The offering for the sanctuary (vs. 1-7)--Verse 1 appears to belong with chapter 35, being a summary of what was commanded there. In verses 2-3, the work begins, with the people bringing their offerings on a continual basis ("every morning" (v. 3). They brought more than was necessary (v. 5), so Moses ordered them to cease their contributions (v. 6-7). Wouldn't it be wonderful if today the people of God gave more than was necessary to accomplish the work He has given us to do. The children of Israel had given "too much" (v. 7).
I hate to denigrate the act in view here--it is about the only time these people do something right--but financial giving is about the easiest part of any religion. It's the giving of our time, effort, and sacrifice that is the challenge. So while the children of Israel should certainly be commended for their generosity, it would have been nice if they had followed through with an active faithfulness to Jehovah.
The curtains made (vs. 8-19)--What we have for the next few chapters is almost a verbatim of what God told Moses in chapters 26ff. The key point is actually in 25:40, where the Lord says, regarding the tabernacle, "And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain." The repetition in chapters 36ff. of the instruction God gave earlier is to emphasize the importance of doing exactly what God said in the way He said do it. Moses was a faithful man of God, and that faithfulness is indicated in the fact that he did not attempt to change or "improve" on the Lord's plan. That is a serious crime committed by too many in Christendom today. There is a "pattern" today which we are to which we are to "hold fast" (II Tim. 2:13); there is nothing but condemnation, all through the Bible, of those who add to or take from His word. These chapters in Exodus, as tedious as they might be, are full indications of Moses' insistence of faithfully following exactly what Jehovah had instructed him.
These verses (8-19) are basically a repetition of Exodus 26:1-14 regarding making of the curtains of the tabernacle.
The supporting beams (vs. 20-34)--The reader may look at Exodus 26:15-29 for the initial account of this design.
The veil (vs. 35-36)--See Exodus 26:31-32. I have discussed these matters in some detail in those earlier posts, so I will not repeat them here. I will link to Exodus 26 at the end of this post.
The screen for the tabernacle door (vs. 37-38)--From Exodus 26:36-37.
Again, readers who wish more complete information on these tabernacle objects can refer to my posts on Exodus 26.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Exodus 35
The Sabbath law repeated (vs. 1-3)--The tabernacle is about to constructed, so repeating this law here was appropriate. Verse 3, "You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day," will have some especial significance in Numbers 15, as we shall see when we arrive there by and by.
The materials required (vs. 4-9)--Keep in mind that all the information which the Lord had given regarding the tabernacle (chapters 25-31) had been given only to Moses. So now he passes the instructions on to the people. The next few chapters will be, in many ways, a virtual repetition of what was stated in chapters 25-31. I shall talk more about that later. These materials, which are listed in verses 5-9, are "an offering to the Lord" (v. 5), commanded by Him (v. 4), and were to be from a "willing heart" (v. 5). Forced obedience is no obedience at all.
The responsibilities of the "gifted artisans" (vs. 10-19)--This tabernacle will be, in effect, the Lord's house on earth, so it was to be made of the best materials and by the most talented men. Their responsibilities are listed in detail in verses 10-19. Nothing is omitted.
The offering of the people (vs. 20-29)--For once, and for one of the very few times, the people are deserving of commendation. They responded willingly and generously, so generously that they brought more than was necessary to accomplish the work (36:5). The offerings, as the Lord had desired, came from everyone "whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing" (v. 21), and again, the materials are listed in detail to indicate the total obedience to the Lord's command. As noted above, forced obedience is no obedience at all, and neither is partial obedience. Women were among the "gifted artisans," and they "spun yarn with their hands" (v. 25). Verse 29 emphasizes that this was a "freewill offering to the Lord" from "all the men and women whose hearts were willing."
The special artisans (vs. 30-35)--A man named Bezalel from the tribe of Judah was selected by the Lord to build the tabernacle and oversee the work done. He didn't do it all by himself, of course; he apparently became, in effect, the "foreman" of the job because part of his responsibility was to teach others. He would have help in that regard from a man named Aholiab (v. 34).
The materials required (vs. 4-9)--Keep in mind that all the information which the Lord had given regarding the tabernacle (chapters 25-31) had been given only to Moses. So now he passes the instructions on to the people. The next few chapters will be, in many ways, a virtual repetition of what was stated in chapters 25-31. I shall talk more about that later. These materials, which are listed in verses 5-9, are "an offering to the Lord" (v. 5), commanded by Him (v. 4), and were to be from a "willing heart" (v. 5). Forced obedience is no obedience at all.
The responsibilities of the "gifted artisans" (vs. 10-19)--This tabernacle will be, in effect, the Lord's house on earth, so it was to be made of the best materials and by the most talented men. Their responsibilities are listed in detail in verses 10-19. Nothing is omitted.
The offering of the people (vs. 20-29)--For once, and for one of the very few times, the people are deserving of commendation. They responded willingly and generously, so generously that they brought more than was necessary to accomplish the work (36:5). The offerings, as the Lord had desired, came from everyone "whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing" (v. 21), and again, the materials are listed in detail to indicate the total obedience to the Lord's command. As noted above, forced obedience is no obedience at all, and neither is partial obedience. Women were among the "gifted artisans," and they "spun yarn with their hands" (v. 25). Verse 29 emphasizes that this was a "freewill offering to the Lord" from "all the men and women whose hearts were willing."
The special artisans (vs. 30-35)--A man named Bezalel from the tribe of Judah was selected by the Lord to build the tabernacle and oversee the work done. He didn't do it all by himself, of course; he apparently became, in effect, the "foreman" of the job because part of his responsibility was to teach others. He would have help in that regard from a man named Aholiab (v. 34).
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Exodus 34
Moses receives the two tables of stone (vs. 1-9)--The reader may recall that he had smashed the first two in anger over seeing the Israelites worshipping the golden calf (chapter 32). There is no indication of rebuke from Jehovah for what he did. The Lord required Moses to return, alone, to the top of the mountain (vs. 2-3). Moses obeyed and the Lord "descended in the cloud" and met him (v. 5). God descending and ascending in clouds is a common occurrence in Scripture. Usually it's intended in a figurative sense (Matt. 24:30; 26:64), but not always. Jehovah announces His character in verses 6 and 7: He is merciful, but just, and some sins have consequences beyond the generation that commits them (v. 7). Keep in mind that the Jews did not know this God very well, so He continues to drill them on who--and what--He is. Moses knows Him better than anyone, and bows before Him (v. 8), asking for forgiveness for himself and his people (v. 9).
Sundry commandments repeated (vs. 10-26)--God is "awesome" (NKJV, v. 10; the KJV's and ASV's "terrible" conveys a negative sense which is not indicated by the context), and has made a covenant with Israel and would do "marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation" (v. 10). Israel's response, of course, was to be obedient, driving out of Canaan the wicked tribes who might influence God's people to sin (v. 11). Don't make a covenant with them (v. 12), but "you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images" (v. 13). Israel was to have only one God (v. 14). The Lord feared--knew--that if the Israelites intermingled with the pagan peoples of Canaan, they would "play the harlot with their gods" (v. 16). Once again, the principle of "evil companions corrupt good morals" (I Cor. 15:33) is announced. It shouldn't be that way; godly people should lift the ungodly to a higher standard, but it doesn't always happen that way, and we are warned, constantly, about the influence the wicked can have on us.
Rather than worshipping false gods, Israel was to keep the feasts God had appointed for them. He mentions only the Passover here (v. 18). God requires the first of male and animal (v. 19, a donkey may be redeemed with a lamb), "and none shall appear before Me empty-handed" (v. 20). They owed God everything (as do we), and to give Him nothing in return is an insult of the highest order.
The theme of serving only God is continued for the rest of the chapter. Just as Jehovah had done at the creation, the Jews were to work six days and rest on the seven (v. 21). The other two yearly feasts (the Feast of Weeks--Pentecost--and the Feast of Ingathering--Tabernacles) are now mentioned (v. 22), which means the Jewish males were to "appear before the Lord, the God of Israel" three times a year (v. 23). God would providentially protect them at this time (v. 24), which is an important thought. If all the males of Israel were in Jerusalem three times a year, who would safeguard them from invasion by their enemies? The Lord would: "neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year" (v. 24). No blood sacrifice was allowed at the Passover, and again, the Lord repeats the instruction that they are to give the first of their goods to Him (v. 26). The stricture "you shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk" has been found before (Exodus 23:19). Clarke has a quote from another writer which is interesting and possibly the reason behind this command: ""It was a custom of the ancient heathens, when they had gathered in all their fruits, to take a kid and boil it in the milk of its dam; and then, in a magical way, to go about and besprinkle with it all their trees and fields, gardens and orchards; thinking by these means to make them fruitful, that they might bring forth more abundantly in the following year."
Moses returns with the tables of stone (vs. 27-35)--The Lord commanded Moses to write down what he had been told (v. 27). Moses was on the mount 40 days and nights again (v. 28), miraculously sustained by God--"he neither ate bread nor drank water." Verse 27 also indicates that only the Ten Commandments were on the tablets, although this could be representative of the whole law. It is a little difficult to conceive of the whole law being written on two stones small enough for Moses to carry.
When Moses returned to the people "the skin of his face shone" and the people were afraid to come near him (v. 30). This condition apparently lasted for awhile (v. 35), and Moses had to wear a veil when he spoke to the people, but not with God (v. 34). As he always faithfully did, Moses passed Jehovah's commandments on to the people (v. 32).
Sundry commandments repeated (vs. 10-26)--God is "awesome" (NKJV, v. 10; the KJV's and ASV's "terrible" conveys a negative sense which is not indicated by the context), and has made a covenant with Israel and would do "marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation" (v. 10). Israel's response, of course, was to be obedient, driving out of Canaan the wicked tribes who might influence God's people to sin (v. 11). Don't make a covenant with them (v. 12), but "you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images" (v. 13). Israel was to have only one God (v. 14). The Lord feared--knew--that if the Israelites intermingled with the pagan peoples of Canaan, they would "play the harlot with their gods" (v. 16). Once again, the principle of "evil companions corrupt good morals" (I Cor. 15:33) is announced. It shouldn't be that way; godly people should lift the ungodly to a higher standard, but it doesn't always happen that way, and we are warned, constantly, about the influence the wicked can have on us.
Rather than worshipping false gods, Israel was to keep the feasts God had appointed for them. He mentions only the Passover here (v. 18). God requires the first of male and animal (v. 19, a donkey may be redeemed with a lamb), "and none shall appear before Me empty-handed" (v. 20). They owed God everything (as do we), and to give Him nothing in return is an insult of the highest order.
The theme of serving only God is continued for the rest of the chapter. Just as Jehovah had done at the creation, the Jews were to work six days and rest on the seven (v. 21). The other two yearly feasts (the Feast of Weeks--Pentecost--and the Feast of Ingathering--Tabernacles) are now mentioned (v. 22), which means the Jewish males were to "appear before the Lord, the God of Israel" three times a year (v. 23). God would providentially protect them at this time (v. 24), which is an important thought. If all the males of Israel were in Jerusalem three times a year, who would safeguard them from invasion by their enemies? The Lord would: "neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year" (v. 24). No blood sacrifice was allowed at the Passover, and again, the Lord repeats the instruction that they are to give the first of their goods to Him (v. 26). The stricture "you shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk" has been found before (Exodus 23:19). Clarke has a quote from another writer which is interesting and possibly the reason behind this command: ""It was a custom of the ancient heathens, when they had gathered in all their fruits, to take a kid and boil it in the milk of its dam; and then, in a magical way, to go about and besprinkle with it all their trees and fields, gardens and orchards; thinking by these means to make them fruitful, that they might bring forth more abundantly in the following year."
Moses returns with the tables of stone (vs. 27-35)--The Lord commanded Moses to write down what he had been told (v. 27). Moses was on the mount 40 days and nights again (v. 28), miraculously sustained by God--"he neither ate bread nor drank water." Verse 27 also indicates that only the Ten Commandments were on the tablets, although this could be representative of the whole law. It is a little difficult to conceive of the whole law being written on two stones small enough for Moses to carry.
When Moses returned to the people "the skin of his face shone" and the people were afraid to come near him (v. 30). This condition apparently lasted for awhile (v. 35), and Moses had to wear a veil when he spoke to the people, but not with God (v. 34). As he always faithfully did, Moses passed Jehovah's commandments on to the people (v. 32).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
