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Teaching And Research By: M. E. Arbaugh
Overcoming
the
Enemies
of
Health
Inner Image
THE TABERNACLE AND THE CAMP
Lesson
2
God's plan for the tabernacle.
The size of the outer court was approximately 75'x150'. We use
the word approximately, because the method of measure in those days was a cubit. Some say a cubit was from the tip of the middle finger to the
elbow, others say it was from the top of the shoulder to the elbow. It
is apparent that a cubit (about eighteen inches) would vary from person
to person, so there has been some confusion as to the exact measurements.
Most scholars agree with the size of 75'x150' for the outer court, 15'x15'
for the Holy of Holies and 15'x30' for the Holy place.
The family of Levi was designated by God as the priestly tribe, they
camped around the perimeter of the court. Their duties included setting
up and taking down the tabernacle. When the cloud moved, the Levites took
every thing apart (except the furniture) and loaded it on to ox carts.
The furniture was carried by means of poles, on the shoulders of the Levi
men. When the cloud stopped, Israel stopped, and the Levites put the tabernacle
back together. Aaron and his family were selected, from the tribe of Levi,
as those who would serve in the holy place. They camped on the eastward
side of the tabernacle, in front of the only entrance to the outer court.
"Those who serve, will abide close by His side."
The tribes of Ruben, Simeon and Gad numbered one hundred fifty one thousand four hundred fifty. They camped on the south side. Ruben's flag (or banner) had a man's face on it. Ruben was the second to march when they moved or went to war.
On the west side were Ephriam, Manessah and Benjamin. They numbered one hundred eight thousand one hundred and were third to march. They went out under the flag of Ephriam the ox, signifying the servant.
On the north side Dan, Asher and Napthali numbered one hundred fifth seven thousand six hundred. Dan's flag was the eagle, interpreted as the divine one. Dan was the last to march when the people moved or went to war.
On the eastward side, toward the sunrise, is the entrance to the court yard, Aaron at the door and the tribe of Judah next. Judah included Ischar and Zebulum and numbered one hundred eighty six thousand four hundred. They had a flag with a lion on it. Judah was the first to march (led by the priests, carrying the ark.) Judah means praise, God always intended that praise should go before us.
The four flags relate to the four gospels and foreshadowed Jesus. Matthew wrote of Jesus, the King, the lion of Judah. Mark wrote of Jesus, the servant of God, the ox symbolizes a servant, a burden bearer. Luke wrote of the man Jesus, who came in His humanity and fulfilled the law. John wrote of Jesus, the divine Son of God, who paid the price for us, symbolized by the eagle soaring in the heavens.
Overcoming
the
Enemies
of
Health
Inner Image
If we could stand on a mountain above the encampment of Israel, we would see something that probably only Moses and Joshua saw in the physical. Coming down from the mountain top, they would have seen an oblong court yard with the Holy of Holies in the center of it. The camping of the tribes, as ordered by God, put the largest number of people at the east side. The two that were almost equal in number, to the south and to the north and the smallest to the west. Do you notice, that it looks like a cross, and there in the center of the cross was the place where God was to dwell. Not only was He in the center of the cross, He had His people in the cross with Him.
None of these things came about by accident. All was according to God's plan. To enter into the outer court, the worshipers had to go to the entrance on the east side toward the sunrise, through the priests and Judah which means praise. It was the star that came out of the east, that led wise men to worship. Wise men still worship Jesus and God through praise.
Nothing was forgotten as God laid out the symbols and the types to show what was to come. He said, this is my beloved son, hear Him. We think that we are the only ones who ever heard that. But God, who is a God of order, justice, mercy, love, compassion and understanding would not have said to His people of old, you must believe, and then not tell them what to believe in. Just as the spirit of revelation knowledge is alive and working in the beloved people of God right now, He was alive and working in the people of old. Our God is not a respecter of persons, what He does for one, He will do for another.
Does it not touch your heart as you see the detail of God's plan to be in the center of the cross with His people, and to know that you are one of His people. Just as we look back to Calvary and see Jesus, the people of old looked forward to Calvary and saw Jesus the lamb of God to come. The perfect lamb who would take away all the sin of the world, past, present and future.
His mercy endures forever, we are not accidents, we have always been known of God. Have you ever felt insignificant or un-important? See the magnitude of what God did. He did it because of us. He did it for you.
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Teaching And Research By: M. E. Arbaugh
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January 1, 2009
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