During this series, we are working our way through the Scripture, heading toward empty tomb, hoping to have a better understanding of it when we arrive there on Easter Sunday. Thus far, we have looked at: Creation, the Fall, the Flood, the life of Abraham, the life of Joseph, and the Passover.

Today, we will see where God leads His people after He delivers them from Egypt. They are taken into the desert and brought to Mount Sinai, where God gathers His people that He has redeemed and gives them the Law.

From this time in the wilderness, on their way to the Promised Land, we can learn three very important truths that remain just as true in the New Covenant as well:

1. Human effort always falls short of God’s glory.

Moses was told to build the Tabernacle with a very specific design and function. The Tabernacle was a tent, with a Holy Place and a Most Holy Place inside that. In the Most Holy Place was Ark of the Covenant, a box with Mercy Seat as lid. Inside the Ark was a variety of things throughout its history, but always the Law (stone tablets).

What is Law? Centuries later, Jesus sums it up: Love God with heart, soul, mind, strength. In other words, be holy. The word 'holy' means 'set apart.' In Israel's case, it meant that they were to be different from the pagan nations around them. This command was meant to (1) protect Israel from effects of sin, and (2) proclaim God to rest of the world.

Israel is chosen by God for this purpose, not because of them, but by His pleasure. Israel is under Law: not optional or negotiable, command is to be holy. That means they are to glorify God with all they are, at all times, in all ways. They are to model Him, submit to Him, worship Him, and love Him 100%. But God knows they can’t do it; not perfectly (not even close to perfect). That’s what “falls short” in Rom 3:23 means: missed the mark, missed target altogether. So the Law reveals the reality of sin, our inability to overcome it (and thus need of Savior).

See, God doesn’t save people based on their obedience to the Law (or we’d all perish). Instead, God saves based on faith in the One who does perfectly keep the Law. Think about this: what happened to Old Testament leaders when they died? They are saved in same way we are: justification by grace, through faith. Paul uses Abraham as an example of this in Rom 4: Abraham didn’t trust in himself, but God. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David – they are all saved same way we are: by grace, through faith in the Messiah. They looked forward to His coming, while we look back on what Christ has done, but only Christ saves. Human effort always falls short of God’s glory.

In the New Testament, standard is set even higher (adultery/lust; murder/anger). Command of God is the same: holiness; our inability is the same: we are sinners. So how can we get help? God provides it in Jesus. He keeps the Law. He perfectly obeys. So we still pursue holiness – not in order to be saved, but because we are saved. Notice that the Law was given to Israel after they had been delivered from Egypt. Likewise, we are commanded to be holy (Mt 5:48, 1 Pt 1:15); not to be saved, but because we already are. Positionally: Christ’s holiness is applied to us in faith; practically: Christ’s Spirit helps us be holy. And the point of holiness is same for us as Israel: protect from sin and proclaim the Lord.

2. Approaching God is not something just anyone can do.

Tabernacle shows us that God is with His people; it’s a theme of Scripture. But the Tabernacle isn’t finished when Moses completes his work; only after glory comes. Once God’s presence came into the MHP, the Tabernacle was off-limits. God was with His people, but He was still God and they were still sinners. Israel was not to confuse closeness with coziness.

Leviticus 16 makes it clear that there was a very specific way to approach God in the Most Holy Place. There had to be the right washing, clothing, sacrifice, incense, etc. All of this had to be done in the proper order, in proper ways, in proper time. Deviation meant death (i.e. Aaron’s sons).

Why is all this necessary? Because God is holy, set apart. Keep in mind that these provisions are for our protection; it is no small thing to be in God’s presence. (Examples: Moses hides face at burning bush; can only see back of God’s glory on the mountain; Isaiah sees vision of God and says “woe is me, I am lost!”; angel visits Mary and tells here not to be afraid; same with shepherds in the field; Peter and John see glory at Transfiguration fell on faces and were terrified; the guards at the tomb see the glory and fall down as if dead.)

People who claim that they will ‘have some questions for God’ forget Who they address! God is not a man; He is not One we can demand or pressure or challenge (just ask Job). God’s holiness means we cannot approach Him on our own merit, or else we die.

So how can we get to God? what hope do we have of fellowship with Him? Christ. Only through Jesus can we approach the Father (John 14:6); but why only Christ? Well, remember that there could be zero ways to God, His grace has provided one at great cost. Besides this, there is only one Son, only One who can approach Him, therefore only one way to Him.

The empty tomb is proof of this; the resurrection is not just an add-on at the end, but confirmation that what Christ did worked. He went directly into presence of God on our behalf; His sacrifice was accepted.

This is true in salvation, also true in prayer (“in Jesus’ name” is only way to approach Father). Christ is the only mediator between God and men (1 Tim 2:5); no other way to Him. If you are in Christ, you share the access He has (Rom 5:1-2; Heb 4:14-16). We approach God confident, not in our selves, but in Christ.

If God feels far off to you, maybe you’ve been trying to reach Him apart from Christ. We can’t take matters into our own hands and expect God to approve. Don’t be fooled into thinking you can approach God on your terms

3. Sin must be atoned for.

One thing that is true in both old and new covenant is this: we are all sinners. We all fall short; none are righteous. This is true in two key ways: (1) our own sin; personal disobedience and rejection of God and His Word, and (2) being ‘in Adam’; as humanity’s representative, His sin is imputed to all humans.

The wages of this sin is death (Rom 6:23). Sin is serious because God is holy; it is treason against the sovereign King of all. A situation this serious requires a radical solution; must be dealt with or be eternally fatal.

In the Old Testament, God established a system of animal sacrifices. Blood is necessary, because blood is life; the punishment must fit the crime. It is animal blood (in part) because all human blood is tainted by sin; not an acceptable sacrifice.

But the Old Testament system is repetitive; day after day these sacrifices are made. They can never truly atone for sin, and sin and glory cannot co-exist. The system is followed because it is commanded and it is a constant reminder of God’s holiness. On and on in the Tabernacle, year after year, sacrifice after sacrifice – never enough to atone.

God’s provision for the atonement of sin would not come from animals, but from His Son. Jesus died as a substitute for His people; in our place (Is 53-55). This was a one-time-only sacrifice, because it was perfect (pure/human) and effective. He had the one thing we did not: righteousness, and therefore access. Because of His sacrifice, God can offer forgiveness to sinners like you and I.

Forgiveness is not God pretending sin didn’t happen or ignoring it; it’s paying the penalty for it. Just as when a bank is repaid, the debt is forgiven; God’s wrath is paid; debt is forgiven. Salvation is free, but not without cost—a free gift to us, at the cost of Christ’s blood. Sin must be atoned for; and it has been through Jesus Christ

Finally, here are some things learned from the Law and Tabernacle on way to Empty Tomb:

1. Working to earn or keep salvation will never succeed. God must deliver His people or they perish.

2. Although God is near, He is holy; our only basis for approaching God is in Christ.

3. Christ is the once-for-all atonement for sin, accepted by God and given to His people.