Both Moses and David were given instruction by the Eternal to set up Tents of Meeting. The pattern of each concealed unique aspects of the purpose of God. Each has a portion of truth and together they make up a whole. The worship that was established by David added a new dimension to the earlier pattern and found expression in the future New Testament Church.
A third place of meeting was built by Solomon. His Temple was to be an eternal pattern to be consummated in the book of Revelation.
The Tabernacle of Moses shows the old covenant, the Old Testament, the Law Age and its dispensation. All its requirements were fulfilled in Christ and abolished at the cross.
The Tabernacle of David shows the New Testament, the Church Age and the dispensation of the Spirit. This was ushered in by the resurrection and birthed at Pentecost.
RESTORING DAVID’S TABERNACLE
Particular mention of this was made by James the Apostle when addressing the Elders in Jerusalem.
Amos 9:11 (NIV) “In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be,
“In that day” and “after this” are phrases significant of the times of the Messiah.
The following extracts speak of the return of Israel to the Lord Jesus Christ, son of David and King of spiritual Israel.
Gen 49:10 (NIV) The sceptre will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.
Hosea 3:5 (NIV) Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.
Joel 2:28 (NIV) ‘And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
It is clear that The Lord intends to restore the Tabernacle (tent) of David. This is not David’s earthly dominion, as in the early kingdom or “House of David” but the tabernacle of worship and the forms of worship set up by David. . From this Spiritual order and because of it, all men would be able to seek the Lord. This rebuilt Tabernacle of David was revealed at Pentecost and all humankind given access to God through Christ.
A SPIRITUAL HOUSE
The church as the body of Christ is the spiritual house. The converted Gentiles and converted Jews would come to this house as living stones. They are to be built together into a habitation of God by the Spirit.
Isa 28:16 (NIV) So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.
Mat 16:18 (NIV) And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Eph 2:20-22 (NIV) built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
1 Pet 2:5-6 (NIV) you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
James makes this clear in quoting Amos. When James speaks to the elders God was beginning the great work of taking from the Gentiles a people for His name. i.e. the church. This Tabernacle was to be built on the true foundation; the tried and perfect corner stone laid in Zion.
AS IN THE DAYS OF OLD
As it used to be, i.e. in David’s time, referred to worship which was full of joy and gladness. The people sang and danced in victory and prosperity. David ruled at that time over a happy and united people. There were shoutings and loud playing on the instruments before the Lord. Trumpets, cymbals and cornets joined in the worship and a new song was heard.
1 Chr 16:7 (NIV) That day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this psalm of thanks to the LORD:.
The system of worship set forth under the Mosaic Law had been suspended. There were no more animal sacrifices in David’s tabernacle only the sacrifice of praise; there were no priests but only the Levites.
1 Chr 16:4 (NIV) He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel:
TYPICAL MEANINGS
In these and many other ways the Tabernacle of David is replete with typical meanings for us in this day. David himself was a well-perceived type of Christ and his Psalms are filled with prophecy of the Messiah. David was guided by the Holy Spirit in spiritual worship. In the tent at Zion the preaching, song, music and prayer is a guide to our worship in the church of this day.
LAW AND GRACE
The Tabernacle of Moses speaks of the plan given to Moses; the law system with its animal sacrifices and a special priesthood. This Aaronic priesthood was the only one permitted to enter beyond the veil and approach the Ark.
The Tabernacle of David speaks of grace as the unmerited favour of God and of spiritual sacrifices offered by believer priests who have full entry beyond the veil into close fellowship with God the Father.
This Tabernacle illustrated the New Covenant and the Melchisedek Order.