II. PREPARING THE TABERNACLE

Where Moses Tabernacle was precisely detailed from top to bottom, David’s Tabernacle was quite simple. I Chronicles 15:1 says “After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.” David didn’t prepare a building of extravagant architecture, but a simple tent. It isn’t the extravagance of the exterior that matters, it’s what’s inside that really counts. After not having the presence of the Lord in Israel, this was a beautiful scene to see the emphasis taken off the aesthetics and onto the presence. We must appreciate and hold in highest regard, that which is truly important.

When we looked at Moses Tabernacle, we observed that the New Testament speaks to us of different tabernacles. The Body of Christ is seen as a tabernacle, for we are the earthly dwelling place of Christ. Christ dwells in the church. Perhaps we, as the church, should consider the preparation of David’s tent in regards to our preparation for the ark. The tent was simple, accessible, out in the open for all to enjoy. Thank God for churches that will allow people to worship like that for God’s presence is not just for a few select of the elect!

The fact that David’s tabernacle was a tent makes us aware that although it would be fulfilled in the spiritual, it was temporary and transitional. Along with understanding the concept of the tabernacle being the corporate body of Christ, we have seen the New Covenant tabernacle fulfillment as the individual believer/worshiper. In the NIV, 1 Peter 1:13,14 says, “I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside (fold up the tent), as our Lord Jesus Christ has made it clear to me.” Also read II Corinthians 5:1-5 in the NIV. Our tent is temporary, His presence is eternal.

III. RETURN OF THE ARK

David prepared and pitched the tent for the ark (he prepared a habitation), then proceeded to prepare the hearts of the people. Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister before him forever.” I Chronicles 15:2

…“you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate (refer to our study on the priesthood and the required preparation, Exodus 29) yourselves and bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way (KJV- “ due order ”).” I Chronicles 15:12,13

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRIESTS –

As New Testament priests, we have a very important ministry; to usher in the presence of the Lord. We are the blood-washed, redeemed priesthood who have been given access to the presence, and as David came to the Levites, so our KING desires us to usher His presence into our tabernacle through thanksgiving, praise, and worship. This speaks to us of responsibiblity. (Remember the primary responsibility of the priests in Moses Tabernacle?) It is not another priest’s job to carry the ark for someone else, but each of
us individually, and with willing hearts, carry the responsibility that has been given to us. It is not a drudgery to usher in the presence, it is a tremendous joy, as we will see shortly.

DUE ORDER –

Paul, writing to the Corinthian church about orderly worship in I Corinthians 14:40 says, “Let all things be done decently and in order”. God’s “due order” is very important - without following His order, the ark may never make it to the tabernacle (remember Uzzah). But the fear of not being in order is what hinders some people from pursuing the presence thereby not letting “all things be done”. In the church, and quite possibly in our individual lives, we have focused on the “few” things that have seemed “unorthodox” or “different” to us in worship. If we would concentrate more on the presence, we would definitely find joy in ushering it in.

PROCESSION OF THE ARK
Chronicles 15:16
I Chronicles 15:25-29

[ ZION ]

David the King (I Chronicles 15:25) The Elders of Israel (I Chronicles 15:25) The Captains of Israel (I Chronicles 15:25) The High Priests (I Chronicles 15:11) The Chiefs and Levites (I Chronicles 15:5-10) Seven Trumpeters (I Chronicles 15:24) Two Doorkeepers (I Chronicles 15:23) THE ARK OF THE COVENANT (I Chronicles 15:15) Two Porters (I Chronicles 15:18) Singers/Musicians (I Chronicles 15:16-24)

Psalm 68:24,25 accounts this glorious processional, welcoming the presence of the almighty back into Israel, to Zion. With great singing and rejoicing, the presence of God was ushered into the midst of a nation that understood their desperate need of God. This scene alone should cause our worship to literally “explode” from our hearts as we usher in the presence of our King every time we worship. Even David stripped himself of his kingly garments, and put on the garment of the priest, a linen ephod, thereby recognizing his need of a greater
king, and submitting himself to service before the KING OF KINGS. David’s third anointing as King over Israel moved him into this KING-PRIEST ministry.

So the ark was brought to Mount Zion and placed in the tent that David had prepared for it (I Chronicles 16:1, II Samuel 6:17). David’s wife, Michal (Saul’s daughter) was displeased with David, the king, for only wearing the priestly garment publicly, and she despised him. Read 2 Samuel 6:20-23. Despite Michal’s rejection, David was determined to follow the Lord, worship Him, and cause Israel to come into the greatest fellowship with Jehovah that they had ever known.