One of the many things that make it easy to believe the Bible is God’s Word is its honesty. Not only are biblical characters painted in a realistic light (the sins of the famous O.T. men of God were far from hidden, such as David’s adultery and murder of Uriah), but Christ Himself is depicted as no one of extraordinary looks or charisma (at least in the eyes of most of the people of the day).

Let’s look at the words of Isaiah 53 that depict the coming Savior of the world:

He sprouted up like a twig before God, like a root out of parched soil; he had no stately form or majesty that might catch our attention, no special appearance that we should want to follow him. He was despised and rejected by people, one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness; people hid their faces from him; he was despised, and we considered him insignificant. But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done. He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed. All of us had wandered off like sheep; each of us had strayed off on his own path, but the Lord caused the sin of all of us to attack him. He was treated harshly and afflicted, but he did not even open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughtering block, like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not even open his mouth. He was led away after an unjust trial—but who even cared? Indeed, he was cut off from the land of the living; because of the rebellion of his own people he was wounded. They intended to bury him with criminals, but he ended up in a rich man’s tomb, because he had committed no violent deeds, nor had he spoken deceitfully. Though the Lord desired to crush him and make him ill, once restitution is made, he will see descendants and enjoy long life, and the Lord’s purpose will be accomplished through him. Having suffered, he will reflect on his work, he will be satisfied when he understands what he has done. “My servant will acquit many, for he carried their sins.So I will assign him a portion with the multitudes, he will divide the spoils of victory with the powerful, because he willingly submitted to death and was numbered with the rebels, when he lifted up the sin of many and intervened on behalf of the rebels.” -Isaiah 53:2-12 (NET2)

The coverings of the tabernacle were nothing special to look at, being dull bluish or gray in color with nothing of any appeal. Certainly not what you wold think of, especially when you look at the way some churches and their worship altars are adorned. In fact, you might even say that they would be “despised and rejected by men” as coverings. That is how Christ is viewed by all who refuse to accept Him by way of the cross.

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. -Eph. 2:13 (NLT)

Recently, in our Friday night Bible study, a friend has embarked on a study of the Temple, beginning of with the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant. I must admit, at first I wasn’t sure what level of interest I would develop in this, but as time as advanced, I have come to realize that I have a great deal of interest in it –and in finding the many ways in the Old Testament writings that Christ is talked about, either prophetically or by illustrating types and shadows.

So, first of all, the novice reader is probably asking themselves what “types and shadows” are. Here is an excerpt from a Web site containing some useful information and resources about the tabernacle (www.abideinchrist.com): Dr. John R. Sampey said, “A type may properly be defined as a person, institution, or event in the old dispensation which was designed to prefigure a corresponding person, institution, or event in the New.”

We know that only the High Priest could make atonement. Jesus is our High Priest. What He has done for us is not something that must be repeated constantly. He did it once and for all: He has no need to do every day what those priests do, to offer sacrifices first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people, since he did this in offering himself once for all. -Heb. 7:27 (NET)

The Tabernacle, as a type of Christ, symbolized a place where God and man could meet. Jesus, in becoming a man and being the atonement for our sins, has bridged that gap between us and God. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands—the representation of the true sanctuary—but into heaven itself, and he appears now in God’s presence for us. -Heb. 9:24 (NET)

The gate to the entrance of the tabernacle was the only entrance, much as Christ is our only gate into the presence of God. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. – John 10:9 (NLT)

Please take the time to visit a well-done page at www.abideinchrist.com/messages/tabernacletype.html for much more useful information. May God continue to bless you as you strive to know Him better!

Certainly you made my mind and heart;
you wove me together in my mother’s womb.
I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing.
You knew me thoroughly;
my bones were not hidden from you,
when I was made in secret
and sewed together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb.
All the days ordained for me
were recorded in your scroll
before one of them came into existence. -Psalm 139:13-16 (NET)

Have you ever stopped to think about how incredible it is that the Creator of the universe [and all that exists] knows you personally? The very fact that He knows us and has chosen us before the foundation of the world is mind-boggling for a mere mortal to comprehend without the intervention of the Holy Spirit in opening our eyes.

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ. For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight in love. -Ephesians 1:3-4 (NET)

It is a blessing to know that you have been chosen by God to be a part of His family through the work of Christ on the cross. Moreover, He shows us that we really have nothing to do with receiving salvation, apart from making a choice that we cannot help but make. To become aware of the awesome Creator of the universe and feel His love for us makes Him really impossible for us to resist. Who would not wish to know Him if they were truly aware of Him and all He has done for us? Remember the words Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians: For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. -Ephesians 2:8-9 (NET)