THE TABERNACLE SYSTEM (8)
[p. 181] THE TABERNACLE SYSTEM (8)
Deuteronomy 31: 14, 15; Joshua 18: 1 - 7; 2 Chronicles 5: 2 - 5
JT These passages may serve to indicate the teaching in connection with the tent of meeting in these books. What we noticed in Exodus was that God was pleased to dwell among His people, and in Leviticus we saw that the people approached Him as dwelling thus among them. Numbers shows how God journeyed with His people through the wilderness as He said to David, “I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day; but have gone from tent to tent”, 1 Chronicles 17: 5. This shows the love of God in journeying with His people and entering into all the circumstances of the wilderness, so that, as they began to move, the ark went before to seek out a resting place for them, a type of the Lord Jesus going before us in love.
We also saw that all matters of difficulty arising in opposition to the truth were met by God coming down to the door of the tent of meeting. These are important features for us to consider. We can reckon on God intervening in difficulties and settling whatever might arise. In Deuteronomy very little is said about the tabernacle; yet it is recognised as being there. Although there is not much said about the tabernacle after Numbers 21, it is mentioned in Deuteronomy 31 in connection with the change of leadership from Moses to Joshua.
AFM Would you mention the other places in Deuteronomy where the tabernacle or ark comes into view? Moses was told to put the testimony into the ark (Exodus 25: 16).
JT In Deuteronomy 31: 26. Moses commanded the Levites, “Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark”. We will observe that, in the change of leadership, the song which Moses composed is taught to the people, and the book of the law is put into the ark.
Ques The tabernacle is spoken of in Numbers as the tent of testimony but it is called the tent of meeting here. What is the difference?
JT The idea in the tent of the testimony is that God sets out what is in His mind. He had said, “thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee”, Exodus 25: 16. The testimony was placed in the ark and the ark was in the tent. This is one reason why the tent is called the tent of testimony in Numbers.
Rem Say a little more on the allusion to the tent of meeting in Deuteronomy and to the tent of meeting in Numbers.
JT The tent of testimony suggests that God sets out what is in His mind. In Numbers 17: 4 we see how God indicated His mind in relation to the priesthood when there was assumption on the part of others. Referring to the staves of the princes. Jehovah said, “thou shalt lay them up in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you. And it shall come to pass, that the man whom I shall choose, his staff shall bud forth”. Then in verse 7 it says, “And Moses laid the staves before Jehovah in the tent of the testimony. And it came to pass ... behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had budded”. God showed that He had chosen Aaron. The first reference to the tent of meeting is in Exodus 33: “And Moses took the tent, and pitched it outside the camp ... and called it the Tent of meeting. And it came to pass that every one who sought Jehovah went out to the tent of meeting which was outside the camp”. It seems that God indicates His mind where the principle of separation is maintained.
[p. 183] In Deuteronomy there is to be a change of leadership and Jehovah appears at the tent of meeting. He had said to Moses, “Lo, the days are near for thee to die; call Joshua, and present yourselves at the tent of meeting, that I may give him a charge ... . And Jehovah appeared at the tent in the pillar of cloud; ... And Jehovah said to Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers”. The time of Moses’ departure was at hand, but the testimony was to be continued.
JS In connection with a change of leadership, how would you apply the principle today?
JT I think that God would indicate His mind concerning it among the assembly. In christendom leaders are introduced in another way.
Rem The assembly answers to the tent of meeting.
JT Yes, it is the place or sphere where God meets with His people who are in separation and in sympathy with Him and one another.
Rem It appears that there is a principle wherein God may bring in a change of leadership.
JT I think it is a principle with God to carry on the testimony in connection with leadership.
CAM But is there not a principle or a suggestion that God may change or use various vessels?
JS Is it not more a succession to leadership here rather than a change?
Rem That seems evident, for there is no change until Moses is about to die.
JT Yes, in the chapter before us we see how clear that is, “And Jehovah said to Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers”. In a similar manner, Paul said, “the time of my departure is at hand”, 2 Timothy 4: 6.
Rem His service was completed.
JT Yes, he had kept the faith and finished his course. Paul could say, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me”, 2 Timothy 4: 8. Paul is concerned about the continuation of the testimony and charges Timothy, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word”, 2 Timothy 4: 1.
AFM Where do you get the thought of succession to leadership in 2 Timothy?
JT In 2 Timothy 2: 1, 2, Paul told Timothy, “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also”. Timothy is instructed there to take up the question of leadership and to see that the ministry was passed on to faithful men. The tent of meeting should have an important place in our minds, because it is the place where God makes known what His dispositions are. Of course God is sovereign in connection with His dispositions, but He makes them known among His people as we see here in Deuteronomy in view of the continuation of ministry and service.
Rem We see the close of Moses’ service and the beginning of Joshua’s here.
Rem Joshua was with Moses from the outset. Sympathy with the previous leader is necessary.
JT Joshua was Moses’ minister. He was with Moses on the mount; and he remained in the tabernacle after Israel failed in connection with the golden calf.
Rem It appears that God carried on the same line of things which Moses set out. For instance, in Joshua 20 we read, “And Jehovah spoke to Joshua, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint for yourselves the cities of refuge, whereof I spoke unto you through Moses” (verses 1, 2). God does not disregard [p. 185] the previous leader.
JT Much is made of Moses; the previous leader is always recognised. Hence we read, “And it came to pass after the death of Moses [p. 192] the servant of Jehovah, that Jehovah spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ attendant”, Joshua 1: 1. Joshua is referred to as Moses’ attendant. It is necessary that one should be adjusted after he is installed. Joshua was never anything to Moses other than his attendant.
JS Joshua would maintain what Moses spoke.
AFM Deuteronomy 34: 9 shows that: “And Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him; and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as Jehovah had commanded Moses”.
JT Moses did not suggest the name of his successor. It says, “And Moses spoke to Jehovah, saying, Let Jehovah, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the assembly, who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in, that the assembly of Jehovah be not as sheep that have no shepherd”, Numbers 27: 16, 17. Timothy is mentioned very little in the Acts, but he was qualified. I think the Lord takes up the one who is available, as seen in Timothy. You do not see a great vessel in Timothy as you do in Paul. The Lord said of Paul, “this man is an elect vessel to me, to bear my name before both nations and kings and the sons of Israel”, Acts 9: 15.
BF We see the priests associated with Joshua when he took up the position of a leader. He charges them in relation to the bearing of the ark of the covenant.
JT There is a suggestion there of state. We are priests and Levites in virtue of the fact that we are christians, and have the Spirit. Leadership is looked at from another point of view; God mentions Joshua in a special way in Numbers 27. Moses appealed to [p. 186] Jehovah as the God of the spirits of all flesh, but he said nothing about Joshua. Then God said, “Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him”. It may be said that every christian has the Spirit. But God particularly says of Joshua here that he is “a man in whom is the spirit”. He is characterised by having the Spirit.
AFM Joshua was not a young man now, but a man fully developed.
JT He is a man “in whom is the spirit”.
HSD He is not an inexperienced man.
JT Joshua has experience. Formerly, he was a young man and was spoken of as such. But at that time he was not mentioned in connection with leadership. The qualifications of a leader must be present with one whom God takes up, and these qualifications must be known and seen by the saints. God knew what was in Joshua.
Rem If the brethren introduced a leader, he would spoil things as Saul did. But David was a man after God’s own heart. God supports the man whom He brings forward.
JT David had a secret history which was brought to light by the Spirit; Saul had none, for he could not even find his father’s asses.
Ques What would his inability to find the asses suggest?
JT Do you not think that it refers to communion? Those who are in communion with God know His mind, and have light about things. Saul’s servant said to him, when he was about to give up searching for the asses, “Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go”, 1 Samuel 9: 6. Those who are in communion with God make His [p. 187] mind known.
JS How would you regard Timothy in connection with leadership?
JT The apostle said, “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me”, 2 Timothy 1: 15. It was a question of apostolic authority. The brethren had turned away from Paul, but Timothy was one on whom he could lay his hands, a young man. Why should he take a young man? It was a strange thing.
Rem Joshua was one who had brought back a good report of the land. He carried the truth of the heavenly position in his soul at all times. Now he has become a leader; the people are with him and he would continue to present the heavenly side of the truth to them.
JT He would be associated with Caleb as standing for the heavenly position and testimony.
AFM Sometimes we see that there is opposition when the Lord brings forward a vessel. We may have our eyes on someone else, but the Spirit may indicate the opposite of what we had before us.
Ques Are there leaders or one leader?
JT It is written, “Remember your leaders who have spoken to you the word of God”, Hebrews 13: 7. It is in the plural. There are those who are qualified. It goes on to say, “and considering the issue of their conversation, imitate their faith”.
Rem So we think of Joshua, David, and others.
JT Those men were types of Christ in peculiar ways. But there are leaders, as we see in Hebrews “Obey your leaders, and be submissive; for they watch over your souls as those that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not groaning, for this would be unprofitable for you”, Hebrews 13: 17.
Rem The point you are making is that the Lord places leaders among us and they must be recognised.
JT Yes, that is the idea.
WB “The pillar of cloud stood over the entrance to the tent. And Jehovah said to Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers”. We see how God indicated His mind to Moses and showed him what he should do.
JT Yes, Moses was told to call Joshua and present themselves at the tent of meeting; and Jehovah appeared there. The presence of the Lord among His people brings out what He is doing, and whom He is owning. Hence God appears and speaks to Moses; and finally He says to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous; for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I have sworn unto them; and I will be with thee”, Deuteronomy 31: 23. The idea of God owning and appearing to His servant is magnified in the gospels in connection with the Lord Jesus. In Mark’s gospel it is written, “Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptised by John at the Jordan. And straightway going up from the water, he saw the heavens parting asunder, and the Spirit, as a dove, descending upon him. And there came a voice out of the heavens: Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I have found my delight”. We speak of the Son, the Lord Jesus, as the Servant in Mark’s gospel; and we see in what a marvellous way He is owned and recognised by God: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, mine elect in whom my soul delighteth! I will put my spirit upon him”, Isaiah 42: 1.
AFM “He saw the heavens parting asunder, and the Spirit, as a dove, descending upon him”. The saints will see the glory of God in a similar manner, and it will be a confirmation to them.
JT You see an instance of that when Peter on the mount wished to make three tabernacles. But, “While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them ... . And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him”, Luke 9: 34, 35. God showed whom He had selected.
Ques Would the glory appear today in the way of ministry?
JT One can never be sure of the way God may show Himself, of the way that He will come in; for He has His own way of appearing.
Rem The Lord’s coming among us has to be observed spiritually.
JT Yes, I think those who are spiritual recognise it. In connection with the departure of Moses we have a song: “write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel”. I suppose Joshua is included in the writing of the song, “write ye this song”. What is put into the mouths of the saints is a living ministry.
Rem Joshua is associated with Moses in Deuteronomy 32: 44: “And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun”.
JT Yes, Joshua is linked up with the living ministry that was to be put in the mouths of the saints. The ministry was of a poetic form.
BF It was that form of ministry which would be preserved in the affections of the saints.
JT It was a poetic writing, and it was to be put in their mouths; it was to remain with them. The song was written the same day that he was told to write it (see Deuteronomy 31: 22).
Ques Why should this song be a witness?
JT God said, “this people ... will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them”, Deuteronomy 31: 16. This song would be a witness against them.
JS Hence we see that, “Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended”, Deuteronomy 31: [p. 190] 30.
JT Moses knew what to write. That very day it was composed in freshness, and it was full of life:
“My doctrine shall drop as rain,
My speech flow down as dew,
As small rain upon the tender herb,
And as showers on the grass”, Deuteronomy 32: 2.
Rem One may learn the song, but unless he gets in touch with God, it will do him no good.
JT But it will be a witness for God against him. For instance, the Bible is read in churches; it is a witness on God’s behalf. The next thing we notice in connection with the song is how Moses rises to the occasion. It is a voice to all old brethren. Moses is about to die, but he is told to write a song and he writes it immediately. Joshua has part in it, a living ministry with which this second leader is connected; and it is put in the mouths of the saints. But the book of the law is put into the ark. This may suggest the truth as it is in Christ. It will never fail; so that the reference in Revelation is, “Jesus Christ, the faithful witness”.
AFM So that Moses says, “For the name of Jehovah will I proclaim: Ascribe greatness unto our God! He is the Rock, his work is perfect, For all his ways are righteousness; A God of faithfulness without deceit, Just and right is he”, Deuteronomy 32: 3, 4.
JT Yes, and then he goes on to depict the condition of the people: “They have dealt corruptly with him”.
Rem Moses makes a touching appeal to the people in his song: “Do ye thus requite Jehovah, Foolish and unwise people? Is not he thy father that hath bought thee? Hath he not made thee and established thee?” Deuteronomy 32: 6.
Rem The song seems to be very wide; Moses calls on the heavens and on the earth (verse 1).
JT Yes, it is very [p. 191] wide.
JS Is there anything corresponding to this in the New Testament?
JT I do not know. Of course you do not always get everything in the New Testament. There are things in the Old Testament which are not necessarily repeated in the New; the fact that they are in the Old Testament is enough. There are things new and old, and their instructions are applicable for all dispensations. You see how the testimony is linked together in a living way.
Ques Does verse 2 of the song (Deuteronomy 32: 2), “My doctrine shall drop as rain, My speech flow down as dew, As small rain upon the tender herb, And as showers on the grass” suggest that the ministry of a leader does not die with him?
JT I think that as Joshua was Moses’ attendant all the time he was never lifted up to the level of Moses. Hence he needs a good start.
Ques Is Timothy a product of Paul’s ministry?
JT Timothy was Paul’s child. Paul said, “I have no one like-minded”. Why should he speak thus of a young man? It was because there was no one among the older brethren.
Rem The new leader would not reproach the old one.
JT We see how the thought is worked out in Joshua. He is associated with the song which Moses wrote; and we see how he continues after Moses’ death: “And Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him; and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as Jehovah had commanded Moses”, Deuteronomy 34: 9.
JS You said that Joshua did not rise to the level of Moses.
JT He did not. When Joshua began his ministry, he is spoken of in terms that would humble him: “And it came to pass after the death of Moses the servant of Jehovah, that Jehovah spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ attendant, saying, Moses my servant is dead”, Joshua 1: 1, 2.
HSD What may we understand by the words, “as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee”, Joshua 1: 5?
JT It is not so much leadership there, but the inheritance is the important point: “Every place whereon the sole of your foot shall tread have I given to you”. In Joshua 19, we see that the priest comes first in connection with the distribution of the inheritance: “These were the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed by lot in Shiloh before Jehovah, at the entrance of the tent of meeting”. It is now more a matter of state in the people.
Rem State is necessary in connection with the inheritance.
H.S.D. Is it fellowship?
JT Yes, we are set alongside each other now, and there is likely to be need of much adjustment, so that things are done in the presence of Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers. It is a question of spiritual power among the saints.
AFM What is the difference in Joshua 18: “And the whole assembly of the children of Israel gathered together at Shiloh, and set up the tent of meeting there; and the land was subdued before them. And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes whose inheritance had not been distributed to them. And Joshua said ... Provide you three men for a tribe; that I may send them, and they shall rise and go through the land, and describe it according to the proportion of their inheritance”? Joshua seems to take [p. 193] the lead there.
JT Probably you have something more in your mind.
AFM I thought there was a contrast between chapters 18 and 19.
JT In chapter 18 I think you see an end of the encampments. Shiloh represents the gathering centre, “to him will be the obedience (or gathering) of peoples”. The tabernacle as set up at Shiloh became a test to the people. The two-and-a-half tribes built an altar of their own, but Phinehas and the princes made the tabernacle the test: “if the land of your possession is unclean, come over into the land of the possession of Jehovah, where Jehovah’s tabernacle dwelleth”, Joshua 22: 19.
Rem So that the truth of the assembly enters into everything; anything that is contrary to it pertains to what is sectarian.
Rem The assembly is the pillar and base of the truth.
Rem You said Shiloh was connected with the gathering of the people.
JT Yes, it is the gathering centre; it is a type of Christ.
Ques How may the distribution of the inheritance be seen now?
JT It is a suggestion of the place one has among the saints. They make room for you. It is a serious matter if they do not. The distributions were made in the presence of “Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun and the chief fathers of the tribes”, meaning that the whole spiritual power was there.
Ques Is there sovereignty in the distribution by lot?
JT Yes, and the distribution is made at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
Ques There was difficulty at Corinth in recognising the sovereignty of God. Was it a lack of spiritual [p. 194] state?
JT I think so. Paul had to come in, as it were, and do things. The Corinthians were setting up leaders instead of recognising Paul.
Rem The spiritual element seen in Eleazar and Joshua was not in Corinth.
JT It did not appear so. We see a beautiful picture of what we are saying in connection with Solomon. He is anointed with the horn of oil, when Adonijah was in rebellion: “And Zadok the priest took the horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon: ... and all the people said, Long live king Solomon!” 1 Kings 1: 39.
WB The priest is the prominent person there, too.
JS It is remarkable that the horn of oil is taken out of the tabernacle.
JT They were a group of men associated with the priest: “And Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon”, 1 Kings 1: 38. These men were not with Adonijah.
Rem Solomon is a type of the Lord.
JT I think the Lord has His place when the assembly recognises the Spirit. In 2 Chronicles 5 we see that: “they brought up the ark, and the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent ... . And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Jehovah to its place, into the oracle of the house, into the most holy place”. The tabernacle merges into the temple.
AFM The staves were drawn out.
JT There is the thought of permanence in that.
Ques Do you think that the expression, “increases to a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2: 21) [p. 195] refers to what is eternal?
JT I think it refers to the millennium.
AFM “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men” suggests that God came as near to men as possible.
JT Yes, it suggests the closeness of God to men; not so much the grandeur and glory of Solomon’s reign.
Ques Is there not an eternal thought in that?
JT Yes, the staves drawn out means that there will be no further wilderness experience.
WB What is the difference in David preparing a place for the ark and pitching a tent for it, and Solomon putting it in the temple?
JT David’s act suggests what is provisional.
Ques Do you think that the final movement of the tent suggests the present moment? Is there not a comparison for us today with what was done at Shiloh and Solomon’s act?
JT I think the ministry of Paul presents a fixed state of things. In the early part of the Acts, the saints continued to go to the temple; but after Paul’s ministry that state of affairs ceased.