Sunday, November 25, 2007

Exodus 39-40

   One third of the Book of Exodus is devoted to the instructions regarding the building of the tabernacle and in the report of the carrying out of the building of the tabernacle. The sheer volume of material on the tabernacle shows us that worship is important to God.


   The story of Exodus is a story of movement from slavery to worship. The children of Israel were enslaved to a man who thought he was a god—the Pharaoh of Egypt—and they were released from that slavery to worship the real God. Is that so far from everyone who comes to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? What is it Paul said? That the people who are in darkness worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator! And what happens in the new birth? You stop worshiping the creature and you start worshiping the Creator! Isn’t Exodus a paradigm of what happens to us when we come to grace, when we come to faith in Christ, when we come into a living relationship with Him? So the story of Exodus is a story of movement from slavery to worship. -- Moses' Benediction: Exodus 39:32-43: www.fpcjackson.org/resources/sermons/exodus/Exodus%20Vol%205%20&%206/44a_exodus_39.32_43.htm



Exodus 39


Clothing for the Priests


(1) The craftsmen made beautiful sacred *garments of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth—clothing for Aaron to wear while ministering in the Holy Place, **just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


*garments: Instructions in Exodus 28


**just as: Go through chapters 39 and 40 and see how often this phrase is used - I've tried to put it in bold wherever I found it. When you see a phrase used over and over again, it is being emphasized so that we dummies get it - HEY, this is important! There were no deviations from God's instructions. Nothing was changed, nothing was left out and nothing was added. What’s the lesson here? If you want to be near to God, obey what God says. Do just what He says. Those who would find fellowship with the living God must come to Him by His word. Real worship is always in response to God’s word.


Making the Ephod


(2) Bezalel made the ephod of finely woven linen and embroidered it with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.


(3) He made gold thread by hammering out thin sheets of gold and cutting it into fine strands. With great skill and care, he worked it into the fine linen with the blue, purple, and scarlet thread.


(4) The ephod consisted of two pieces, front and back, joined at the shoulders with two shoulder-pieces.


(5) The decorative sash was made of the same materials: finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


(6) They mounted the two onyx stones in settings of gold filigree. The stones were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, just as a seal is engraved.


(7) He fastened these stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that the priest represents the people of Israel. All this was done just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


Making the Chestpiece


(8) Bezalel made the chestpiece with great skill and care. He made it to match the ephod, using finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.


(9) He made the chestpiece of a single piece of cloth folded to form a pouch nine inches square.


(10) They mounted four rows of gemstones on it. The first row contained a red carnelian, a pale-green peridot, and an emerald.


(11) The second row contained a turquoise, a blue lapis lazuli, and a white moonstone.


(12) The third row contained an orange jacinth, an agate, and a purple amethyst.


(13) The fourth row contained a blue-green beryl, an onyx, and a green jasper. All these stones were set in gold filigree.


(14) Each stone represented one of the twelve sons of Israel, and the name of that tribe was engraved on it like a seal.


(15) To attach the chestpiece to the ephod, they made braided cords of pure gold thread.


(16) They also made two settings of gold filigree and two gold rings and attached them to the top corners of the chestpiece.


(17) They tied the two gold cords to the rings on the chestpiece.


(18) They tied the other ends of the cords to the gold settings on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod.


(19) Then they made two more gold rings and attached them to the inside edges of the chestpiece next to the ephod.


(20) Then they made two more gold rings and attached them to the front of the ephod, below the shoulder-pieces, just above the knot where the decorative sash was fastened to the ephod


(21) They attached the bottom rings of the chestpiece to the rings on the ephod with blue cords. In this way, the chestpiece was held securely to the ephod above the decorative sash. All this was done just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


Additional Clothing for the Priests


(22) Bezalel made the robe that is worn with the ephod from a single piece of blue woven cloth,


(23) with an opening for Aaron’s head in the middle of it. The opening was reinforced with a woven collar so it would not tear.


(24) They made pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attached them to the hem of the robe.


(25) They also made bells of pure gold and placed them between the pomegranates along the hem of the robe,


(26) with bells and pomegranates alternating all around the hem. This robe was to be worn whenever the priest ministered before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


(27) They made tunics for Aaron and his sons from fine linen cloth.


(28) The turban and the special head coverings were made of fine linen, and the undergarments were also made of finely woven linen.


(29) The sashes were made of finely woven linen and embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


(30) Finally, they made the sacred medallion—the badge of holiness—of pure gold. They engraved it like a seal with these words: Holy to the Lord.


(31) They attached the medallion with a blue cord to Aaron’s turban, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


Moses Inspects the Work


(32) And so at last the Tabernacle was finished. The Israelites had done everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


   The Tabernacle is finally complete to the last detail.


(33) And they brought the entire Tabernacle to Moses: the sacred tent with all its furnishings, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases;


(34) the tent coverings of tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; the inner curtain to shield the Ark;


(35) the Ark of the Covenant and its carrying poles; the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement;


(36) the table and all its utensils; the Bread of the Presence;


(37) the pure gold lampstand with its symmetrical lamp cups, all its accessories, and the olive oil for lighting;


(38) the gold altar; the anointing oil and fragrant incense; the curtain for the entrance of the sacred tent;


(39) the bronze altar; the bronze grating and its carrying poles and utensils; the washbasin with its stand;


(40) the curtains for the walls of the courtyard; the posts and their bases; the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; the ropes and tent pegs;< all the furnishings to be used in worship at the Tabernacle;


(41) the beautifully stitched garments for the priests to wear while ministering in the Holy Place—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests.


(42) So the people of Israel followed all of the Lord’s instructions to Moses.


(43) Then Moses inspected all their work. When he found it had been done just as the Lord had commanded him, he blessed them.


   Not until Moses is certain that everything was done EXACTLY according to God's instructions could Moses bless the people of Israel. God wants no deviations from His instructions and His Word.



Exodus 40


The Tabernacle Completed


(1) Then the Lord said to Moses,


(2) “Set up the Tabernacle on the first day of the new year.


   When John describes the incarnation, he uses an image drawn from the Torah, saying that the Word became flesh and ‘pitched His tent’ among us (John 1:14). The phrase “pitch his tent” can also be translated as “tabernacled,” and refers to the sanctuary that Israel built when they came from Egypt. Jesus is the fulfillment of this sanctuary, the “Holy Place” where God dwells.


   This indicates that it was a year since Israel came out of Egypt. This was an amazing year in the history of Israel. They could count the great works of God and measure their own spiritual growth. Some Christians never grow much beyond their initial experience with God. Some who have been Christians for 10 years have only the maturity of a one-year-old Christian - they simply repeat their first year over and over again.


   They weren't informed that there was a deadline for the completion of all this, but there evidently was since the Tabernacle was to be set up on a specific day!


(3) Place the Ark of the Covenant inside, and install the inner curtain to enclose the Ark within the Most Holy Place.


(4) Then bring in the table, and arrange the utensils on it. And bring in the lampstand, and set up the lamps.


(5) “Place the gold incense altar in front of the Ark of the Covenant. Then hang the curtain at the entrance of the Tabernacle.


(6) Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the Tabernacle entrance.


(7) Set the washbasin between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water.


(8) Then set up the courtyard around the outside of the tent, and hang the curtain for the courtyard entrance.


(9) “Take the anointing oil and anoint the Tabernacle and all its furnishings to consecrate them and make them holy.


(10) Anoint the altar of burnt offering and its utensils to consecrate them. Then the altar will become absolutely holy.


(11) Next anoint the washbasin and its stand to consecrate them.


(12) “Present Aaron and his sons at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and wash them with water.


(13) Dress Aaron with the sacred garments and anoint him, consecrating him to serve me as a priest.


(14) Then present his sons and dress them in their tunics.


(15) Anoint them as you did their father, so they may also serve me as priests. With their anointing, Aaron’s descendants are set apart for the priesthood forever, from generation to generation.”


   This custom continued among the Jews until the destruction of their city and temple because they hold it unlawful to sacrifice anywhere out of Jerusalem The true priest and the true sacrifice had come, making this system obsolete.


(16) Moses proceeded to do everything just as the Lord had commanded him.


(17) So the Tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month of the second year.


(18) Moses erected the Tabernacle by setting down its bases, inserting the frames, attaching the crossbars, and setting up the posts.


(19) Then he spread the coverings over the Tabernacle framework and put on the protective layers, just as the Lord had commanded him.


(20) He took the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant and placed them inside the Ark. Then he attached the carrying poles to the Ark, and he set the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—on top of it.


(21) Then he brought the Ark of the Covenant into the Tabernacle and hung the inner curtain to shield it from view, just as the Lord had commanded him.


(22) Next Moses placed the table in the Tabernacle, along the north side of the Holy Place, just outside the inner curtain.


(23) And he arranged the Bread of the Presence on the table before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded him.


(24) He set the lampstand in the Tabernacle across from the table on the south side of the Holy Place.


(25) Then he lit the lamps in the Lord’s presence, just as the Lord had commanded him.


(26) He also placed the gold incense altar in the Tabernacle, in the Holy Place in front of the inner curtain.


(27) On it he burned the fragrant incense, just as the Lord had commanded him.


(28) He hung the curtain at the entrance of the Tabernacle,


(29) and he placed the altar of burnt offering near the Tabernacle entrance. On it he offered a burnt offering and a grain offering, just as the Lord had commanded him.


(30) Next Moses placed the washbasin between the Tabernacle and the altar. He filled it with water so the priests could wash themselves.


(31) Moses and Aaron and Aaron’s sons used water from it to wash their hands and feet.


(32) Whenever they approached the altar and entered the Tabernacle, they washed themselves, *just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


*just as: I counted eighteen times this phrase was used in chapters 39-40 - check for yourself in case I miscounted. Check also the King James version. He’s emphasizing to us the importance of obedience to God’s command if we’re going to come and find Him and enjoy fellowship with the living God.


(33) Then he hung the curtains forming the courtyard around the Tabernacle and the altar. And he set up the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard. So at last *Moses finished the work.


*Moses finished the work: As God finished His work on the seventh day in Genesis 2:2: On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.


   When the tabernacle was finally assembled, it was an earthly model of a heavenly reality. Since Moses was instructed to build and arrange everything according to pattern, it isn't surprising that we see elements of this tabernacle arrangement in the Bible's descriptions of heaven:



  • In Revelation 4:1-6, the Ark of the Covenant (representing the throne of God), the lampstand, and the laver all correspond to a heavenly reality.

  • In Revelation 8:2-4, the altar of incense in heaven is mentioned.

  • In Isaiah 6:1-7, the tabernacle structure is implied by the mention of the temple, and the brazen altar is described.

  • In Hebrews 9:23-24, it tells us that at some point in time (after the cross), Jesus entered the heavenly reality represented on earth by the tabernacle, and appeared in the presence of the Father to offer a perfect atonement for our sins. Therefore, every time before this event, when the High Priest made atonement in the earthly tabernacle, it was looking forward to the perfect atonement the Son of God would offer.



The Lord’s Glory Fills the Tabernacle


(34) Then the *cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the **glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.


   God gave his approval of the work and this was a sign to all the people that God was among them.


*cloud: Exodus 18:21-22, 14:19, 14:24, 16:10, 24:16-28, 33:9-10, 34:5.

1 Kings 8:10: When the priests came out of the Holy Place, a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 5:13-14: The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.

Revelation 15:8: The Temple was filled with smoke from God’s glory and power. No one could enter the Temple until the seven angels had completed pouring out the seven plagues.


**glory: John 1:14: So the Word became human and made his home (tabernacled) among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.


   The function of the Tabernacle was stated in Exodus 25:8: “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them.


(35) Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle


   Moses himself could not enter in because of the cloud and the glory. Precisely the same happened when Solomon had dedicated his temple; for it is said that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord; 1 Kings 8:10-11. Previously to this the cloud of the Divine glory had rested upon that tent or tabernacle which Moses had pitched outside the camp, but now the cloud removed from that tabernacle and rested upon this one, which was made by the command and under the direction of God himself.


   Preparations and construction of the tabernacle have taken approximately six months. Now, at last, the tabernacle is being set up for the first time. Imagine the excitement of this day. The delight of seeing the tabernacle set up for the first time is intensified by the splendor of God’s glory descending upon that tent. The cloud, the visible manifestation of the glory of God descends upon the tabernacle, to dwell in the midst of this sinful people, and to guide them into the promised land. The cloud is no longer on Mt. Sinai, but among the people!


(36) Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it.


(37) But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted.


(38) The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.



   This verse describes the dwelling of the Shechinah on the Tabernacle in the exact same terms used to depict the dwelling of the Shechinah on Mt. Sinai: Then Moses climbed up the mountain, and the cloud covered it. And the glory of the Lord settled down on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from inside the cloud. (Exodus 24:15-16).
God here deliberately parallels the descent of the Shechinah onto Mt. Sinai with the dwelling of the Shechinah on the Tabernacle. His presence there is a tangible sign that God is saying to His people ‘I accept what you have done. I receive your offering. I’m dwelling in your midst.’


   The cloud is a visible reminder: ‘I’m here. I’m here, My people. I’m right in the midst of you; right in the midst of all your problems. I’m in the midst of all your trials. I’m not ‘out there’ somewhere, I’m right here in the middle of it. I’m in the thick of it with you, and what you’re going through, I’m in the thick of it with you, and I’m protecting you, and I’m guarding you, and I’m guiding you.’ -- The Glory Cloud: Exodus 40:34: http://www.fpcjackson.org/resources/sermons/exodus/Exodus%20Vol%205%20&%206/45a_exodus_40.34.htm Reminds me of when I was in the hospital when DJ was in a coma and I cried out to the Lord, "Where are You" and He responded into my mind, "I'm right here, right where I've been all along!" God is with us in the worst of our troubles and heartache - sometimes, He even makes His presence felt strongly by us. He's with us right now. He's with us when we're in despair. He's with us when our heart is broken. He's with us when we don't understand what's happening to us or to one of our loved ones. He's with us when we're on our death bed - all ASSUMING we're in Him and He is in us through Christ.


Charles Austin Miles wrote in 1912 the hymn, "In the Garden":


I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses.


And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.


He speaks, and the sound of His voice,

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.


I’d stay in the garden with Him

Though the night around me be falling,

But He bids me go; through the voice of woe

His voice to me is calling.


   When the tabernacle became fixed in place, because the Israelites had obtained their inheritance, this mark of the Divine presence was no longer visible in the sight of all Israel, but appears to have been confined to the holy of holies, where it had its fixed residence upon the mercy-seat between the cherubim; and in this place continued till the first temple was destroyed, after which it was no more seen in Israel till God was manifested in the flesh.


Numbers 9:18-22: In this way, they traveled and camped at the Lord’s command wherever he told them to go. Then they remained in their camp as long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle. If the cloud remained over the Tabernacle for a long time, the Israelites stayed and performed their duty to the Lord. Sometimes the cloud would stay over the Tabernacle for only a few days, so the people would stay for only a few days, as the Lord commanded. Then at the Lord’s command they would break camp and move on. Sometimes the cloud stayed only overnight and lifted the next morning. But day or night, when the cloud lifted, the people broke camp and moved on. Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on.


   For most of the Sinai wandering years, The Tabernacle was at Kadesh (Deuteronomy 1:46). Immediately after entering the promised land under Joshua, The Tabernacle was located at Gilgal (Joshua 4:19), and the area of Shechem and Mount Ebal (Joshua 8:30-33). The Tabernacle was then established firmly at Shiloh for many years (Joshua 18:1-10), continuing through all the period of the Judges. Because of their sinful behavior, God allowed the Israelites to be defeated at Shiloh, at which time The Ark was captured by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:3,11). It was at this point that The Ark and the original Tabernacle parted company for many months, perhaps permanently. When The Ark was recovered from the Philistines 7 months later (1 Samuel 6:1), it was taken to Abinadab's house in Kiriath Jearim (1 Samuel 7:1).


   When The Ark was later moved to Jerusalem by King David (2 Samuel 6:2), after temporarily staying in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite (2 Samuel 6:10), it was just placed "inside the tent that David had pitched for it." (2 Samuel 6:17). Even if the original Tabernacle had survived to Gibeon, it obviously hadn't made it to Jerusalem - otherwise, David would almost certainly have used it. Later, The Ark was placed in the new Temple that was built in the time of King Solomon.

So what was the fate of the original Tabernacle? The Bible does not state specifically what happened to it, and there are a number of possibilities, but in all likelihood, its ropes, wooden bars, and leather materials had simply worn out after so many years of use, and the Levites respectfully retired it in some way.


   Ezekiel 43:2-7 tells us of His future dwelling on earth and the new Temple He will build, I believe during the Millenium: The Lord said to me, Suddenly, the glory of the God of Israel appeared from the east. The sound of his coming was like the roar of rushing waters, and the whole landscape shone with his glory. This vision was just like the others I had seen, first by the Kebar River and then when he came to destroy Jerusalem. I fell face down on the ground. And the glory of the Lord came into the Temple through the east gateway.
Then the Spirit took me up and brought me into the inner courtyard, and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple. And I heard someone speaking to me from within the Temple, while the man who had been measuring stood beside me.
“Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place where I will rest my feet. I will live here forever among the people of Israel. They and their kings will not defile my holy name any longer by their adulterous worship of other gods or by honoring the relics of their kings who have died.


1 Peter 2:5 tells us that we born again believers in Christ are being made into a temple, indwelt by the Holy Spirit: And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17: Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Ephesians 2:19-22: So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

Revelation 21:3-4: I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Revelation 21:22-23: I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.


   The events of Exodus chapter 40 are an introduction to the Book of Leviticus. If the Book of Exodus contains the description of the “parts” of the tabernacle, as well as providing the assembly instructions for its erection, the Book of Leviticus is the “owner’s manual,” which tells the Israelite how they are to take advantage of the mediatory role of the tabernacle, the sacrifices, and the priesthood, which enable them to draw near to God.


   This concludes our brief study of the Book of Exodus. It opened in the gloom of the brickyards of Egypt and it closed in the glorious presence of the Lord in the tabernacle. It was His presence that led them through the wilderness. And God wants to deliver us from the gloom of the slavery of Satan and sin and bring us into the glory of His presence and into the center of His will where He can lead and guide us. We will be going next to the Epistle to the Hebrews.


   Later, we find Israel leaving this area: Deuteronomy 1:6: “When we were at Mount Sinai, the Lord our God said to us, ‘You have stayed at this mountain long enough.



On-Line Sources:



Off-Line Sources:


Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)