The Tabernacle Prayer Method for Intimate Worship and Intercession
The Tabernacle prayer method for intimate worship and intercession is rooted in the biblical concept of the Tabernacle as a dwelling place for God among his people. The Tabernacle, also known as the Tent of Meeting, was a portable shrine erected by Moses according to God's instructions, serving as a place of encounter between God and his people [2, 10].
In the Tabernacle, worship and intercession were intricately linked with the sacrificial system and the priesthood. The purpose of the Tabernacle was to facilitate human fellowship with God, where the Lord would meet with his people and speak with them [10]. The Most Holy Place, containing the Ark of the Covenant, was considered God's throne room, emphasizing the gravity and intimacy of worship and intercession [11].
The Psalms reflect the Tabernacle's significance in prayer and worship. Psalm 140:2 likens prayer to incense offered before God, highlighting the intimate and sacrificial nature of prayer [1]. Similarly, Psalm 132:7 expresses the desire to worship before God's footstool, referencing the Tabernacle [4]. The prayer method associated with the Tabernacle involves lifting up the heart and soul to God, as seen in various Psalms [6].
The biblical concept of prayer as intercession is further developed in the New Testament. The apostle Paul's writings, for instance, emphasize the importance of prayerful intercourse, sanctified through God's Word and prayer [3]. The Lord's Prayer, as recorded in Matthew 6:9-13, serves as a model for simplicity and intimacy in prayer, addressing God as Father [7].
Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin, underscores the significance of prayer in the life of believers. Calvin's commentary on Philippians highlights the importance of prayer in the context of Christian community [8]. one commentary tradition by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 3:16 emphasizes the role of the Lord Jesus Christ as the "Lord of peace," who gives peace to his people [9].
The Tabernacle prayer method, therefore, involves a deep understanding of God's presence among his people, a willingness to engage in sacrificial and intimate worship, and a commitment to prayerful intercession. This method is rooted in the biblical narrative and continues to influence Christian worship and prayer practices [2, 10, 5].
Sources
- Psalms “Dirigatur oratio mea sicut incensum in conspectu tuo ; elevatio manuum mearum sacrificium vespertinum. -- Psalms 140:2”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Tabernacle — (1.) A house or dwelling-place (Job 5:24; 18:6, etc.). (2.) A portable shrine (comp. Acts 19:24) containing the image of Moloch (Amos 5:26; marg. and R.V., "Siccuth"). (3.) The human body (2 Cor. 5:1, 4); a tent, as opposed to a permanent dwelling. (4.) The sacred tent (Heb. mishkan, "the dwelling-place"); the movable tent-temple which Moses erected for the service of God, according to the "pattern" which God himself showed to him on the mount (Ex. 25:9; Heb. 8:5). It is called "the tabernacle of the congregation," rather "of meeting", i.e., where God pr”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 4:5 (LITV) — for through God's Word and prayerful intercourse, it is sanctified.”
- Psalms “Psalms 132:7 (Geneva1599) — We will enter into his Tabernacles, and worship before his footestoole.”
- II Chronicles “II Chronicles 6:40 (Geneva1599) — Nowe my God, I beseech thee, let thine eyes be open, and thine eares attent vnto the prayer that is made in this place.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:9: 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer is similar in form to a common Jewish prayer (the qaddish). Jesus gave this prayer to his followers as a succinct expression of their new faith. 6:9 Pray like this: In contrast to the vain repetition of pagan prayers (6:7-8), “the Lord’s Prayer” is a model of simplicity. • Jews rarely addressed God as Father, but Jesus did so in every prayer but one (Mark 15:34). • may your name be kept holy: God’s name is profaned by the sin of his people (Isa 29:22-24; Jer 34:15-16; Ezek 39:7; Amos 2:7).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 84.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1 1:26 3:22 9:6 9:6 9:6 14:13 Exodus 7:11 14:13 14:31 32:32 Leviticus 19:14 Deuteronomy 7:7-8 10:17 13:3 1 Kings 19:18 Job 4:18 Psalms 7:8 35:19 37:5 55:22 55:22 69:28 73:1-12 122:6 128:2 137:6 138:8 138:8 145:18 Proverbs 3:5 5:15 8:36 10:4 Ecclesiastes 9:3 Isaiah 11:4 26:9 30:15 30:21 33:22 42:1 45:23 48:11 50:5 53:1 55:11 55:13 60:2 60:2 60:2 64:8 Jeremiah 5:8 17:9 23:29 31:33 Ezekiel 11:20 Daniel 12:2 Hosea 1:10-11 Amos 9:36 Zechariah 14:8 Malachi 4:2 Matthew 5:11 5:14 5:15 ”
- 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: Lord of peace--Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the GOD of peace" (Rom 15:33; Rom 16:20; Co2 13:11). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter (Rom 14:17). always--unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances. by all means--Greek, "in every way." Most of the oldest manuscript”
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 29:42: 29:42-46 The purpose of the Tabernacle, the priesthood, and the sacrificial system was to facilitate human fellowship with God. The Lord would meet with his people there (29:42, 43) and speak with them (29:42). He would live among them as their God (29:45, 46).”
- Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 4:5: 4:5-6 The Tabernacle complex had a tent (sometimes called the “Tent of Meeting”; see study note on 1:1) at the west end of the courtyard. Inside the tent, the inner curtain divided the first room, the Holy Place, from the second, the Most Holy Place. The Most Holy Place contained the Ark of the Covenant (Exod 26:31-33) and was God’s throne room (see study note on Lev 1:1). Sprinkling the animal’s blood before the curtain (4:6, 17) and applying it to the horns of the incense altar (4:7, 18) was done to atone for the anointed priest or for the entire congregation.”