One reason for studying the Old Testament tabernacle is because II Timothy 3: 16,17 tells us that all scripture is profitable for our spiritual growth; therefore, studying the Old Testament tabernacle is profitable for our spiritual growth. Let's look more closely at II Timothy 3:16,17.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may
be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works
(II Timothy 3:16,17).
Isaiah speaks of doctrine in Chapter 28.
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he
make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned
from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept
must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon
line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For
with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak
to this people. (Isaiah 28:9-11)
Doctrine means to teach by example; it is not an opinion about the Word of God as some might believe. The prophet said that we get doctrine line upon line, line upon line. He repeated the statement because we don't learn everything we need to know about God all at once. We must build Christ's Spiritual Stature here a little and there a little.
Another reason for studying the Old Testament tabernacle is that it enables us to be wise masterbuilders in constructing our Spiritual Stature, which the Apostle Paul described in I Corinthians.
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's
husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the
grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-
builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth
thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth
thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than
that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build
upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood,
hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest:
for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed
by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what
sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built
thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work
shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall
be saved; yet so as by fire (I Corinthians 3:9-15).
The wood, hay, and stubble is our fleshly carnal nature that cannot withstand the judgment fires, so it must be crucified, converted, and transformed now. We need all scripture to be able to discern our carnal, fleshly thoughts, feelings, and deeds so that we can deal with them in a timely manner. Without reproof and correction we will continue to build with wood, hay, and stubble.
Another reason for studying the Old Testament tabernacle is because this first tabernacle was a figure, a shadow, and a type of the Spiritual Stature of Jesus Christ, the second and more perfect tabernacle; therefore; by studying it we learn more about Jesus Christ, the Messiah. We see this principle expounded in Hebrews Chapter Nine.
Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of
divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was
a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candle-
stick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called
the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the taberna-
cle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the
golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid
round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot
that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the
tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of
glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot
now speak particularly. Now when these things were
thus ordained, the priests went always into the first
tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into
the second went the high priest alone once every year,
not without blood, which he offered for himself, and
for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signi-
fying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet
made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet
standing: Which was a figure for the time then present,
in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that
could not make him that did the service perfect, as
pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in
meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal
ordinances, imposed on them until the time of refor-
mation. But Christ being come an high priest of good
things to come, by a greater and more perfect taberna-
cle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this
building; (Hebrews 9:1-11).
The words figure, shadow, and type mean the same as the word metaphor when speaking about the Biblical principles. So Moses' Old Testament tabernacle was a metaphor or symbol of the stature of the LORD Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:1-8 describes the Old Testament tabernacle and the ministry of the priests as well as the High Priest. The very structure of the tabernacle and ministry of the priests and High Priest reveal the Stature of Jesus Christ in minute detail when studied closely. Hebrews 9:7-10 clearly states that all the activity that took place in the Mosaic Tabernacle was a figure for that time period and could not cleanse the conscious. Then in verse 11 we see that Christ is the greater, more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands. So if we want to really know how Powerful the Blood of Jesus is, we should study the Old Testament tabernacle and the sacrifices that were made as a figure, shadow or metaphor for the more perfect Blood of Christ!
For a more detailed study see
Reasons for Studying the Old Testament Tabernacle
