Christ and the Desert Tabernacle

by J.V. Fesko

Far from being boring or uninteresting, the Old Testament tabernacle, and later the temple in Solomon’s day, is a shadowy picture of Christ and the church. True, people are perhaps easily able to draw the connections between Jesus and the sacrificial animals, as Jesus is identified as the one and only true sacrifice who takes away our sins (e.g., Heb 8-10; 1 John 2.2). But beyond the obvious connections between Jesus and the sacrificial animals, the Old Testament tabernacle is literally an entire world of references, allusions, and foreshadows of Christ and the church.

Genres: Theology, Old Testament

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

About the author

J. V. Fesko graduated from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, UK, with an earned Ph.D. in theology. Dr. Fesko's interests include systematic theology, applied soteriology (union with Christ, justification and sanctification, and the ordo salutis), sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Reformed dogmatics, as well as the integration of biblical and systematic theology. He was the pastor of Geneva Orthodox Presbyterian church from 1998 to 2009. He is now presently the Academic Dean and Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California. He is also an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Reviews

[Alison Coles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and not too long. I didn't learn much I didn't already know but my reading of the Pentateuch was improved by this book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Fesko aims to help ordinary readers recognize the "entire world of references, allusions and foreshadows of Christ and the church" to be found in descriptions of the Old Testament tabernacle. Surveying the building materials, the Ark of the Covenant, the various furniture, and even the consecration of the priests, Dr. Fesko describes the purpose and function of each element of the Tabernacle, then examines it again in light of the New Testament. He shows how each element not only provided the means by which God dwelt among his people in the long-ago desert, but may also be read as shadowing forth the future realities of Christ and his church. Each chapter concludes with reflections connecting aspects of the desert tabernacle with our Christian lives, both individually and corporately.

My review can be read in full here.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the most difficult passages for ordinary readers of the Bible is the last pages of Exodus which focus on the building of the Tabernacle.  Up until that point, the Bible has been mostly stories and while some of the laws given seem strange to modern ears, we can readily make adjustments as to how it applies to our lives. But of what import are lists of building materials? Or Priestly vestments? What does the building of the Tabernacle and the mode of worship in the desert have to teach us in our contemporary Western context?

J. V. Fesko, the academic dean and professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary, has written a book which explores this portion of scripture, revealing how this wilderness tent and the practices associated with it pointed forward to the person and work of Christ.  Each of the chapters focuses on an aspect of the Tabernacle (the building, utensils, significance of various elements) and brings it into conversation with key New Testament passages which draw out their significance:

The building materials for the Tabernacle (Ex. 25:1-9; 35:4-9) were given by the people as a voluntary offering. Fesko uses this talk both about the quality of our giving and the foundation we use to build our final temple on (cf. 1 Cor 3:10-16).
The significance of the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-9) is seen in that it prefigures our final atonement (through Christ's cross) and represents God's presence with his people (points forward to the Incarnation).
The Table and the show bread (Exodus 25:23-30; 37:10-16) pointed to God's provision for his people  and can be connected with Christ's miraculous feeding of the five thousand, the Lord's Prayer (our daily bread) and the Lord's supper.
The Lampstand and Oil (Exodus 25:31-40; 27:20-21; 37:17-14) and the perpetual light it gave, points forward to Jesus the light of the world and the church.
The Tabernacle (Exodus 26: 1-37; 36:8-38) was the visble sign of God's presence with Israel and the New Testament connects God's indwelling presence with the incarnation, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and God's abiding presence with His people.
The Altar and the courtyard (Exodus 27:1-9; 38:1-7, 9-20) represents the place where sacrifices were made on behalf of Israel and point forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.
The Priests garments (Exodus 28:1-43; 39:1-31) were endued with symbolic significance and pointed forward to Christ, our high priest. Likewise the consecration of the priests (Exodus 29:1-46) also would point forward to Christ's ultimate expiation of our sin.
The Census Tax (Exodus 30:11-16) reminded Israel of their redemption from Egypt. Fesko reminds us that when we take 'a census' of our own life, we should think of our unworthiness and Christ's redemption of us.
The Bronze Basin (Exodus 30:17-21; 38:8) points forward to baptism and the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit.
Oholiab and Bezalel (Exodus 31:1-11) were craftsmen gifted by the Holy Spirit for the building of his tabernacle. Fesko uses  their example to speak of  the future outpouring of Spiritual gifts to the church for service of the church and world, and God's continual indwelling presence.
Finally, Fesko ends his reflection on the temple with a chapter on Sabbath (Exodus: 31:12018) and he reflects on the way in which trusting in Jesus is our entry into the Sabbath rest of God.

Fesko uses the New Testament to shed light on the Old. He takes his cue from Augustine who once wrote, 'what is hidden in the Old is revealed in the New, and what is revealed in the New is hidden in the Old (133).'  Fesko reads the section on the Tabernacle through a Christocentric theological grid.  I appreciate this perspective and it made me think of the first time I read Hebrews after a fresh reading of the Pentateuch.  All scripture is God breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). When Paul wrote those words, the New Testament was not canonized yet and the Bible of the early church was the Old Testament. Thus we need to learn to wrestle with passages like the building of the tabernacle (or genealogies) when we encounter them in our Bibles.

Unfortunately there are no footnotes and there is no bibliography in the book. Many readers will not miss them, but I like to know where an author has gleaned some of their ideas and who they are conversant with it. Fesko is not the first (or the last) to traverse this ground, and I want to know who he's read. But these chapters first had life as sermons which Fesko preached at Geneva Orthodox Presbyterian Church (Woodstock, Georgia)  when Fesko was pastor there.  So I am left guessing which commentators and scholars Fesko consulted in his pastor's study.  I think Fesko has a lot of valuable things to say and makes sound theological judgments; however he offers few clues for those who would desire to dig deeper into the topic.

But Fesko wrote this book for those who find the treatment  of the Tabernacle  in Exodus boring and inaccessible. I think he does a great job and makes some good suggestions for how lay Christians can use this portion of scripture to deepen their appreciation for all that God in Christ has done on our behalf.   If  the tabernacle has always mystified you, Fesko will show you how to appropriate these texts in ways  that are worshipful and worthy of deeper reflection.

Thank you to Cross Focused Reviews and EP Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for this review.

[Lisa Brantly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that he interpreted the Tabernacle in light of what the Israelites themselves knew/understood instead of only through the Resurrection for us. Very good primer, would be useful for youth study groups.

[Justin McLarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing way to spend some time reading and reflecting on the end of Exodus with the seemingly dry and boring instructions on the tabernacle.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admit it. All those chapters in Exodus and Leviticus on the Tabernacle really confuse you. I imagine you read them rather quickly when you are in that part of the Bible. What does this mean? Not that there is something wrong with you, but that we just need help. Enter this volume by J. V. Fesko and published by EP Books.

In 12 chapters he covers the building materials, the furniture (often a chapter for each piece), and ends with 2 chapters on Oholiab/Bezalel and the Sabbath respectively. In every chapter he tries to draw out the New Testament truth being taught in the Tabernacle.

Hardly any place in the Bible is so rife with typology. That’s what makes it difficult. Sometimes the New Testament, particularly in Hebrews, will spell it all out for us. At other times, we are on our own. The value in this book is that he makes appropriate suggestions for us. Whether we agree with his conclusion or not, he at least shows us not to be overly fanciful. We should tie the typology into the larger truths, not minute things. No suggestion he made seemed outrageous to me.

I appreciate his reminding us several times that this wasn’t just typological teaching, but a representation of a Tabernacle in Heaven. I fully agree with Mr. Fesko on that count.

This book will not be the definitive volume on the Tabernacle as long as we can still get to Soltau, Slemming, Haldeman, and Brown among others, but it is helpful. It might be all most families would need on the subject. I, for one, am glad to have it.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 .

[Brandon Lehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit it.

I've caught myself dozing off while reading the accounts of the building of the tabernacle.

I know everything in the Word of God is profitable, but all of these instructions and details can be a bit tedious and more than a little boring. Thankfully, God has equipped others who have the ability to put everything together for those of us, who don't always see the big picture.

J. V. Fesko has met this need with his book, Christ and the Desert Tabernacle. In this quick volume, he shares the importance of the tabernacle, and it's contents, to the Israelites who experienced it, and what these things mean to and teach us today.

The key point Fesko aims to make is that, "when we read of the tabernacle, we are looking at a shadowy picture of Christ and the church." (p.13) The tabernacle was built to be God's dwelling place among the children of Israel. This looks forward to the present age where Christ dwells within the people of God, the church, and ultimately to the future when we dwell with him in glory.

Fesko explains the significance of the tabernacle and its construction as well as many of the furnishings such as the lampstand and the oil, the altar and the courtyard, the census tax, and much more. So many pictures of Christ and his atoning work are revealed in the texts we often sleep through or simply skip over. You will gain a new appreciation for the tabernacle and the amazing story God has woven through time, all pointing to his Son and and the redemption of his people.

If you have ever found yourself baffled over the meaning and purpose of the wilderness tabernacle, then Christ and the Desert Tabernacle may just be the help you need.

I'd like to thank Cross Focused Reviews for sending me this free copy for review.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great overview of the OT symbols contained in the tabernacle! This is a short, easy read, but is rich explanation and application. Each portion of the tabernacle is taken in turn, including the Sabbath, and explained in OT context as well as NT context, and then good application given.

Also - see his much more scholarly work "Word, Water, and Spirit: Reformed Perspectives on Baptism" -- also excellent.

[Hollie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent read. My full review is here: http://dermerfamily.blogspot.com/2012...

[Alex Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://reformed-at-last.blogspot.com/...