Access: Thing
Jul/24/11 07:03 Filed in: Sunday Series
Access: Thing
Access is wonderful. Gaining an audience with a person of importance, having the opportunity to experience a historic event or being able to visit a holy place is all determined by whether or not a person has access. We have amazing access to God’s presence.
Podcast
I hope that we are all getting what I believe the Holy Spirit is leading us into. Over the last couple of weeks we have been talking about the Access that God has granted each believer. That access is the God-given right to come near the Almighty & Loving God. There we know our prayers are answered. There, in His presence we receive wisdom for our day. There at His throne we find mercy, forgiveness and acceptance. There in His presence, we find our place of belonging.
As this begins to set into your mind, heart and spirit there will be a great sense of purpose and mission that will develop.
Two weeks ago we talked about the “Temple”. I said ‘Holy Places’ move. We, the people of God. are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. In Him we live and move and have our being. God calls us to be His holy dwelling place. That’s huge right?
Then last week I shared with my passion for the believer rising up to live as priests before the Lord. Our High Priest, Jesus, is the one mediator between us and God. We as the ‘royal priesthood’ are called, and chosen to minister and offer spiritual sacrifices before God. These ministries and sacrifices include:
This past week in my journey God confirmed in my heart the potential of people who learn to work together as the priesthood of believers. I am passionate about seeing New Hope become such a place. I am excited to see you become that type of person. The person who is accessing the mercy and grace that God offers at His throne. The person who is reconciling people to God. The person who is reaching out and ministering to those in your sphere of influence. I want you to know that Access has been granted.
Today I we are going to be talking about the Restoration of the Tabernacle. Please turn with me to
Acts 15:16–17 (NKJV)
16 ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; 17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’
Let me give you a little background of what is taking place here in Acts 15. It is about 18 years after the Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus plus the birth of the church at Pentecost (Acts 2) About eight to ten years after that in A.D. 41 the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the Gentiles at Cornelius’s house while Peter preached (Acts 10). The ramifications of Gentiles becoming followers of Jesus had not been fleshed out. Then Paul and Barnabus began to minister amongst the Gentiles as well (Acts 14:27). In Acts 15 the Church needed to settle the conflict that had arisen as a result of thousands of Gentile believers were coming into the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. They were responding to the message of the Grace of God.
The early church was in a transition as she tried to discern implications of this New Covenant. Which of the ‘sacred ceremonies’ were to be universally practiced. What was the extent of the ‘freedom’ that was won by Christ. Keep in mind Paul’s epistles had not been written at this time. They would provide a doctrinal background for this ‘liberty.’
One group of people believed strongly that the Gentile’s should be circumcised and should follow the law of Moses along with believing in Jesus to be saved.
Thus the council in Jerusalem was called. At which Peter gave witness to what happened at Cornelius’s house. Then Paul and Barnabus also shared of what they had been witnessing amongst the Gentiles.
Then Mark get’s up with a word of wisdom. He interprets a scripture from Amos the prophet. It reads a little different in Amos.
Amos 9:11–12 (NKJV)
11 “On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old; 12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,” Says the Lord who does this thing.
The council at Jerusalem sees that God’s eternal purpose was to bring this message to the Jews and the Gentiles, all who are called by that name.
Now let me ask you a question: Did you know that God would restore this tabernacle, that is the Tabernacle of David?
Many who are interested in biblical prophecy will talk about the potential rebuilding of the Temple and the ramifications of that, but few talk about this prophecy. Look James says that God will return to build this tabernacle.
Acts 15:16–17 (NKJV)
16 ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; 17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’
So what is the Tabernacle of David?
As I mentioned before there was first the Tabernacle of Moses. Then most are also aware of the Temple of Solomon that then was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, then rebuilt by Ezra and Nehemiah. The second Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70 by Titus. The Tabernacle of Moses was built as instructed by God. It was a type of the heavenly tabernacle.
The tabernacle had the outer court, where there were two articles of brass. The was the Brazen Altar made of acacia wood, overlaid with brass. It was the only place of blood sacrifice. All the sacrificial offerings were dealt with at the brazen altar. It was the place of the blood of atonement. Then there was the Brazen Laver, made of the looking glasses of the women of Israel. It was a bath designed for the priest to was their hands and feet before going into the Sanctuary of the Lord to minister. It was the place of the cleansing by water.
In the Holy Place there was the Table of Shewbread on the north side. It contained 12 loaves of bread. This table was overlaid with gold, and had a double crown on it. The bread laid upon it was to the food of the priests. It was called the “Presence Bread”. opposite the Table was the Golden Candlestick on the south side of the Tabernacle. Made of pure gold it had 7 branches and lamps filled with oil and burning continually before the Lord. It was the only light in the tabernacle. The priests ministered by the light of the candlestick. The third item was the Golden Altar of Incense. It too was made of acacia wood covered with gold. It stood immediately before “the veil” that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. The incense that permeated the air symbolized the prayer, worship and intercession of the people of God.
The Holy of Holies had only one article of furniture, the Ark of the Covenant.
The Ark was am oblong box made of acacia wood overlaid on the inside and the outside with pure gold. It had figures of Cherubim on each end of it. It’s contents were (1) the Golden pot of Manna, (2) the Tables of Law and (3) the Rod of Aaron that budded (Hebrews 9:1-5, Exodus 20; Exodus 16; Numbers 17) IT was upon the Ark that the “Glory - Presence of God dwelt.” It was sprinkled with blood once a year on the Day of Atonement.
The Tabernacle was “God’s House”. He dwelt in the midst of His people as the Tabernacle would be set up in the middle of the tribes of Israel.
Eventually the Tabernacle was set up in Shiloh.
Joshua 18:1 (NKJV)
1 Now the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of meeting there.
Of all of the furniture of the Tabernacle and subsequently the Temple the most important was the Ark of the Covenant.
The Ark represented
Colossians 1:19–20 (NKJV)
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Colossians 2:9 (NKJV)
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
Thus all that the Ark was to and in Israel, Christ is to and in His Church.
The Ark dwelt in Shiloh for many years. Then after being captured by the Philistines (1 Sam 5&6) and subsequently returned it rested in Kirjath-jearim (1 Sam 6:21; 1 Sam 7:1-2)
The first king of Israel, Saul (who is a type of the flesh) never inquired about the Ark.
1 Chronicles 13:3 (ESV)
3 Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.”
At one time Saul ordered the ark to be brought into battle (1 Sam 14:1-3;15-19), but in the heat of things it seems as though the presence of God was forgotten as Saul presumed upon God and eventually the kingdom was taken from him and given to David, the man after God’s won heart.
1 Samuel 13:14 (NLT)
14 But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”
It was in David’s heart to bring the Ark (the presence of God) to the City of David.
1 Chronicles 13:1–14 (TNIV)
1 David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. 3 Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.” 4 The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.
5 So David assembled all Israel, from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. 6 David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name. 7 They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. 8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.
9 When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. 10 The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. 11 Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.
12 David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?” 13 He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
14 The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had.
There are a couple of things that we need to note here. First of all things must be done according to the Divine Order. We cannot presume upon God even if we are providing a “new cart” and expect Him to bless our actions. His presence is a blessing, the greatest blessing. But His glory must be revealed in holiness. The Ark was not to be set upon a cart but, it was to be carried by the priests.
There are many ‘new carts’ ... many substitutes for the plan of God for the presence of God to be “carried” by His people. God takes it very seriously. In the case of David it costs a man (Uzzah) his life. I believe throughout history too many people have been lost because well meaning people presumed upon God and tried to do it their own way. God’s desire is to dwell with His people. But His glory comes with the cost of obedience.
The second thing that is worth noting is the blessing that comes to Obed Edom. The Ark remained with the family of Obed-Edom for three months and God blessed his household and everything he had. The presence of God will bring a blessing to every part of your household and your life.
Remember the promise of Amos that was quoted in Acts 15?
Amos 9:11–12 (ESV)
11 “In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old, 12 that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name,” declares the Lord who does this.
Who was this man at whose house the Ark would rest for 3 months? Obed-Edom, Obed means servant, and Edom means Red. But this restoration that would include the the servants that would come from Edom. The blessing for us Gentiles that would be included in the rebuilding of the Tabernacle of David is like the blessing of Obed-Edom.
Consider Obed-Edom:
1 Chronicles 15:24–25 (NIV84)
24 ... Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also to be doorkeepers for the ark. 25 So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing.
Obed-Edom moved with the Ark. He found his role as a doorkeeper for the Ark. And it could be read that as the Ark was moved the whole household of Obed-Edom rejoiced. They were excited and supportive as the presence of God, the ark of God was established in the Tabernacle of David.
1 Chronicles 16:5 (NIV84)
5 Asaph was the chief, Zechariah second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals,
1 Chronicles 26:4–5 (NIV84)
4 Obed-Edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh and Peullethai the eighth. (For God had blessed Obed-Edom.)
David learned to set up the Tabernacle under the divine order. After pitching the tent (tabernacle) where the Ark would rest, he called for the priests to perform sacrifices as the ark was brought up to Jerusalem. (1 Chr 15:26; 16:1-2; 2 Sam 6:13,17-18)The first group of sacrifices included 7 rams and 7 bullocks. Then there were burnt offerings (Lev 1) and peace offerings (Lev3) that were offered according to the Law.
Every covenant and every temple or tabernacle had to be dedicated with blood, sacrificial blood. (Heb 9:11-22) Praise God for the precious Blood of Jesus that was poured out so that we could have access. This blood secured for us a New and better covenant. It included us who were a far off. We have access to the precious presence of God.
David brings the Ark to the Tabernacle in the City of David.
1 Chronicles 15:25–29 (NIV84)
25 So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing. 26 Because God had helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, seven bulls and seven rams were sacrificed.
27 Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the singers, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod. 28 So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouts, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps.
29 As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.
Do you remember Michal? She was the daughter of Saul. Why was she on the wrong side of the window? She could have been a part of the great occasion as the presence of God was being restored to His people. Instead of focusing on the presence of God, she was focused on the worship of another that she thought was inappropriate and unbecoming a king. The sad result was that she became barren.
The Tabernacle on Mt Zion
I hope that we are all getting what I believe the Holy Spirit is leading us into. Over the last couple of weeks we have been talking about the Access that God has granted each believer. That access is the God-given right to come near the Almighty & Loving God. There we know our prayers are answered. There, in His presence we receive wisdom for our day. There at His throne we find mercy, forgiveness and acceptance. There in His presence, we find our place of belonging.
As this begins to set into your mind, heart and spirit there will be a great sense of purpose and mission that will develop.
Two weeks ago we talked about the “Temple”. I said ‘Holy Places’ move. We, the people of God. are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. In Him we live and move and have our being. God calls us to be His holy dwelling place. That’s huge right?
Then last week I shared with my passion for the believer rising up to live as priests before the Lord. Our High Priest, Jesus, is the one mediator between us and God. We as the ‘royal priesthood’ are called, and chosen to minister and offer spiritual sacrifices before God. These ministries and sacrifices include:
- offering praise (1 Peter 2:9)
- intercession (1 Timothy 2:1-6)
- reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18–20,
- ).
- consecration (Romans 12:1)
- caring for the needy (Phil 2:17)
- brotherly love (Eph 5:1&2)
- good works (Hebrews 13:16)
This past week in my journey God confirmed in my heart the potential of people who learn to work together as the priesthood of believers. I am passionate about seeing New Hope become such a place. I am excited to see you become that type of person. The person who is accessing the mercy and grace that God offers at His throne. The person who is reconciling people to God. The person who is reaching out and ministering to those in your sphere of influence. I want you to know that Access has been granted.
Today I we are going to be talking about the Restoration of the Tabernacle. Please turn with me to
Acts 15:16–17 (NKJV)
16 ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; 17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’
Let me give you a little background of what is taking place here in Acts 15. It is about 18 years after the Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus plus the birth of the church at Pentecost (Acts 2) About eight to ten years after that in A.D. 41 the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the Gentiles at Cornelius’s house while Peter preached (Acts 10). The ramifications of Gentiles becoming followers of Jesus had not been fleshed out. Then Paul and Barnabus began to minister amongst the Gentiles as well (Acts 14:27). In Acts 15 the Church needed to settle the conflict that had arisen as a result of thousands of Gentile believers were coming into the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. They were responding to the message of the Grace of God.
The early church was in a transition as she tried to discern implications of this New Covenant. Which of the ‘sacred ceremonies’ were to be universally practiced. What was the extent of the ‘freedom’ that was won by Christ. Keep in mind Paul’s epistles had not been written at this time. They would provide a doctrinal background for this ‘liberty.’
One group of people believed strongly that the Gentile’s should be circumcised and should follow the law of Moses along with believing in Jesus to be saved.
Thus the council in Jerusalem was called. At which Peter gave witness to what happened at Cornelius’s house. Then Paul and Barnabus also shared of what they had been witnessing amongst the Gentiles.
Then Mark get’s up with a word of wisdom. He interprets a scripture from Amos the prophet. It reads a little different in Amos.
Amos 9:11–12 (NKJV)
11 “On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old; 12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,” Says the Lord who does this thing.
The council at Jerusalem sees that God’s eternal purpose was to bring this message to the Jews and the Gentiles, all who are called by that name.
Now let me ask you a question: Did you know that God would restore this tabernacle, that is the Tabernacle of David?
Many who are interested in biblical prophecy will talk about the potential rebuilding of the Temple and the ramifications of that, but few talk about this prophecy. Look James says that God will return to build this tabernacle.
Acts 15:16–17 (NKJV)
16 ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; 17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’
So what is the Tabernacle of David?
As I mentioned before there was first the Tabernacle of Moses. Then most are also aware of the Temple of Solomon that then was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, then rebuilt by Ezra and Nehemiah. The second Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70 by Titus. The Tabernacle of Moses was built as instructed by God. It was a type of the heavenly tabernacle.
The tabernacle had the outer court, where there were two articles of brass. The was the Brazen Altar made of acacia wood, overlaid with brass. It was the only place of blood sacrifice. All the sacrificial offerings were dealt with at the brazen altar. It was the place of the blood of atonement. Then there was the Brazen Laver, made of the looking glasses of the women of Israel. It was a bath designed for the priest to was their hands and feet before going into the Sanctuary of the Lord to minister. It was the place of the cleansing by water.
In the Holy Place there was the Table of Shewbread on the north side. It contained 12 loaves of bread. This table was overlaid with gold, and had a double crown on it. The bread laid upon it was to the food of the priests. It was called the “Presence Bread”. opposite the Table was the Golden Candlestick on the south side of the Tabernacle. Made of pure gold it had 7 branches and lamps filled with oil and burning continually before the Lord. It was the only light in the tabernacle. The priests ministered by the light of the candlestick. The third item was the Golden Altar of Incense. It too was made of acacia wood covered with gold. It stood immediately before “the veil” that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. The incense that permeated the air symbolized the prayer, worship and intercession of the people of God.
The Holy of Holies had only one article of furniture, the Ark of the Covenant.
The Ark was am oblong box made of acacia wood overlaid on the inside and the outside with pure gold. It had figures of Cherubim on each end of it. It’s contents were (1) the Golden pot of Manna, (2) the Tables of Law and (3) the Rod of Aaron that budded (Hebrews 9:1-5, Exodus 20; Exodus 16; Numbers 17) IT was upon the Ark that the “Glory - Presence of God dwelt.” It was sprinkled with blood once a year on the Day of Atonement.
The Tabernacle was “God’s House”. He dwelt in the midst of His people as the Tabernacle would be set up in the middle of the tribes of Israel.
Eventually the Tabernacle was set up in Shiloh.
Joshua 18:1 (NKJV)
1 Now the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of meeting there.
Of all of the furniture of the Tabernacle and subsequently the Temple the most important was the Ark of the Covenant.
The Ark represented
- the Throne of God in earth.
- the Presence of God amongst His people
- the Glory of God revealed in Divine order
- the Fullness of the Godhead bodily revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:19–20 (NKJV)
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Colossians 2:9 (NKJV)
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
Thus all that the Ark was to and in Israel, Christ is to and in His Church.
The Ark dwelt in Shiloh for many years. Then after being captured by the Philistines (1 Sam 5&6) and subsequently returned it rested in Kirjath-jearim (1 Sam 6:21; 1 Sam 7:1-2)
The first king of Israel, Saul (who is a type of the flesh) never inquired about the Ark.
1 Chronicles 13:3 (ESV)
3 Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.”
At one time Saul ordered the ark to be brought into battle (1 Sam 14:1-3;15-19), but in the heat of things it seems as though the presence of God was forgotten as Saul presumed upon God and eventually the kingdom was taken from him and given to David, the man after God’s won heart.
1 Samuel 13:14 (NLT)
14 But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”
It was in David’s heart to bring the Ark (the presence of God) to the City of David.
1 Chronicles 13:1–14 (TNIV)
1 David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. 3 Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.” 4 The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.
5 So David assembled all Israel, from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. 6 David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name. 7 They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. 8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.
9 When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. 10 The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. 11 Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.
12 David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?” 13 He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
14 The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had.
There are a couple of things that we need to note here. First of all things must be done according to the Divine Order. We cannot presume upon God even if we are providing a “new cart” and expect Him to bless our actions. His presence is a blessing, the greatest blessing. But His glory must be revealed in holiness. The Ark was not to be set upon a cart but, it was to be carried by the priests.
There are many ‘new carts’ ... many substitutes for the plan of God for the presence of God to be “carried” by His people. God takes it very seriously. In the case of David it costs a man (Uzzah) his life. I believe throughout history too many people have been lost because well meaning people presumed upon God and tried to do it their own way. God’s desire is to dwell with His people. But His glory comes with the cost of obedience.
The second thing that is worth noting is the blessing that comes to Obed Edom. The Ark remained with the family of Obed-Edom for three months and God blessed his household and everything he had. The presence of God will bring a blessing to every part of your household and your life.
Remember the promise of Amos that was quoted in Acts 15?
Amos 9:11–12 (ESV)
11 “In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old, 12 that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name,” declares the Lord who does this.
Who was this man at whose house the Ark would rest for 3 months? Obed-Edom, Obed means servant, and Edom means Red. But this restoration that would include the the servants that would come from Edom. The blessing for us Gentiles that would be included in the rebuilding of the Tabernacle of David is like the blessing of Obed-Edom.
Consider Obed-Edom:
- He was willing to take a risk and invite the Ark into his home even though Uzzah had just been killed.
- His house was sanctified or set apart as acceptable for the presence of God to dwell. Is your household a place that has been sanctified as the place for the presence of God?
- Obed-Edom was willing to move with God on into David’s Tabernacle.
1 Chronicles 15:24–25 (NIV84)
24 ... Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also to be doorkeepers for the ark. 25 So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing.
Obed-Edom moved with the Ark. He found his role as a doorkeeper for the Ark. And it could be read that as the Ark was moved the whole household of Obed-Edom rejoiced. They were excited and supportive as the presence of God, the ark of God was established in the Tabernacle of David.
- Obed-Edom was appointed amongst the musicians in the order of worship in David’s Tabernacle at Zion (1 Chr 15:21; 16:5, 38)
1 Chronicles 16:5 (NIV84)
5 Asaph was the chief, Zechariah second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals,
- Obed-Edom was blessed with 8 sons who would become mighty men of vlour, strong for the service of the Lord.
1 Chronicles 26:4–5 (NIV84)
4 Obed-Edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh and Peullethai the eighth. (For God had blessed Obed-Edom.)
David learned to set up the Tabernacle under the divine order. After pitching the tent (tabernacle) where the Ark would rest, he called for the priests to perform sacrifices as the ark was brought up to Jerusalem. (1 Chr 15:26; 16:1-2; 2 Sam 6:13,17-18)The first group of sacrifices included 7 rams and 7 bullocks. Then there were burnt offerings (Lev 1) and peace offerings (Lev3) that were offered according to the Law.
Every covenant and every temple or tabernacle had to be dedicated with blood, sacrificial blood. (Heb 9:11-22) Praise God for the precious Blood of Jesus that was poured out so that we could have access. This blood secured for us a New and better covenant. It included us who were a far off. We have access to the precious presence of God.
David brings the Ark to the Tabernacle in the City of David.
1 Chronicles 15:25–29 (NIV84)
25 So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing. 26 Because God had helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, seven bulls and seven rams were sacrificed.
27 Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the singers, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod. 28 So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouts, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps.
29 As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.
Do you remember Michal? She was the daughter of Saul. Why was she on the wrong side of the window? She could have been a part of the great occasion as the presence of God was being restored to His people. Instead of focusing on the presence of God, she was focused on the worship of another that she thought was inappropriate and unbecoming a king. The sad result was that she became barren.
The Tabernacle on Mt Zion
- This is a place where worship abounds.
- This is a place where prophecy takes place.
- This is a place where the average person can come into the presence of God because of the price that was paid by Jesus Christ.
- This is the place that God is rebuilding to welcome in anyone who would come through Jesus Christ.
Addendum
David’s Tabernacle is the type for the New Covenant Tabernacle. Let’s compare it quickly to the tabernacle and Temple of the Old Covenant.
| Old Covenant (Moses Tabernacle) | New Covenant (David’s Tabernacle) |
| Many Sacrifices | One Perfect Sinless Sacrifice |
| Animal Sacrifices and oblations | Divine-Human sacrifice of Jesus |
| The Aaronic Priesthood | The Melchisedek Priesthood |
| No Access to the Holy of Holies | Access to the Holiest of All |
| The Rent Veil | Entrance Within The Veil |
| Work is never finished | A Finished Work |
| Priest carry on an old order | Great company of priest come to faith |
| For Jewish nation and Gentile proselytes | For all nations, Jews and Gentiles |
| The Glory Departed | The Glory of the Lord (Col 1:27; Eph 3:21) |
| House left desolate (Matt 23:38; 24:1-2) | His Church is His House (Hebrews 3:1-16) 1 Timothy 1:3:15) |
| The Cross Rejected | The Cross Accepted |
| Typically - Mt Sinai | Spiritually - Mt Zion (Isaiah 28:16; Hebrews 12: 22-24; 1 Peter 2:6-9) |