From Exodus 36-38
Overview
Ex 36.1-7 Story; The people are told to stop giving after giving more than enough for the work
Ex 36.8-38 Story; Making of the tabernacle
Ex 37.1-9 Story; Making of the Ark
Ex 37.10-16 Story; Making the Table
Ex 37.17-24 Story; Making the Lampstand
Ex 37.25-29 Story; Making the Altar of Incense
Ex 38.1-7 Story; Making the Altar of Burnt Offering
Ex 38.8 Story; Making the Bronze Basin
Ex 38.9-20 Story; Making the Court
Ex 38.21-31 Story; Summary of all the materials for the tabernacle
Passage and Comments
Today’s reading was a bit dry, but there are things of interest. Consider this summary statement;
What they are building of course is to be God’s dwelling place amongst them and the historical context is not so dry. God had almost abandoned Israel after her apostasy. It was only after Moses’ special pleading that the LORD said he would accompany them. After these events the dry records gain significance. If the LORD would not go with them they would have no need to make the tabernacle.
Story of Israel
God only stays with Israel for a time. Due to their apostacy he eventually abandoned the temple. It is not until the end of Ezekiel we see a future hope of God returning. But that prophecy is not fulfilled with an actual temple.
Story of Jesus
Being aware of the historical context is important for interpreting scripture. Now consider the gospel narrative and the hopes of Israel, under foreign occupation. They were waiting for the LORD to come and fulfill his promises. And he did, he sent Jesus. The gospel needs to be understood against the backdrop of the Old Testament in order to see Jesus as Israel’s good news.
Overview
Ex 36.1-7 Story; The people are told to stop giving after giving more than enough for the work
Ex 36.8-38 Story; Making of the tabernacle
Ex 37.1-9 Story; Making of the Ark
Ex 37.10-16 Story; Making the Table
Ex 37.17-24 Story; Making the Lampstand
Ex 37.25-29 Story; Making the Altar of Incense
Ex 38.1-7 Story; Making the Altar of Burnt Offering
Ex 38.8 Story; Making the Bronze Basin
Ex 38.9-20 Story; Making the Court
Ex 38.21-31 Story; Summary of all the materials for the tabernacle
Passage and Comments
Today’s reading was a bit dry, but there are things of interest. Consider this summary statement;
[21] These are the records of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony, as they were recorded at the commandment of Moses, the responsibility of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. [22] Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses; [23] and with him was Oholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and designer and embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. (Ex 38:21-23)Scripture was used to keep records. And perhaps considering the destruction of the temple and the exile that was a good thing. Israel could look back at the scriptures and recall how to build their holy places. Not that the circumstances that led them to that point were good. But, scripture did serve a variety of purposes and seemingly Moses thought it was important to record these details as well as their dealings with God.
What they are building of course is to be God’s dwelling place amongst them and the historical context is not so dry. God had almost abandoned Israel after her apostasy. It was only after Moses’ special pleading that the LORD said he would accompany them. After these events the dry records gain significance. If the LORD would not go with them they would have no need to make the tabernacle.
Story of Israel
God only stays with Israel for a time. Due to their apostacy he eventually abandoned the temple. It is not until the end of Ezekiel we see a future hope of God returning. But that prophecy is not fulfilled with an actual temple.
Story of Jesus
Being aware of the historical context is important for interpreting scripture. Now consider the gospel narrative and the hopes of Israel, under foreign occupation. They were waiting for the LORD to come and fulfill his promises. And he did, he sent Jesus. The gospel needs to be understood against the backdrop of the Old Testament in order to see Jesus as Israel’s good news.
[32] And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, [33] this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus (Acts 13:32-33)