The Indianapolis journal., 1888-07-22
READING FOR TIE SABBATH.
sunday-school lesson sor .ruIv 90. 1888.
Iur n =

iHx TABERSAcLE-Exod. Il, lie
Golden Te1t-Bshold the tabernacle Of Goa is with
M men ana ne vli dwell with thsm.-Rsv. xxi. 3.
- A IL --i5s-----------T The Tabernacle
Medium 1-34 Place Of the Tabernacle
nun S-Nrm- ii, i,l-3S-------Dutieso of the priests
Sat -.Hsb "a; .con.seraton OF the priests
sun--i Peter H. Christian priesthood
ror nve or ak months the people had beer
busy collecting and p.parine the material
necessary for the Tabcrnacls. The plan was
s5cds. but be eraciously allowed his people to
provide the abundance OF gold and silver.
skins and cloth. that were needed, and thus to
sncw their interest in o divine dwellingplacs in
snszf midst The great design Of the various
symbols and objects in the Tabernacle was to
constantly teach religious lessons Each altar,
sacr1nce. and priest was intended 20 picture
some great spiritual truth; and all Of them, in
prophetic way. pointed TO the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are Immediately impressed with the strik-
Ing similarity between the Old temples and wor
ship Of Egypt and the new Tabernacle and
tts forms. At first thought ID seems strange
that God should allow this likeness, and
that be did not depart more widely from it
bnt the older worship was an honest, serious
enort to reach God We do not know how far
she Egyptians may have copied forms that at
nrst came from Jehovah, but they had their or
dee Of priests. their holy place and their holy OF
holes. with its shrine or ark that was borne in
procession by the priests. They had their sac
sinces, and incense. ard high priest The shape
and form Of the Tabernacle was the same as
that OK the Egyptian temples Why this SINH
lar1tys Because they were nation Of children.
and Gcd used these existing religious forms and
led them along familiar ways. not to dumb idols
or painted deties. but to the one living and true
Gencs and glory. To have introduced entirely
new forms would have been like teaching new
language. The end justified the means. and is
really striking proof Of the divine origin Of
the old system.
HELPS AND HINTS.
Some Test Qusations-1. When was the first
day Of their first month"; 2 How were their
months determined g. What was the size and
shape Of the Tabernaclel l. What the form and
contents Of the ArkI 5 What the nee Of the
Altar Of IncenSsi 6. What tho form and size
Of the Altar Of Burnt Ofisringi Z. What use
was made % the Laver7 8. How the
amounting oil made and usedi 9. Why were
Aaron and his sons selected
Points for Class Talks-L ''The Lord spake
unto Moses" and SO he does TO each one who
viii listen to his worda 2 'Thou shalt set up
the Tabernacle" God gives the ideas and inspi-
ration, but We must put them together and
build them up. 3 The ark Of testimony"
The precious mementoes of the past 4. '.And
light the lamps thereof" Sacred forms are use
less unless the light Is kindled in the heart 5.
And anoint all that 10 therein" Each little
thing to be consecrated solemply and fully TO
God. g. THAT He may minister unto me. !"
The main and essential part Of church service
should be ministering unto God rather than to
men. 2. 'All that the Lord commanded him,
% did he,' or perfect Obedience
SPECIAL APPLICATION.
1. Every true Christian church is like the
Tabernacle, o way from sins TO the holy
place OF communion with God.
Every true Christian church maeni6es In
its servicss the great ideas OF the Tsbernacle:
I. The Altar Of Sacrafcs, the Offering of the
Lamb Of God 2 The haven Of regeneration.
3 The incense Of prayer.
B. By the help Of these each man in every
Christian church may now enter the holy Of
holies with the blood Of Jesus.
4 The beautiful forms and ceremonies Of the
church are vAluable, as thoy lead men to the
holisst when God speaks TO the soul.