When the New Testament talks about shadows and patterns, they are representations of the original in heaven. What have here on earth are a foretaste of what is coming in the Messianic Age. This is why Christians continued to go to the Temple and make offerings even after Yeshua’s resurrection and return to heaven (e.g., Acts 21).

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!”1Kings 8:27 NASB

Although the Tabernacle and later the Temple, which He commissioned, cannot contain God but He deigned to dwell there. He is also wants to dwell in our hearts, and when we invite Him to dwell within us, we become walking tabernacles of the Holy Spirit.

Here’s some key vocabulary we will be using in today’s lesson:

* קֹדֶשׁ qodesh or kodesh (Strong’s lexicon No. H6944) means “apartness or sacredness.” We commonly translate this as “sanctified” (See Ex. 31:13 & Lev. 20:8).* קָרְבָּן qorban, qarban or korban (H7133a) means “that which approaches.” In this context, it is about approaching God. It doesn’t remove sin but it is allowed to enter God’s presence because it’s tahor.* טָהוֹר tahor (H2889) is often translated as “clean” but is better understood as “fit to move into God’s presence.”* טָמֵא tamé/tamei (H2931) is often translated as “unclean” but is better understood as “unfit to enter God’s presence.”

The realm of God is all about live, while the realm outside of God’s presence is about death. We approach God on His terms, not our own.

The Courtyard: Offerings

* עוֹלָה ’olah (Lev. 1:1–17; 6:8–13): Burnt offering of bulls, sheep, goats, doves, or pigeons* מִנְחָה minkhah (Lev. 2:1–16: 6:14–23): Grain offering of cakes or wafers of fine flour* שְׁלָמִים shelamim (Lev. 3:1–17; 7:11–36): Peace offering of a goat or lamb, consumed that day* חַטָּאת khattat (Lev. 4:1–5:13; 6:24–30; Num. 15:1–24): Sin offering of a bull or lamb* אָשָׁם ’asham (Lev. 5:1–6; 7:1–17): Guilt/trespass offering