The Passover,

A Type of the Cross

(Exodus 12-13)

The Passover was to the Jews their day of independence, even as the cross of Christ means to the Christian his freedom from the bondage of sin. “And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you” (Exodus 12:1, 2). Passover was like New Year’s Day or like the American July Fourth or Independence Day. On this day they celebrated deliverance from Egyptian bondage. And because of the cross, the Christian has deliverance from bondage to sin. “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant [slave] of sin” (John 8:34). “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14). Because Jesus died upon it, the cross has been transformed from a thing of shame to a thing of glory.

The Passover provided salvation for the Jewish household, even as Christ provides salvation for the family of the believer. “Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house” (Exodus 12:3). “Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover” (Exodus 12:21). Killing the Passover lamb was a family matter, providing protection for the family against the loss of its firstborn. Even so, the salvation of Jesus makes salvation possible for all the household of the one who believes in Jesus. “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). Is your home covered by the blood of Jesus?

Crossing the Red Sea,

A Type of Turning the Back on the World

(Exodus 14-15)

Egypt, a type of the world. “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:24, 25). Israel in Egypt is a type of the sinner living in the world before he is converted to God.

The bondage of Egypt, a type of the bondage of sin. “And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigor” (Exodus 1:14). One day the Jews said to Jesus: “We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man” (John 8:33). In verse 34 Jesus answered them: “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant [slave] of sin.” In other words, sin is a terrible taskmaster.

Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, a type of the believer’s deliverance from the world of sin. Israel’s deliverance under God came through the instrumentality of a deliverer—Moses. “This Moses . . . the same did God send to be . . . a deliverer” (Acts 7:35). Moses is thus a type of Christ our Deliverer. The deliverance is wrought by God’s power. “And brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 4:37).

Paul tells about our deliverance from the World: “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). As Moses under God’s power delivered Israel from Egypt, so Christ is our Deliverer from the sins of the world.

The Red Sea crossing, a type of Christian baptism. “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (I Corinthians 10:1, 2). When Israel crossed through the Red Sea, they were saying goodbye to Egypt, they were dying to the bondage of Egypt. This is a symbol of baptism. “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). The convert of Christ is saying when he is baptized, “Goodbye, old world, and your sinful pleasures.” He is dying to the old life of sin, and is rising to live a new life in Christ.

The Manna,

A Type of God’s Provision Through Christ and the Word

(Exodus 16)

The children of Israel needed the manna in the wilderness as Gods children need the Bible every day. “I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day” (Exodus 16:4). In the wilderness this great people needed a supply of bread from Heaven, and they needed it every single day. “And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them” (Exodus 16:19, 20). We need a fresh study of God Word every day. Yesterday’s experience becomes stale today The prophet learned to feast on the Word: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (Jeremiah 15:16).

Israel gathered manna in the early morning; and the best time for Bible reading is early in the day. “And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted” (Exodus 16:21). If Israel did not gather the manna early in the morning, by the time the sun became hot, it melted. Similarly, if the Word is not read early in the morning, other things crowding in will be apt to melt away the opportunity. “The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned [taught ones] that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned [taught ones]” (Isaiah 50:4). We are taught from the Word in order that we may help others who are in need of help.

Israel used the manna during their entire wilderness experience; and we must depend upon the Word during all of life’s pilgrimage. “And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan” (Exodus 16:35). Even so Christians need the Bible through all of the experiences of life up to Heaven’s portals. “Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end” (Psalm 119:33).

The Lord Jesus Christ is the antitype of the manna that came down from Heaven. “Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you” (Exodus 16:4). Jesus Christ Himself claimed to be the fulfillment of the manna which came down from Heaven. “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world” (John 6:32, 33).

The manna satisfied the hunger of the Israelites; and Christ satisfies the hungry hearts of men who trust Him. Exodus 16:3 tells of Israel’s hunger: “For ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Verse 4 tells how the hunger was satisfied: “I will rain bread from heaven for you.” And Jesus claimed to do the same thing for the hearts of men, “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

The manna was mysterious in character; and so is the salvation of Jesus in some respects. “And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna [i.e., “What is it?”], for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat” (Exodus 16:15). And even as the manna was mysterious in its character and origin, so the Lord Jesus indicated that His salvation was likewise mysterious. “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). In some respects the wind is mysterious, and so the work of the Spirit of God in the New Birth is unseen and mysterious, but nonetheless real.

The manna came down to where the people were; and the salvation of Jesus is available to all who will take it. “And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground” (Exodus 16:14). The manna lay where it was easy to reach and gather. And so the Gospel of our salvation is easy of access. “But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach” (Romans 10:6-8).

The manna had to be gathered by individuals, and so salvation today must be appropriated by each individual person for himself. “This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man” (Exodus 16:16).

Individual faith in Christ is required: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life” (John 3:36).

The manna was despised by some of the Israelites, as the salvation of Jesus is despised by some men today. “And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic: but now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, besides this manna, before our eyes” (Numbers 11:4-6). They were making light of that upon which their sustenance depended. How like many in modern times who are doing nothing about the salvation of their immortal souls! “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation” (Hebrews 2:3)

Water from the Rock,

A Type of Christ’s Gift of the Holy Spirit

(Exodus 17)

Even as Israel was in desperate need of water to quench thirst; so do men need the water of life to satisfy their thirsty souls. “And there was no water for the people to drink” (Exodus 17:1). And water was a necessity. And thirsty souls can go to God and receive satisfaction through faith in Christ resulting in the New Birth. “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters” (Isaiah 55:1). Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is the only work that can satisfy men’s hearts.

Instead of blaming God for their predicament, the Israelites should have looked to God for water, as men should today. “Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?” (Exodus 17:3). Theirs would indeed have been a terrible situation if Moses had not gone to God on their behalf and secured water for them. Many times these days we find men putting the blame for their troubles upon their Creator, instead of going to Him for the solution to their problems. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). With such a gracious invitation as this, there is no need for men to die of thirst.

Water was supplied from the smitten rock. The death of Christ makes possible a living well of water through the indwelling Spirit. “Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel” (Exodus 17:6).

The smitten rock brought forth water for the people. Thus the smitten Christ on the cross opened up a well of water through the presence of the Holy Spirit in the regenerated heart of man. “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

The rock from which their water came followed the Israelites in the wilderness; and so Christ goes with believers to satisfy their needs. “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (I Corinthians 10:4).

Even so, Christ goes with those who trust Him as Saviour. He never forsakes them but is with them to help them. “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper” (Hebrews 13:5, 6).

Water from the rock was more than a well, it was a river; and the believer who is filled with the Spirit becomes a river of water. “He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers” (Psalm 78:15, 16). A river of water came forth from that rock in the wilderness to supply the needs of everyone. And Jesus gave us a promise that abundantly matches that in the spiritual realm.

“Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive” (John 7:3739).

More than a well, the Spirit-filled Christian becomes an overflowing fountain, which becomes a river of living water. Some Christians do not have enough of the water of life to supply their own need, while others have enough for their own need, but not enough for others. The Spirit-filled Christian has enough for himself and for others.

The Pillar of Cloud and of Fire,

Type of the Protection and Guidance of the Holy Spirit

(Exodus 13:20-22; 14:19, 20)

The pillar of cloud and of fire was an indication of God’s presence with Israel in the wilderness; even as the Holy Spirit’s activity in believers is proof of God’s presence with them. “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire” (Exodus 13:21).

By day everyone could know that God was present with His people because of the pillar of cloud, and by night this became the pillar of fire. And it is the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer that lets the world around know that God is with him. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).

The pillar of cloud and of fire was given Israel after redemption from Egypt by blood; as the Holy Spirit is given to those who have been saved by Christ’s blood. Redemption by the blood of the Passover lamb is found in Exodus 12. The pillar of cloud and fire is described in Exodus 13:21f. The order here is important.

The order is similar in the first chapter of Ephesians: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins . . . In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:7, 13). We are first redeemed by Christ’s blood, and then sealed by His Spirit.

The pillar of cloud and of fire served Israel as a protection from her enemies; like the Holy Spirit gives believers victory over their foes. “And the angel of God which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of die cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: and it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night” (Exodus 14:19, 20).

The pillar of cloud and fire stood between the Israelites and the pursuing army of the Egyptians as a wonderful protection. And the Holy Spirit does just that for the believer who trusts in His keeping power from the enemy. “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law” (Galatians 5:16-18). In our warfare against the world, the flesh, and the Devil, the blessed Holy Spirit will, if we trust Him to do so, protect us from these enemies, and give us victory over them.

The pillar of cloud and of fire was given Israel for the purpose of guidance; as the Holy Spirit is given the Christian to guide him. “And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents” (Numbers 9:17). Israel journeyed or camped according to the movement or abiding of the pillar of cloud and of fire. Today the Holy Spirit guides the believer. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). The Spirit guides through inward impressions, through Scripture passages, and through providential circumstances. In various ways He makes it clear to the child of God the way he should travel, the decision he should render, the choice he should make.

The pillar of cloud was given Israel to serve as a covering from the heat by day; even as the Holy Spirit is the believers covering in the stress and strain of excessive trials. “He spread a cloud for a covering” (Psalm 105:39). This is no doubt a reference to the pillar of cloud which protected the Israelites from the hot burning sun of the desert. It was a canopy from the desert heat. And when the early church had excessive persecution, the Spirit served them as a covering. “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied” (Acts 9:31). The Holy Spirit became a comfort to them following a time of great persecution.

The pillar of fire served Israel as a light by night; and so the Spirit illuminates the Christian’s way. “Thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go” (Nehemiah 9:12). It was like a great searchlight, making the way that lay ahead clear to see.

And concerning the work of the Holy Spirit Jesus said: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit illuminates the Word as we study its teachings, and He also illuminates our pathway. He makes everything clear.

The Tabernacle In the Wilderness,

A Manifold Type of Christ and His Church

(Exodus 25-40)

God had a detailed plan for making the Tabernacle; and He has a plan for the life of every member of His Church. “And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount” (Exodus 25:40). The plans for the construction of the Tabernacle were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, and Moses saw to it that they were carried out in the building and making of it. Concerning God’s plan for our lives, Paul has this to say: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained [or planned] that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Since God has a plan for our lives, how important that we find out what His plan is, and then proceed to carry it out!

The Tabernacle was a type of God’s presence with His people of Israel and with Christians today. “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). The Tabernacle was always placed in the center of Israel’s camp, and there in the heart of His people’s dwelling-place, God was present, in His sanctuary. The Church is God’s sanctuary now. “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22). God dwells in the heart of His Church through His Spirit.

The tabernacle was a picture of Jesus Christ and His salvation. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The word dwelt is rendered “tabernacled” in the margin. When He was here on earth, Jesus was tabernacling among us. He was fulfilling many of the types which we find so interesting in the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Thus we see Him and His salvation pictured plainly in many of the details of that Tabernacle.

The Israelites gave material for the Tabernacle in the spirit Christians should give to God’s work in these modern times. “And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments” (Exodus 35:21).

“The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses” (Exodus 35:29).

“And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make” (Exodus 36:5).

There was no compulsion from without to get the Israelites to give. Their own hearts stirred them up to give. Their own spirits made them willing to give. They brought much more than was needed for the task. It is this kind of giving that is very much needed in all phases of the work of the Lord in these days.

Spirit-filled workmen built the Tabernacle; and Spirit-filled Christians should carry on every phase of activity in the church. “And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and he hath filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; and to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work” (Exodus 35:30-35).

God gave to these men who made the Tabernacle and its furnishings wisdom and skill by His Holy Spirit. And in the early church Spirit-filled men were sought out to perform all the tasks of the Lord. “Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business” (Acts 6:2, 3).

The height of the fence that enclosed the Tabernacle courtyard was five cubits (seven and one-half feet); and was thus like that of a sheepfold where only a robber would attempt to climb over. “And the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court” (Exodus 38:18).

This fence was seven and a half feet high, and sufficient to keep out intruders. It reminds us of the sheepfold Christ spoke about:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep” (John 10:1, 2). Only by the God-appointed way through the courtyard gate, bringing an offering, could anyone enter into where God’s presence was, in the days of the Tabernacle.

The white linen hangings of the courtyard fence pictured the holiness of God, which bars the sinner except he come in through Christ the door. “There shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen” (Exodus 27:9). God is a holy God and cannot countenance sin in His presence. “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity” (Habakkuk 1:13). The sinner must be barred from God’s presence except he come in through Christ the Door of his salvation. “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” (John 10:9).

The brass sockets that held the pillars of the courtyard fence were a symbol of judgment on sin, and the silver chapiters, fillets, and hooks, were a type of redemption. “And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; and the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver” (Exodus 38:17). The pillars were the posts, the chapiter was the top of the post. The fillet was the rod upon which the curtain was hung, and the hooks were used to hang the curtains. The sockets were the foundation of the posts and were of brass.

Brass was a symbol of judgment: “And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters” (Revelation 1:15).

This pictures Christ coming in judgment at His return to earth. Silver is a type of redemption: “If there be yet many years behind, according unto them he shall give again the price of his redemption out of the money that he was bought for” (Leviticus 25:51). This speaks of the silver redemption money. In I Peter 1:18, 19 we are told that we are “not redeemed with . . . silver and gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ.”

An Israelite, after looking at the brass sockets (type of judgment upon sin), could follow the silver fillets (type of redemption) around the corner of the courtyard and thus be led to the gateway where an entrance could be made if an offering for sin was brought.

The gateway into the courtyard was wide and beautiful, and those entering had to bring a sacrifice; and all this is typical of Christ as our Door. “And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits” (Exodus 27:16). The gate was twenty cubits, or thirty feet, wide by seven and one-half feet high. It was wide enough to accommodate all who wished to enter.

Today salvation is for “whosoever believeth” (John 3:16). The beautiful hangings of the gate way are described in verse 16: “And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needle work.” The blue pictures the deity of Christ; the purple, His royalty; the scarlet, His humanity and His sacrifice; and the white linen, His holiness.

Those entering this door must bring a sacrifice. “If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord” (Leviticus 1:3). Let us look at the New Testament application of this, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). “For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). Our access to the presence of God is through Christ as our Door, and through the offering He made on our behalf, whose blood gives us nearness to God.

The gateway was the only entrance into the courtyard of the tabernacle; even as Christ is the only way of salvation. “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). There was only one way to gain the presence of the holy God of Israel in Old Testament times, and there is only one way to God’s presence today, and that way is through Christ and His sacrifice for us.

The brazen altar was a type of Calvary’s cross. This altar was the first article to be seen after entering the courtyard. “And thou shalt make an altar of shittim [acacia] wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits. And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass . . . And thou shalt make for it a grate of network of brass” (Exodus 27:1, 2, 4). Brass overlaid the wood, and the grate network was also of brass. Brass is a type of judgment upon sin, as we have already seen. In the offering for sin, God’s judgment falls upon the one sacrificed. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (II Corinthians 5:21).

The shape of the altar was foursquare. The four sides, pointing north, east, south, and west, and thus symbolizing a perfect sacrifice for all people, most certainly point to Christ’s sacrifice. The horns of the altar were used to bind the sacrifices (see Psalm 118:27), to sprinkle blood upon them (see Exodus 29:12), and to provide a place of refuge (see I Kings 1:50). In Old Testament times if a man was really guilty, then taking hold of the horns of the altar did not spare him. But in Christ sinners have a real place of refuge if they come in faith and penitence. “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18).

The offerings made at the brazen altar are a type of the offering of Christ on Calvary’s cross. There were five different offerings (see Leviticus 1-7; also Chapter III “Types in Leviticus”). The principle of identification was important in connection with these offerings. “And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the Lord: it is a sin offering” (Leviticus 4:24). The one who has sinned thus accepts the animal as his substitute by laying his hands upon its head.

Here is what was done with the offerings, with some variation in connection with certain offerings.

The High Priest and His Garments,

A Type of Christ as Our Priest

(Exodus 28, 39)

Christ is declared to be our High Priest by the New Testament. “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1). Here is New Testament warrant for considering Christ as the antitype and the Jewish high priest as the type.

The ephod, or outer garment, of the high priest is a type of Christ’s qualifications for being our Priest. “And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work” (Exodus 39:2, 3). The fine twined linen, picturing Christ’s holiness, was the first essential of His Priesthood. The gold pictures His divine glory; the blue, His deity; the purple, His royalty; and scarlet, His humanity and death.

The two shoulder pieces are described in Exodus 39:4, 6, 7: “They made shoulder pieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together . . . And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel. And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel.” The ephod had two shoulder pieces or straps, thus coupling the front and back parts together. There was an onyx stone on each shoulder piece, and on each stone was engraved the names of six of the tribes of Israel. The names of the tribes were thus carried on the shoulders of the high priest when lie went into the presence of God in the Holy of Holies. This is a type of believers today being carried on the shoulders of Christ our omnipotent Priest who is responsible for our salvation. Shoulders symbolize power and responsibility. (Cf. Isaiah 9:6; Deuteronomy 33:12; Luke 15:4, 5).

The girdle of the high priest is a type of the readiness of Christ to be our Priest. “And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen” (Exodus 28:8). This girdle was made of the same material and of the same piece as the ephod. To the Oriental, the girdle symbolized readiness for service. “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded” (John 13:4, 5). Thus when we see Christ girded as our Priest, we know He is ready to serve us.

The breastplate of the high priest is a type of Christ representing us before God. The description of the breastplate is given in Exodus 28:15f. It was made of the same material. It was twice as long as wide, and doubled to form a bag that would be foursquare. It contained twelve precious stones, four rows of three in a row. “And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names” (v. 21). Thus the high priest bore the names of the tribes upon his heart when he went into God’s presence , to intercede for them. This typifies Christ as our High Priest bearing our names before the Lord. “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us” (Hebrews 9:24).

The Urim and Thummim of the high priest are a type of the guidance of Christ through His Holy Spirit. “And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and them Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart when he goeth in before the Lord: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually” (Exodus 28:30). The word Urim means “light,” and the word Thummim means “perfection.” These were a part of the breastplate by which means the high priest obtained judgments or decisions for the people regarding God’s will.

The Bible does not make clear the exact method that was used in securing answers from the Lord. It has been suggested by some Bible students that the diamond was used, and that it would flash a light to indicate “Yes,” and remain darkened to indicate “No.” Joshua sought guidance from the Lord in this way. (Cf. Numbers 27:21.)

Guidance by this means is a type of the guidance our great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, grants to His followers. “I am the light of the world, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). This guidance comes through the action of the Holy Spirit: “When he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

The robe of the ephod of the high priest is a type of Christ interceding for us. “And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue” (Exodus 28:31). It was worn between the coat and ephod. The material was of blue, with a hole at the top for the head, like a jersey. Around the lower hem were balls of blue, purple, scarlet—shaped like pomegranates —and also there were small golden bells. They alternated, a bell and a pomegranate, etc. The pomegranates typified fruit, and the bells typified testimony. For every bell there was a pomegranate. The purpose of the bells was to let the people know when the high priest entered the Holy of Holies that he was still alive and that his offering was accepted. Though Christ our High Priest once died for us, we know that He rose again and now represents us before the Father. “He ever liveth to make intercession for us” (Hebrews 7:25).

The embroidered coat or inner garment of the high priest is a type of the inner life of Christ which was pleasing unto God. “And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen” (Exodus 28:39). This garment was of fine linen woven in checker work, or honeycomb form. This was the first garment to be put on and thus served as a body coat or undershirt. The fine linen is, of course, a type of the righteousness of Christ. The checker work, which was well pleasing to the eye, indicated that the inner as well as the outer life of Christ was well pleasing in God’s sight. Jesus once said: “I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29).

The miter or turban of the high priest is a type of the holiness of Christ as our Priest. “And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the miter; upon the forefront of the miter it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord” (Exodus 28:36-38).

This was a headband wound around the head. Upon it was a plate of pure gold upon which was engraved the words: “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.” This symbolized the holiness of Jesus in representing believers. His holiness becomes ours, “that they may be accepted before the Lord.” Without it we would not have access to God’s presence. “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26).