What is a Sanctuary

December 2011

WHAT IS A SANCTUARY

Tabernacle  or Tent of Meetings - I go back to Abraham:  In Gen 13:18 - Mamre, in the site where Abraham came to set up his tents to camp, built an altar, and was brought divine tidings, in the guise of three angels.

In 18: 1 – And the Lord and two angels appeared unto Abraham in the ‘plains of Mamre” and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. 

#168 - Tent means (O’hel) in Hebrew.  Meeting place, sanctuary and holy.  These were all the ingredients that went into the Tabernacle. 

#4908 - Tabernacle (Mishkan) in Hebrew. Residence or dwelling place.  The tabernacle was a moveable tent.

Purposes of the Tabernacle:

Exodus 20:19 – And the children of Israel said unto Moses Speak thou with us and we will hear, but let not God speak with us lest we die……  Commentary says the people understood that Moses was Gods mediator and that due to the greatness of God they would not speak with God directly.  But I believe God heard the need of their hearts to have direct relationship and communication with him and the Tabernacle was the place for all to be in his presence, according to his rules for service.

Exodus 25:8 - God said And let them make me a sanctuary #4720 (miqdash) consecrated, hallowed part, holy place and  #6944 (qodesh) sacred place, holy thing, set aside for sacred use. -  that I may dwell among them. 

Exodus 25:22 – And there I will meet with thee and I will commune #1696 – (dabar) means to answer, speak, pronounce, say talk, teach, utter - with thee from above the mercy seat #3727 (kapporeth) a lid that covered the Ark of the Testimony, made of gold and decorated with two cherubim.  Only at specific times could the high priest come before the mercy seat. This room where the Ark of the Covenant was placed was separated by a vail.  The Holy of Holies area, which was to separate all men, even the priests, from the presence of God.

a.       Once a year - On the Day of Atonement – made atonement for himself, the tabernacle and the people y a sin offering, which included sprinkling of blood on this lid….

b.      The meaning was clear:  man was separated from God by reason of sin and could not approach him, only through blood which was presented by a priest.

c.       When Jesus died on the cross, the vail hanging in the temple was torn in two (Matt 27:51).  Jesus went beyond the vail (Heb 9:11; 7:23-28) taking His own blood (Heb 9:12) and making full atonement (Heb 10:10, 12).

It was to be a home to hold and protect the Ark of the Covenant or Ark of the Testimony #5715 – God’s Testimony - warning signs, the laws or precepts that God delivered to all humanity.                                                            

a.       Inside the Ark were - Tables of Stone that the 10 commandments were inscribed.  It was also said to include.

b.       Aaron’s rod. (Heb 9:4)

c.        A jar of manna – Edible substance that God provided to the people of Israel during their travel in the dessert.

4.      Ex 40:36-38 - The Lord will meet his people there and it will be filled with the Glory of God and His presence. 

5.      Levites (Priest) were responsible for the Tabernacle (Num 18: 1-8)

And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood. 2And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness. 3And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die. 4And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you. 5And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel. 6And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 8And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.

a.       minister #8334 -  (sharath) to serve, servant, contribute – host for God, service

b.      priest office #3550 – (khunnah) priesthood – makes sacrifices – mediate in religious services, to officiate.

6.      Ex 25-40 – God instructs how the Tabernacle, Arks of the Covenant is to be built and the responsibility of the Priest #3548 (kohen) to officiate, chief rule, priest, prince – functioning as mediators between God and His people.  Congregation #5712 (edah) family or crowd – assembly company multitude, people, swarm and #4150 (mowed) an appointment, fixed time or season, a festival, conventionally a year, the place of meeting, appointed, sign or time.

*January 2012 Lesson - will discuss what followed The Tabernacle

 (Temple, Synagogue and Church) and God's instructions for the functions and activities!