Written by: Jan Harney - Activate
Exodus 25 v 31-40
“Hammer pure gold to make a lampstand. Its base, stand, flower-like
cups, buds, and petals must all be joined together in one piece. The lampstand
must have six branches going out from its sides—three on one side and three
on the other. Each branch must have three cups shaped like almond flowers on
it. Each cup must have a bud and a petal. Each of the six branches going out
from the lampstand must be the same. And there must be four more cups made like
almond flowers on the lampstand itself. These cups must also have buds and petals.
Put a bud under each pair of branches that goes out from the lampstand. Each
of the six branches going out from the lampstand must be the same. The branches,
buds, and lampstand must be made of one piece, hammered out of pure gold.
“Then make seven small oil lamps and put them on the lampstand so that
they give light to the area in front of it. The wick trimmers and trays must
be made of pure gold. Use seventy-five pounds of pure gold to make the lampstand
and everything with it. Be very careful to make them by the plan I showed you
on the mountain.
Notes
If you go out late at night you’re probably tempted to leave a light
on to give the impression that someone is in the house. Furniture and lighting
are indicators that someone lives in a building, and the people needed to be
aware that God was intending to take up residence in the Tabernacle. He was
planning to live amongst them.
Most of the larger shops selling lighting for the home carry a wide choice of lamps, both up-lighters and down-lighters and a huge variety of design. People have very specific taste, and so does God!
The lamp-stand was designed like an almond tree, the first of the trees in the near East to blossom in the spring. Perhaps this was to remind them of the Tree of Life in Genesis 3 v 22, symbolising the life-giving power of God.
It was made out of pure gold – indicating the important status of the tenant. Pure gold is soft and won’t cope with lots of handling (so it’s usually mixed with other metals to make it tougher). Pure gold will not rust, corrode or tarnish, regardless of the conditions it is kept in, so even in a tent in the desert it will always maintain its sparkle.
The craftsmen were then told to make seven small oil lamps. Numbers were very important in the Old Testament. Man scored only 6 and would never achieve perfection, but 7 was known as the perfect number – the number of God.
Can you imagine how those lamps would have glittered on such a large amount of pure gold? That dazzling light represented the glory of the Lord reflected in the lives of the Israelites.
Do our lives reflect God’s glory?
Prayer
Lord, I mean to shine for you but so often I get dimmed and tarnished by everyday
worries or my selfish preoccupations. Help me to shine out as a beacon for
you and reflect your glory in a dark world, so that others may be drawn to
want to know you. Amen
Exodus 26 v 1-14
“Make for the Holy Tent ten curtains of fine linen and blue, purple, and
red thread. Have a skilled craftsman sew designs of creatures with wings on the
pieces of cloth. Make each curtain the same size—forty-two feet long and
six feet wide. Sew five curtains together for one set, and sew the other curtains
together for the second set. Make loops of blue cloth on the edge of the end
curtain of one set, and do the same for the end curtain of the other set. Make
fifty loops on the end curtain of the first set and fifty loops on the end curtain
of the second set. These loops must be opposite each other. And make fifty gold
hooks to join the two sets of curtains so that the Holy Tent is one piece.
“Then make another tent that will cover the Holy Tent, using eleven curtains
made from goat hair. All these curtains must be the same size—forty-five
feet long and six feet wide. Sew five of the curtains together into one set.
Then sew the other six curtains together into the second set. Fold the sixth
curtain double over the front of the Tent. Make fifty loops down the edge of
the end curtain of one set, and do the same for the end curtain of the other
set. Then make fifty bronze hooks and put them in the loops to join the tent
together so that the covering is one piece. Let the extra half piece of cloth
hang over the back of the Holy Tent. There will be eighteen inches hanging over
the sides of the Holy Tent, to protect it. Make a covering for the Holy Tent
from sheepskins coloured red, and over that make a covering from fine leather.
Notes
Creative friends have often assured me that curtains are very easy to make.
They then warn that it is important to get the material absolutely square
and they reel off complicated mathematics about the widths for each curtain
to get a generous pleat and also how many hooks are needed in order that
they might hang nicely and not droop. At this stage I usually glaze over
and nod vaguely, and still I’ve never attempted this feat.
In this passage the exact measurements have been provided for the stitchers so that they know precisely how much material to cut for both sets of curtains. All the calculations have been worked out in heaven.
The Israelites didn’t have electricity and sewing machines hadn’t been invented – so all these curtains would have been hand stitched. Can you imagine trying to push a needle through leather and sheepskins while sitting in the desert sun?
The material is fine linen and the deep rich colours of blue, purple and red are Royal colours. Note that the curtain fastenings for the inner tent are made of gold. All these details are pointing to the importance of the occupant.
They were told that the fastenings for the outer tent could be made of brass. Yet these were the ones that could be seen by everybody. Isn’t that an indication that God doesn’t work like us? So often we can be caught up in fussing about “top show” and not worry too much about what’s underneath.
Perhaps we need to be reminded that when we’re serving God we need to care about the detail but it’s the quality that He sees that is the most important.
Prayer
Lord, you remind me that your ways are not like my ways and your priorities
are different. Help me to see clearly what is important and to honour you
in all that I do. Amen
Exodus 26 v 15-30
“Use acacia wood to make upright frames for the Holy Tent. Each frame must
be fifteen feet long and twenty-seven inches wide, with two pegs side by side.
Every frame must be made the same way. Make twenty frames for the south side
of the Holy Tent. Each frame must have two silver bases to go under it, a peg
fitting into each base. You must make forty silver bases for the frames. Make
twenty more frames for the north side of the Holy Tent and forty silver bases
for them—two bases for each frame. You must make six frames for the rear
or west end of the Holy Tent and two frames for each corner at the rear. The
two frames are to be doubled at the bottom and joined at the top with a metal
ring. Both corner frames must be made this way. So there will be a total of eight
frames at the rear of the Tent, and there will be sixteen silver bases—two
bases under each frame.
“Make crossbars of acacia wood to connect the upright frames of the Holy
Tent. Make five crossbars to hold the frames together on one side and five to
hold the frames together on the other side. Also make five crossbars to hold
the frames together on the west end, at the rear. The middle crossbar is to be
set halfway up the frames, and it is to run along the entire length of each side
and rear. Make gold rings on the sides of the frames to hold the crossbars, and
cover the frames and the crossbars with gold. Set up the Holy Tent by the plan
shown to you on the mountain.
Notes
As a keen camper, I was interested in the detailing of the frame for the Holy
Tent. It’s difficult enough to put up lightweight metal extendable
frames, but these frames were made out of wood and they were 15 foot long
and twenty seven inches wide so each frame would have weighed a lot. And
this tent was meant to be portable! They had to be ready if God wanted to
move, to uproot camp and follow him.
Each of the frames needed two silver bases to go under it. There were twenty frames for both north and south sides of the tent and eight for the back (west) side. This along with the 4 bases referred to in verse 32 make up a grand total of 100 silver bases – the exact number of talents of silver donated by the Israelite community in chapter 38 v 27. This was sacrificial giving to meet the requirements.
The Holy Tent (or tabernacle as it is often called) was approximately 45 feet long by 15 feet wide. The word “tabernacle” literally means dwelling place, but the term is rarely used for human dwellings; it almost always signifies the place where God dwells among his people.
As Christians we believe that our bodies are a temple for the Holy Spirit of God to dwell in (1 Corinthians 6 v 19). We need to consider how much attention to detail and preparation we’ve made in order to create a Holy Place within us that is fitting to receive him.
Prayer
Lord, reading the detail that you demanded for the place in which you were
to dwell among the people is humbling to me. I pray that you will cleanse
me afresh and help me to live a fitting and holy life worthy of your presence
within me. Amen
Exodus 26 v 31-37
“Make a curtain of fine linen and blue, purple, and red thread, and have
a skilled craftsman sew designs of creatures with wings on it. Hang the curtain
by gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood that are covered with gold, and set
them in four silver bases. Hang the curtain from the hooks in the roof, and put
the Ark of the Agreement containing the two stone tablets behind it. This curtain
will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Put the lid on the Ark
of the Agreement in the Most Holy Place.
“Outside the curtain, put the table on the north side of the Holy Tent.
Put the lampstand on the south side of the Holy Tent across from the table.
“ Then, for the entrance of the Tent, make a curtain with fine linen and
blue, purple, and red thread. Someone who can sew well is to sew designs on it.
Make five posts of acacia wood covered with gold. Make gold hooks for them on
which to hang the curtain, and make five bronze bases for them.
Notes
The Holy Tent was divided into two by a curtain. The division was one third
of the way along so that it made two “compartments”. The outer
part was the larger and was approximately 30 feet by 15 feet and this was
known as the Holy Place. It was in this area that God promised to meet by
appointment to discuss his plans.
With his usual precision God instructs exactly where he wants the furnishings in this outer tent, which contained a golden table, a golden lampstand and an altar for incense.
The inner tent was about 15 feet square and was known as the Most Holy Place. It was in here that the Ark of the Agreement (or Covenant) was kept. The details of this piece can be found in chapter 25 v 10-21.
This was a highly restricted access area. The embroidered designs of cherubims on the curtain made it clear that the way into the presence of God was barred to sinful man.
There was a similar curtain in the temple at Jerusalem, with the same purpose – to restrict the entry into God’s presence. At the point of Jesus’ death on the cross, the temple curtain ripped apart, thus allowing everyone access into the Most Holy Place (Matthew 27 v 51).
Jesus died for the sins of the world and it is through faith in that ultimate sacrifice that we are made clean and fit to enter into the presence of God.
Prayer
Lord, thank you that it is possible for me to enter right into the Throne Room.
Not because I am worthy but because you chose to pay the price for my sinfulness.
Help me to recognise the privilege I have, through your death on the cross,
to enter the Most Holy Place. Amen
Exodus 27 v 1-8
“Make an altar of acacia wood, four and one-half feet high. It should be
square—seven and one-half feet long and seven and one-half feet wide. Make
each of the four corners of the altar stick out like a horn, in such a way that
the corners with their horns are all one piece. Then cover the whole altar with
bronze.
“Use bronze to make all the tools and dishes that will be used on the altar:
the pots to remove the ashes, the shovels, the bowls for sprinkling blood, the
meat forks, and the pans for carrying the burning wood.
“Make a large bronze screen to hold the burning wood, and put a bronze
ring at each of the four corners of it. Put the screen inside the altar, under
its rim, halfway up from the bottom.
“Make poles of acacia wood for the altar, and cover them with bronze. Put
the poles through the rings on both sides of the altar to carry it. Make the
altar out of boards and leave the inside hollow. Make it as you were shown on
the mountain.
Notes
Acacia wood is common in the Sinai Peninsula. It is darker and harder than
oak and is avoided by wood-eating insects so it was a good choice of material
generally for building but particularly appropriate for building an altar
where blood would be spilt.
The horns on each corner of the altar were symbols of help and refuge. They also symbolised the atoning power of the altar. Some of the blood was sprinkled on the horns of the altar before the rest was poured out at the base.
This altar was designed for burnt offerings and therefore not easy reading for the squeamish! You can read more about burnt offerings in Leviticus chapter 1.
Inside the Holy Tent the metal chosen was gold, but outside the tent bronze was used. All the utensils on the altar were made of this metal, as was the grating which was an open mesh to allow a draught for the fire.
The size of the altar means that it would have dominated the entrance to the Holy Tent as it was over seven feet square. Its position in the courtyard outside the entrance to the Holy Tent suggests that the worshipper could only approach God after offering a sacrifice to atone for sin.
Animals offered would be a bull, ram, or dove - but poor people could offer a pigeon. The purpose of the burnt offering was a voluntary act of worship; atonement for unintentional sin, or expression of devotion, commitment and complete surrender to God.
We no longer have these rituals, and modern safety regulations would no doubt prevent churches from incinerating animals directly in front of their doors. But how well prepared are we now as we enter church. As we come corporately into the presence of God, are we too casual?
Prayer
Lord, so often I blunder into church chattering and rush around giving out
notices before the beginning of a service. Please help me to make appropriate
preparations as I come into your presence. Remind me to talk to you before
the service and to my friends afterwards. Amen
Exodus 27 v 9-19
“Make a wall of curtains to form a courtyard around the Holy Tent. The
south side should have a wall of fine linen curtains one hundred fifty feet long.
Hang the curtain with silver hooks and bands on twenty bronze posts with twenty
bronze bases. The north side must also be one hundred fifty feet long. Hang its
curtains on silver hooks and bands on twenty bronze posts with twenty bronze
bases.
“The west end of the courtyard must have a wall of curtains seventy-five
feet long, with ten posts and ten bases on that wall. The east end of the courtyard
must also be seventy-five feet long. On one side of the entry, there is to be
a wall of curtains twenty-two and one-half feet long, held up by three posts
on three bases. On the other side of the entry, there is also to be a wall of
curtains twenty-two and one-half feet long, held up by three posts on three bases.
“The entry to the courtyard is to be a curtain thirty feet wide, made of
fine linen with blue, purple, and red thread. Someone who can sew well is to
sew designs on it. It is to be held up by four posts on four bases. All the posts
around the courtyard must have silver bands and hooks and bronze bases. The courtyard
must be one hundred fifty feet long and seventy-five feet wide, with a wall of
curtains around it seven and one-half feet high, made of fine linen. The bases
in which the posts are set must be bronze. All the things used in the Holy Tent
and all the tent pegs for the Holy Tent and the wall around the courtyard must
be made of bronze.
Notes
People on campsites will often pitch their tents and then build a barrier of
plastic stripy wind-breakers around the perimeter of their allotted patch.
This is very useful for privacy and for keeping small children and pets contained
and safe. It also marks out their territory and stops other people casually
dumping their belongings or parking their cars on it and causing aggravation.
Good fences make good neighbours!
So in this reading we have an instruction by God to build a courtyard around the Holy Tent. It’s a sizeable patch – 150 feet by 75 feet and a very posh version of the wind-breaker barrier. The wall of curtains (around 8 foot high) is to be of fine linen hung with silver hooks onto the bronze posts set into bronze bases. The east side of the courtyard (facing the sunrise) is to incorporate an entrance of 30 feet wide and again it is to be an ornate curtain and only a skilled person must sew on it with the Royal coloured threads.
Whilst this area clearly was NOT meant to contain pets and small children, it is likely that the courtyard was designed to create a private area of preparation that belongs to God. The barrier would have effectively stopped anyone from casually dumping their possessions near the Holy Tent or blundering inadvertently into the presence of God, which would have fatal consequences. It was the best way to ensure that the Israelites could live safely in such close proximity to God.
Prayer
Lord, thank you that I am no longer kept away from you by privacy or safety
barriers. You delight in my company when I come to you as a child. Help me
not to blunder into your presence but to come to you thoughtfully and reverently
and with a sacrificial heart. Amen
Exodus 27 v 20-21
“Command the people of Israel to bring you pure olive oil, made from pressed
olives, to keep the lamps on the lampstand burning. Aaron and his sons must keep
the lamps burning before the LORD from evening till morning. This will be in
the Meeting Tent, outside the curtain which is in front of the Ark. The Israelites
and their descendants must obey this rule from now on.
Notes
The instructions regarding the building, furnishing, setting up of the Holy
Tent and courtyard ended here with a final command. God was not suggesting
a voluntary gift, but a command for the people of Israel to provide pure
olive oil to keep the lamps on the lampstand burning.
Olive oil was a precious commodity and was costly. Unripe olives were crushed in a mortar. The pulpy mass was placed in a cloth basket and the oil dripped through the bottom. The result was a clear fuel which burned with little or no smoke, so the Holy Place was essentially an eco-friendly place.
Aaron and his sons were given the night shift; they were responsible for keeping the lamps burning from evening to morning. This was the first task assigned to them in the role for which they were about to be consecrated. They were called to serve God as Priests.
Often what happened in the Old Testament in a practical way happens in a spiritual way in the New Testament. In the Holy Place the lamps were kept alight. In the Bible Jesus is referred to continually as the light of the world. (Read John 1 v 1-14 as a starter, there are many more.)
As Christians, we are called to represent him in the world. Jesus commissions
us (Matthew 5 v 14-16):
“You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built
on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don't hide a light under a bowl. They
put it on a lampstand so the light shines for all the people in the house. In
the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will
see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.”
Prayer
Lord, as you consecrated and commissioned Aaron and his sons to serve you,
now you are calling me to service. Please help me to recognise the work that
you have called me to do. And may all that I do shine out for you, glorify
your name and contribute to the building of your kingdom in my community
and among my networks. Amen
The views expressed by the writers of our daily e-mails are not necessarily those of Church Army or word-on-the-web but of the individual writers.
word-on-the-web uses the Scripture text taken from the Youth Bible, New Century Version (Anglicised Edition) copyright 1993 by Word Publishing Milton Keynes