In recent years a number of volumes have been written which seek to deal with the biblical theology of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. This subject is important because the Tabernacle was, in a very real sense, the first stepping stone to the restoration of the dwelling of God with man which Adam forfeited in the Garden-Temple of Eden. The Tabernacle (which was in a very real sense the proto-Temple) resurfaces in the NT in the teaching of the book of Hebrews. So much of the biblical theology of the Tabernacle is built on the inspired teaching of the writer of Hebrews. There we are taught that the Tabernacle was a symbolic copy of the heavenly realities. We also learn that the Tabernacle was a type of Christ, the great High Priest who “tabernacled among us” and who “passed through the heavens” into the true Most Holy Place. The writer of Hebrews tell us that the body of Jesus was the veil to the Most Holy Place which was rent when He died on the cross. He is the once-for-all sacrifice and the great High Priest; but He is also the anti-type of the symbolic furniture of the Tabernacle. The writer of Hebrews walks us up to this and then suddenly says, “Of these things we cannot now speak in detail…” (Heb. 9:5). The insistance that all of the elements of the Tabernacle had a typological significance has lead a number of writers to probe more deeply into this redemptive-historical storehouse of theological riches. Here are a few of resources to help believers understand more fully the purpose of the Tabernacle in redemptive-history:
T. Desmond Alexander From Eden to the New Jerusalem
Nick Batzig Emmaus Session lecture on “Christ and the Tent in the Wilderness”
Nick Batzig “The Ark of the Covenant” (2011 Tabletalk article)
G.K. Beale The Temple and the Church’s Mission
G.K. Beale “Garden Temple” (Kerux Article)
G.K. Beale “Eden, the Temple and the Church’s Mission in the New Creation” (JETS article)
Douglas B. Clawson “Clothing from Heaven” (Kerux article)
J.V. Fesko Christ and the Desert Tabernacle
J.V. Fesko “Exodus” (sermon series)
Danny Hyde God in Our Midst: The Tabernacle and Our Relationship with God
Vern Poythress The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses
Phil Ryken Exodus: Saved for God’s Glory
Phil Ryken “Preaching Christ from the Tabernacle” (audio)
old testament type of the coming redemption that allowed God not to pour out His wrath on sin until the cross
And for some old school stuff, see Spurgeon’s Commenting and Commentaries:
THE TABERNACLE [Of works on this subject it is not possible to give more than a selection.]
*BROWN (W.) The Tabernacle and its Services in relation to Christ and the Church. 8vo. 3/6..Edinb., Oliphant& Co. 1874. An instructive interpretation of the types of the Tabernacle.
http://books.google.com/books?id=_ewCAAAAQAAJ
*GARRATT (S.) Scripture Symbolism. Sm. 8vo. 1848. S. 1/6. Most unexceptionable in doctrine and style. It deals mainly with the sacred vessels.
*KITTO (JOHN, D.D.) Tabernacle and its Furniture. 4to. 1849. Artistic illustrations with a little letter-press. Soltau well supplies the place of this rare work.
*MUDGE (WILLIAM). The Tabernacle in the Wilderness. 12mo. Lond., Simpkin & Marshall. 1861. S. 2/6. The writer, a thoroughly evangelical second-advent clergyman, makes some very admirable remarks in these Lectures, which were delivered in his parish church. Our copy is in the third edition. We are not surprised to find the work thus popular.
http://books.google.com/books?id=3YAEAAAAQAAJ
*SOLTAU (H. W.) The Holy Vessels and Furniture of the Tabernacle of Israel. [With Ten Chromo-Lithographic Illustrations.] Imp. oblong 8vo. 16/-Lond., Yapp & Hawkins, and S. W. Partridge & Co. A series of sumptuous pictures, executed in the best style of art, impressing the mind far more vividly than any letter-press could do.
http://books.google.com/books?id=_b0CAAAAQAAJ
*SOLTAU (H. W.) The Tabernacle, the Priestly Garments, and the Priesthood. 8vo. 4/6. Lond., Morgan & Scott. Richly suggestive. Exceedingly well worked out in details; but not so wire-drawn as to prevent thought an the reader’s part.
http://books.google.com/books?id=leICAAAAQAAJ
*WHITE (FRANK H.) Christ in the Tabernacle, with some Remarks on the Offerings. Illustrated by Twelve Chromo-Lithographs. Cr. 8vo., 5/-Lond., S. W. Partridge.:873. Written for the private Christian. Full of instruction and devotion.
http://books.google.com/books?id=HpsCAAAAQAAJ
Also see:
FAIRBAIRN, (PATRICK) The Typology of Scripture: Viewed in Connection with the Whole Series of the Divine Dispensations, Vol. 2, starting on pg 232
http://books.google.com/books?id=swQXAAAAIAAJ