In this episode we start exploring how the Tabernacle of Meeting - its design and architecture, the materials, and the pieces of furniture within and around it - point to significant aspects of atonement. The very first object God instructs Moses about is the Ark of the Covenant, which was a gold covered wooden box, with a gold covered wooden lid to cover the box. Inside the box were placed the Testimony of the Covenant God made with Israel (not to be confused with the book of the covenant written by Moses in Exodus 24).
We talk about how the Ark of the Covenant is primarily a symbol of relationship with God and his glory. The word used to describe the lid that covered the ark is the same word used for atonement in other parts of the Bible. We discuss the significance of this word and how the function of this lid in "covering" the ark can help us understand what atonement in the Israelite sacrificial system is all about i.e. a covering or wiping clean.
We then look at the implications for John saying the Word (God) became flesh and tabernacled, or dwelled, among us and this helps us see the connecting between what God is doing with Israel through the Tabernacle and what God is doing through Jesus tabernacling among us.
Key Passages:
Exodus 25:1-22
John 1:14
Resources:
A chapter from the T&T Clark Companion to Atonement by Stephen Chapman entitled God's Reconciling Work: Atonement in the Old Testament that explores the meaning of the Hebrew word Kapar and its implications for our understanding of atonement.

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* Intro Music: "Admirable" Carlos Herrera Music

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