Exodus 38: Making the Altar of Burnt Offering
38 He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood; five cubits was its length and five cubits its width—it was square—and its height was three cubits. 2 He made its horns on its four corners; the horns were of one piece with it. And he overlaid it with bronze. 3 He made all the utensils for the altar: the pans, the shovels, the basins, the forks, and the firepans; all its utensils he made of bronze. 4 And he made a grate of bronze network for the altar, under its rim, midway from the bottom. 5 He cast four rings for the four corners of the bronze grating, as holders for the poles. 6 And he made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with bronze. 7 Then he put the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, with which to bear it. He made the altar hollow with boards.
As the recent storms have taught us, the glory of everything in this world, including head ball coaches, is fading. I must look unto The Head Ball Coach. "Having finished the furniture of the house itself, Bezaleel, and those who were employed under him, proceeded next to that of the court of the tabernacle, where the sacrifices and services were commonly performed; wherein first they made the great brazen altar for burnt-sacrifices, with all its appurtenances, in mode and form exactly agreeable to the orders given about it in Exodus 27:1-3.” (Benson)
This altar replaced the ones that individuals built before the tabernacle in the wilderness was made. Afterwards a similar altar was constructed in Solomon's temple in the promised land. These were given as central places of instruction and worship. "This altar consisted of four boards of acacia wood, covered with brass, and hollow in the middle; but it is supposed to have been filled up with earth when used, for it is expressly said (ch. 20:24) that the altar is to be of earth.” (The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge)
From the earth you came and to the earth you will return.
At the door of the Tabernacle, you place your hands on the innocent animal’s head and kill it under the guidance of an officiating priest, helping you to properly applying the blood to yourself. You learn that your sins caused the death of the sacrifice. Likewise, God commended His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. If you kill your sacrifice outside the camp-- that is outside of Biblical teaching-- and not at the door of the tabernacle, then you are guilty of bloodshed and you will be cut off from among your people. (Lev 17:3-4)
In Issues Magazine - A Messianic Jewish Perspective (Issues 5:7), Dr. Louis Golberg says "As the Israelites brought their animal substitute, they could exhibit one of three kinds of responses" which are still found in the church today. The first attitude that he spoke of was that of indifference. The second mind-set was ritual. He states: "Most Israelites exhibited a perfunctory attitude and merely went through the motions because this is what Moses asked them to do. Such folk were more interested in the practical affairs of life, making a living and family concerns. Yet God detested the degeneration of Temple worship into a ritualistic procedure. Many times the prophets singled out this one attitude. Isaiah in particular described how ‘worshipers’ were sure to bring their animals for sacrifice but their hearts were not repentant at all (Isaiah 1:1-18)." However, the third response is the response of belief.
"There were many in Israel who, upon bringing their sacrifice, became aware of the meaning of substitute atonement and what God wanted each one to learn in the process. The Torah was designed to be a schoolmaster to teach the great truth of the possibility of atonement, but the Spirit of God also worked in the hearts of unbelievers for those who became interested in spiritual matters, there came a time when the offering of the animals took on the meaning intended by God. Such a seeker then accepted by faith the principles [of atonement], internalizing them within his own heart. When he did so, he continued to bring his animals on the prescribed occasion, but he did so as a believer and therefore was part of the educational process of the Torah to teach others who did not know the Lord. Those Israelites who exhibited the response of belief were then considered a part of the remnant-believers, present in every generation, even in times of spiritual renewal when the numbers of believers were great." (Golberg)
The horns of the altar. "Now Adonijah was afraid of Solomon; so he arose, and went and took hold of the horns of the altar. And it was told Solomon, saying, ‘Indeed Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon; for look, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’” (1 Kings 1:50-51)
"From these mysteries I learn that my sinful soul ever needs to take refuge at the atoning altar;… Let the sinner likewise flee and take hold of the horns of this altar, on which the great propitiatory sacrifice has been offered up, and there wait for pardon and acceptance through the atoning blood...” (Sutcliffe Commentary) of Christ our Passover
Morning Repost: Exodus 38: Making the Bronze Laver
8 He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the bronze mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
See Exodus 30:18-21 for the instructions for the brass laver, ending as thus: "When they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the LORD, they shall wash with water, lest they die….And it shall be a statute forever to them-- to him and his descendants throughout their generations."
"This laver... is here said to be made of the looking - glasses of the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle… In the laver, either they were artfully joined together, or else molten down and cast anew; but it is probable the laver was so brightly burnished that the sides of it still served for looking - glasses, that the priests when they came to wash might there see their faces, and so discover the spots to wash them clean.” (Wesley)
While the priesthood for the nation of Israel was limited to an elect few by bloodline, you too may enter this Holy Place. The sons of Aaron are the priestly line, but God told all of the children of Israel that they were to be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Ex 19:6) Likewise, Jesus makes all believers in Him to be "kings and priests to His God and Father" (Rev 1:6). We are "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood- a holy nation - His own special people that we may proclaim the praises of Him [Jesus] who called us out of darkness into the marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)
Jesus did not begin something new with water cleansing. It goes back to the brazen laver. Baptism is the God-given ordinance for those seeking to approach the Throne of Grace. You don’t have to say a Word. The new believer is saying "I don’t know what it all means, but I believe in Jesus and in the Words that are written in the Holy Bible."
Jesus offered to wash the disciples’ feet, but Peter rebuked Him saying, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus responded, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Peter replied, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" (John 13:8-9) If Jesus does not wash you, you can’t enter the Holy Place.
Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her, "that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." (Eph 5:26-27) Water is indeed a symbol of the Word of God and our baptism is submission to His Word, not works as some say.
Even Jesus was baptized "to fulfill all righteousness." Jesus says "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16) At Pentecost, the prescription for salvation was "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit….." Baptism of itself does not save anyone, but for those with newborn faith in Jesus, it is the good confession of faith, as well as the answer of a good conscience towards God. It is a ceremonial act that gives the seeker confidence to approach the Throne for continued cleansing through the Word… and the power of His might.
"But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was." (James 1:22-24)
Exodus 38: Making the Court of the Tabernacle
9 Then he made the court on the south side; the hangings of the court were of fine woven linen, one hundred cubits long. 10 There were twenty pillars for them, with twenty bronze sockets. The hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver. 11 On the north side the hangings were one hundred cubits long, with twenty pillars and their twenty bronze sockets. The hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver. 12 And on the west side there were hangings of fifty cubits, with ten pillars and their ten sockets. The hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver. 13 For the east side the hangings were fifty cubits. 14 The hangings of one side of the gate were fifteen cubits long, with their three pillars and their three sockets, 15 and the same for the other side of the court gate; on this side and that were hangings of fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three sockets. 16 All the hangings of the court all around were of fine woven linen. 17 The sockets for the pillars were bronze, the hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver, and the overlay of their capitals was silver; and all the pillars of the court had bands of silver. 18 The screen for the gate of the court was woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen. The length was twenty cubits, and the height along its width was five cubits, corresponding to the hangings of the court. 19 And there were four pillars with their four sockets of bronze; their hooks were silver, and the overlay of their capitals and their bands was silver. 20 All the pegs of the tabernacle, and of the court all around, were bronze.
Having the witness of the altar of burnt offering and the water of the brass water basin through the Word of God, Bezalel then made the enclosed garden for the children of Yahweh seeking His salvation.
"Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one." (1 John 5:5-8)
"The inner utensils of the court being thus completed, they proceeded to make the court itself, which was a large oblong square, fenced in with thick, well-wrought hangings; the size, dimensions, and workmanship of each side whereof have been described in Exodus 27:9-19. This court represented the state of the Old Testament church; it was a garden enclosed; the worshippers were then confined to a little compass. But the enclosure being of curtains only, intimated that that confinement of the church to one particular nation was not to be perpetual. The dispensation itself was a tabernacle dispensation, moveable and mutable, and in due time to be taken down and folded up, when the place of the tent should be enlarged, and its cords lengthened, to make room for the Gentile world.” (Benson Commentary)
“'Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman,' says Yahweh. 'Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited.’" (Isaiah 54:1-3)
Some interpret this text to say that all of the descendants of Isaac will be saved. But Paul saw it as an allegory. He believed that this text from Isaiah prophesied of his own day, under the New Covenant dispensation, when those seeking to be accepted by adherence to the Law of Moses alone would be rejected and those with faith in the Messiah of Israel would be accepted, including a potentially bigger populace: "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? 'Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.' (Genesis 21:10) So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free. (Galatians 4:28-31)
Morning Repost: Exodus 38: Materials of the Tabernacle
21 This is the inventory of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the Testimony, which was counted according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest.
22 Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that Yahweh had commanded Moses. 23 And with him was Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and designer, a weaver of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine linen.
24 All the gold that was used in all the work of the holy place, that is, the gold of the offering, was twenty-nine talents and seven hundred and thirty shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 25 And the silver from those who were numbered of the congregation was one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary: 26 a bekah for each man (that is, half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary), for everyone included in the numbering from twenty years old and above, for six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty men. 27 And from the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary and the bases of the veil: one hundred sockets from the hundred talents, one talent for each socket. 28 Then from the one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, overlaid their capitals, and made bands for them. 29 The offering of bronze was seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels. 30 And with it he made the sockets for the door of the tabernacle of meeting, the bronze altar, the bronze grating for it, and all the utensils for the altar, 31 the sockets for the court all around, the bases for the court gate, all the pegs for the tabernacle, and all the pegs for the court all around.
"By Moses’s appointment the Levites took and kept an account of the gold, silver, and brass, that was brought in for the use of the tabernacle, and how it was employed. Ithamar, the son of Aaron, was appointed to draw up this account.” (Benson Commentary)
Bezalel and company made all that Yahweh had commanded. It was called "the tabernacle of the Testimony"… or "'the dwelling of the testimony,' because the testimony, i.e., the decalogue written with the finger of God upon the tables of stone, was kept in the dwelling, and this testimony formed the base of the throne [i.e. Covenants] of Jehovah, and was the material pledge that Jehovah would cause His name, His manifested presence, to dwell there, and would thus show Himself to His people in grace and righteousness.” (Keil & Delitzsch)
"Coined money did not exist until the eighth century B.C. when the Lydians in Anatolia (modern Turkey) invented it. [Note: The New Bible Dictionary...] Consequently the shekel Moses referred to was a measure of weight (not quite half an ounce). [Note: Unger's Bible Dictionary,...] The materials included slightly over a ton of gold (Exodus 38:24), almost four tons of silver (Exodus 38:25-28), and about two and a half tons of bronze (Exodus 38:29-31).” (Thomas Constable)
"The raising of the gold by voluntary contribution, and of the silver by way of tribute, shews that either way may be taken for the defraying of public expences, provided that nothing be done with partiality.” (Wesley Notes) Thus: "It is significant that the Tabernacle rested upon, and its curtains were hung upon the silver that was the representative contribution of every man in the congregation of Israel. The Tabernacle stood thus upon the dedication of God's redeemed people.” (Wycliffe Bible Commentary)
May the Israelitish example "inspire enthusiasm of the right kind in the hearts of the believers of the New Testament, making them willing to contribute for the building and the spreading of the Kingdom.” (The Popular Commentary) "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…” (1 Sam 15:22) Jesus said “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14;15-17)
"Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need." (Acts 4:32-35)
Even so, "What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.” (In the bleak midwinter by Christina Rossetti) Speak the Word to others. "Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’” (Acts 3:6)