Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Exodus 25

Materials for the tabernacle (vs. 1-9)—For the next several chapters, the Lord is going to give Moses instructions regarding the items used in the tabernacle (and later, the temple), and the building thereof. The information here can get a little tedious, unless one is into this sort of thing. But, there is a reason behind everything God does. This tabernacle was to be the place where the children of Israel worshipped God, and where He spoke to them. As is due a holy, perfect God, He demanded a pure, perfect tabernacle. More than once, He will tell Moses “according to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it” (v. 9). Jehovah wanted things a certain way, and Moses was to follow that pattern, just as we today are to “hold the pattern of sound words” (II Tim. 1:13).

These first verses list the materials God wants in building the tabernacle. Moses was to get them from the people as a freewill offering; for once, they demonstrate their willingness to please God (Ex. 36:5). The items God asks for are the best and most valuable (vs. 3-7), which, again is only right—God should be given the first and the best.

The ark of the covenant (vs. 10-22)—The ark was a chest; its dimensions are given in verse 10—if we grant a cubit to be 18 inches, then the ark would be 45 inches long (not quite four feet), and 27 inches wide and high. It was to be made of acacia wood (“shittim wood”, KJV), which cannot be precisely identified today. The ark was to be overlaid completely in gold (v. 11). There were to be four rings of gold on the four corners (v. 12), also of gold, and four poles of acacia wood, overlaid with gold, to put into the rings for the purpose of transport (vs. 14-15). The two tables of stone, which God had not yet given to Moses, were to be placed inside the ark. A “mercy seat” of pure gold was to be placed on top of the ark (vs. 17, 21); God would “speak with you from above the mercy seat” (v. 22). The seat was to be made of pure gold, as were two “cherubim” (angels) who would be placed on the top of the ark as well, facing each other, their wings spread above the mercy seat (vs. 18-20). As we shall see, the ark was to be located in the “Most Holy Place” of the tabernacle.

The table for the showbread (vs. 23-30)—The next instructions concern a table for “showbread”; more instructions regarding the showbread are found in Leviticus 24:5-9, and which I shall discuss when I reach that point. Here God simply tells Moses how to build the table upon which the showbread was to be placed. The table was to be of acacias wood (v. 23), three feet long, 18 inches broad, and two feet three inches high (v. 23)—about the size of a small coffee table. It, too, was to be plated with pure god (v. 24). A frame of golden molding was to be built all around the table (v. 25), and four rings were to be placed on each of the corners, with poles for the rings (vs. 26-28). The rings were of pure gold, the poles of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Moses was also to make various dishes, pans, pitchers, and bowls “for pouring” for the table (v. 29), all of which were to be of pure gold. The showbread was to always be on the table; it would be changed every Sabbath. Nobody was supposed to eat it but the priests. Again, see Leviticus 24:5-9 for more information regarding that.

The lampstand (vs. 31-40)—A golden lampstand would illuminate the Holy Place in the tabernacle (and temple). It would be made of one talent of solid gold (v. 39, very expensive). The lampstand would have seven lamps (the holy number, v. 37), with various ornamentations that I won’t describe here. The reader can peruse those at his/her leisure. But, again, the lampstand was to be of solid gold, as were all its ornaments and utensils. The chapter ends with God admonishing Moses once again, “see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain” (v. 40). God wants things done His way, not ours. It would be nice if religious people today would adhere to that dictum.

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