 25:23-30

1. Eaten By Priests Every Sabbath

2. His Sinless Life – Hebrews 9:28

3. Always Present – Priestly Duties – Hebrews 7:21-27

Type Of Christ

1. Christ Is Sustenance For Eternal Life – To Worship Must Feed On Him John 6:35, 48, 51; Matthew 22:1-14

2. Unleavened Bread (Leaven symbol Of Sin)

3. Christ Our Eternal Priest – Hebrews 7:25

Golden Candlestick – Exodus 25:31-40

1. Made Of Gold

2. Looked Like Almond Branch

3. Contained Oil Lamps

4. Only Light In Tabernacle

5. The Only Light In The Tabernacle

6. Light Revealed Beauty Of The Candlestick

Type Of Christ

1. Symbol Of Christ As God – Colossians 2:9

2. Symbolic Of Aaron’s Rod– Christ’s Resurrection Confirmed Christ’s Priesthood, As Aaron’s Rod Did

3. Oil Is Symbol Of The Holy Spirit

4. Christ Is The Only Light – John 1:2-4; 9

5. To Worship Must Walk In The Light -I John 1

6. Holy Spirit Testifies Of Christ – John 15:26

III. Curtains Of The Tabernacle – Typical Of Christ’s Beauty

Curtains – Typical Of Christ’s Beauty
Curtains Of The Tabernacle	Christ And His Work
Four Curtains – Exodus 26:1-14 1. Beautiful Fine Twined Linen Not Allowed To Touch Ground 2. With blue 3. Scarlet, 4. Purple 5. Cherubim	1. Beautiful white linen symbolizes righteousness – Revelation 19:8; And Christ’s Beauty – Isaiah 28:5; We will behold His beauty at the Rapture - II Thessalonians 4:18 2. Blue symbolizes heaven 3. Scarlet symbolizes Christ’s humanity and the shedding of His blood. 4. Purple represents royalty – (Heaven touching earth as King) 5. Cherubim Are Pictures Of Guardians of God’s throne - Genesis 3:24; Great place to hide Psalm 17:8
2. Goat’s Hair Did Touch Ground	A Symbol Of Sin – Leviticus 16:9; A Type Of Christ Touching Down Thus Taking On Himself The Sin Of The World – Isaiah 53:6; Contains The Message Of The Gospel – Hebrews 9:24-26
3. Ram’s Skin Dyed Red	Red Ram Skin A Symbol Of Christ As Our Substitute – It Was A Ram On Mount Moriah Genesis 22:13; A Symbol Of Consecration – Exodus 29:19-22
4. Badger’s Skin (Seal Skin) – Dull Blue Grey Color With No Definite Measurement Or Form Given.	The Protective Cover Having No Form, Comeliness, Or Beauty That We Should Desire Him. Isaiah 52:13-14; 53:1-6.
His Beauty Can Not Be Seen From The Outside. The World Does Not Know Him – John 1:10. Only His Own See His Beauty.
1. Table Of Shewbread Demonstrates That To Worship Him We Must Feed On Christ
2. Candlestick Shows To Worship Him We Must Be Illuminated By The Holy Spirit
3. Coverings Teach We Must Worship Him Beholding His Beauty: Psalm 96:6 Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Psalm 96:9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: ….

IV. Boards And Sockets And The Vail Typical Of Christ

Boards And Sockets Typify Christ
Boards And Sockets	Christ And His Work
Boards Made Of Shittim Wood - Indestructible Desert Wood – Resists Termites	Symbolic Of Christ’s Humanity – Called A Root Out Of Dry Ground – Isaiah 53:2
Boards Overlaid With Pure Gold	Symbolic Of Christ’s Deity
Shittim Wood Plus Pure Gold Make Up One Board	Two Natures Make Up One Body – An Explanation By God In The Form Of A Mystery. Many Wise Do Not Get It. I Corinthians 1:27; Matthew 11:25
Boards Seated In Sockets Of Silver	A Type Of Christ’s Work Of Redemption, Delivering Us From This Present Evil World – Galatians 1:3-4
Boards Held Together By Bars	Typical Of Christ Holding All Things Together – Colossians 1:13-17

Vail Symbolic Of Christ’s Body – Hebrews 10:20
Vail	Type
Exodus 26:31-37 Vail Made Of: 1. Fine Twined Linen 2. With Blue 3. With Scarlet 4. With Purple 5. With Cherubim	1. Beautiful white linen symbolizes righteousness – Revelation 19:8; And Christ’s Beauty – Isaiah 28:5; We will behold His beauty at the Rapture - II Thessalonians 4:18 2. Blue symbolizes heaven 3. Scarlet symbolizes Christ’s humanity and the shedding of His blood. 4. Purple represents royalty – (Heaven touching earth as King) 5. Cherubim Are Pictures Of Guardians of God’s throne - Genesis 3:24; Great place to hide Psalm 17:8
Vail Hung On Four Pillars 1. All Made Of Shittim Wood Overlaid With Gold Standing In Silver Sockets 2. Pillars Cut Off To Hang Vail– Different From Other Boards	1. Pictures Deity Taking Hold Of Earth By Redemption 2. Christ Was Cut Off From The Land Of The Living – Isaiah 53:8
The Vail Was A Type Of Christ’s Body	Hebrews 10:20; Ephesians 2:13-18
The Vail Was Rent In Two At Christ’s Death	Matthew 27:50-51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45
The Vail Was The Only Entrance To The Holy Of Holies – Exodus 26:33	Christ Is The Way, The Truth, And The Life, No One Can Approach The Father Except Through Christ – John 13:6
The Vail Was Only A Type, A Shadow Of Good Things To Come – Hebrews 10:1-4	Christ Made A New And Living Way – Hebrews 10:9-22

VII. The Brazen Altar – Type Of The Cross

Exodus 27:1 And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits.

Exodus 27:2 And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.

Exodus 27:3 And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basins, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass.

Exodus 27:4 And thou shalt make for it a grate of network of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brazen rings in the four corners thereof.

Exodus 27:5 And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar.

Exodus 27:6 And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with brass.

Exodus 27:7 And the staves shall be put into the rings, and the staves shall be upon the two sides of the altar, to bear it.

Exodus 27:8 Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.

I. Overview Of The Tabernacle

A. The Furniture In The Tabernacle Proper Was Made Of Gold

1. Gold is a symbol of deity

2. Pictures Christ and who He is

B. The Furniture In The Court Was Made Of Brass

1. Brass symbolizes the judgment of sin

2. Pictures Christ’s work

C. The Problem Of Sin Must Be Settled In The Court Before Approaching Holy Place

1. The furniture in the holy place is all of gold

2. The holy place symbolizes communion and worship of God

3. No sin is allowed in the holy place

D. How Can Sinful Man On The Outside Approach A Holy God?

1. The first thing he needs is a substitute to die in his stead

2. Man could just pass by the front gate and not meet God

3. But if that man wants to meet God and not die, he needs a substitute.

a. There must be a death of an innocent substitute on the brazen altar

b. This is the place in which God deals with the sinner

4. The brazen altar symbolizes the cross of Christ

a. Christ is the Only One to die in man’s stead – Our Burnt Offering

Ephesians 5:2 … hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

b. The altar was man-made, but from the heavenly pattern

c. The cross was God’s chosen altar of sacrifice

d. Christ was:

Acts 2:23 … delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,…

e. Christ was not only sinless (innocent), but also:

Revelation 13:8 … the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

f. There is no approach to God except by the brazen altar (cross)

1. There an innocent substitute must be sacrificed and acknowledged

2. John the Baptist called Christ:

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

3. John was referring to Christ as the Substitute on the brazen altar

4. The cross became the brazen altar during the last three hours of Christ on the cross

a. As darkness descended on Christ

b. As Christ paid for the sins of the world

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

g. Man could not worship, pray, or serve God until he came to the brazen altar

1. Every priest and every Levite had to come to this altar

2. Do we see that if Christ had not died on the cross we could not approach God

a. The brazen altar stood at the entrance of the tabernacle

b. The cross (The type of the altar) stands at the entrance of God’s throne

c. The cross was raised on the earth, but there is no entrance to heaven without the cross

Moses – A Type of Christ