How Tabernacle Worship Shapes Christology
The tabernacle, described in detail in the book of Exodus, was more than a physical structure for Israelite worship—it was a divine template that reveals God’s character, holiness, and redemptive plan. For Christians, understanding the tabernacle is essential because it prefigures and shapes Christology, the study of the person and work of Jesus Christ. By examining the elements of tabernacle worship, we can see how they point forward to Christ and illuminate His identity and mission.
1. The Tabernacle as God’s Dwelling Place
The tabernacle was designed to be a dwelling place of God among His people: “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). The presence of God (Shekinah glory) rested in the Most Holy Place, symbolizing His holiness and the barrier between God and sinful humanity.
Christology connects directly here: Jesus is described in John 1:14 as “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The Greek word for “dwelt” (ἐσκήνωσεν, eskenosen) literally means “tabernacled.” Just as the tabernacle housed God’s presence, Christ embodies God’s presence on Earth. The tabernacle foreshadows the incarnation: God Himself enters human history to dwell with humanity.
2. The Structure and Sacred Spaces Prefigure Christ
The tabernacle had three main divisions:
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The Outer Court – Accessible to all Israelites, it contained the bronze altar of burnt offering and the laver for purification.
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The Holy Place – Accessible only to priests, it contained the table of showbread, the lampstand, and the altar of incense.
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The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) – Accessible only once a year by the high priest, it housed the Ark of the Covenant.
Each area represents a progression toward God, prefiguring aspects of Christ:
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Outer Court: The altar of sacrifice points to Christ’s ultimate atoning work on the cross. The laver, for ritual cleansing, prefigures the purifying effect of Christ’s blood.
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Holy Place: The lampstand symbolizes Christ as the light of the world (John 8:12), the bread of presence foreshadows Him as the Bread of Life (John 6:35), and the incense represents His ongoing intercession (Hebrews 7:25).
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Most Holy Place: The Ark represents God’s covenant presence. Christ, through His death and resurrection, opens direct access to God, eliminating the barrier that the Most Holy Place once represented (Hebrews 9:11-12).
3. The Sacrificial System and Christ’s Atonement
The tabernacle rituals were centered on sacrifices and offerings, which maintained Israel’s relationship with God:
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Burnt offerings: Symbolized complete surrender to God.
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Sin and guilt offerings: Addressed specific sins, pointing to the need for atonement.
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Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur): The high priest entered the Holy of Holies with the blood of a sacrifice to atone for Israel’s sins (Leviticus 16).
Christology interprets these sacrifices as types of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. Jesus is the Lamb of God (John 1:29), whose death fulfills all sacrificial requirements. His atoning work eliminates the need for repeated offerings, providing once-for-all redemption (Hebrews 10:10-12). The tabernacle thus becomes a symbolic framework for understanding Christ’s redemptive mission.
4. Priesthood and Mediation
The tabernacle functioned through the Levitical priesthood, mediating between God and the people. Only the priests could enter certain areas, reflecting humanity’s separation from God due to sin.
Christology sees Jesus as the great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). Unlike the Levitical priests, Christ mediates once and for all, bridging the gap between God and humanity permanently. The tabernacle rituals teach that access to God requires mediation—fulfilled fully in Christ.
5. Worship as Revelation of God’s Character
Every detail of the tabernacle—the materials, measurements, and rituals—was divinely ordained. The gold, the incense, the ark, and the curtains all symbolized God’s holiness, glory, and covenantal faithfulness.
Christ embodies and reveals God’s character in human form. By studying the tabernacle, Christians see patterns of holiness, sacrifice, mediation, and divine presence, all culminating in Jesus. The tabernacle serves as a living diagram of who Christ is and what He accomplishes for humanity.
6. Typology and Foreshadowing
Biblical scholars often describe the tabernacle using typology, where Old Testament events and structures prefigure New Testament realities. In this typology:
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The tabernacle = Christ Himself, God dwelling among people.
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The sacrifices = Christ’s atoning death.
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The high priest = Christ as mediator.
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The Holy of Holies = Christ granting direct access to God.
Through this lens, the tabernacle becomes a theological map, showing God’s plan for salvation centuries before Christ’s incarnation.
Conclusion
Tabernacle worship is far more than ritual or ancient architecture; it is a Christological blueprint. Each element—the structure, the sacrifices, the priesthood, and the presence of God—points forward to Jesus, revealing His role as Savior, High Priest, and the embodiment of God’s dwelling among humanity. By studying the tabernacle, Christians gain a deeper appreciation of Christ’s person and work, seeing how God’s redemptive plan was foreshadowed long before the New Testament era.