Sermon #90                                                                                                              Exodus Series

 

      Title:                                             Buckles, Bases,

Boards and Bars

 

      Text:                                 Exodus 26:6-30

      Subject:               Tabernacles Types

      Date:                                Tuesday Evening — January 13, 2009

      Tape:                    Exodus #90

      Readings:           Lindsay Campbell and Larry Criss

      Introduction:

 

The title of my message is Buckles, Bases, Boards and Bars. I was not trying to be clever when I chose those words for my title. Turn with me to our text — Exodus 26, and you will see the reason for my title. In verses 6-30, the Lord God told Moses to makeÉ

á      50 taches, buckles of gold and 50 buckles of brass,

á      48 boards,

á      each board was to have two sockets of silver, that is two foundations or bases of silver,

á      and 15 bars shittim wood overlaid with gold.

 

(Exodus 26:6-30) ÒAnd thou shalt make fifty taches (buckles) of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacleÉ — (11) And thou shalt make fifty taches (buckles) of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.Ó

 

(15) ÒAnd thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up. (16) Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board. (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. (18) And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward. (19) 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: (21) And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. (22) 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. (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.Ó

 

(26) ÒAnd 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. (30) And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was showed thee in the mount.Ó

 

What is represented by these buckles, boards, bases and bars? As we seek to understand the typical meaning of the tabernacle and its furnishings, we should do so by following the direction of God the Holy Spirit. In the book of Hebrews, he gives us four distinct statements about the tabernacle and the ceremonies of carnal worship connected with it. He tells us that these things wereÉ

á      ÒThe shadow of heavenly thingsÓ (Hebrews 8:5)

á      ÒThe patterns of things in the heavensÓ (Hebrews 9:23)

á      ÒThe figures of the trueÓ (Hebrews 9:24) and

á      ÒA shadow of good things to comeÓ (Hebrews 10:1).

 

In other words, the things we read about here, in the book of Exodus, were designed to be shadows, patterns, types and figures of those heavenly, spiritual things now revealed in the gospel of Christ. Specifically, the Holy Spirit tells us that the tabernacle in the wilderness was typical ofÉ

á      Christ himself, the Word made flesh, who dwelt among us full of grace and truth (John 1:14),

á      of the church of God in this world (1 Corinthians 3:9),

á      of every believer (Ephesians 2:19-22) and

á      of the whole of GodÕs salvation wrought out for and given to chosen sinners in Christ.

 

May God the Holy Spirit give us grace, as we come to the tabernacle, to come like Simeon came to the temple, looking for the Consolation of Israel, looking for Christ. Seeing our Savior and GodÕs great salvation in him, in such carnal things as buckles and boards, bases and bars, we will be like those two disciples on the road to Emmaus, I pray that he will cause our hearts to burn within us, as he talks with us by the way!

 

GodÕs Command

 

Turn back to Exodus 25, where God gave his command to build the tabernacle.

 

(Exodus 25:8) ÒAnd let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.Ó

 

What a remarkable command that is! The Lord God commands sinful men to make a tabernacle for him, that he might dwell among them! Does God desire the company and companionship of such things as we are? He does indeed; but he cannot come to us and we cannot come to him except in a way that honors him in all his holy character. The tabernacle was designed to show, by constant, daily sacrifices and services, how God and man can be and are united in the person and work of Christ.

  • Those who made the tabernacle were a chosen, covenant people.
  • They were a people who had been specially redeemed by the blood of a lamb.
  • They were a people delivered from death (the Red Sea) and sanctified to God by the work of his wind (the Holy Spirit).

 

(1 Corinthians 3:16) ÒKnow ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?Ó

 

The Pattern

 

God took Moses up into the mount and showed him the pattern according to which he must make the tabernacle. He showed Moses the accomplishment of redemption by the sacrifice of the incarnate Son of God, and said, — ÒSee, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mountÓ (Hebrews 8:5; Exodus 25:9, 40).

 

(Exodus 25:9) ÒAccording to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.Ó

 

(Exodus 25:40) ÒAnd look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount.Ó

 

Because these carnal things had spiritual meaning they were to be made according to a heavenly pattern. The tabernacle, like salvation, was altogether according to the purpose of God.

  • Everything was done according to GodÕs will and GodÕs purpose. — ÒThus saith the LordÓ was the rule of everything.
  • No manÕs opinion was sought; and no manÕs opinion was given.
  • Everything was done to show forth the greatness and glory of Christ.
  • Everything was done for the glory of God alone.
  • Everything was designed to display GodÕs marvelous scheme of redemption and grace by the substitutionary sacrifice of his darling Son at Calvary.

 

The Materials

 

Remember, God required the children of Israel to bring the materials by which the tabernacle was to be made (Exodus 25:1-8). He would only accept that which was offered willingly; though the offering was received by divine command.

 

(Exodus 25:2) ÒSpeak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.Ó

 

How can a sacrifice be a willing sacrifice, if it is commanded? The fact is, the only way we will ever offer ourselves or make any offering of sacrifice of any kind to God is if he commands it. It is written, — ÒThy people shall be willing in the day of thy power!Ó

 

But where did these pilgrims, dwelling in a desert get all the rich and rare materials necessary for such a costly enterprise? Where on earth did they get all the silver and gold and precious stones that God received from their hands to make the tabernacle?

  • Bake Sales?
  • Yard Sales?
  • Begging?
  • Tithing?

 

The Lord God himself put into their hands that which he now received from their hands!

 

(Exodus 12:36) ÒAnd the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.Ó

 

Now, turn to Exodus 36:6, and watch this. —

 

(Exodus 36:6) ÒAnd Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.Ó

 

These redeemed sinners, fresh out of Egypt gave with such willing hearts, so liberally, that Moses had to tell them to quit giving!

 

The Workman

 

Skip over to Exodus 31. Let me show you the workmen God used to get the job done.

 

(Exodus 31:1-6) ÒAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (2) See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: (3) And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, (4) To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, (5) And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. (6) And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee.Ó

 

Bezaleel led a whole crew of skilled artisans. Bezaleel means ÒIn the shadow of God.Ó Bezaleel like God the Holy Spirit, gave to Òevery man his work,Ó and imparted to each workman the wisdom needed to perform his work. Clearly, Bezaleel stands before us as one typical of God the Holy Spirit, foreshadowing his great work in the building of GodÕs spiritual temple, the church, which is Òan habitation of God through the Spirit.Ó The Lord used many to make his sanctuary; but Bezaleel alone was skilled Òin all manner of workmanship;Ó and he alone devised curious works (Exodus 35:30-32).

 

(Exodus 35:30-32) ÒAnd Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; (31) And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; (32) And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,Ó

 

The Buckles

 

Now, letÕs look briefly at the buckles, boards, bases and bars spoken of in Exodus 26. We will begin with the 50 buckles of gold and the 50 buckles of brass (vv. 6 and 11).

 

(Exodus 26:6) ÒAnd thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.Ó

 

(Exodus 26:11) ÒAnd thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.Ó

 

The number 50 is itself an indication that these taches (buckles) which held the loops of the curtains together represent God the Holy Spirit, fifty being the number for Pentecost. Added to the symbolic number 50, both gold and brass are used through the Scriptures as emblems of divinity. Then, we are twice told that the purpose for these buckles was to hold everything together, to Òcouple the tent together, that it may be one.Ó That is the work of God the Holy Spirit. He makes of many one in Christ (Ephesians 4:1-7).

 

(Ephesians 4:1-7) ÒI therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (2) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (3) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (7) But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.Ó

 

The Bases

 

Before we look at the boards, I want to show you the bases upon which the boards were set. Each board was set in two sockets of silver, which formed the foundation for the tabernacle. These sockets of silver were made to serve as the two tenons, or hands, that held the boards upright and held them all together.

 

(Exodus 26:15-20) ÒAnd thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up. (16) Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board. (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. (18) And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward. (19) 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:Ó

 

Knowing that this house was to be typical of heavenly and eternal things, we may be sure that something very special is to be seen here. These bases formed the one foundation upon which the whole tabernacle was erected and upon which it sat.

 

In Exodus 30 we are told that every man had to give half a shekel as atonement for his soul. In Exodus 38 we find that that Òatonement money,Ó the price of souls, was to be made into sockets, in which the boards of the tabernacle were to rest.

 

What does all that mean? Just this — The Foundation, upon which the whole tabernacle and all the services of the tabernacle sat was Atonement. Turn to 1 Peter 1:18-20. Here Peter was inspired to make reference to this very thing.

 

(1 Peter 1:18-20) ÒForasmuch 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,Ó

 

The tabernacle had no standing apart from the atonement; and has the church of Christ, the House of God, has no foundation at all apart from the sin-atoning, precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. To deny the redeeming power and efficacy of ChristÕs blood is to deny the only foundation laid by God upon which it is possible to build true worship and acceptable service. — ÒOther foundation can no man layÓ (1 Corinthians 3:11).

 

The Boards

 

The bases, the foundation, represent the atoning work of Christ. The boards resting on and fixed in the foundation typify the redeemed of the Lord. The boards represent us, the Israel of God — Always portrayed in the number 12 or in multiples of 12.

  • Each board was fifteen feet long and twenty-seven inches broad.
  • Each board had two tenons (The word means —Óhands.Ó), by which it laid hold of the silver socket.

 

These boards may say much more than you have imagined, representing every believerÕs experience of grace, by which we are built upon Christ.

  • They had to be cut down. — Saul had this experience while on his way to Damascus.
  • The boards could not be used until they were completely dried up. — The sap of pride and self-righteousness must be dried up in us. David knew about this when he cried, ÒThy hand was heavy upon me. My moisture is turned into the drought of summerÓ (Psalm 32. 4).
  • The boards also had to be cleansed and covered, clad and completely encased in pure gold. — Beauty was put upon them that is altogether foreign to boards. — ÒThe righteousness of God, which is unto all and upon all them that believeÓ (Romans 3:22).
  • The boards were fitly framed together, joined together by the God-given hand of faith, holding the foundation and held to the foundation! — When planted in their bases, forming one foundation, they were joined one to another. — True spiritual union can only come through our being joined together in Christ. Each board resting on the silver sockets of atonement stood as one with the other.

 

The Bars

 

Then, the Lord God commanded Moses to make fifteen strong bars of shittim wood, overlaid with gold. These bars encircled the golden boards like the arms of the omnipotent mercy and grace, keeping themÉ

  • On the Foundation!
  • Upright!
  • Together!
  • Pointed Heavenward!

 

As each board had three rings, through which the bars ran, each believer has three golden rings through which we are united by almighty grace to God our Savior and to one another: Faith, Hope and Love. — ÒThe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy GhostÓ (2 Corinthians 13:14). — ÒThese three, and the greatest of these is love!Ó

 

 

The tabernacle is often referred to as Òthe tabernacle of witnessÓ (Numbers 17:7-8; 18:2; 2 Chronicles 24:6; Acts 7:44). Like the church of God, it was a witness in the wilderness to the mercy and holiness, and justice and grace, and faithfulness and truth of God. Text Box: THE COVERINGS. 
That is precisely what we are, as the trophies of his grace. We are GodÕs tabernacle of witness in this world. Witnessing everywhere of GodÕsÉ

  • GodÕs Greatness and Grace.
  • GodÕs Glory and Goodness
  • GodÕs Free Salvation.
  • GodÕs Dear Son!

 

Amen.

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

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