If you were a priest in the time of the Old Testament, after you left the courtyard, you would next enter the Tabernacle itself and passing through another door made with the same four colors as the gate you would come to the Holy Place. Inside the Holy Place are three pieces of furniture and as all the things in the tabernacle, from the smallest hook to the room itself, all represent the coming Messiah, Jesus our Savior.

The Table of Shew or Presence bread - Exodus 25:25-30

The table of shewbread was gold covered and measured 3 feet long by 1 1/2 feet wide by 2' 3" high. Along the edge of the table top were two rims, the top one designed as a crown. Upon the table would be two rows or stacks of bread, six in each stack, 12 total representing the tribes of Israel and they were kept in the presence of God from one Sabbath until the next. At the time the old bread was removed, and fresh loaves placed on the table.  

Upon each row of bread frankincense was to be placed probably in one of the golden vessels which were used in the carrying and handling of the bread and incense. The frankincense was burnt upon the altar of incense when the bread was changed.

The Shew / Presence Bread told the tribes of Israel that they were always in Jehovah’s presence. Always under His care and protection.

The Golden Lampstand Exodus 25:31-34

 If we looked directly across the room from the table of shewbread to the south side of the Holy Place we would see the Golden Lampstand.  The lampstand stood 2 ft 6 in high, 3ft 6 in wide and was made from 94 pounds of pure gold.

It was hammered and formed into the shape of almond branches from a single piece of solid gold. There was a central stem with 6 branches growing out from the center. At the end of each branch there was a gold cup in the shape of an almond.  This cup held the oil which was made from freshly pressed olives. The oil was supplied directly from the people and was to be fresh, from the first pressing of the olive.

The lampstand was the light for the Holy Place. It allowed the priest to be able to do the work which he had been appointed by God to do. To the nation of Israel it was also a reminder that God would lead them and guide them through the darkness of the wilderness.

The Altar of Incense - Exodus 30:1-8

At the end of the Holy Place directly before the Veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holiest of Holies, stood the altar of incense. It was 1 1/2 feet square and 3 feet high.  It had a rim all around the top edge and at each corner there was a horn.

The fire for the altar of incense was taken from the burning embers of the Brazen Altar outside in the courtyard. The incense, which was burned here, was exclusively for the Altar of Incense. It could not be used anywhere else, nor could the formula of ingredients be used for any other incense. Nowhere else in all the camp of Israel could it be burned, except on the altar of incense in the Holy Place. The Bible says the odor of the incense filled the Tabernacle and was "well pleasing to God."

On the High Day of Atonement, Yom Kippor, blood from the sacrifice made for the nation, was placed upon the horns of the altar of incense by the priest on His way into the Most Holy Place.

The Sanctified Life

After we enter salvation through Jesus Christ and our life begins in Him, then like a newborn we are meant to grow as a child of God. These steps toward maturity, toward a closer living with the Lord, are seen through the articles in the Holy Place.

The Spiritual Table: As we think about the table of presence bread, we are reminded that living more closely with the Lord means understanding the importance of the presence of the Lord. It was a symbol in the Tabernacle but it is a reality in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God keeps us and intercedes for us.

This reality should make us strong and bold as we grow closer to the Lord.

Romans 8:26-28 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Living closer to the Lord through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit means my weaknesses are taken to the throne of Grace. It means I can know “all things works together for good.

2 Timothy 1:7-9 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Living closer through the power of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling means I have the Lord’s spirit in me. And like the Holy Spirit I will have power, love and a sound mind.

The Spiritual Lampstand: In the Lampstand we grow by increasing our knowledge of Jesus Christ. Just as the oil provided light to the tabernacle so also Jesus provides light in our life. Through Him we see what we are, where we are and where we are going.

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

The more we live in the light of Jesus, through the light of His Word, the more “light of life” we will have. The darkness is driven further away, and I will see even more blessings living with the Lord.

The Spiritual Altar of Incense: In the altar of incense, we see the importance of prayer in our closer relationship with Christ. You can’t be saved without the intercession of Christ, and you can’t grow without prayer be a priority in your life daily.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks:

Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Prayer is the mark of living closer to the Lord each day. Pray is the also a means of living closer. Prayer draws us closer to our Lord. That is what sanctification is, closer to Him and further from the darkness of this world.

You know what we see in the Holy Place really comes down to the same tried and true message that any good preacher will exhort his church to do Sunday after Sunday. Are you ready? Here it is, Walk with Jesus, learn of Him in your Bible and pray to Him always. You might hear it as, “Go to church, read the Bible and pray, but what it comes down to is what we see in the Holy Place, growing in the grace that began in the outer court and is now applied to every aspect of our lives in a growing closer relationship to Jesus our Savior.