Embracing Life

The tabernacle was the earthly dwelling the Israelites made for God as they wandered the wilderness. The word tabernacle means “tent” or “dwelling.” The tabernacle was a sacred place God instructed the Israelites to build so He could dwell among them and draw them into deeper relationship, worship, and reverence for His holiness.

God told Moses:

“Have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.” (Exodus 25:8-9)

The tabernacle was portable and set up in the in the middle of their camp each time the Israelites moved throughout the wilderness. In Exodus chapters 25-27 you can read the directions God gave for the creation of the tabernacle, its size, dimensions, materials, and so much more. God was very specific! And then in chapters 35-40 you can read about how the Israelites carried out the creation of the tabernacle.

Image: The Tabernacle in the Wilderness, 1890 Holman Bible (public domain).

The layout and the furnishings within demonstrate to us God’s desire to dwell with us, to meet with us face-to-face. But because of sin, sacrifice needed to be made. Priests needed to be cleansed and perform other tasks before they could enter into the Holy of Holies, where God’s holy presence dwelt. Only the high priest could enter into the Holy of Holies once a year, with the blood of the lamb placed upon the Ark of the Covenant on the day of Atonement.

The tabernacle demonstrates to us the role Jesus played in giving us direct access to God’s throne room. We don’t need to sacrifice animals and purify ourselves and perform tasks and only be able to enter into His presence once a year. We have free, unlimited access to His throne room because of Jesus’ sacrifice.

The Tabernacle Establishes a Pattern of Prayer to Guide Our Prayers

The tabernacle was a divinely designed picture of how we can draw near to a holy God. Every furnishing pointed toward Jesus, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan for intimacy with His people. Today, we can use the layout of the tabernacle as a beautiful pattern for prayer, letting each furnishing of the tabernacle help us grow deeper in our prayer time and come closer to His holy presence.

Thanks to Jesus, we can approach God anytime and in any way we want. But just as Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer and provided them a pattern for prayer, the furnishings of the tabernacle can also provide for us a pattern for our prayers.

Let’s walk through the tabernacle together—worshiping Jesus at each furnishing and letting Scripture shape our prayers.

The Outer Court

When you enter the fabric gate of the tabernacle you arrive in the Outer Court. All of the priests and those coming to worship could come into the Outer Court, where you would find two bronze furnishings to help individuals find repentance of sin and cleansing.

Image: A full sized replica of Israelite Tabernacle Outer Court in Timna, Israel via Wikimedia Commons.

1. The Gate – Thanksgiving and Praise

The tabernacle had only one entrance: the gate, made of woven blue, purple, and scarlet fabric. This reminds us that there is only one way into God’s presence—through Jesus Christ. “I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved” (John 10:9). He is our way in.

Prayer Focus: Begin your prayer time with gratitude and joyful praise of both God the Father and Jesus’ character.
📖 Psalm 100:4 – “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name.”

2. The Brazen (Bronze) Altar - Confession

The bronze altar was the first thing you encountered after entering the gate. This is where sacrifices were offered for sin. It pointed to the cross, where Jesus, the Lamb of God, gave Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice. “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)

Prayer Focus: Confess your sins and thank Jesus for His sacrifice.
📖 Hebrews 9:22 - “In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.”

3. The Brazen Laver (Basin) - Cleansing, renewal

After making the sacrifices, priests washed their hands and feet at the bronze basin before entering the Holy Place. It symbolized cleansing and purity. Jesus not only forgives our sin—He washes us clean. “If I do not wash you, you have no share with Me.” (John 13:8)

Prayer Focus: Ask Jesus to purify your heart and renew your mind. Invite Him to wash away anything that doesn’t honor Him.
📖 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The Inner Court or the Holy Place

Only priests could enter into the inner court, a tent also called the Holy Place, which symbolizes deeper intimacy with Jesus. Three golden pieces of furniture were contained within this holy space.

Image: Depiction of a High Priest of Israel included as an illustration in a Christian Bible. The Holy of Holies is in the background (A. J. Holman Bible, 1890) via Wikipedia.

4. The Golden Lampstand - Holy Spirit Guidance

This was the only source of light in the Holy Place, always kept burning. It symbolized the presence of the Holy Spirit and God’s guidance. Through Jesus—“the Light of the world” (John 8:12)—we walk in wisdom and we walk in the Spirit: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Prayer Focus: Ask Jesus to light your path and for the Holy Spirit to fill you with His wisdom and understanding.
📖 Isaiah 11:2 – “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”

5. The Table of Showbread - Provision

Twelve loaves of bread (representing the twelve tribes of Israel) were placed on a golden table each week to represent God’s provision and fellowship with His people. Jesus is our “Bread of Life” (John 6:35) who satisfies our deepest hunger and invites us to dine with Him, providing us with everything we truly need.

Prayer Focus: Thank Jesus for sustaining you—physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Ask for any specific provision, your “daily bread” (Matthew 6:11) you are in need of today.
📖 Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

6. The Altar of Incense - Intercession

Incense burned here continually, symbolizing the prayers of God’s people rising to Him. Jesus is now our great High Priest who intercedes for us. “He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

Prayer Focus: Lift up prayers of intercession for others–your loved ones and those on your heart to pray for.
📖 1 Timothy 2:1-3 – “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.”

The Holy Place or Holy of Holies:

A small, separate room called the Holy of Holies was located inside the Holy Place. It was here that the Ark of the Covenant – a golden box that contained symbols of God’s covenant with Israel – was kept. The Holy of Holies was God’s dwelling place. It was separated by a veil, which only the High Priest could go through once a year during the Day of Atonement to offer a sacrifice for people’s sins.

7. The Ark of the Covenant - Intimacy, Worship

The Ark, in the Most Holy Place or the Holy of Holies, represented God’s presence and His covenant with His people. The mercy seat atop the Ark was where the high priest sprinkled blood once a year. But now, through Jesus’ blood, the veil has been torn (Matthew 27:51), and we have full access to God’s presence every day.

Prayer Focus: Rest in God’s presence. Worship in stillness. Listen for His gentle voice. Soak in all that God’s presence has for you.
📖 Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

How the Tabernacle Can Shape Your Prayers

Jenn Soehnlin

Thursday, July 3, 2025