THE TABERNACLE SYSTEM (1)
THE TABERNACLE SYSTEM (1)
AFM Say a little as to the tabernacle, the table, and the lampstand.
JT I suppose that the table alludes to divine administration. In Exodus 25: 23, 24, it says, “Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about”. It is further said: “And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them. And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway” (verses 29, 30). From this scripture we see that the table is a place of divine administration. It contains all the necessary accessories besides the bread itself.
AFM It also sets forth representation. The bread is called the bread of God’s presence. I wonder if the twelve loaves would suggest the twelve tribes of Israel.
JT I think so. Formerly, there was in Israel an administration on God’s behalf. Of course, it also refers to our Lord’s position here, in connection with which the twelve apostles were associated. They represent the complete means of divine administration. The number twelve is the most divisible of all the numbers. It points to the flexibility of those whom God would use to administer His bounty. They are available without breaking up the unity. They can be sent here and there in various parts of the world.
AFM [p. 85] We see that two are sent out. In another instance, we see that Peter alone is sent on a mission.
JT Yes. The number twelve suggests that. It can be divided by 4, 3, 2, 6 and 12, so that you may have a great many parts. The table itself points to one whole. The bread suggests the richness of God’s bounty.
BF To what were you referring?
JT I was referring to the table and the bread.
JS The bread sets forth God’s bounty in Christ.
JT Yes.
Ques What does pouring out suggest?
JT It suggests the Spirit. It is a question of what should be on the table.
Ques Is there any connection with the table here and what is spoken of in 1 Corinthians 10?
JT I think that the idea of administration is not seen there. Referring to the table, we see that the dimensions of it are two cubits in the length, a cubit in the breadth, and a cubit and a half in the height. I think we have there the idea of testimony, and unity in humility. The length is two cubits; I think this sets forth testimony. The breadth is one cubit; this would suggest unity. And the height is a cubit and a half; the cubit and a half would denote humility, suggesting that there is more than what is seen. The half especially suggests that.
JS This is expressed in Jesus as Man.
JT Yes. As we said before, the half points to the humility of the Lord. He took a lowly place outwardly, but it did not alter His Person. In becoming Man, He came into limitation.
JS That is why the dimensions are given.
JT Yes. It suggests that there is more than what is seen.
Rem It is written in John’s gospel that the world could not contain the books if His works were all [p. 86] written.
JT Yes. The table suggests that the twelve were brought into correspondence with Him.
AFM The height of the table was a cubit and a half. The half suggests humility.
JT Yes. You do not make yourself prominent in connection with your measure. For instance, the apostle Paul kept for fourteen years the secret that he was caught up into the third heaven; very few of us could keep a secret for that length of time. He was greater than what the Corinthians thought of him. When he did speak of it, he said, “For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool”, 2 Corinthians 12: 6.
CN So that if we look at the ark outwardly, we see a little box; but what stood connected with it was very great?
JT Yes.
DR Do you think that administration in connection with the table implies that the Lord would prepare a table for us in the presence of our enemies so that it should be a testimony to them?
JT Yes. I suppose that the table here is administration outwardly towards others; for it is said, if our enemy is hungry we should feed him.
JS In connection with the table, there is nothing set forth in it to offend.
JT Oh no! It shows that there is bounty.
BF Do you distinguish between the table and the twelve loaves?
JT We were dwelling on that a little while ago. The dimensions of the table refer to certain qualities in the saints. There is no doubt that these qualities were seen in Christ. But I think that they particularly refer to those who are used in the administration of the testimony. The two cubits, the one cubit, and the cubit and a half refer to certain traits of Christ. The half refers to the fact that one is greater than he seems.
[p. 87] Ques Is there any connection with what Peter said to the lame man at the gate of the temple? “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee”, Acts 3: 6.
JT “Such as I have” shows that Peter had something better than silver and gold.
AW The table comes into position immediately after the veil is mentioned.
JT It is remarkable to notice that at the end of chapter 26. A little earlier in the chapter the curtains are introduced with certain directions as to the materials and the way they were to be put together. It was an enclosure for those things which were brought in and set in order there. They are brought in in relation to the veil. In this system, there is the holiest and the holy place; and the end of the chapter shows how those things connected with the tabernacle were set in order in the holiest and the holy place.
AW That would confirm what you said of the table, that it represented administration outwardly.
JT Yes. There is the suggestion of light and food, “And thou shalt set the table without the veil, and the candlestick over against the table”. We do not get the thought of the incense until the priest is mentioned; that is to say, not until we are on the line of approach. What is before us now has to do with God coming out to man.
BF Do the loaves represent the twelve tribes?
JT No doubt they do; but they represent more than that, especially in the New Testament. They would also refer to divine administration.
BF I was wondering how you would apply this at the present moment.
JT It is a question of administration and how much one is administering what is of God. Therefore we have to consider what is suggested in the dimensions of the table and how much we correspond to the [p. 88] testimony, unity and humility. These things are suggested in the table. It is also said, “And thou shalt make for it a margin of a handbreadth round about, and shalt make a border of gold for the margin thereof round about”, Exodus 25: 25. I suppose it represents the moral dignity with which those who minister care for the saints. They do not ‘lord’ it over God’s heritage. The apostles were in the lowest circumstances, but notwithstanding there was moral dignity seen in them.
Rem Paul was content to work as a tent-maker. Do you think there was correspondence in him to what the half sets forth?
JT Yes.
Ques Why is pure gold mentioned on some occasions and at other times simply gold?
JT I suppose pure gold would call attention to what was in Christ.
Rem Would it refer to revelation?
JT Yes.
AFM May we speak of God coming out as the primary thought in administration?
JT I think the loaves would suggest that.
AFM The loaves were in the hands of the priest, I wonder if they would also represent that there must be priestly state on our part.
JT Yes. What is represented here is from the divine side. The priestly side of things is set forth in Leviticus. The important feature seen here is, “Thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway”, Exodus 25: 30. It is more apostolic administration in connection with God coming out.
AW That is an important point; so that the brazen altar is seen in this connection, while when it is a question of approach the golden altar is mentioned.
JT Yes. Here it is God coming out. You need the priest in connection with the golden altar. Leviticus represents the priestly side of things. Everything [p. 89] depends on him; one may bring his offering to the door, but the priest has to do with it. But in Exodus, what we see is God coming out.
AW I think that is why it is so important to understand the brazen altar.
JT That is why Exodus is so important, because it represents the truth from God’s side.
Rem I think you said a moment ago that certain things were set in order as soon as the tabernacle was set up, and the veil brought in.
JT It is said, “And thou shalt make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work, with cherubim shall it be made ... . And thou shalt hang up the veil under the taches, that [p. 90] thou mayest bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony; and the veil shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy”. I suppose it means that the veil suggests the humanity of our Lord. It is what He was here. The ark was put into the holiest. What the ark sets forth was seen in Christ. He was Himself the Ark, for it is written, “Thy law is within my heart”, Psalm 40: 8. What the cherubim of glory set forth, and all that was necessary for God to effect His thoughts, were seen in Christ. Then, it is also written, “And thou shalt set the table without the veil”. This alludes to the twelve apostles being brought in in connection with administration manward. The table was set outside; it refers to Christ and the twelve.
BF Where would the ring and staves come in?
JT I think they would be seen in Numbers 4.
AFM It seems as if the holy place is an expansion of the holiest. I suppose it would allude to God coming out in Christ as represented in the ark and in the veil; and then you have the table and administration.
JT That is how it stands. As soon as the veil is brought in, these things are mentioned: “that thou mayest bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony ... . And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. And thou shalt set the table without the veil, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side”. I suppose the table is set where need is, where the pressure is.
Rem It suggests what is adverse.
JT Yes. The Lord would come in at that point. For instance, in the gospels we see that five thousand were hungry. The Lord fed them. I think that suggests the idea of the table being put on the north side.
AW The brazen altar comes almost immediately after what is said concerning the veil. How do these things help us to understand the brazen altar?
JT I think these things refer to incarnation. The veil is His flesh, “Through the veil, that is to say, his flesh”, Hebrews 10: 20. God is seen in Christ. Then we were saying He met need where the pressure was; bread was there. In the feeding of the five thousand, as Matthew sets it forth, it is said that looking up to heaven He blessed the loaves; this means that there is an administration of heaven through Him. But the twelve also come in. Therefore it is further said that He broke and gave the loaves to the disciples and the disciples gave to the multitude. But in the second feeding, Jesus does not look up to heaven, and instead of twelve baskets, there are seven. This would emphasise the Spirit and the place He has in connection with the administration.
Ques What does southward represent where it says, “And the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south”?
JT That is another feature of testimony. Light shows what God is towards man. God is favourable towards man. We see an illustration of this in the [p. 91] prodigal. He knew what was in his father’s house; therefore he said, “I will arise and go to my father”, Luke 15: 18.
JS It is helpful to see how these things are livingly set forth in Christ.
AFM Would the feeding of the four thousand refer to Paul’s ministry?
JT I suppose so. Speaking of the twelve. Paul said he laboured more abundantly than they all, “Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me”, 1 Corinthians 15: 10.
Ques In connection with God coming out, you have the mercy-seat spoken of. How does this apply?
JT I suppose you have something more in your mind.
Rem I thought that the mercy-seat is the beginning of things in connection with God coming out.
JT It is the beginning of things as regards the gospel being announced. In Leviticus 16 the blood is put upon the mercy-seat. This is more like Romans 3: 25, “Whom God has set forth a mercy-seat, through faith in his blood, for the shewing forth of his righteousness”. But God approached men in Christ personally, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them”, 2 Corinthians 5: 19.
Ques Do we see that in Christ personally before His death?
JT Yes.
AW The ark is there. You must have incarnation, “And thou shalt put the mercy-seat above on the ark”.
JT So that the mercy-seat is seen here before the blood is put upon it.
Ques What is indicated in the mercy-seat?
JT God is going to be merciful. His rights in mercy are set out in the mercy-seat. It sets forth [p. 92] the basis for the expression of mercy on account of the blood being put upon it.
AFM For this death must be accomplished.
JT Yes.
Rem I think it is good to make a distinction of the mercy-seat subsequent on the blood being put upon it, and the mercy-seat apart from the blood being put upon it.
JT That is important. The cherubim were always looking upon the mercy-seat. They and the mercy-seat were one piece, “And thou shalt make two cherubim of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy-seat”, Exodus 25: 18. The cherubim represent the judicial authority of God. This was expressed in Christ as Man.
Rem God has revealed Himself in Christ.
JT Yes.
AW Say a word about those whose sins were remitted or forgiven before the death of the Lord. It says, “To declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past”, Romans 3: 25.
JT God anticipated the death of Christ. The Lord asked the Pharisees in connection with the man sick of the palsy, “Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?” Matthew 9: 5. If sins are to be forgiven the Lord must die. It was easier for Him to receive the Spirit from the Father and give Him than for man to have his sins forgiven.
DR We have an odd number here in connection with the curtains; what does it suggest?
JT I think it alludes to an excess of power. It is said, “Thou ... shalt double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle”. The figure refers to what came out in the Lord’s ministry, how He went forward. He could say, “If therefore ye seek me, let these go their way”, John 18: 8. In going forward [p. 93] one needs double strength, therefore the doubling of the curtain refers to the strength that is necessary to go forward. Opposition has to be met in all its force. But the rear has also to be brought up; hence we read, “And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle. And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it”. There was to be no exposure; the front and back were to be protected by the eleven curtains. These curtains were made of goats’ hair. The sixth was doubled in front of the tabernacle. It suggests a doubling of that principle to refuse what is evil. Sometimes the rear position may be lost, therefore protection is needed there also.
AFM Amalek came from behind; therefore it is essential that there should be a safeguard there.
Ques Is it a protection to the humanity of Christ?
JT It is a protection to the whole system. It has an allusion to the fellowship of the Spirit, what we have inwardly; and the more we are in accord with it, the more rigid are the curtains. They also imply what was seen in the twelve. I think they refer to the whole system of christianity where there is a protection for the things of God.
AFM Are these curtains the result of the Lord becoming Man?
JT I think so. The intimate relation between the curtain and the veil shows that.
Rem The taches of the inner curtains were of gold; but those of the outer curtains were of brass.
JT Yes; divine love is seen inside, what is heavenly, but when you come outside you must have the brass, the element of judgment in your business, in your family, among your relations and with the [p. 94] world. You do not carry on your business in the same manner as men of the world do. You are prepared to judge yourself if others are not.
AFM It is the same material of which the altar was made.
JT Yes; the metal that is seen outside is generally brass. You cannot have happy meetings unless there is the presence of what the brass represents.
BF In the brass there is the suggestion that what is evil is judged.
JT You maintain the judgment of sin in your attitude in connection with everything of this world.
Ques What reason did you give for the eleven curtains?
JT They suggest that everything is covered.
Ques Is everything covered in view of preserving the presence of God?
JT Yes, we are to insist on these things. The truth will soon slip away unless we are marked by the refusal of evil.
Rem There is additional testimony in the rams’ skins dyed red.
JT There is the suggestion of maturity. The colour is changed, for red is very distinct. You are different now from what you were before.
Rem The death of Christ has changed everything.
AW Is the covering of the badgers’ skins over the rams’ skins dyed red?
JT Yes.
AW I was thinking that the badgers’ skins were not permanent. If the rams’ skins dyed red are there, it will be seen by those who have to do with you.
JT The badgers’ skins refer to that power to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’; ‘yes’ to what is good and ‘no’ to what is evil. We have a tendency to give way to [p. 95] evil for the sake of peace, but the badgers’ skins mean that we are not to do that; you are not to respect people’s feelings.
AW One does not seek for outward distinction. Do you not think he will spontaneously show what is represented in the rams’ skins dyed red, if the truth is formed in him?
JT The badgers’ skins refer to protection. They were a covering above the rams’ skins dyed red. Naturally, we are afraid to hurt people’s feelings; hence, we may adapt ourselves to our surroundings. In the badgers’ skins is set forth the preservation from such a tendency.
BF In the rams’ skins dyed red, there is the suggestion that a complete change has taken place with us; we are different from what we were before.
JT Yes, you see this in Paul as he went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus. He was clear of Jerusalem, so was Barnabas, and so was Titus. There were certain false brethren who wanted to bring in circumcision. Paul was not afraid to hurt their feelings, for he said: “To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour”, Galatians 2: 5. Later the question came up at Antioch. Now Peter was of the same colour as Paul at Jerusalem, but later Paul had to say, “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision”, Galatians 2: 11, 12.
Ques Was Paul showing the red when he went to Jerusalem the second time, after the saints had told him not to go?
JT I suppose he maintained his distinction at Jerusalem, but he was influenced by Jewish feelings.