The Tent of the Congregation Spread

And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the Lord commanded Moses. (Ver. 19.) The tent over the tabernacle, or the tent of the congregation, represents the assembly of believers, meeting in the name of Jesus, who in spirit also compose the habitation of God.
The covering of the tent was twofold. First, the covering of rams’ skins dyed red; typical of the atoning work of the Lord Jesus, under the shelter of which the Church is seen by God. And, secondly, the covering of badgers’ skins, above and over all; significant of the external lowly form and pilgrim character of the Church on earth.
“As the Lord commanded Moses.” All done according to the will and word of God.
The Ark.
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon, the ark: and he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark, of the testimony; as the Lord commanded Moses. Ver. 20, 21. The ark represents the Lord Jesus Christ as the center of gathering, of promise, and of blessing, and also the center of testimony to the Church of God.
The testimony—put into the ark showed the perfect obedience of the Lord Jesus while on earth; and thus the ark became the ark of the testimony. The staves set on the ark show his adaptation to the wilderness condition and need of his people. The mercy-seat put above upon the ark expresses that the exercise of the sovereign grace and mercy of God is founded on the person and work of Christ. The ark brought into the tabernacle teaches, that it is in him that believers are builded together for an habitation of God. (Ephesians 2:22.) The vail set up is significant also of the truth, that through the vail, that is to say, his flesh, Christ having entered into the holiest of all, we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him: and all this according to the word of God. “As the Lord commanded Moses.”
The Table.
And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail. And he set the bread in order upon it before the Lord; as the Lord had commanded Moses. Ver. 22, 23.)
“The table” is the type of Christ, as the center and ground of communion to the saints of God. “In the tent of the congregation.” In the midst of God’s assembly. “Upon the side of the tabernacle.” For though the Church is looked at as the assembly of saints, it is also the dwelling-place of God. “North; ward.” The place of self-judgment and discipline. (See Ezekiel 40:39-42, and 1 Corinthians 11) And on the north side the burnt offerings were killed. (Lev. 1:11.) “Without the vail.” For it is here on earth we commemorate the dying love of an absent Lord, while waiting for his return. The bread set in order. Christ set forth as the bread of life—the all—sufficient and life-sustaining portion of the children of God. And set in order, too! What a God of order is he with whom we have to do! And “set in order before the Lord.” For it is in the presence of God that we are to remember Jesus, and take our portion as the sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty. Exalted and blessed privilege! And all this, also, in the spirit of unhesitating and full obedience, according to the word of God.
The Candlestick.
And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward. And he lighted the lamps before the Lord; as the Lord commanded Moses. Ver. 24, The candlestick sets forth Jesus as the center, source, and subject’ of ministry or testimony in the Church of God, through the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, and by the various gifts of the Spirit. “In the tent of the congregation.” Ministry has its place, a place assigned to it by God in his assembly. “Over against the table.” Throwing its hallowed light on the person, sufferings; and finished work of Jesus, in order that God’s children may feed on him. “On the side of the tabernacle southward.” The place occupied by ministry in God’s habitation is on the south side, the side of grace and mercy, and on the side occupied by the brazen sea in Solomon’s temple. (2 Chron. 4:10.) For it is in order to the believer’s sanctification, “through the washing of water by the word,” that Christ is testified to. The lamps Were to be lit before the Lord; reminding us that ministry must ever be exercised as in the presence of God, and the truth commended to the conscience in God’s sight, and all in the spirit of obedience to God; “as the Lord commanded Moses.”