Hope and Change, God’s Hope and Change, God’s WayWay

Lesson 5Exodus 25:40; 32-35; Hebrews 8

– 10

The Hope of Heaven: The Tabernacle, A Taste of Heaven

May 2, 2010

I.I. Introduction to Lesson 5Introduction to Lesson 5A. Click & Clack: “Is there a Pinto owners club?”B. Some feel the same about the tabernacle.C. Israel’s perspective – Deuteronomy 4:7-8D. Our approach to the believer’s hope of heaven

1.Progressive revelation (Genesis to Revelation)2.Last lesson – the Garden of Eden3.This week – the tabernacle and temple(s)4.Next week – the incarnation

II.II. The Great Divide: “How can a holy God dwell in the The Great Divide: “How can a holy God dwell in the presence of sinful men?”presence of sinful men?”A. A good illustration is found in Exodus 32-35.

B. Exodus 32 – the golden calf1.Israel worships the golden calf (vss. 1-6).2.The threat of Israel’s destruction (vss. 7-14)3.The anger of Moses and God (vss. 14-35)

C. Exodus 33 – Will God go with Israel?1.God refuses, Moses intercedes (vss. 1-16)2.God agrees, Moses asks to see His glory; petition

granted (vss. 17-23) D. Exodus 34 – God’s presence assured

1.God reveals His glory; Moses worships and requests confirmation that God will go, based on mercy & His relationship with Moses (vss. 1-9).

2.God now reiterates the Mosaic Covenant (vss. 10-28).

3.The glowing face of Moses (vss. 29-35)

E. Exodus 35 – Moses commences construction of the tabernacle.

F. The presence of God with Israel1.It’s motivation: God’s character (His glory) and His

relationship with Moses.2.It’s means/mechanism: the tabernacle, along with

the Law & the priestly system

III.III. How the tabernacle facilitates God dwelling among How the tabernacle facilitates God dwelling among sinful men.sinful men.A. The tabernacle (and later the temple) played a

key role in God dwelling among men.B. The Old Covenant enabled God to dwell among

sinful men by means of . . .1.Separation (moral and physical)2.Sacrifice3.Mediation (Moses, priestly system)

C. The “heavenly” aspects of tabernacle worship1.A heavenly pattern (Hebrews 8:1-5)2.A picture of heaven to come (Ezekiel 40ff.)3.Christ, believers, the church, and heaven are

described as a temple.

4.Enjoyment of great beauty5.God’s presence among His people (Exod. 40:34; 1

Kings 8:11)6.Men had access to God through the mediation of

priests.7.Sacrifices brought temporary relief from guilt and

punishment – e.g. the Day of Atonement.8.Joyful worship in fellowship with others (see

Deuteronomy 14:24-26).9.Rest (Sabbath)10.The temple facilitated prayer (see 1 Kings 8; Isaiah

56:7)

IV.IV. Conclusion – What does this mean to Christians Conclusion – What does this mean to Christians today?today?A. The holiness of God, sinfulness of menB. The sinner’s separation from GodC. An appreciation for the great burden of sin our

Lord bore at Calvary, and the magnitude of His saving work

D. An appreciation for how much better things are for saints today, because of Christ.

E. Draw near -- Hebrews 10:19-25F. Abuses

1.Israel – idolized (2 Kings 18:4; Acts 6:13-14)2.Today: worship lite

Copyright © 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointpresentation of Lesson 5 in the series, Hope and Change, God’s Way,prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for May 2, 2010. Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.