Les Feldick Bible Study

What was Moses' tabernacle patterned after?

Moses' tabernacle was patterned after something in heaven, a more perfect heavenly tabernacle. The earthly structure was beautiful and functional for Israel's needs, yet the heavenly one served as the pattern for what Moses built in the wilderness. It was good, but the heavenly reality is far better.

Les explains that the earthly tabernacle was beautiful and functional; it could be taken down and moved at a moment's notice, and it did everything Israel needed. But it was patterned after something in heaven, which is more perfect. In verse 11, that heavenly tabernacle was the pattern for what Moses built in the wilderness. Les emphasizes the constant comparison in Hebrews: the earthly was good, but the heavenly is far better. The blood of bulls and calves covered Israel's sins, but it was nothing compared to the blood of Christ, which paid redemption in full.

Hebrews 9:11

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;