The Old Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Student Workbook, SW09

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T H E O L D T E S T A M E N T W I T N E S S T O C H R I S T A N D H I S K I N G D O M

4. In the center of the outer court was an enclosure, divided into two compartments (the entire enclosure measured 45 feet by 15 feet; it was 15 feet high).

a. The inner room of the enclosure (about 15 feet square) was called the Most Holy Place, or Holy of holies. Only the high priest could enter into this room once a year (where the Ark of the Covenant was kept) and never without blood .

b. The outer room of the enclosure (about 30 by 15 feet) was called the Holy Place. Only priests could enter into this place in their turn (where the table of shewbread, the lampstand, and the altar of incense were kept) .

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c. These two rooms were separated by a special curtain or veil, as was the Holy Place and Outer Court yard.

5. The gate was at the east end of the court with only one access in it, Exod. 27.16-17 (Christ alone is the only way into relationship with the Father, John 14.6) .

6. As the Tabernacle made access to God available (albeit in a restricted manner), so Jesus Christ made access to God available to all through his shed blood on the Cross , Heb. 10.19-20.

The Tabernacle as an Expression of God’s Holy Character

The tabernacle expresses another side to the character of God, namely, that he is holy and inaccessible. The altar, several coverings and two sets of curtains bar the way into his presence. No one can enter into the inner room (the Most Holy Place) except the high priest, and even then he does so only once a year in a special ceremony, during which he is protected from his sin and from the accusation of