THEO 360
Name: Reginald Taylor
CASE STUDY: METANARRATIVE AND THE TABERNACLE TEMPLATE
1. Understanding the Tabernacle
A. I have read the Exodus 25-31 in one sitting. Highlight the correct answer:
oYes
oNo
B. After reading Exodus 25-31 note your initial observations of this passage in the chart
below.
Verse(s) Observations
Exodus
25:1-9
God instructs Moses to ask the Israelites for offerings to build the Tabernacle.
The materials listed include gold, silver, and various fabrics. God expresses His
desire to dwell among His people.
Exodus
25:10-22
Detailed instructions for constructing the Ark of the Covenant, including its
dimensions and materials. The Mercy Seat, placed on top of the Ark, is
described as where God will meet Moses.
THEO 360
Exodus
25:23-30
Instructions for the Table of Showbread to be made of acacia wood and overlaid
with gold. The table will hold the bread of the Presence.
Exodus
25:31-40
The Lampstand (Menorah) is to be made of pure gold and crafted with detailed
designs, including almond blossoms. It represents God's Presence and light.
Exodus 26
Detailed description of the Tabernacle's structure, including curtains, clasps,
frames, and coverings. The materials and craftsmanship show the significance of
God's holiness.
Exodus
27:1-8
The construction of the bronze altar, where sacrifices will be offered. It reflects
the theme of atonement and the need for cleansing.
Exodus
27:9-19
Instructions for the courtyard of the Tabernacle, including its dimensions and
materials.
Exodus 28
The priestly garments are described, especially the garments of Aaron and his
sons, who will serve as priests. This includes the ephod, breastplate, and robe.
Exodus 29
Instructions for the ordination ceremony of the priests. The rituals emphasize the
sanctity required for those who minister in the Tabernacle.
Exodus
30:1-10
Instructions for the Altar of Incense, which symbolizes the prayers of the people
ascending to God.
THEO 360
Exodus
30:11-16
Instructions for the census and the atonement money. This highlights the concept
of redemption and the value of each individual before God.
C. Using your Bible and the chart of observations on Exodus 25-31 you have constructed
above, record the major facts of the passage. For this exercise you should not consult any
outside resource. You are simply writing down what you have observed in reading the
Scriptures.
i. Who (main characters in the narrative)
God, Moses, Bezalel, Oholiab, Aaron, and his sons (priests).
ii. What are the circumstances:
God provided Moses with detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle and its
furnishings. This sanctuary will be where God will dwell among the Israelites. The instructions
also cover the priestly garments and their consecration.
iii. Where (setting):
The Israelites are at Mount Sinai in the wilderness, having been delivered from
Egypt.
iv. When (What section of the Old Testament and/or when in the history of Israel):
This occurs during the period of the Mosaic Covenant after the Israelites have been led out
THEO 360
of Egypt and are in the wilderness (Exodus). This is part of the Old Testament Torah (Law)
section.
2. Symbolism, Metanarrative, and Cosmic Themes of the Tabernacle
A. Provide a definition of the Metanarrative of Scripture. You must interact with a
minimum of 1 academic source and include biblical references to support your
findings. This section should be one full paragraph (3-5 complete sentences).
Biblical metanarrative is a concept that describes a unified and integrated perspective on
Scripture, where God's purpose of revelation and salvation in Christ is presented in terms of a
broad framework of Creation-Fall-Redemption-Restoration1 . Thus, it shows how God has been
working out His purpose for man from the beginning of the creation, man's sin, and God's
salvation by the means of Christ to reclaim all of man and creation. This storyline can be
witnessed in God's pursuit of relationship and restoration with his people, especially in Jesus
Christ. Examples include the Creation and Fall narrative in Genesis 1-3 and the Restoration
narrative in Revelation 21-22.
B. In 300-500 words, discuss where you observe metanarrative themes in the
Tabernacle. You must interact with a minimum of 3 academic sources and include
biblical references to support your findings.
The Tabernacle is integrated into the biblical drama of the whole Bible since it represents the
themes of Creation, Sin, Salvation, and Redemption. The Tabernacle portrays the aspect of God's
willingness to live amongst His people, and this is within the similar context of civilization
between Him and Adam in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). As God used to be walking with
Adam, there is a way now which enables Him to tabernacle among the children of Israel (Exodus
1 Duane A Miller, “Narrative and Metanarrative in Islam and Christianity,” St Francis Magazine, June
2010, https://www.academia.edu/3871174/Narrative_and_Metanarrative_in_Islam_and_Christianity.
THEO 360
25:8)2.
According to biblical account, there is a correspondence between the Tabernacle structure
and the overall order of the entire universe. This is because while the Holy of Holies is regarded
as heaven, which is God's dwelling place, the rest of the structure represents the earth. The items
like gold and precious stones remind us of some concept of beauty of Eden described in Genesis
2:12. We also see the sin and the need for the sacrificial system as a result of the fall that is
depicted in the bible. The bronze altar placed at the door of the Tabernacle is a symbol of sin that
separates man from God. Animal sacrifices are necessary to make offerings for sin and to
symbolize the coming of Christ, who is the lamb of God; this sacrifice is perfect (Hebrews 9:11-
12)3.
Furthermore, the Tabernacle also represents the future restoration of all things. In the same
way, after providing them a temporary home in the wilderness, God's ultimate blessing is to live
with His people in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:3). The Tabernacle is,
therefore a type of the total plan of redemption that is Christ, who is said to have 'tabernacled'
among men, John 1:144.
C. In 300-500 words, discuss how these principles (answered above) are observed in the
Temple (Solomon's or Zerubbabel's Temple) and the incarnation of Christ in the
New Testament. You must interact with at least 3 academic sources and include
biblical references to support your findings.
The practices taken in the Tabernacle are continued in Solomon's Temple and in the finality
2 Luke Talon, “Particularity of the Purposes of God,” Pepperdine University 21, no. 2 (2013): 11,
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2227&context=leaven.
3 Christian A. Eberhart and Donald Schweitzer, “The Unique Sacrifice of Christ according to Hebrews 9: A
Study in Theological Creativity,” Religions 10, no. 1 (January 12, 2019): 47, https://doi.org/10.3390/rel10010047.
4 McGee, John Vernon. The Tabernacle: God's Portrait of Christ. Van Kampen Press, 1975.
THEO 360
of Christ. The construction of Solomon's Temple followed the same line about the abode of the
Lord among His people. Solomon in 1 Kings 8 pray for the dedication of the Temple and says
that this is the place where God's name would dwell, yet Solomon also has a note of realism
acknowledging to God saying: You are greater than the Temple; heaven and the highest heaven
itself cannot contain You much less this Temple that I have built (1 Kings 8:27)5. The Temple
also became the focal point of worship as it was in the Tabernacle with the same order of the
sacrifice and the priesthood.
When Jesus came into the New Testament, He became both the Tabernacle and the Temple
as a fulfillment of the work of the Tabernacle. John 1:14 states that the Word became 'flesh' and
'tabernacled' among 'us.' Jesus is the Temple of God and man per excellence because in him the
God and man meet by Word and Spirit as evidenced by John 2: 19, "Teardown this temple and in
three days I will rebuild it." actually referring to His resurrection. Jesus also performs the priest's
function as Hebrews 4:14 states he is a "great high priest6."
Finally, Christ, in his incarnation, death, and resurrection, the salvation of the world pre-
figured by the Tabernacle and the Temple is bound. Christians become the dwelling place of the
Holy Spirit (ICor 6:19), and the last step will be made in the New Creation when God shall be
with men (Rev 21:22)7.
Bibliography
5 Bradley Gray, “A King Greater than Solomon and a Place Better than the Temple,” 1517.org, 2020,
https://www.1517.org/articles/a-king-greater-than-solomon-and-a-place-better-than-the-temple.
6 Eliezer González, “Jesus and the Temple in John and Hebrews: Towards a New Testament Perspective,”
DavarLogos 15, no. 2 (January 1, 2016): 39–65.
7 Kenneth L. Gentry, “THE NEW CREATION in REVELATION,” Postmillennial Worldview
(Postmillennial Worldview, August 13, 2019), https://postmillennialworldview.com/2019/08/13/the-new-creation-
in-revelation/.
THEO 360
Bartholomew, Craig, and Michael Goheen. “STORY and BIBLICAL THEOLOGY,” 2004.
https://missionworldview.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ea8a85_96622fada08b4745a
9b77d68adcb5605.pdf.
Bradley Gray. “A King Greater than Solomon and a Place Better than the Temple.” 1517.org,
2020. https://www.1517.org/articles/a-king-greater-than-solomon-and-a-place-better-
than-the-temple.
Eberhart, Christian A., and Donald Schweitzer. “The Unique Sacrifice of Christ according to
Hebrews 9: A Study in Theological Creativity.” Religions 10, no. 1 (January 12, 2019):
47. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel10010047.
Eliezer González. “Jesus and the Temple in John and Hebrews: Towards a New Testament
Perspective.” DavarLogos 15, no. 2 (January 1, 2016): 39–65.
Kenneth L. Gentry. “THE NEW CREATION in REVELATION.” Postmillennial Worldview.
Postmillennial Worldview, August 13, 2019.
https://postmillennialworldview.com/2019/08/13/the-new-creation-in-revelation/.
McGee, John Vernon. The Tabernacle: God's Portrait of Christ. Van Kampen Press, 1975.
Talon, Luke. “Particularity of the Purposes of God.” Pepperdine University 21, no. 2 (2013): 11.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=2227&context=leaven.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
