The Tabernacle was intended to teach us about the nature of God and the way we were to relate to Him. As much as God was coming to dwell with His people, there were many obstacles to getting close to Him. In fact, only the High Priest could get really close and only once a year. But every step toward that inner sanctum called the Holy of Holies required that priest to walk past or walk up to certain pieces of furniture that would teach. Prayer and propitiation made up the last two things he would be taught before standing in the presence of God Himself.