Exo 26:1

See Lesson, Tabernacle.

Exo 26:14

SEA COWS: Heb “tachashim”. Translated, variously, “sea cows” (NIV; WEB); “dugongs” (NIV mg); “porpoises” (NASB); “seals” (JPS); or “badgers” (KJV; Roth). The general scholarly consensus on the word is that it is Egyptian in origin. The Arabic word “duhas” refers to a dolphin. They are common in the Red Sea; their skins are used for clothing by the Bedouin.

The word has also been connected to an Egyptian word for “leather” (BDB). This is followed by NRSV and NET (“fine leather”).

Exo 26:15

UPRIGHT FRAMES: The boards of tabernacle, formed of selected trees (Act 15:14), cut down (humbled in dust), shaped according to divine specifications (chastening of God; changing character), made to stand upright upon 2 feet, set in silver sockets (redemption), and covered in gold (faith).

Perhaps these boards were hollow frames. A “tent” or “ohel” may have a wooden frame but not solid walls: (a) not nearly so heavy; (b) permitting cherubim (v 1) to appear to priests ministering in most holy place. The temple, as an enlarged tabernacle, had carvings of cherubim and palms round about on inner walls (see 1Ki 6:29n) (WEnj 26). Cp Rev 4:6: cherubim round about the throne.

Exo 26:17

Setting “in order” is a significant thing in the service of God: Gen 22:9; Exo 26:17; 39:37; 40:4,23; Lev 1:7,8,12; 6:12; 24:8; 1Ki 18:33; 2Ki 20:1; 2Ch 13:11; 29:35; Eze 41:6; Acts 18:23; 1Co 11:34; 14:40; Tit 1:5.

Exo 26:28

CENTER CROSSBAR: A ridge pole, running end to end. The tent, an upside-down V shape. Thus providing living quarters on the sides, for priests on duty (Lev 8:35). Cp idea of side chambers in temple (1Ki 6:5…); also cp 1Sa 3:2,3.

Exo 26:31

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body” (Heb 10:19,20). A sym depiction of the nature of Christ.

Exo 26:32

The inner veil was upheld by 4 posts, or pillars, symbolic of the 4 gospels of new covenant in Christ (cp v 37).

Exo 26:37

The outer veil was upheld by 5 posts, or pillars, sym of the 5 books of Moses, the first covenant (cp v 32).

Exo 27:1

Exo 27: “The divine Law outlined the ritual that was required to bring the people into relationship with God. This revolved around the great tabernacle in the midst of the Ecclesia of the Wilderness. The first object encountered when entering the tabernacle was the Brazen Altar, just inside the entrance. Every element of the altar had a reflection in the great antitypical Altar, the Lord Jesus Christ. Exo 27 reveals: (1) The altar of burnt offering: vv 1-8. (2) The court of the tabernacle: vv 9-19. (3) Oil for the light: vv 20,21.

“The common Israelite found a place in the tabernacle, through the oil he provided for the Lamp. This was the finest. All impurities were removed, and the olives were broken to pieces and crushed that the oil might be extracted. So the ecclesia was taught the principle of sacrifice and illumination — the hearing of the Word and its performance in life” (GEM).

The position of the altar of burnt offering, directly in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, teaches plainly that no man may approach unto God except via the shedding of blood, in sacrifice.

The bronze altar symbolizes Christ in sacrificial manifestation: “We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat” (Heb 13:10).

All who touch this altar are made holy (Exo 29:37). Correspondingly, all who touch Christ in baptism — coming into contact with his blood by being “crucified with him” — are thereby made holy (Rom 6:1-3).

Thus, two perfect squares in tabernacle (each 50 cubits square): the mercy seat in center of one half; the altar of burnt offering in center of other half.

Exo 27:2

Was the altar supported by 4 cherub-figures, as was the laver in temple (1Ki 7:25)? If so, then the winged ox figures would have had horns projecting above the altar. And the horns = a 7th “city of refuge” (1Ki 1:50; 2:28).

Exo 27:3

FIREPANS: For the transporting of the sacred fire.

Exo 27:4

Vv 4,5: The frame of altar was prob erected around large unhewn stone(s), with an insulating layer of earth (cp Exo 20:24-26). Also, an inclined plane (of earth?) prob on south side (Exo 20:26).

Also, a bronze network (1 1/2 cubits high), prob a platform all around altar, to permit easy access to sacrifices.

Exo 27:5

On east side of altar, a small opening for air circulation, and to remove ashes (Lev 1:16).

Exo 27:7

These poles would prob need to be replaced from time to time, because of continuous heat of altar fires.

Exo 27:9

Vv 9,10: The wall of white linen around about the Tabernacle. This white wall is a symbol of righteousness or justification. The wall would remind the Israelites that they could only worship God acceptably through the righteousness which comes of faith. The linen wall was hung on pillars and sockets of brass (speaking of flesh purified by trial of fire) and was topped by silver (sig our redemption in Christ).

FINELY TWISTED LINEN: Sym righteousness of justification (Rom 5:1; 10:17; Heb 11:1,6). We may worship God only through righteousness of faith.

Exo 27:10

Vv 10-17: The bases prob had sharp points, to pierce ground and provide stability. There were also cords and pegs/pins for this purpose (Exo 35:18; 38:20; 39:40; Num 3:26,37).

Exo 27:16

ENTRANCE: Sym Christ (Joh 10:9; 14:6). We enter holy place only through Christ.

LINEN: White linen, a marked ct with brown and black goatskins of people’s tents.

Exo 27:20

CLEAR OIL: No quantity was specified; thus, without measure (Joh 3:34).

All the Israelites were to bring oil for the lamps. So it is the responsibility of each member of the ecclesia to contribute to the general light of the whole. If the light went out, then the priest walked in darkness!

Exo 28:1

AARON: Sig “very high” (Act 5:31; Heb 4:14; Phi 2:9).

FROM AMONG THE ISRAELITES: The High Priest is to be taken from among the people whom he represents (cp Heb 5:1).

NADAB: Sig “willing” / “free will” (Jdg 5:2; 2Ch 17:16).

ABIHU: Sig “my father is he” (Gal 4:6; 1Jo 3:2).

ELEAZAR: Sig “help of EL” (Psa 121:2; Hos 13:9; Exo 18:4).

ITHAMAR: Sig “land of palms” (Psa 92:12; Eze 41:18).

PRIESTS: Saints are priests also (1Pe 2:9).

Exo 28:2

Exo 28:2ff: See Article, For glory and for beauty (Exo 28).

Clothing symbolizes a way of life, to be kept clean, as in the “wedding garment” of Christ’s parable (Mat 22:11-13). It describes an inner beauty, not like the Pharisees’ “whited sepulchres” — which are outwardly clean, but inside are filled with dead men’s bones (Mat 23:25-28; Ecc 3:11). “Let your priests be clothed with righteousness” (Psa 132:9). “I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and diadem” (Job 29:14). “Put on the new man… righteousness, true holiness” (Eph 4:24). “Be clothed with humility” (1Pe 5:5). “Whole armor of God…” (Eph 6). “Righteousness, girdle of loins; faithfulness, girdle of reins” (Isa 11:5). “Clothed with house from heaven” (2Co 5:2,3). “Girt with golden girdle” (Rev 1:13).

TO GIVE HIM DIGNITY AND HONOR: “For glory and for beauty” (AV). Cp Psa 27:4; 29:2; 90:17; 149:4.

“God’s purpose for these particular works of Bezalel suggests a purpose for all of the arts — to glorify God and to manifest beauty” (Gene Edward Veith).

Exo 28:5

GOLD: A tried faith (1Pe 1:7), necessary to please God (Heb 11:6). “When he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

BLUE: Color of heaven, God’s dwelling (on fringe of garments, to remember commandments: Num 15:37-40).

PURPLE: Color of kings. Jesus wore such a robe. Cp Mar 15:17; Est 8:15; Dan 5:7 mg. Combination: blue of God and red of man.

SCARLET: Or red, “adom”: denotes our mortal, sinful natures (Isa 1:18; Rev 6:4; 17:3). (Conc Christ: “God made him to be sin”: 2Co 5:21.)

FINE LINEN: White, sym righteousness (Rev 19:8).

Exo 28:8

SKILLFULLY WOVEN WAISTBAND: “Curious girdle” (AV). A belt, allowing freedom of movement without stumbling. Exhortation to put aside hindrances. An active, working righteousness: “Loins girt, lamps burning… as men that wait for their lord” (Luk 12:35,36). “Gird up loins of mind” (1Pe 1:13). Also, Eph 6:4.

Exo 28:12

ON THE SHOULDER PIECES: And upon heart (v 30), and forehead (v 38).

MEMORIAL STONES FOR THE SONS OF ISRAEL: And for God (v 29).

Exo 28:15

A BREASTPIECE FOR MAKING DECISIONS: “A breastplate of judgment” (AV). “Urim” (lights: ie Zec 14:7) and “Thummim” (fullness: ie Col 1:19) speak of glorious light from stones in breastplate. Represent the light of God (1Ti 6:16) and holy men — ie saints (Deu 33:8), both now (Phi 2:15; Eph 5:8) and in purified state (Dan 12:3; Mat 13:43).

Exo 28:16

SQUARE: “Foursquare” (AV), sym Israel, with 4 cherubim of Ezek, 4 divisions of camp, and “foursquare” New Jerusalem. Prob 4 lines of 3 stones each, forming a square, like the encampment of Israel.

Exo 28:21

“The names of all the saints he bears, engraven on his heart…” (cp v 39).

Exo 28:29

WHEN AARON ENTERS THE HOLY PLACE, HE WILL BEAR THE NAMES OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL OVER HIS HEART: Christ bore our names into the holy place: By his own blood, obtaining eternal redemption (for himself, and for others): Heb 9:11,12.

A CONTINUING MEMORIAL BEFORE THE LORD: And a memorial to the children of Israel (v 12). “To bring them to continual remembrance before the Lord” (RSV).

Exo 28:30

PUT… IN: Or “inside”. A pouch, behind breastplate (WRev 24). Cp Lev 8:8.

OVER HIS HEART: “Set me as a seal upon your heart” (Song 8:6).

Exo 28:33

POMEGRANATES: Sig “fruit”: “By their fruits you shall know them” (Mat 7:16). “Fruits of spirit” (Gal 5:22,23). The land of promise = “land of pomegranates” (Deu 8:8), and is for those who manifest the “fruits of the Spirit”. Sym multitudinous Christ, with many seeds in perfect whole.

GOLD BELLS: The bell-shaped blossom as well as the ripe fruit (LB 584). Thus, both promise and fruition. Also, “bells” for a joyful noise of worship. Bells of gold = words of faith.

Exo 28:37

TURBAN: “Mitre” (AV). A crown, on forehead. “As frontlets between your eyes” (Deu 6:6-9). Our minds always engraved with mind of God; “sealed” (Rev 7:2,3; Zec 3:4; 2Co 3:3; 11:22).

Exo 29:4

WASH THEM WITH WATER: And anoint them with oil (v 7), and blood (v 20).

Exo 29:9

ORDAIN: The AV mg has: “fill the hands of”. A priest in the service of the Father was to always have his hands full with the service of the Truth.

Exo 29:10

See Lesson, Laying on of hands.

Exo 29:20

The full consecration of the High Priest and his sons involved four aspects, and in all of them Christ is prefigured:

(1) Firstly, the right ear, which of course includes the head, was sprinkled or purified with the blood of the sacrifice. This purifying plainly touches hearing, and thus the intellect — and stresses that the cleansing of the great priest who would represent all the people was a mental one, in which he knowingly and willingly participated.

In like manner, Christ himself, the greater High Priest of a more perfect Law, voluntarily participated in the shedding of his own blood, and was consecrated a High Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron (Heb 7). This aspect of his cleansing — for his obedience in sacrifice was surely for himself as well as others — found its fulfillment when the crown of thorns was brutally crushed down upon his head and his ears.

(2) Secondly, Aaron and his sons were cleansed when the blood of the sacrifice was placed on the thumbs of their right hands. This would signify that their hands, and the works of those hands, would be consecrated, or dedicated, to Yahweh.

Likewise, Christ’s hands, being pierced with the Roman spikes, were consecrated to the work of his Father. And those hands had always done the work that his Father called him to do; this work was finalized on the cross at Golgotha.

(3) Thirdly, Aaron and his sons received the blood of the big toes of their right feet; the feet would signify their “walk”, or general conduct.

This portion of the picture as regarding Christ was completed when the nails pierced his feet also. As his walk, his life, all his conduct, had glorified God… so did his final steps which brought him to the cross, to lay down his life, his perfect life, for others.

(4) Finally, the remaining blood was sprinkled against the altar on all sides: thus signifying that all who stood with Aaron and his sons around the altar on which they would offer sacrifice — that is, all the nation of Israel — were participants in this consecration.

This final aspect of the High Priest’s consecration has great meaning for all of us; we stand round about the “altar” (which is Christ: Heb 13:10), and thus we are touched, indirectly, by the blood of Christ, in our belief and baptism into his death (Rom 6). Figuratively speaking, when his side was pierced and the blood flowed forth to stain the soil round about the cross, we were there, and we were touched by that sprinkled blood, and our sins were forgiven.

Let us stand, or rather kneel, with awe and reverence and the deepest gratitude, at the foot of the cross. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20).

Exo 29:22

THE FAT TAIL: Eastern sheep have a very large appendage of fat on tail (LB 97).

Exo 29:45

THEN I WILL DWELL AMONG THE ISRAELITES AND BE THEIR GOD: “Why would God want to dwell among this people? They were an uncouth lot, always murmuring and complaining, wishing that they had stayed in Egypt. Why would God want to dwell among them? Answer — He called them out of Egypt to be His Family on earth. He was their Father. And as a Father He wants to dwell with His children, to experience their growth, watch their ‘first steps’, hear their ‘first words’, attend to their education and schooling, provide for their needs. Without saying so in so many words, God is telling Israel that He wants to move in with them, just as any parent likes to be in touch with their children and to experience the joys that raising a family can bring (2Co 6:17)” (CY).

Exo 30:1

Exo 30: “Further details of the tabernacle furnishings are now provided together with further instructions. The altar of incense was near the Most Holy, and represented the daily rising of the prayers of the people. This is described in vv 1-10. It was an altar, as prayers are in the form of a sacrificial offering to Yahweh, based upon the offering of the Messiah. Notice that Aaron was to dress the lamps when he burns incense on the altar (v 7). This taught the need for a combination of the Word (the lamps) and prayer (incense). Both are necessary because the Word reflects the Voice of God to us, and Prayer is the Voice of ourselves speaking back to the Father. Atonement was required for the altar annually, to teach the need to hallow the divine work from the uncleanness of the children of Israel. Similarly the Christ altar required cleansing (Joh 16:24; 17:19), to make prayers efficacious. When the High Priest sinned in his official capacity or when the congregation sinned through inadvertence, blood was placed on the horns (Lev 4:3,21). Then the ch outlined the law concerning the ransom of souls (vv 11-16), the laver (vv 17-21), and the holy anointing oil (vv 22-33). In all cases specific and important laws were given to instruct the people in the holiness of Yahweh, and the need to come before Him in an appropriate and proper manner” (GEM).

“Make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense” (Exo 30:1).

“Morning and evening, incense was burnt on this altar. Plainly, incense symbolizes prayer: Psa 141:2: “Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense” (cp Rev 5:8-10; Luk 1:10). The incense was ignited by coals from the altar of burnt offering. Thus, the two altars are connected — teaching us that acceptable prayer must be offered to God through Jesus Christ our sacrifice.

“The incense… is ‘the prayer of saints’ (Rev 5:8; 8:4). It is a daily obligation: a daily benefit — a pleasure of God and an advantage to His people. I have known men argue against its necessity. They say, ‘God knows, without being told.’ This is true, but is not a good reason for the neglect of prayer, in view of the great help it is to us in gendering the habit of expansion of mind towards God, in view of the pleasure it affords to God, and in view of its inculcation by this Mosaic lesson. ‘The Lord taketh not pleasure in fools.’ ‘He taketh pleasure in the righteous.’ ‘The prayer of the righteous is his delight.’ All these things are testified; and it was shown in unmistakable parable when the high priest every morning put sweet-smelling incense in his censer on the fire taken from the altar, and waved his censer before the Lord in the holy place” (LM 193).

Exo 30:2

ITS HORNS OF ONE PIECE: Suggesting cherubim figures on its faces (winged oxen?).

Exo 30:3

TOP: More lit, the “roof”.

SIDES: More lit, the “walls”.

MOLDING: “Crown” (KJV), the battlement, or parapet, encircling the “roof” of the “house”. Purpose: to keep incense from falling off (cp law of parapet on roofs, Deu 22:8). One reason to be on roof: to pray (ie Peter in Act 10:9). Thus the altar of incense is equated with a house, and the incense on the top with individuals engaged in prayer!

Exo 30:4

Exo 30:4..

THE POLES USED TO CARRY IT: Thus the incense altar was portable — teaching that prayer is acceptable in all places (Mal 1:11; Joh 4:21-23).

Exo 30:7

EVERY MORNING: Manna given (Exo 16:21). Fire on the altar (Lev 6:12). Incense offered (here). Praise offered (1Ch 23:30). Service offered (1Ch 9:27). Sacrifice presented (2Ch 2:4; 13:11). God visits (Job 7:18). God is their arm (Isa 33:2). His compassions new (Lam 3:23). The Philistines present themselves (1Sa 17:16). God silences the wicked (Psa 101:8). Judgment (Zep 3:5). Administer justice (Jer 21:12).

Exo 30:9

DO NOT OFFER… ANY OTHER INCENSE: Other types of incense would be peculiar to worship of other gods. This incense must be made according to the formula of vv 34-38.

Exo 30:18

Those already consecrated as priests washed hands and feet daily, before engaging in their ordinary duties in holy place. Repr cleansing agent of word of God (Eph 5:26: “washing” = “laver” in Greek): Psa 119:9; Joh 15:3. There is a constant need, to “wash” every day our “hands” (work) and “feet” (walk).

BRONZE BASIN… FOR WASHING: Made of polished mirrors of tabernacle women (Exo 38:8).

Laver was almost certainly circular, as was temple laver (1Ki 7:23-29).

Exo 30:20

ALTAR: Sym prayer through Christ: Heb 13:10; Rev 6:9.

Exo 30:23

Vv 23,24: Holy anointing oil: Of Christ, the bridegroom: “Your name is as ointment poured forth”: Song 1:3; Psa 133:2; Joh 12:3; 19:33,34.

FINE: “Rosh”; translated “head” (Psa 23:5), “excellent” (Psa 141:5). Ref to Christ, the great high priest and perfect sacrifice.

MYRRH: “Drop, distill”: here, the free-flowing kind, exudes voluntarily from tree. Myrrh is bitter, yet purifying, soothing, cleansing. Ref bitterness of death, sacrifice: Joh 1:36; 3:14-16; 12:32,33; Eph 5:2,25-27.

CINNAMON: “Stand upright”. “Sweet odors” of Est 2:12, related to purification. Cp Song 4:12-16. Ref upright character of Christ (cp Song 7:7,8, upright palm).

FRAGRANT CANE: “Calamus” (AV). “Aromatic reed cane”, used of a shaft with hollow center, expressing inner thoughts: the sweet inner pith.

Exo 30:24

CASSIA: “Cleave, stoop down” (5:9). Humility of Christ: 2Co 8:9; Phi 2:5-8; Psa 110:7. “Cleave to”: ie Rth 1:14. Christ always cleaved to God.

Exo 30:25

THE WORK OF A PERFUMER: AV has “the art of the apothecary”. “When God told the children of Israel to make an holy anointing oil He gave them the recipe, yet He said it was to be made after the art of the apothecary. In spite of the fact that the exact ingredients and the exact amounts of each were Divinely specified, it still required the art of the apothecary to blend it into the holy anointing oil. The art of a man was used to serve God!

“Those of us who are not cooks know that it takes more than just the recipe to make a cake. We can follow it to the letter and our creation will be nothing in comparison to the cake that mother used to make from the same recipe. The art of the cook is important to the making of a delicious cake.

“So it is in our work in God’s vineyard, He wants us to use our art, our skill in ministering to the saints; and if we do this faithfully… The truth does not turn out peas in a pod. God wants us to develop our individualities, our skills, our arts for Him. God does not want uniformity but unity. The four Gospels all show the personalities of the writers while telling us the story of the life of Christ. Each was true, but each revealed the life of Jesus after the art of the writer. These men were devoted to a life of service to God and yet Peter and John were as different as day and night. Each loved the Lord, and Jesus loved them both. Each served God with his whole heart, but their approaches to things were entirely different. We need to remember that God made each of us different, and He did not make a mistake when He made us” (MM).

Exo 30:32

ON MEN’S BODIES: “Upon ordinary men” (cp v 30).

Exo 30:34

Here we have the spices that are used to make up the incense for the altar, which should burn perpetually (v 8) throughout their generations. It had to be the right incense as any other was classed as strange incense (v 9).

GUM RESIN: “Stacte” (AV) is from a root meaning “to distil,” and it has been by some interpreted as distilled myrrh. Others regard it as the gum of the storax tree, or rather shrub, the Styrax officinale.

ONYCHA: The claw or nail of the strombus or wing-shell, a univalve common in the Red Sea.

GALBANUM: A gum, probably from the Galbanum officinale.

PURE FRANKINCENSE: An odorous resin imported from Arabia (Isa 60:6, Jer 6:20) yet also growing in Palestine (Song 4:14).

Exo 30:37

This special formula was never to be used for ordinary purposes.

Exo 31:2

BEZALEL: “In the shadow of EL” (cp Psa 91:1: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty”). Cp also Psa 57:1; 63:7.

URI: “Light”; cp “Urim” (plural).

HUR: Whiteness, splendor”.

OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH: Cp Jesus, of Judah, likewise the son of “Light” (1Jo 1:5; cp Joh 9:5), being the brightness of his Father’s glory (Heb 1:3) (Xd 121:335).

See Lesson, Carpenter and tentmaker.

Exo 31:3

I HAVE FILLED HIM WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD: “Let us find a work to do and do it with all our might. Let us develop our skill as did Bezaleel whom God chose and filled him with wisdom and understanding in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship to devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver and in brass. Speaking of him and his assistant, Aholiab, Moses says ‘them hath God filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work.’ God will fill our hearts with wisdom also if we have a mind to work. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; says Solomon. Become addicted to the work of the Lord. Use your skill, your art, your energy in God’s service. May we each respond as did Isaiah when he heard the Lord saying ‘Whom will I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me’ ” (MM).

Exo 31:6

OHOLIAB: “The Father’s tent” (cp v 2n).

Exo 22:1

Vv 1-9: Restitution varies here according to several factors. First, restitution varies, depending on whether the stolen animal is recovered. Second, restitution varies according to the value of the animal, especially with regard to the productivity of the beast. If a man’s ox was stolen, the fields could not be plowed, the wagon pulled, or the grain threshed. Thus, a stolen (and not recovered) ox was to be paid for fivefold, while a sheep only fourfold. In Lev 6, the sacrificial system provided a means for the thief to repent, to make restitution, and to obtain forgiveness. In the New Testament, Zaccheus demonstrated his repentance by restoring fourfold what he had wrongly taken (Luke 19:8-10).

Restitution kept the offender out of prison, and kept him in society. It also enabled him to make his offense right by repaying the victim of the crime in a way that replaced the harm by a positive benefit. Thus, both the offender and the offended could live together, both with a sense of justice and human dignity. Today, most often, the victim receives little or no compensation, the offender makes no restitution, and is forced to live apart from society, at a price society is penalized to pay.

Restitution is a corrective, but not a cure for the crime of stealing. The Bible clearly prescribes the cure, especially in the New Testament. Crime would have the thief get ahead at the expense of one’s neighbor. Justice would have one person gain while, at the same time, the other party gained equally. Jesus Christ teaches that we should be willing to sacrifice our own interests if that benefits our neighbor: “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you” (Mat 5:42). “And if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same thing. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men” (Luk 6:32-35).

Christ calls for nothing less than a complete reversal of the attitudes and actions of the thief: “Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need (Eph 4:28).

The thief does not wish to work, but rather to live off of others who work. The thief looks upon the needy as the vulnerable, whose weaknesses he may very well use to his advantage, and thus to prey upon them. The Christian must put away laziness and go to work. The Christian views the needs of others as the opportunity to manifest the love and grace of God to men, and thus reaches out to help, giving of his own resources.

Exo 22:6

Very seldom in the East are there roads, fences, etc to divide fields of one man from another. Thus fires spread very rapidly (LB 343).

Exo 22:8

JUDGES: “Elohim”, or “God” (NIV mg).

Exo 22:16

SEDUCES: Or “entices” (AV). This, in ct to Deu 22:28,29 (“forced” or “rapes… violated”: NIV).

Exo 22:26

Great extremes of climate in the East. May be very hot during the day (and thus no need for an outer garment), but very cold at night.

Exo 22:28

GOD: “Elohim”, or “judges” (AV mg; NIV mg). Translated “gods” (AV)!

Exo 23:1

Exo 23: “The righteousness of Yahweh is revealed in the Law of Moses. In all its wondrous ritual, and righteous decrees, the Law shows the way in which the divine character and life can be developed in the individual. This ch provides [1] Seven laws of social ethics (vv 1-9), [2] Six laws of religious worship concerning the sabbaths and feasts (vv 10-19), and [3] Four laws of conquest (vv 20-33). The commandments shows the way in which a division must be observed in actions. The personal laws in the Book of the Covenant terminate with the remarkable instruction of v 19, which is thrice repeated in the Law (v 19; Exo 24:16; Deu 14:21). The prohibition not to boil a kid in his mother’s milk seems to constitute a warning against allowing that which is designed for life to become the means of death. The over-indulgence of children can cause that, and has been sad cause of many lives lost for the kingdom (Num 14:3-31), seen in Eli’s sons (1Sa 3:13), Adonijah (1Ki 1:6). Compare Pro 19:18; 23:13-14; 29:15; 1Ti 3:4. The final v in Exo 23 draws attention to Yahweh’s constant concern for unstable flesh. That generation in the wilderness failed under test (Num 11:13)” (GEM).

Exo 23:4

YOUR ENEMY’S: Not merely “your brother’s”, as in Mat 22:4. “Brother”, as used by Jesus, sig all men. These phrases are added because of man’s inherent readiness to exclude some from fraternal relation.

Exo 23:19

DO NOT COOK A YOUNG GOAT IN ITS MOTHER’S MILK: Found in Exo 23:19; 34:26 and Deu 14:21. Five possibilities: (1) The mother would suffer from still producing milk, with no offspring to nurse. (2) The Canaanites worshiped milk as coming from certain goddesses (ie, keep away from worship of idols of land). (3) A prohibition against imitating the superstitious rites of the Egyptians, who, at the end of their harvest, cooked a kid in its mother’s milk and sprinkled the broth as a magical charm on their gardens and fields, to render them more productive the following season (JFB). (4) The suckling should not be killed so young, cut off in its prime. (Christ the sacrifice suffered in the midst of his own people.) (5) Do not “destroy” your child with the “milk” of excessive kindness/coddling!

Exo 23:20

ANGEL: “Malak” = God’s messenger or agent. Angel of God’s presence (Isa 63:9). Immortal, void of fleshly lusts: Exo 32:34; 33:2.

Exo 23:21

MY NAME IS IN HIM: All the angel’s speech is directed by God’s power: Rev 19:13; Jdg 2:1-4; Joh 5:43; 8:47; Gen 28:12.

Exo 23:28

HORNET: Hieroglyphic sym of the united dynasty of upper and lower Egypt. Thutmose III had undertaken 3 campaigns against Canaan. He extorted much wealth, leaving the land in a weakened condition (Arch Expl 25; Dawn 58:5).

Exo 23:31

THE SEA OF THE PHILISTINES: The only time the Mediterranean Sea is so called.

Exo 24:2

THE OTHERS MUST NOT COME NEAR: The mediation of Moses was to keep apart, in ct to that of Jesus, which was to bring together. Cp Deu 5:5; ct Eph 2:14. Israel is shut out from the presence of God. The way to a meal of fellowship (v 11) is through a sacrifice (vv 4-7).

Exo 24:3

Vv 3-11: Virtually everything pertaining to the Law of Moses — the tabernacle, the altar, the vessels, the priests, and the common people, as well as the actual Book in which the covenant was written — all this was sanctified by the sprinkled blood (Heb 9:19-22). The blood of the sacrifices was, legally speaking, the means by which the whole of the agreement was sealed or confirmed; without the sprinkled blood on all the parts, or parties, of the covenant, there would have been no covenant! (The leaders of Israel also saw God on the mountain, and then participated in a special meal: Exo 24:11.)

Exo 24:4

Cp the “altar” of Christ on the cross, surrounded by 12 “pillars”/apostles (Gal 2:9), and then the rest of Israel.

12 STONE PILLARS: An affirmation that the 12 tribes would never return to Egypt. Cp usage of pillar in Gen 31:45-52. Ct Num 14:14. 12 = number of governmental perfection; 12 thrones promised to the 12 apostles.

Exo 24:6

BLOOD… ON THE ALTAR: Christ’s sacrifice, efficacious for Christ himself (the firstfruits) (Heb 13:20; 7:27; Zec 9:9; etc) and then for others.

Exo 24:7

THEN HE TOOK THE BOOK OF THE COVENANT AND READ IT TO THE PEOPLE: The people listened and were encouraged to observe all of the words of the law. But this was not just a single reading. There was repetition — a very important learning tool for human beings: Deu 31:11-13; Acts 13:15; Col 4:16. Ct the bad example of Israel: Jer 7:23,24.

Exo 24:8

SPRINKLED IT ON THE PEOPLE: Christ’s sacrifice, for his brethren.

THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT: Cp the bread and wine passed to the brethren at the Last Supper (cp v 11 here).

Exo 24:10

The throne of God: Eze 1:22,26; Rev 4.

Exo 24:11

BUT GOD DID NOT RAISE HIS HAND AGAINST THESE LEADERS OF THE ISRAELITES; THEY SAW GOD, AND THEY ATE AND DRANK: “Those who have been called to mount Zion enjoy a similar experience. They have been privileged to see the body of heaven in its clearness, the beauty of the Son of God, the revelation of the Father. Called out from among men they have been drawn into a fellowship based on the offering of Jesus once for all. Although the death of the Son of God forms the basis of their approach to the Lord’s table, yet the Lord does not lay His hand upon them when they draw near to behold and to eat and drink” (MMS 80).

Exo 24:18

AND HE STAYED ON THE MOUNTAIN FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS: During this period of forty days, and the second period when the tables were renewed, it appears that Moses neither ate bread nor drank water. Cp Exo 34:28; Deu 9:9. In like manner, Elijah fasted for forty days, when he visited the same place (1Ki 19:8). They were the two who met our Saviour on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mat 17:3), the one representing the law, the other representing the Prophets. Thus they foreshadowed in their own experiences Jesus’ own fast of 40 days in the wilderness of Judea (Luk 4:1-13).

Exo 25:3

Vv 3-8: Were these “spoils” from Egypt? And so the tabernacle of Israel was built with materials from the Gentiles.

Exo 25:5

SEA COWS: Heb “tachashim”. Translated, variously, “sea cows” (NIV; WEB); “dugongs” (mg); “porpoises” (NASB); “seals” (JPS); or “badgers” (KJV; Roth). The general scholarly consensus on the word is that it is Egyptian in origin. The Arabic word “duhas” refers to a dolphin. They are common in the Red Sea; their skins are used for clothing by the Bedouin. The word has also been connected to an Egyptian word for “leather” (BDB). This is followed by NRSV and NET (“fine leather”).

Exo 25:6

OLIVE OIL FOR THE LIGHT: It was not every oil that might be used in the Lord’s service; neither the petroleum which exudes so plentifully from the earth, nor the produce of fishes, nor that extracted from nuts would be accepted; one oil only was selected, and that the best olive oil. Pretended grace from natural goodness, fancied grace from priestly hands, or imaginary grace from outward ceremonies will never serve the true saint of God; he knows that the Lord would not be pleased with rivers of such oil. He goes to the olive-press of Gethsemane, and draws his supplies from him who was crushed therein. The oil of gospel grace is pure and free from lees and dregs, and hence the light which is fed thereon is clear and bright. Our churches are the Saviour’s golden candelabra, and if they are to be lights in this dark world, they must have much holy oil” (CHS).

Exo 25:8

AND I WILL DWELL AMONG THEM: The antitype, Christ, “tabernacled among men” (Joh 1:14), to reveal God’s glory.

The instructions (which follow) start with the central piece in the tabernacle and work their way outward. This order focuses on the purpose for which the tabernacle was made — it was derived from God, and starts with His presence in the midst of Israel, and then radiates outward.

“Reading through the instructions for making the tabernacle it is interesting to note that God begins giving his instructions at the centre of the tabernacle and gradually works outwards.

“At the very centre is the Ark and the atonement cover — the place that God would meet with his people. In the same way that the Ark, the most precious piece of furniture, was at the centre of the tabernacle, so we need to keep our God at the very centre of our lives and let his influence spread outwards from us.

“The table is the next to be described. It was used to hold the bread of the presence. It held twelve loaves of bread – one for each tribe. Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life’ (John 6:35). He came for us so that if we believe in him we would never be hungry. God has provided Jesus as our bread. And just as there was one loaf of bread for each tribe, so there is enough bread for each of us.

“Jesus also said, ‘I am the light of the world’ (John 8:12). In the same way as the lampstand gave light to those near God in the tabernacle, so Jesus is our light to show us the way to God.

Access to God, the bread of life and the light of the world are all thing that God supplies for us — things we need to have life. But there is one item of furniture missing — the altar of incense which represents our prayers to our God. It is missing here because we are being taught that God provides for us to come to him, but prayer is what we give to God.

“What amazing grace he gives us in opening the way for us to come to him” (RP).

Exo 25:10

What happened to ark? 2Ma 2:4,5 says Jeremiah hid it in a cave on Mt Nebo. In Christ’s time the most holy place was empty.

Exo 25:16

The ark contained 3 items: (1) golden pot of manna (Exo 16:33,34) (Christ as bread of life: Joh 6); (2) Aaron’s rod that budded (Num 17) (sym divine selection, authority, resurrection); and (3) tables of covenant (here; Exo 40:20) (divine law). See Heb 9:4n.

Exo 25:17

ATONEMENT COVER OF PURE GOLD: Sym faith (Rom 3:25n). Christ the “covering” for sins (Rom 4:7; Gal 3:26-28). A man of faith, shaped by trials, beaten into shape by God.

Exo 25:18

CHERUBIM OF GOLD: Their faces looked upon the blood-sprinkled mercy seat (cp 1Pe 1:12). Ref multitudinous Christ (cp Eze 1:10 with Rev 4:7; 5:9,10), when in glory united with Christ. In them God’s glory shines forth (Psa 80:1; Rom 5:2).

Exo 25:20

Their faces looked upon the blood-sprinkled mercy seat (cp 1Pe 1:12). Lesson: we must look toward Christ.

Exo 25:22

Ark of testimony: also called: “ark of covenant” (Num 10:33); “ark of God” (1Sa 3:3); “ark of Lord God” (1Ki 2:26); “ark of Lord of all earth” (Jos 3:13); “the holy ark” (2Ch 35:3); “the ark of thy strength” (Psa 132:8).

THERE… I WILL MEET WITH YOU: Did Moses go into the Most Holy? Prob yes (Num 17:4).

BETWEEN THE TWO CHERUBIM: Cp cherubim of Gen 3:24.

Exo 25:23

The table for the shewbread, or “bread of the Presence” (Lev 24:5-9; 21:6). Typ our memorial table (Act 2:42).

Exo 25:25

A RIM: A horizontal strip running around all 4 sides. This held the silver trumpets with which to assemble the people (Num 10:2-10).

Exo 25:29

FOR THE POURING OUT: The table held cups for wine, as well as plates for bread (Lev 24; Num 28:7).

Exo 25:30

BREAD OF THE PRESENCE: “Bread of the faces”. Called also “perpetual bread” (Num 4:7).

Exo 25:31

See Lesson, Lampstand.

HAMMER IT OUT… OF ONE PIECE WITH IT: Not joined together at seams, or melted, but rather one continuous undivided unity, shaped by affliction. “Hammered” or “beaten” (AV): Christ (Isa 53:5,10), his saints (Lev 2:1,14; 24:2; Exo 29:40; 37:7; Gal 2:20; Phi 3:10). “Of one piece”, ie “One Body”!

Exo 25:32

BRANCHES… ALMOND (v 33): Repr an almond tree! The tree of life (Gen 3:24; Num 17:8). The 7 ecclesias are a tree of life, because they offer Christ to world (Pro 15:4; 11:30; Psa 1:3; Rev 22:1,2; cp sym: Rev 1:13). Also, a symbolic representation of the burning bush!

Exo 25:34

ON THE LAMPSTAND: That is, on the one central branch.

Exo 25:40

The earthly: a shadow of the heavenly. The natural: a shadow of the spiritual. “According to the true tabernacle”: Heb 8:5; 9:23,24. “An artist, in drawing a pattern for some fabric or utensil, will supply a style of ornamentation that is harmonious throughout, whether simple or elaborate; and so an architect, working out a plan for a building, will observe the same style of architecture down to the minutest details, where an uncultured mind would either omit all correspondence or introduce incongruous features. It is certainly an added beauty to the work of God among men that its opening personal incidents should bear a general resemblance to its final developments on a larger scale — and so be a sort of prophecy — which enabled Paul to say ‘which things are an allegory’. Whatever we may think of it, there the fact undoubtedly is; and it would be a pity to make the mistake of those who stoutly shut their eyes and maintain there are no types and shadows connected either with the history or the institutions of Israel under Moses” (LM 105).