The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Seven Furnishings of the Tabernacle, #4

And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits. (Exodus 27:1)

The Seven Holy Furnishings

Before we present a detailed interpretation of the bronze Altar of Burnt Offering we shall briefly summarize the interpretation of each of the seven furnishings of the Tabernacle in terms of the redemption of the believer. The seven main furnishings portray the development of the Christian from the time he approaches Christ initially until he arrives at the full salvation of God.

Altar of Burnt Offering (Exodus 27:1)

Laver (Exodus 30:18)

Table of Showbread (Exodus 25:23)

Lampstand (Exodus 25:31)

Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:1)

Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:10)

Mercy Seat (Exodus 25:17)

Altar of Burnt Offering—It is referred to in the Scripture as the "brazen," that is, brass altar. Scholars are of the opinion that copper or bronze was the metal used. All offerings made by fire took place at this altar.

The Altar of Burnt offering portrays the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary, brought to our minds continually in the sacrament of Communion; the atonement that Christ has made for our sins; our Passover Lamb.

Laver—Also of bronze. The Laver was a wash basin placed out in the Courtyard of the Tabernacle between the Altar of Burnt Offering and the door of the Tabernacle.

The Laver signifies our separation from sin and the world by our crucifixion with Christ, established by water baptism; purification from the filth of the world as we keep ourselves holy by confession, repentance, resistance to sin, obedience to God's will, the atoning blood of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God; the washing away of our sins that comes about by receiving and obeying the Word of God.

Table of Showbread (literally, Bread of Faces, or Bread of the Presence)—The Table of the Presence Bread was made from acacia wood covered with gold.

The Table of Showbread typifies the continual presentation of the living Word of God, Christ, the eating of whom builds up Christ in the believer; the receiving of the body and blood of the Lord in the Communion service; Christ, the Bread from Heaven; the born-again experience.

Lampstand—This furnishing had a central shaft and six side-branches. At the top of the central shaft and of each of the side-branches was a golden lamp that burned olive oil. The Lampstand and its accessories were beaten out of one mass of pure gold.

The golden Lampstand represents the baptism with the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ; the various ministries and gifts of the Holy Spirit; anointing for Christian ministry and service; the law of the Spirit of Life; Pentecost; the Head and Body of Christ, who is the Anointed Deliverer, the Servant of the Lord.

Altar of Incense—The Altar of Incense stood in the Holy Place before the Veil, in direct line with the Ark of the Covenant. The Altar of Incense was constructed from acacia wood covered with gold.

The Altar of Incense speaks to us of the Life and Person of the Lord Jesus worked into the life and person of the believer by the Holy Spirit, so that the believer's prayers and worship bring the fragrance of His beloved Son before the face of the Father in Heaven; death to self-love and self-will.

To be continued.