The Architecture of the Sanctuary

LESSON 1

You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible study programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

In this edition, we continue with our series on His Way is in the Sanctuary. The topic for this study is: The Architecture of the Sanctuary. When God led the Israelites through the wilderness, He commanded Moses to build Him a sanctuary so He will dwell among them (Exodus 25:8). This sanctuary was to follow a pattern that the Lord showed Moses on the mountain (Exodus 25:9, 40). The Lord gave specific instructions to Moses in regard to how the sanctuary and the various articles of furniture within it were to be made. The artisans who were called to work on the sanctuary were filled with special wisdom from the Lord (see Exodus 35:30-35; Exodus 36:1). In this study, I want us to consider the design, dimensions and make-up of the Hebrew Sanctuary.

1) A SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE SANCTUARY

The sanctuary was a sacred tent that could be moved from one place to the other as Israel journeyed to the Promised Land of Canaan. The sanctuary was made up of the courtyard and the tabernacle. The courtyard was the open area around the tabernacle and measured 150 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 7.5 feet high (see Exodus 27:18). The tabernacle itself measured approximately 45 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 15 feet high (see Exodus 26:15-30). The tabernacle was made up of two rooms: the Holy Place and the Most Holy place (Exodus 26:33; Hebrews 9:1-5). The two rooms were divided by a thick heavy veil or curtain (Exodus 26:31-33). The roof or ceiling of the tabernacle was made of four layers of materials: linen, goat's hair, ram's skin, and badger skin (see Exodus 26:1; Exodus 6-14).

The walls were made of fine twined linen (white) and enclosed the entire sanctuary (see Exodus 27:9-15). The walls consisted of upright acacia boards which were set in silver sockets; held firmly by pillars and connecting bars, and overlaid with gold (see Exodus 26:15-29). The wall had only one door which hung on four pillars, and thus formed three equal openings into the sanctuary (see Exodus 27:16). It is important to note that the door of the sanctuary was located on the EAST side so that unlike the heathen nations around them, the Israelites will worship God facing the WEST.

2) THE ARTICLES OF FURNITURE IN THE SANCTUARY

There were six articles of furniture within the sanctuary. Two were located at the court, three were located at the Holy Place, and one was located at the Most Holy place.

A) ARTICLES OF FURNITURE AT THE COURT

The two articles of furniture at the court were the altar of sacrifice and the laver.

i) The Altar of Sacrifice: This was the first article of furniture one encountered at the court. The altar was made of wood and covered with brass. It was shaped into a perfect square with horns on each of the four corners. It was about 7.5 feet square and 4.5 feet high. At the altar of sacrifice, both animals and grain were offered as sacrificial offerings to the Lord (see Exodus 27:1-8; Leviticus 17:11; Numbers 15:4-5).

ii) The Laver: This was the second article of furniture one encountered at the court. It came after the altar of sacrifice and before the entrance to the tabernacle. It was a washing basin made of solid bronze and set on a bronze stand. The laver was filled with water for the priests to wash their hands and feet before they could minster at the brazen altar or enter the tabernacle to serve. No dimensions of the laver are given in Scripture (see Exodus 30:18-21).

B) ARTICLES OF FURNITURE AT THE HOLY PLACE

The three articles of furniture at the Holy Place were the table of showbread, the golden candlestick and the altar of incense.

i) The Table of Showbread: This furniture was made of acacia wood and covered with gold. It measured 3 feet long, 1.5 feet wide and 2.25 feet high. This table was located on the north side of the Holy Place and was directly opposite the golden candlestick. 12 loaves of unleavened bread (separated into 2 rows of six) were placed on the table continually before the Lord by the priests. The twelve loaves of bread represented the 12 tribes of Israel. It is likely that offerings of wine were also placed on the table of showbread (see Exodus 25:23-30; Exodus 26:35; Exodus 37:10-16; Leviticus 24:5-9; Numbers 28:7).

ii) The Golden Candlestick (Menorah): This furniture was made of gold and formed into the shape of an almond tree. This candlestick was located on the south part of the Holy Place, and was directly opposite the table of showbread. The menorah had six branches with a central shaft or trunk. Thus, it is usually referred to as the seven-branched candlestick. The menorah used pure olive oil as fuel. Each morning and evening, the high priest trimmed the wicks and supplied the needed oil so the menorah will provide a constant source of light at the holy place. No dimensions of the menorah are given in Scripture (see Exodus 25:31-39; Exodus 37:17-24; Exodus 26:35; Exodus 30:7-8; Leviticus 24:1-4).

iii) The Altar of Incense: This furniture was made of acacia wood and covered with gold. The altar of incense was 1.5 feet square and about 3 feet high with horns on each corner. This altar was located at the west side of the Holy Place, immediately before the veil which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. This altar contained a brass pot with hot coals from the brazen altar of sacrifice. On this altar, the priests burned a special incense that generated a sweet smelling fragrance before the Lord in the Most Holy Place (see Exodus 30:1-10, Exodus 37:25-29).

iv) The Veil: Even though this was not an article of furniture, it had great significance as far as the temple services were concerned. The veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle, and covered the Shekina glory of God. Thus, one had to pass through the veil to enter the Most Holy Place of the sanctuary. The veil was made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker. Every priest could work at the court and Holy Place of the sanctuary. However, it was only the high priest who could enter through the veil into the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle once in a year (see Exodus 26:31-33; Exodus 36:35; Numbers 18:7; Leviticus 16:2; Hebrews 9:6-7).

C) ARTICLE OF FURNITURE AT THE MOST HOLY PLACE

The only article of furniture at the Most Holy Place was the Ark of the Covenant. The ark was a box constructed with acacia wood and covered with gold. It was 3.75 feet long, 2.25 feet wide and 2.25 feet high. The ark contained the two tablets of stone which bore the Ten Commandments. Later on Moses was commanded to place inside the ark a pot of manna and Aaron's rod that budded. The lid that covered the ark was called the Mercy Seat. It was made of solid gold, and measured 3.75 feet long, 2.25 feet wide and 2.25 feet high. Two cherubs were engraved at each end of the lid. They were positioned towards each other with their faces toward the mercy seat, and their wings also spread out to cover the mercy seat (see Exodus 25:10-22; Exodus 37:1-9; Exodus 16:32-34; Numbers 17:1-10; Hebrews 9:1-5).

3) In some of our upcoming lessons, we will discover that every aspect of the sanctuary; whether the door, or the courtyard and the articles found therein, or the Holy Place and the articles found therein, or the Most Holy Place and the articles found therein; were all types, shadows or figures that were pointing forward to the work of the coming Redeemer in the Person of Jesus Christ.

Exhortation: From the book of Psalms, we read the following beautiful praise dedicated to the God of the Israelite sanctuary: "96:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.

96:2 Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

96:3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

96:4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

96:5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

96:6 Honour and majesty are before him: STRENGTH AND BEAUTY ARE IN HIS SANCTUARY."

(Psalm 96:1-6; Capital Emphasis Added) In our next study, we will consider the topic: The Priesthood of the Sanctuary. The Bible study references for this study are Exodus 28 - 29, Exodus 39, Leviticus 1 - 5, Numbers 3 and Numbers 18. Please do well to go through these passages before the next study is released.

Stay blessed and keep shining for King Jesus.

Maranatha!

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