按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
made by fire unto the Lord； and its horns were sprinkled with the atoning
blood。 Between the altar and the door of the tabernacle was the laver； which
was also of brass； made from the mirrors that had been the freewill offering
of the women of Israel。 At the laver the priests were to wash their hands
and their feet whenever
348
they went into the sacred apartments； or approached the altar to offer a
burnt offering unto the Lord。
In the first apartment； or holy place； were the table of showbread； the
candlestick； or lampstand； and the altar of incense。 The table of showbread
stood on the north。 With its ornamental crown； it was overlaid with pure
gold。 On this table the priests were each Sabbath to place twelve cakes；
arranged in two piles； and sprinkled with frankincense。 The loaves that were
removed； being accounted holy； were to be eaten by the priests。 On the south
was the seven…branched candlestick； with its seven lamps。 Its branches were
ornamented with exquisitely wrought flowers； resembling lilies； and the
whole was made from one solid piece of gold。 There being no windows in the
tabernacle； the lamps were never all extinguished at one time； but shed
their light by day and by night。 Just before the veil separating the holy
place from the most holy and the immediate presence of God； stood the golden
altar of incense。 Upon this altar the priest was to burn incense every
morning and evening； its horns were touched with the blood of the sin
offering； and it was sprinkled with blood upon the great Day of Atonement。
The fire upon this altar was kindled by God Himself and was sacredly
cherished。 Day and night the holy incense diffused its fragrance throughout
the sacred apartments； and without； far around the tabernacle。
Beyond the inner veil was the holy of holies； where centered the symbolic
service of atonement and intercession； and which formed the connecting link
between heaven and earth。 In this apartment was the ark； a chest of acacia
wood； overlaid within and without with gold； and having a crown of gold
about the top。 It was made as a depository for the tables of stone； upon
which God Himself had inscribed the Ten Commandments。 Hence it was called
the ark of God's testament； or the ark of the covenant； since the Ten
Commandments were the basis of the covenant made between God and Israel。
The cover of the sacred chest was called the mercy seat。 This was wrought of
one solid piece of gold； and was surmounted by golden cherubim； one standing
on each end。 One wing of each angel was stretched forth on high； while the
other was folded over the body （see Ezekiel 1：11） in token of reverence and
humility。 The position of the cherubim； with their faces turned
349
toward each other； and looking reverently downward toward the ark；
represented the reverence with which the heavenly host regard the law of God
and their interest in the plan of redemption。
Above the mercy seat was the Shekinah； the manifestation of the divine
Presence； and from between the cherubim； God made known His will。 Divine
messages were sometimes communicated to the high priest by a voice from the
cloud。 Sometimes a light fell upon the angel at the right； to signify
approval or acceptance； or a shadow or cloud rested upon the one at the left
to reveal disapproval or rejection。
The law of God； enshrined within the ark； was the great rule of
righteousness and judgment。 That law pronounced death upon the transgressor；
but above the law was the mercy seat； upon which the presence of God was
revealed； and from which； by virtue of the atonement； pardon was granted to
the repentant sinner。 Thus in the work of Christ for our redemption；
symbolized by the sanctuary service； 〃mercy and truth are met together；
righteousness and peace have kissed each other。〃 Psalm 85：10。
No language can describe the glory of the scene presented within the
sanctuarythe gold…plated walls reflecting the light from the golden
candlestick； the brilliant hues of the richly embroidered curtains with
their shining angels； the table； and the altar of incense； glittering with
gold； beyond the second veil the sacred ark； with its mystic cherubim； and
above it the holy Shekinah； the visible manifestation of Jehovah's presence；
all but a dim reflection of the glories of the temple of God in heaven； the
great center of the work for man's redemption。
A period of about half a year was occupied in the building of the
tabernacle。 When it was completed； Moses examined all the work of the
builders； comparing it with the pattern shown him in the mount and the
directions he had received from God。 〃As the Lord had commanded； even so had
they done it： and Moses blessed them。〃 With eager interest the multitudes of
Israel crowded around to look upon the sacred structure。 While they were
contemplating the scene with reverent satisfaction； the pillar of cloud
floated over the sanctuary and； descending； enveloped it。 〃And the glory of
the Lord filled the tabernacle。〃 There was a revealing of the divine
majesty； and for a time even Moses could
350
not enter。 With deep emotion the people beheld the token that the work of
their hands was accepted。 There were no loud demonstrations of rejoicing。 A
solemn awe rested upon all。 But the gladness of their hearts welled up in
tears of joy； and they murmured low； earnest words of gratitude that God had
condescended to abide with them。
By divine direction the tribe of Levi was set apart for the service of the
sanctuary。 In the earliest times every man was the priest of his own
household。 In the days of Abraham the priesthood was regarded as the
birthright of the eldest son。 Now； instead of the first…born of all Israel；
the Lord accepted the tribe of Levi for the work of the sanctuary。 By this
signal honor He manifested His approval of their fidelity； both in adhering
to His service and in executing His judgments when Israel apostatized in the
worship of the golden calf。 The priesthood； however； was restricted to the
family of Aaron。 Aaron and his sons alone were permitted to minister before
the Lord； the rest of the tribe were entrusted with the charge of the
tabernacle and its furniture； and they were to attend upon the priests in
their ministration； but they were not to sacrifice； to burn incense； or to
see the holy things till they were covered。
In accordance with their office； a special dress was appointed for the
priests。 〃Thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother； for glory and
for beauty；〃 was the divine direction to Moses。 The robe of the common
priest was of white linen； and woven in one piece。 It extended nearly to the
feet and was confined about the waist by a white linen girdle embroidered in
blue； purple； and red。 A linen turban； or miter； completed his outer
costume。 Moses at the burning bush was directed to put off his sandals； for
the ground whereon he stood was holy。 So the priests were not to enter the
sanctuary with shoes upon their feet。 Particles of dust cleaving to them
would desecrate the holy place。 They were to leave their shoes in the court
before