The Dedication of the Holy Place and the Cleansing of the Holy People (Num. 7-8)

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Last time we looked at the law of the Nazirite:

• holiness is not about what you do – since the Nazirite had no particular duties!
• rather, holiness is about who you are – as one who is consecrated, set apart to God.

Today we look at the consecration of the holy place and the holy people – the tabernacle and the Levites.

The tabernacle is a physical picture of spiritual realities. The tabernacle court consists of two squares – the center of the first square is the altar of burnt offering; the center of the other square is the ark of the covenant – the throne of God.

How do you come into the presence of a holy God? Well, first you have to be cleansed of sin – and of corruption/defilement. That’s why you start with the altar – in the outer court. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. Then the priest has to wash in the laver – the basin. It is only through the sprinkling of blood and the washing of water that anyone can enter the holy place. But then the priests offer incense on the altar of incense before the veil of the Holy of Holies, and through their mediation, God hears the prayers of the saints.

Israel approaches God through the altar of burnt offering – but then, through the blood of the sin offering, Israel comes into the holy place. And when Israel encounters God through the altar of incense, then the table and the lampstand symbolize the result – light and food.