Primary 69 - Symbols of the Traveling Temple
Let's go over the symbols...
Ark of the covenant (Exodus 37:1–9; 40:20–21).
This was the throne of God Jehovah to Israel's sons and daughters. There were symbols in the box. The box had Aarons's staff, a jar of manna, and the tablets of stone. Before the Mercy Seat, we are asked to plead for constant forgiveness so that we can grow. The ark and the whole temple were ready to go when God asked it of them through fire and a pillar of smoke. We should be eager to go to holy places and to go when moved by the spirit to where ever the Lord directs us to go.
It had a chair on top and angel wings to cover the chair or throne so that the glory of God would not destroy them. It was a symbol to show that every knee shall now to He who sits on the throne, the King of Israel, Councilor and Redeemer of the world.
Altar of incense (Exodus 40:26–27; see also Exodus 30:1, 6–8).
The temple is a smorgasbord of sights, sounds, and smells. The smell should remind us about the Lord. This weekend Brother Bingham went to the temple and it was while he was outside he paused the smell of flowers reminded him and his wife of how fragile the creation of the flowers was but the smell was unforgettable. The Lord wants your temple experience to remind us of Him.
The scriptures give an example of smell. When Jesus was at a dinner the week he was going to die, a woman washed his feet. She took sweet-smelling herbs and spices to show her appreciation for having the Savior in her life. Between the tears (a true sign of reverence) and the oil, Christ (that's Greek for Messiah) was shown deep gratitude.
Candlestick or lampstand (Exodus 37:17–24).
The candle was seven candles on one candlestick. It was supposed to remind us how the Lord did His work in seven days and every day each week the light of the gospel is important. We don't brush our teeth with seven days of toothpaste once a week, do we. Every day we should be protecting our spirits like our teeth. Always keep the light of Christ burning daily in our souls.
Altar of sacrifice (Exodus 38:1–7; see also Exodus 27:1; 29:10–14).
We no longer cutthroats or skin and burn an offering to the Lord. Our offering is harder to see or hear. It's the carnal, sensors, devilish monster that seeks to do in what is in each of us. We love to hang on to what makes us comfortable. Satan seeks to put us at ease so he can bind us with temptation like flaxen cords on an unsuspecting and willing victim.
Laver (basin) of water (Exodus 30:17–21).
Brother Bingham used to listen to a radio show that had rules. Rule number three was to come clean; clean heart, mind, feet, and hands. The radioman thought we should all be honest, guilt-free, and eager to tell the truth. This DJ didn't realize how true he was. While he was talking about our dealing with our fellow men, the Lord wants that as our relationship with Him. Come clean to the Lord. Come clean to the temple.
As we all go to the temple, let us remember that the Lord wants to fill all our senses. The symbols may be different, but we encourage you to look for symbols. Symbols teach us about the Lord like the Sabbath, the sacrament, baptism, blessing, or confirmation. We will be taught in symbols our whole lives if we live the gospel the way Christ outlines it in the scriptures through His prophets.
Take this week to look for the blessings that heaven has given us things to look for so that we can see Him, and hear Him in everything. He is in every part of our lives, we just have to be patient, and still and he will reveal Himself as He did to Israel.
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