The Tabernacle in the Wilderness
“The Tabernacle in the Wilderness” Bikurei Tziyon (formerly First Fruits of Zion, Issue 62, Shevat/Adar 5760, Jan/Feb 2000). pages 44-45, 47.
The First Fruits of Zion team, based in Jerusalem, reports that a full-scale replica of the Tabernacle, the Mishkan, is now standing in the wilderness of Israel. This article comes from the parasha portion of the magazine (see the Increase Your Theological Vocabulary department for a definition), based on Shemot (Exodus) 25:1-30:10. The team who wrote the article has included several pictures of their visit to this significant and historical replica. They also give commentary on what it must have been like to see the original. They describe the entrance, the altar, the laver, the objects in the Holy Place, the High Priest, and the Holy of Holies.
Describing the objects seen inside the Ark of the Covenant, they say, “The guide carefully slid open the smooth ‘gold’ plate [the atonement cover], and peeping inside we saw replicas of the three objects the Ark once contained: the two stone tablets on which the Ten Words of God has been inscribed, representing the Torah given to Moshe [Moses], a golden pot containing manna, and Aaron’s almond rod that miraculously budded as a sign of God’s appointment and anointing. Together they formed a perfect picture of the LORD’s provision, protection, and guidance. Death had reigned from Adam to Moses (Romans 4) but here we saw the Torah, the Word of Life, to be fulfilled by the Living Torah and Bread of Life, Yeshua, the Anointed High Priest, Who would cause the veil into the Holy of Holies to be rent—affording entrance to the redeemed Israel of God. All those who are a set apart, holy priesthood through the atonement of Messiah, our ‘High Priest forever’ (Hebrews 6:18).”
Not to be compared with many rich studies on the Tabernacle by classical Pentecostals, this brief article by Bikurei Tziyon is also rich in its introduction to the first Dwelling Place of God among His people. Should you ever be able to make a ‘pilgrimage’ to the Holy Land, do not miss an opportunity to see this reconstruction of the Tabernacle for yourself.
Although Bikurei Tziyon may not be a good introduction to Messianic Judaism, it is an excellent publication for teaching those already familiar with the Messianic movement. Its teaching centers on: language—exploring the original Scriptural texts in Hebrew and in Greek; geography and history from a first-hand perspective from and about the land of Israel; Biblical backgrounds—looking at the historical and contextual backgrounds of the Scriptures; News and observations of the land of Israel from a Messianic believer’s perspective; Torah study—each magazine is built around the major themes found in the regular parashot. The title page says, “Bikurei Tziyon (pronounced: bee—ku—ray tsee—on) encourages Jewish and non-Jewish believers in the Messiah to reconsider traditional thought concerning the relevance of Torah in their lives today. It is the goal of this publication to expose misinterpretations of Scripture by providing historical and cultural context to the Word and to graciously provoke thought, study and application of Torah principles to Believers’ lives.”
Reviewed by Raul Mock
Issue 62: http://ffoz.org/messiah/bikurei-tziyon-62.html
Category: Biblical Studies, Summer 2000
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