Exodus 33-40
(Donna's comments interspersed with uncited quotes from Unger’s Commentary on the Old Testament, The Moody Bible Commentary, and Walk Thru the Bible Ministries-Your Daily Walk)
Background:
If you have time read Hebrews 8-10.
In chapter 25-27 Moses received from God the detailed blueprint for the “church in the wilderness”—the tabernacle which would be Israel’s place of worship. In minute detail Moses learns about the furnishings, coverings, curtains, and courtyard. Everything was to be built “according to the fashion…which was shewed thee in the mount” (26:30). The description moves from the inside out, reflecting not the perspective of a man looking in, but of God looking out.
The various aspects of the tabernacle—the furnishings, the coverings, the courtyard, the furniture—all symbolize some aspect of our life with God. We enter the sphere of spiritual life, approaching the Holy One through the sacrifice, being cleansed by the water, and entering the Holy Place in worship and commitment. The tabernacle in its essence pictures the relationship we have as believers with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, who is our High Priest. The tabernacle served as the place where God met with His people, and it symbolized the perfect approach to God we have been given through the blood of Christ, who “tabernacled” with us while on earth. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14). Because of His perfect offering of Himself—an unblemished, perfectly acceptable sacrifice made once for all time—we have redemption and eternal life. And because of that, we can enter boldly the Holy of Holies to fellowship intimately with our God. Jesus Christ fulfilled the requirements of God on our behalf, empowering us to live holy lives, enabling us to draw upon His strength and peace. “But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. (Hebrews 9:11-12)
After describing the place of worship (the tabernacle), Moses goes on to detail the people of worship (the priests, Israel’s representatives before God). Everything about them is special, from the clothing they wear to the elaborate rituals they perform in leading the worship of the nation. Both they and the implements of worship they use require special purification, as befitting those in the service of a holy God. Even the builders who are selected to follow the divine blueprint for the tabernacle are handpicked by God for their skill and craftsmanship.
Apart from the symbolism found in the tabernacle, its foremost significance was this: The tabernacle represented God come to dwell among men and women, the beacon of God’s presence among His people. In addition, the priest’s role was to act as a go-between, a bridge-builder, someone who could stand on behalf of sinful mankind before the holy God.
In the New Testament, there is a beautiful blending of these two themes. Where does God dwell today? He continues to dwell among people by indwelling those who have turned their lives over to Him. “…do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) And[DM1] whom has He called to be priests today, bringing sinful people back to their holy God? The very ones He indwells. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9). You are both the tabernacle that God indwells and the priest that God empowers to call men back to Himself.
Exodus (32)33: Israel’s Idolatry and Moses’ Intercession
While Moses receives God’s laws on the mountain, the Israelites are busy on the plains below. Concluding that their leader has died in the presence of God, they fashion their gold jewelry into a replica of an Egyptian god and turn the camp into a grotesque pagan party. Moses returns and in righteous anger shatters the two stone tablets, destroys the golden calf, and orders the Levites to purge the camp of the guilty Israelites. But though the newly adopted covenant between God and His people has been shattered (as illustrated in the two broken tablet), repentance and restoration are only a prayer away. Moses prayed, “Yet now, if You will forgive their sin---but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written” (Ex. 32:30-32). “If your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here…So the Lord said to Moses, I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name” (Ex. 33:12-17).
Exodus 34: Recommitment and Renewing
Moses returned to Mt. Sinai for 40 more days (34:28), receiving additional instructions from the Lord, and again God carved the Ten Commandments onto tablets of stone. When Moses returned to the camp, it was impossible for him to conceal the fact that he had been in the presence of the Lord. His face made that clear to all those around him. Our task is the same; to reflect the glory of Jesus to others around us.
Exodus 35-39: The Tabernacle is Organized through Contributions by the People, Construction by the Craftsmen, and Consecration by Moses
In chapter 25-28, Moses set forth the plan for constructing and erecting the tabernacle. In chapters 36-39 we read the performance of that plan as Moses’ instructions are carried out to the letter, making the tabernacle a reality. The requirement was 100%. It’s like baking a cake. Follow the recipe to the letter and you get a delicious dessert; omit some ingredients or instructions and you get a culinary catastrophe. When it comes to holiness or obedience, halfway measures will not do. You are not to love the Lord with most of your heart, a portion of your soul, and a tithe of your mind. (Deuteronomy 6:5) The ongoing construction of your life as God’s temple demands no less care than the building of Israel’s tabernacle if your life is to radiate His glory and bear witness of His name.
Exodus 40: The Finishing and Filling of the Tabernacle
The tabernacle was completed and erected in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month (Ex. 40:17). This was about one year from the time the nation had arrived at Sinai. All that time they had devoted themselves to this project. The tent was set up, the ark was brought in, the mercy seat was installed, and the furniture was put in place. All the now familiar items are mentioned here, as a summary, as a final checklist. Quite literally everything was falling into place; then Moses and Aaron and the priests washed, and they looked around and it was all there and it was finished. Moses had finished the tabernacle, a vehicle to show the value of having “atonement.” By contrast, Jesus actually provided atonement. “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘it is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30)
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The book of Exodus closes with the record of how the tabernacle and priestly garments are completed exactly as God instructed. The people donate the materials, and the chosen artisans do the work. Moses inspects the finished product, the furnishings are set in place, and Aaron and his sons are anointed for service. Finally, the grand culmination of the work is reached when the cloud of the glory of the Lord covers, then settles on the tent and God declares His satisfaction by filling the tent with His glory. For the next 480 years, the tabernacle will remain the focal point of the nation’s worship.
Unger’s Commentary on the Old Testament
The Moody Bible Commentary
Walk Thru the Bible Ministries-Your Daily Walk
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