Day #38

Sermon - Audio
Ex 25-27 - Audio
Ex 25-27 - Daily Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

Exodus 25.1-40.38: In the last section of Exodus attention is focused on the tabernacle. The tabernacle is an amazing place for it represents God's throne in the midst of the people (notice how the camp will surround the tabernacle), it show the people how they are to approach a holy God, and it shows God's desire to be in the midst of his people. Because of the importance of the tabernacle a large amount of time is given to instructions for building it. The tabernacle prefigures the coming of Christ. We read in John 1 "The word became flesh and dwelt (literally "tabernacled") among us."

25.2-9: The people are to bring gifts of all the things necessary for building the tabernacle. It is clear by the kind of gifts called for that the tabernacle will be a place of beauty and splendor.

25.9: God gives instructions for how the tabernacle/sanctuary is to be built. The people are to follow these instructions to the letter. The following of instructions shows their willingness to obey God and approach him on his terms.

25.10: The ark is the throne of God or alternately the footstool of God's throne.

25.22: This is the place that God will meet with Moses.

25.30: The twelve loaves symbolize the 12 tribes of Israel as they stand in the presence of God. New loaves are to be set out on each Sabbath without exception. This is important because it is a sign of the covenant between the 12 tribes of Israel and God. ESV Study Bible

Exodus 26

1-14: The structure of the tabernacle is covered with 4 layers of cloth and skin. The most artistic and costly layer is the first layer which is on the inside of the tabernacle. What is noticeable about this is that the most beautiful layer can't be seen by the vast majority of the people since only the priests enter this area. This reminds us that all of this work is done not first for the people, but first for God, so that, he will have a dwelling that is worthy of him.

The tabernacle tent was 45 feet long, 15 feet wide and 15 feet high. It was 675 square feet. Compare that to EverGreen's auditorium which is 8100 square feet with a height of about 30 feet. There is a great illustration of the tabernacle tent in the ESV Study Bible which can be viewed on the computers in the Courtyard (we can't print it due to copyright restrictions).

31,36: The combination of colors and linen sets this mixture apart for sacred use. This could be the reason that mixing cloth and linen were forbidden (Dt. 22.11"You shall not wear cloth of wool and linen mixed together.")

Exodus 27
27.2: Horns represent strength. Horns on an altar are not unique to the tabernacle altar, they've been found on pagan altars as well. God often uses symbols and ideas from surrounding culture and then infuses them with his own meaning.

27.1-7: The altar is an important place in the covenant relationship between God and his people. When they fail their covenant obligations it is at the altar that they can seek forgiveness. Also, the altar is the place where gifts of first fruits are brought which are a reminder of God's covenant promise to bring them into a land flowing with milk honey.

27.9-12: The total courtyard area of the tabernacle is 11,250 square feet. This is sacred space which is set off from the rest of the world. Compare the size of the courtyard of the temple with the size of EverGreen's building which is 25,000 square feet (our courtyard is just over 6000 square feet).

27.10: Bronze and silver--the further you get from the place God dwells the less rich the materials.
7 feet high?

27.18: The height of the curtain that surrounds the courtyard is 7 1/2 feet. This means that people could see the tabernacle tent and so be assured of God's presence.

27.21: The tent of meeting is the tabernacle tent. This designation stresses that it is in this place that God communicates to Moses.

27.20: Burning lamps=God's presence.

The tabernacle is an important aspect of OT theology. The writer’s pattern so far has been: ark, table, lamp, and then their container (the tabernacle); then the altar and its container (the courtyard). The courtyard is the place of worship where the people could gather — they entered God’s courts. Though the courtyard may not seem of much interest to current readers, it did interest the Israelites. Here the sacrifices were made, the choirs sang, the believers offered their praises, they had their sins forgiven, they came to pray, they appeared on the holy days, and they heard from God. It was sacred because God met them there; they left the “world” (figuratively speaking) and came into the very presence of God. NET Bible