For more than 20 years I have participated in Precept Bible studies. I started with the women of Faith Community Church, and have continued for many years with women at Village Church of Barrington. We meet every Tuesday morning, September through May. We have become friends through our time together, reading the Bible and discussing it, sharing prayer requests.
Currently we are studying the three covenants that God made: with Abraham, with Moses (Israel), and the New Covenant. Today our topic was the covenant with Moses (Israel) or the law. After God rescued the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt, he made a covenant with them and gave them the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 19 & 20)
No one is able to keep the law. We all fall short. The purpose of the Law was to show them (and us) our sin and need for a Savior.
For by the works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20
After the Ten Commandments were given on tablets of stone, Moses was given very specific instructions for a tabernacle. (Exodus, chapters 25 – 31) The tabernacle was a sanctuary for God. It was also designed to point to Jesus.
For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1: 17
When my husband and I toured Israel we visited a model of the tabernacle, built to the specifications in the Bible. Here we are in the outer court.
Just inside the gate (entering the outer court of the tabernacle) is an altar. The altar is for sacrifice and symbolizes the sacrifice that Jesus became for us as he offered himself on the cross in payment for our sins.
Beyond the altar is a bonze basin for washing. The basin symbolizes the cleansing we receive by the Word of God.
Inside the tent the first room, called the Holy Place, contains a table with bread (Jesus, the bread of Life), a lampstand (Jesus is the light of the world) and an altar of incense (Jesus continually intercedes in prayer for believers).
A thick veil stands before the inner room that holds the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat. The Ark contains symbols of God’s faithfulness: Aaron’s rod that budded, manna and the tablets of stone. The mercy seat is the throne of God.
Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Hebrews 9: 3-5
The veil enclosing this room was torn when Jesus was crucified giving us access to God. We can approach God with our prayers.
God has reached out to us and has told his plan of salvation through his word. He has given us symbols that illustrate his plan. The Old Testament of the Bible points to the New Testament. The longer I study the Bible, the more I see God’s love.
After our discussion we have coffee and treats. Today I made an apricot bread to share. It was enjoyed–here is the recipe:
1 + ¼ C. dried apricots
½ cup reserved water (from simmering apricots)
½ cup honey
¼ cup coconut oil (melted)
2 large eggs
½ tsp. baking soda
2 + ¾ C. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup coconut (I prefer unsweetened)
Preheat oven to 350°. Butter and flour a 9” x 5” x 3” loaf pan.
Place the apricots in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring the water to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Let them stand in the hot water for an additional 20 minutes and then drain off the water, reserving ½ cup. Chop the apricots.
Add the reserved water, melted coconut oil, honey and eggs to a large bowl. Mix well with a whisk. Then add the apricots and baking soda. Mix. Add flour, baking powder, salt and coconut. Mix well. The batter will be thick (biscuit dough consistency). If it is too dry, add a tablespoon of water at a time.
Spread batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 350° for 45 to 50 minutes. The bread should be golden brown and when a knife or toothpick is inserted, it should come out clean. Cool on a rack; then turn out of the pan and slice.
Linking with Word of God Speak, Let Us Grow, Thought Provoking Thursday, A Little R & R and Whole Hearted Wednesday
Wow, I’d love to see the replica of the tabernacle! I too am awed, especially when I read the Bible chronologically, by the Love of God woven throughout scripture. Thank you for sharing!
What a blessing: food for the body and food for the soul!
Carol, thanks for sharing these amazing pictures from your trip to Israel. What great insight to see how God’s people worshiped Him. I’m sure you were blessed and inspired to see those replications. I am thankful the Jesus sacrificed for me so that I can now be a part of his family. Thanks again for sharing. Have a wonderful week and may god bless you and yours!
And the apricot bread was SO enjoyed! ? Also wanted to mention that Tara and I visited the Corn Castle in Iowa last year on our way out to. Yellowstone….they also have a place in the Touristy section where some fellow brothers and sisters in Christ have recreated the tabernacle! It was pretty cool…we enjoyed it & it was a little closer to home!
Thanks, Pam. It’s good to know.
This was an enjoyable read Carol. I loved the pictures showing the way our ancient ancestors followed God. Yes the difference between God’s old covenant and new is Christ. The Old Testament followers weren’t able to experience God’s grace through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. The Epistle of Ephesians is an excellent part of God’s truth explaining His new Covenant of Christ. GBY, your family and friends. Thanks for spreading your faith.
Walter, thanks for visiting. Our study manual has an interesting quote from Andrew Murray (1898). “One of the words of scripture, which is almost going out of fashion, is the word Covenant. There was a time when it was the keynote of the theology and the Christian life of strong and holy men.”
I am finding it a blessing to understand the covenants better.
It was yummy. Thanks for sharing it and your insights. Really enjoying covenant this year!!
indeed the apricot bread was enjoyed by all. you had mentioned this tabernacle you had seen on your trip to Israel. so, i am going to forward this to our Bible study ladies. i know they will enjoy it. pictures are worth a 1,000 words. as the study comes to an end, i am looking forward to continuing our study in the fall and beyond in the book of Romans. thank you…….
I’ve never had apricot bread. Sounds yummy.