Boards and sockets

Exodus 26: 15-30: “And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up. Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board. Two tenons shall there be in one board, set in order one against another: thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle. And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward. And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons. And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side there shall be twenty boards: And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards. And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides. And they shall be coupled together beneath, and they shall be coupled together above the head of it unto one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners. And they shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward. And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end. And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars: and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold. And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount.”

The Tabernacle also needed a strong underlying structure to hold everything in place. It contained the most precious items of the Israeli religion and these needed to be kept completely secure. It was all very well to have these items covered and secure from the elements but the curtains needed to have strong skeleton that was also easily transported. This was done by building a structure made of board with sockets to hold the boards upright. This structure was still made for the Lord and it was made of wood covered with gold. Not only was this structure fit for the King of Heaven, it was also stable and designed to last for many centuries. There were people dedicated to transporting the Tabernacle and they had carts to carry the items so weight was not a consideration. However, each board was small enough to be moved by the people who had to transport the Tabernacle. God had a perfect plan for this structure and God has a perfect plan for everything. The only way we can spoil God’s perfect plan is when we choose to ignore His instructions.

(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

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A covering above

Exodus 26: 7-14: “And thou shalt make curtains of goats’ hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. The length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and the eleven curtains shall be all of one measure. And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle. And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops in the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second. And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one. And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle. And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it. And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers’ skins.”

Altogether, there were four coverings of various material over the structure of the Tabernacle. The first was of linen and then there was a second layer of curtains made of goats hair. This formed an insulating layer over the inner layer of linen. Linen represents clothing or material fit for the kings service (see Gen 41: 42, “And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;”) it also represents righteousness (see Rev 19: 8, “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”) The goats hair layer was for insulation as it was similar to insulating material people put in their ceilings today, but completely natural, and the rams skins were similar but waterproof with the last layer, the badger’s skins completely weatherproof. The tabernacle had to withstand the howling winds and the extreme temperatures of the desert and these layer were designed to do just that. People who believe in the true God of heaven have to withstand the extremes of the sinful world but the Lord has given us all the resources we need in His word, the Bible.

(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

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Ten curtains

Exodus 26: 1-6: “Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them. The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure. The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another. And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of the second. Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is in the coupling of the second; that the loops may take hold one of another. And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.”

The tabernacle had to be carried but it also had to be a substantial structure. Because it was evidence of the Lord’s presence among Israel it had to be made so that no one could inadvertently see inside and substantial enough to survive through the strong desert winds as they blew at certain times of the year. This is why it was made in pieces that could be held together when the tabernacle was pitched but easily folded and carried when Israel was on the move. The curtains were made in a size that could easily be managed when they were to be folded and placed on the carts that were used to transport them but they also had to have strong fastenings to keep the curtains from billowing open and showing what was underneath. The fist curtain was made of fine linen, which represents righteousness but it was coloured blue, purple and scarlet; all colours of wealth and royalty. This was a structure fit for the Lord but able to be moved from place to place so that the people would always know that the Lord was with them. If you want to follow the Lord today your life should demonstrate the fact that the Lord lives within you but you should always be ready to keep this witness intact wherever you go.

(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

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A Candlestick

Exodus 25: 31-40: “And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.”

While the Lord is the source of light and doesn’t need light Himself the High Priest would need to see what he was doing when He went into the most holy place so the Lord, kindly, allowed him to have light when he went into to worship the Lord. This was no ordinary candlestick but had seven lights as the Lord rested on the seventh day because the work of creation was complete and perfect. The seven lights were spread out to give the High Priest the best possible view of what he was doing and to make sure that he didn’t trip over anything that might be in the way. Even though this place was the most holy place for all Israel the Lord was also generous and kind, making it welcoming and pleasant for the man who had to use it as well. The Lord always works in this way: He is kind. He understands our weaknesses and failings and always works to make things easier and more comfortable for us. Of course, this statement then begs the questions, “Why do good people suffer?” The Lord always works to bring His people to their knees so that they can fully appreciate all the good things that He has done for us. (see Deut 8: 16, “Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;”)

(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

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Also make a table

Exodus 25: 23-30: “Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about. And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about. And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof. Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table. And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them. And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them. And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.”

The ark was kept in the most holy part of the tabernacle. There were, at least three layers of covering over the entire tabernacle so that no one could accidentally see into the ark and die because they had seen the holiest things of the Lord. However, it was important that the people placed offerings to the Lord on a daily basis. It would be wrong to put these gifts on the ground so a table was made to hold these offerings, the shewbread. The table was similar to the ark in construction. It was made of gold so that it would be fit for the King of Heaven and was to be carried by people, as with the ark. It is remarkable that the Lord uses people at all because we are all sinners and we all disappoint Him on a regular basis. Never the less, He perseveres with us and allows us to have a place in His plans that are both great and good.

(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

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Make an ark

Exodus 25: 10-22: “And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about. And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it. And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them. The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it. And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.”

It was vitally important for Israel to have a container where they kept their most sacred information. This was not something like the heathen had that they could take with them as some kind of talisman but the most sacred object to be kept in secret and remind them that the Lord God is pure and holy. An ark is just a container. Noah used and ark to keep the animals safe from the flood and Moses was told to use an ark to keep Israel’s most sacred information safe. The ark was to be covered with gold because gold was the most precious metal they had at that time and it was a gift that is fit for a king.  The ark was made to be carried on the shoulders of the Temple servants. The Lord has always used people to do His work even though He doesn’t need us. (compare Luke 19: 40, “And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.”) The ark was covered with the mercy seat because God deals with sinners in mercy, He doesn’t give us what we deserve but gives us time to believe and have everlasting life. There were magnificent cherubim on the top of the ark as a reminder of the Lord’s majesty and power. All this to contain the tablets, and other items, of the Law, which demonstrated the Lord’s grace and faithfulness.

(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

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Giveth it willingly

Exodus 25: 1-9: “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood, Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate. And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.”

When King Solomon dedicated the Temple he said, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?” (1 Kings 8: 27) This was precisely true for the Creator of all things is much greater than His creation. However, this great God has chosen to establish a place where His presence can be seen to be among His people. The Lord told Moses to make a sacred place among the people of Israel so that they would be constantly reminded of His presence with them as they travelled. They were in the wilderness because they refused to trust the Lord and feared the giants instead but the Lord still gave them the assurance of His presences. However, the sanctuary that the Lord was making was to be made from voluntary offerings and not from things given under obligation. There are many in the church today who insist that people should give a certain portion of their income but the principle the Lord gave when He established His sanctuary is far more important. Everything that we give back to the Lord should be given willingly and not according to a formula. After all, when these people left Egypt they should have been poverty stricken and in no position to give any voluntary offering. The Lord caused the Egyptians to pay them handsomely for the many years of unpaid work before they left so the wealth they had came entirely from the Lord anyway.

(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

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