Exodus 27. 9.
Verse 9. "And thou shalt make the court of the
tabernacle."
WHATSOEVER things were written afore - the things which happened unto Israel,
time, were written for our learning," and "happened unto them for
ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the
world are come" (1 Cor. 10. 11). Thus the children of Israel, redeemed out
of Egypt, are the types of the redeemed people of God. In the Scriptures we
have Israel presented to us, in their history, and in the Divine arrangements
respecting them, in various degrees of nearness to God.
First, we see them in Egypt, groaning under the bondage of Pharaoh. This is
typical of the experience of the soul, under the first convictions of the
Spirit, feeling the evil of sin, its bitter bondage, and heavy guilt,
"labouring and heavy laden," from which deliverance is only obtained
by taking shelter under the blood of the Lamb. "Christ our Passover
sacrificed for us."
Secondly, we see them IN THE WILDERNESS, having crossed the Red Sea, wherein
all the power of the oppressor has been overwhelmed. Typical of the soul
realising the triumph of the Cross. Principalities and powers spoilt and made a
show of; and death, and hell and the power of it, destroyed. And the believer,
no longer at home in the world, but become a pilgrim a stranger here.
Thirdly, we see them IN THE CAMP, occupying there - in the various positions
assigned them by God. Typical of believers in their different callings,
ordinary occupations, and their social relationships. OUTSIDE the camp the
sin-offering was consumed. OUTSIDE the camp the lepers and the defiled were
obliged to remain.
WITHIN the camp the people of God were required to be a holy people to the Lord
their God, who walked up and clown in their midst - to be holy in all manner of
conversation, and in all the callings and relationships of life.
Fourthly, we see them assembled IN THE COURT OF THE TABERNACLE. Here the people
of God are represented in their RELIGIOUS character. This is the especial
subject of our present consideration.
Fifthly, the PRIESTS are seen entering daily through the door of the tent into
the first tabernacle, or holy place, accomplishing the service of God. Typical
of BELIEVERS in their PRIESTLY character and Church association, engaged in the
worship and service of God.
Sixthly, the HIGH PRIEST is seen entering THROUGH THE VAIL into the Holy of
Holies. Typical of JESUS, the HIGH PRIEST of our profession, entered for us
into heaven itself; and of the BELIEVER in Him having boldness to enter through
the rent vail into the holiest of all (Hebrews x. 19-22).
Seventhly, we see Israel IN THE LAND, having crossed the Jordan. Typical of
believers as in spirit raised up together, and made to sit together in Christ
Jesus in the heavenly places (Eph. 2. 6).
1, Egypt; 2, the wilderness; 3, the camp; 4, the court; 5, the holy place; 6,
the most holy; 7, the land.
Divided by - 1, the blood of the Paschal Lamb; 2, the Red Sea; 3, the
sin-offering; 4, the hanging of the court; 5, the door of the tent; 6, the
vail; 7, the Jordan.
This is the Scriptural "Pilgrim's Progress," written "not in the
words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth."
But to return to the court of the tabernacle. The children of Israel seen in
this court represent the people of God in their RELIGIOUS character. Not as
associated in Church fellowship - this is typified by the boards of the
tabernacle - but in their general religious aspect. Not only seeking to
maintain and to exhibit holiness in the assemblies of God's saints, and in
Church relationship, but also in the wider sphere of ordinary and everyday
life.
These curtains of fine-twined linen formed a court around the tabernacle, and
kept it separate. As the table of shewbread has a border, so the tabernacle of
God has a court - a court with hangings of fine-twined linen all around,
marking separation to God in righteousness and true holiness. Such is God's
plan. As a TABLE without a BORDER is not according to God's pattern so a
TABERNACLE without a COURT is contrary to God's order. There must be
consistency without, as well as holiness and fellowship within; separation from
the world in daily life, as well as in Church fellowship, and in the devotional
exercises of the assembly. The COURT contained the ALTAR of burnt offering and
the LAVER, and had the tabernacle, or dwelling-place of God in the midst. And
the Israelites collected there, and in the open space before it, represents
believers, realising atonement and acceptance through the sacrifice of Jesus,
sanctification in Christ Jesus, by the Holy Ghost, and walking and acting in
the presence of God.