Sunday, May 13, 2007
The Outer Court Exodus 27:9-19
The Court of the Tabernacle was a large open space surrounding the Tabernacle proper, and fenced in by a wall of linen curtains, 100 cubits long by 50 cubits wide (150' x 75'). This wall was supported by 60 pillars of which there were 20 on each side (N & S) and 10 on each end (E & W). There was only one gate - at the Eastern end of the Court. It was 20 cubits wide
LINEN CURTAINS.
The curtains were the principal part of the wall which formed the enclosure. They were 7'6" high - too high for anyone to look over. They reached to the ground - too low for anyone to look under. They effectively denied access to the provisions and presence of God to all who avoided the gate.
In approaching the Tabernacle the very first thing seen was this linen fence. So it is with our approach to God. The first thing obvious to us is the absolute purity and righteousness of God. It is this which exposes our sin.
All the Israelites were camped in tents made of goatskins which were black but the Tent of the Lord was fenced in spotless white. It stood out as a contrast and speaks of the total opposition between God and the natural man.
The dimensions of the curtains were 1500 sq. cubits. (100xl00x 50x50 x5 = 1500). This is the length of the Age of Law. Moses lived 1500 years before Jesus. -Note that it is the Law which was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. -Gal. 3:24.
60 PILLARS of Brass?
The brass speaks of judgement
FILLETS AND HOOKS AND CHAPITERS.
These were of silver. The Fillet was a rod which tied each pillar together and the hooks suspended
the curtains. Silver speaks of redemption -
Num. 3:49-51So Moses collected the redemption money from those in excess of the ones redeemed by the Levites. 50 He collected the money from the firstborn Israelites: 1,365 [shekels measured]by the standard sanctuary shekel. 51 He gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons in obedience to the Lord, just as the Lord commanded Moses.
Ex. 38:25-29The silver from those of the community who were registered was 7,544 pounds, according to the sanctuary shekel— 26 two-fifths of an ounce per man, that is, half a shekel according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone 20 years old or more who had crossed over to the registered group, 603,550 men. 27 There were 7,500 pounds of silver [used]to cast the bases of the sanctuary and the bases of the veil—100 bases from 7,500 pounds, 75 pounds for each base. 28 With the [remaining]44 pounds he made the hooks for the posts, overlaid their tops, and supplied bands for them. 29 The bronze of the presentation offering totaled 5,310 pounds.
The firstborn of Israel were replaced by the Levites in the service of God and were redeemed from that responsibility brought on them in Egypt when the rest of the firstborn were slain, by ½ shekels of the sanctuary which was the shekel of silver. Ex.30:11-16 tells of the half shekel of atonement money which every man in Israel had to give to be preserved from plaque.
1 Pet 1:18For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things, like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.
Zech. 11:12-13 Then I said to them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep [them].” So they weighed my wages, 30 pieces of silver. 13 “Throw it to the potter,” the Lord said to me—this magnificent price I was valued by them. So I took the 30 pieces of silver and threw it into the house of the Lord, to the potter.
The Outer court was Founded upon the judgement of God (brass) it was suspended by the hooks of redemption (silver) and the whole frame work of pillars was tied together by horizontal bars of silver, so that an unbroken line of silver ran around the entire perimeter of the Tabernacle. This speaks of the purpose for which Christ came - Gal.4:4-5 says 'that God sent His Son "to redeem" them that were under the law'.
THE GATE.
The only entrance to the Outer Court and subsequently to the Holy Places was through a gateway 30 feet (20 cubits) wide at the Eastern end.
It was different to the rest of the outer wall in that its hangings were beautiful fine twined linen plus the colours of blue, purple and scarlet. These colours occur frequently throughout the Tabernacle and speak of Christ,
as to His heavenly origin (blue),
His royalty (Purple)
His sufferings (scarlet)
His righteousness intertwined with them (white.)
This colour speaks to us of Christ the WAY.
John 10: 7 So Jesus said again, “I assure you: I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who came before Meare thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
In bold language, Jesus declare Himself to be the door of the sheep.(Ill. The sheepfold was usually a circular enclosure surrounded by stone walls. There was only one opening in thiswall allowing access into this enclosure and at night, when the sheep were all gathered in, the shepherd would lay himself in that opening and in effect, he would become the door. Nothing could get in or out without passing through the shepherd.) Sometimes in John’s gospel there are double allusions. I think this may be one of them. Every Jewish person knew there was only one access way into Jewishness, the doorway through the outer court into the tabernacle, and alter similarly into the temple. I think this is one of those double allusions, to the sheepfold, and larger, to the tabernacle.
"Knock knock Knocking On Heaven’s Door." THIS DOOR IS A PERSON
A Gate For Sinners
In this statement from the lips of Jesus, we find a tremendous offer given to sinners. In these words, Jesus offers hope to everyone who is wandering in a life of sin. While Jesus wants to save you, He will never force Himself upon you! However, He gives you opportunities to come to Him. Notices what He proposes to us sinners: "he shall be saved." -- When a person comes to Jesus for salvation, they find themselves completely transformed and eternally saved! They are instantly liberated and made new in Jesus. This is a very descriptive word and was used to describe a person who had recovered from a serious illness, one who had survived a war, one who had come safely through a bad storm or someone who had won at court. What is means for us is that we have, in a spiritual sense, all of the above and now, we are rescued from all harm and danger. This one little word is a glorious declaration of the security we enjoy in the Lord Jesus Christ. In this "Pasture" we find:
Rest -- No longer are we searching for what we needed. We have found what our heart was longing for and His name is Jesus. Now, we are permitted to rest in His grace and anticipate our heavenly homecoming! I’m not trying to be saved! Are you? I’m just resting on grace. It was grace that sought me, grace that bought me and grace that will lead me home! After all, what did Jesus say? Matt. 11:28!)
Refreshment -- In Jesus, the saint of God finds all that his or her heart needs for absolute and perfect contentment, Psa. 107:9. When we taste and find that the "Lord is good", Psa. 34:8, we loose our appetite for other things!
Rejoicing -- In Jesus, we find that fullness of joy that was lacking when we wandered out in sin. He has promised us "fullness of joy", 1 Pet. 1:8You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, Psa. 16:11 You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures. Yes, the child of God has ample reason to rejoice! Luke 10:20 However, don’t rejoice thatthe spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” In His pasture, there is "fullness of joy."
We go in and out and find pasture.. every need is supplied: He deals with us about the problems of
1. The Penalty Of Sin -- Ill. Rom. 6:23. However, in Jesus, the curse of death is removed and we are set free from the awful wrath of God, Rom. 5:9
The Prodigal Son -- When he returned home, the Father ran out to meet him and fell upon him,
2. The Power Of Sin -- According to Rom. 6:14, Jesus breaks sins power in the life of the saint of God. After we come to Christ, we are no longer slaves to the whims of the flesh and the devil, Eph. 2:1-3). We are made free in Jesus and are given the liberty to withstand temptation and to live for God! (Ill. 1 Cor. 10:13) (Ill. One of the greatest wonders of salvation is the great change that comes into the Christian’s life, 2 Cor. 5:17. It seems that we just don’t want many of the things we used to think we couldn’t live without!)
3. The Presence Of Sin -- One day, when we leave this world, we will forever be free from sin’s presence. In heaven, it will not be allowed -- Rev. 21:27. Not only that, but we will receive new flesh and we will no longer have any desire toward sin -- 1 Jn. 3:1-3.
The Only Gate Jesus is saying that He is the Door! No one gets into God’s flock without going through Him. Simply stated, there is only one way to the Father and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ -- John 14:6. Salvation only comes about through faith in Jesus. Baptism won’t do it, church membership won’t do it, ritual and religious activity won’t get the job done. There is only one plan for man’s salvation and that is through faith in the finished work of Christ at Calvary.
Salvation is simple, it is just very exclusive -- Rom. 10:9-10 if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.
John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” Rom. 10:13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved !) The big question is this, "Have you ever been through the Door?"
A Wide gate The Gate was 30 feet wide - large enough for whoever would come. Each section of that gate was 7'6" between pillars. John 6:37 Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out. The Scope Of It -- "any man" -- Salvation is not a club for an elite few saints, but it is an offer of God to every man. No person alive today is beyond the reach of God’s saving love! (Ill. Rev. 22:17 Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Anyone who hears should say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift. Many feel that there is no hope for them, yet the Bible is clear that God loves all men, John 3:16, and offers them salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. You can be saved today if you are lost in sin!
A Gate to Step Through The Scheme Of It -- "If any man enter in" -- A door serves one of two purposes. It can be a barrier designed to keep people out, or it can be a means of access allowing people in. Salvation is God’s gift to a fallen race! However, before this gift can be realized, it must be received! No one will ever be saved unless they personally and consciously come to Jesus and receive Him into their heart and life. What I am saying is this, God offers you salvation and He means it, but you will not be saved until you come to Him by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!) John 5:24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life. Where do you find yourself today? Are you wandering around outside the blessings and family of God, but want to come inside where the blessings are? If that describes you, if you feel a lack of something in your life, or if you know for sure that you are unsaved, then I invite you to come to Jesus right now. If you will come to Him and confess yourself a sinner and receive Him as your Savior, then He will save you right now and forever. Will you do what you need to do tonight?
When I was a teenager, the students in our high school were called together and each given a sugar cube with pink syrup on it. It was serum that had been developed by Dr. Jonas Salk to keep us from getting polio in a time of a polio epidemic all across our country. Now, did we turn up our noses and say, "I don't really think I want to avoid polio this way. I'm going to wait until another means is made possible?" That would be crazy. That's the sense in which we have to see what God has done for us in Christ.
LINEN CURTAINS.
The curtains were the principal part of the wall which formed the enclosure. They were 7'6" high - too high for anyone to look over. They reached to the ground - too low for anyone to look under. They effectively denied access to the provisions and presence of God to all who avoided the gate.
In approaching the Tabernacle the very first thing seen was this linen fence. So it is with our approach to God. The first thing obvious to us is the absolute purity and righteousness of God. It is this which exposes our sin.
All the Israelites were camped in tents made of goatskins which were black but the Tent of the Lord was fenced in spotless white. It stood out as a contrast and speaks of the total opposition between God and the natural man.
The dimensions of the curtains were 1500 sq. cubits. (100xl00x 50x50 x5 = 1500). This is the length of the Age of Law. Moses lived 1500 years before Jesus. -Note that it is the Law which was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. -Gal. 3:24.
60 PILLARS of Brass?
The brass speaks of judgement
FILLETS AND HOOKS AND CHAPITERS.
These were of silver. The Fillet was a rod which tied each pillar together and the hooks suspended
the curtains. Silver speaks of redemption -
Num. 3:49-51So Moses collected the redemption money from those in excess of the ones redeemed by the Levites. 50 He collected the money from the firstborn Israelites: 1,365 [shekels measured]by the standard sanctuary shekel. 51 He gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons in obedience to the Lord, just as the Lord commanded Moses.
Ex. 38:25-29The silver from those of the community who were registered was 7,544 pounds, according to the sanctuary shekel— 26 two-fifths of an ounce per man, that is, half a shekel according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone 20 years old or more who had crossed over to the registered group, 603,550 men. 27 There were 7,500 pounds of silver [used]to cast the bases of the sanctuary and the bases of the veil—100 bases from 7,500 pounds, 75 pounds for each base. 28 With the [remaining]44 pounds he made the hooks for the posts, overlaid their tops, and supplied bands for them. 29 The bronze of the presentation offering totaled 5,310 pounds.
The firstborn of Israel were replaced by the Levites in the service of God and were redeemed from that responsibility brought on them in Egypt when the rest of the firstborn were slain, by ½ shekels of the sanctuary which was the shekel of silver. Ex.30:11-16 tells of the half shekel of atonement money which every man in Israel had to give to be preserved from plaque.
1 Pet 1:18For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things, like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.
Zech. 11:12-13 Then I said to them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep [them].” So they weighed my wages, 30 pieces of silver. 13 “Throw it to the potter,” the Lord said to me—this magnificent price I was valued by them. So I took the 30 pieces of silver and threw it into the house of the Lord, to the potter.
The Outer court was Founded upon the judgement of God (brass) it was suspended by the hooks of redemption (silver) and the whole frame work of pillars was tied together by horizontal bars of silver, so that an unbroken line of silver ran around the entire perimeter of the Tabernacle. This speaks of the purpose for which Christ came - Gal.4:4-5 says 'that God sent His Son "to redeem" them that were under the law'.
THE GATE.
The only entrance to the Outer Court and subsequently to the Holy Places was through a gateway 30 feet (20 cubits) wide at the Eastern end.
It was different to the rest of the outer wall in that its hangings were beautiful fine twined linen plus the colours of blue, purple and scarlet. These colours occur frequently throughout the Tabernacle and speak of Christ,
as to His heavenly origin (blue),
His royalty (Purple)
His sufferings (scarlet)
His righteousness intertwined with them (white.)
This colour speaks to us of Christ the WAY.
John 10: 7 So Jesus said again, “I assure you: I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who came before Meare thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
In bold language, Jesus declare Himself to be the door of the sheep.(Ill. The sheepfold was usually a circular enclosure surrounded by stone walls. There was only one opening in thiswall allowing access into this enclosure and at night, when the sheep were all gathered in, the shepherd would lay himself in that opening and in effect, he would become the door. Nothing could get in or out without passing through the shepherd.) Sometimes in John’s gospel there are double allusions. I think this may be one of them. Every Jewish person knew there was only one access way into Jewishness, the doorway through the outer court into the tabernacle, and alter similarly into the temple. I think this is one of those double allusions, to the sheepfold, and larger, to the tabernacle.
"Knock knock Knocking On Heaven’s Door." THIS DOOR IS A PERSON
A Gate For Sinners
In this statement from the lips of Jesus, we find a tremendous offer given to sinners. In these words, Jesus offers hope to everyone who is wandering in a life of sin. While Jesus wants to save you, He will never force Himself upon you! However, He gives you opportunities to come to Him. Notices what He proposes to us sinners: "he shall be saved." -- When a person comes to Jesus for salvation, they find themselves completely transformed and eternally saved! They are instantly liberated and made new in Jesus. This is a very descriptive word and was used to describe a person who had recovered from a serious illness, one who had survived a war, one who had come safely through a bad storm or someone who had won at court. What is means for us is that we have, in a spiritual sense, all of the above and now, we are rescued from all harm and danger. This one little word is a glorious declaration of the security we enjoy in the Lord Jesus Christ. In this "Pasture" we find:
Rest -- No longer are we searching for what we needed. We have found what our heart was longing for and His name is Jesus. Now, we are permitted to rest in His grace and anticipate our heavenly homecoming! I’m not trying to be saved! Are you? I’m just resting on grace. It was grace that sought me, grace that bought me and grace that will lead me home! After all, what did Jesus say? Matt. 11:28!)
Refreshment -- In Jesus, the saint of God finds all that his or her heart needs for absolute and perfect contentment, Psa. 107:9. When we taste and find that the "Lord is good", Psa. 34:8, we loose our appetite for other things!
Rejoicing -- In Jesus, we find that fullness of joy that was lacking when we wandered out in sin. He has promised us "fullness of joy", 1 Pet. 1:8You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, Psa. 16:11 You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures. Yes, the child of God has ample reason to rejoice! Luke 10:20 However, don’t rejoice thatthe spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” In His pasture, there is "fullness of joy."
We go in and out and find pasture.. every need is supplied: He deals with us about the problems of
1. The Penalty Of Sin -- Ill. Rom. 6:23. However, in Jesus, the curse of death is removed and we are set free from the awful wrath of God, Rom. 5:9
The Prodigal Son -- When he returned home, the Father ran out to meet him and fell upon him,
2. The Power Of Sin -- According to Rom. 6:14, Jesus breaks sins power in the life of the saint of God. After we come to Christ, we are no longer slaves to the whims of the flesh and the devil, Eph. 2:1-3). We are made free in Jesus and are given the liberty to withstand temptation and to live for God! (Ill. 1 Cor. 10:13) (Ill. One of the greatest wonders of salvation is the great change that comes into the Christian’s life, 2 Cor. 5:17. It seems that we just don’t want many of the things we used to think we couldn’t live without!)
3. The Presence Of Sin -- One day, when we leave this world, we will forever be free from sin’s presence. In heaven, it will not be allowed -- Rev. 21:27. Not only that, but we will receive new flesh and we will no longer have any desire toward sin -- 1 Jn. 3:1-3.
The Only Gate Jesus is saying that He is the Door! No one gets into God’s flock without going through Him. Simply stated, there is only one way to the Father and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ -- John 14:6. Salvation only comes about through faith in Jesus. Baptism won’t do it, church membership won’t do it, ritual and religious activity won’t get the job done. There is only one plan for man’s salvation and that is through faith in the finished work of Christ at Calvary.
Salvation is simple, it is just very exclusive -- Rom. 10:9-10 if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.
John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” Rom. 10:13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved !) The big question is this, "Have you ever been through the Door?"
A Wide gate The Gate was 30 feet wide - large enough for whoever would come. Each section of that gate was 7'6" between pillars. John 6:37 Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out. The Scope Of It -- "any man" -- Salvation is not a club for an elite few saints, but it is an offer of God to every man. No person alive today is beyond the reach of God’s saving love! (Ill. Rev. 22:17 Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Anyone who hears should say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift. Many feel that there is no hope for them, yet the Bible is clear that God loves all men, John 3:16, and offers them salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. You can be saved today if you are lost in sin!
A Gate to Step Through The Scheme Of It -- "If any man enter in" -- A door serves one of two purposes. It can be a barrier designed to keep people out, or it can be a means of access allowing people in. Salvation is God’s gift to a fallen race! However, before this gift can be realized, it must be received! No one will ever be saved unless they personally and consciously come to Jesus and receive Him into their heart and life. What I am saying is this, God offers you salvation and He means it, but you will not be saved until you come to Him by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!) John 5:24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life. Where do you find yourself today? Are you wandering around outside the blessings and family of God, but want to come inside where the blessings are? If that describes you, if you feel a lack of something in your life, or if you know for sure that you are unsaved, then I invite you to come to Jesus right now. If you will come to Him and confess yourself a sinner and receive Him as your Savior, then He will save you right now and forever. Will you do what you need to do tonight?
When I was a teenager, the students in our high school were called together and each given a sugar cube with pink syrup on it. It was serum that had been developed by Dr. Jonas Salk to keep us from getting polio in a time of a polio epidemic all across our country. Now, did we turn up our noses and say, "I don't really think I want to avoid polio this way. I'm going to wait until another means is made possible?" That would be crazy. That's the sense in which we have to see what God has done for us in Christ.
# posted by Groseys messages @ 9:43 PM 
