July 22

EXODUS 27

⁹ “You shall make the court of the tabernacle. On the south side the court shall have hangings of fine twined linen a hundred cubits long for one side. ¹⁰ Its twenty pillars and their twenty bases shall be of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. ¹¹ And likewise for its length on the north side there shall be hangings a hundred cubits long, its pillars twenty and their bases twenty, of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. ¹² And for the breadth of the court on the west side there shall be hangings for fifty cubits, with ten pillars and ten bases. ¹³ The breadth of the court on the front to the east shall be fifty cubits. ¹⁴ The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. ¹⁵ On the other side the hangings shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. – Exodus 27:9-15

EXODUS 27 INSTRUCTIONS ON THE OUTER WALLS OF THE TABERNACLE

The following verses narrates God’s instructions on the outer walls of the tabernacle. He wanted fine twined linens of hundred cubits long for one side with bases of bronze and the hooks of the pillars made of silver. Both the north and south side have equal number of pillars, bases and hooks. The west and the east side have the same fifty cubits in its breadth with ten pillars and ten bases.

What do these outer walls of the tabernacle symbolize in the life of Christians? The twined linens symbolized “righteous acts of the saints” according to a commentary. As Rev.19:8 says, the bride was granted to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure. Without Jesus, we cannot be cleansed because we are all sinners. Linen was white and reflects the light, which makes sense why the Lord God wanted it to be used in the outer walls of the tabernacle. We cannot enter the holiness of God when we are unclean. In the book of Matthew 5:14-16, we are reminded of what Jesus said in the sermon on the mount. We are supposed to be the light shining in this dark world.

Bronze symbolizes judgment and because Jesus took the judgment of God on us when we broke God’s laws, we cannot flee from God’s judgment unless we come through Christ. Silver is a symbol of redemption and refinement. It is good for us to be reminded that as we are being redeemed, we are also being refined into the image of God.  He made us out of love and righteousness. Let us live in this imprint he gave us.

REFLECTION

• How can one protect oneself from the automated sinful nature?

July 21

EXODUS 27

“You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits. ² And you shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze. ³ You shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and fire pans. You shall make all its utensils of bronze. ⁴ You shall also make for it a grating, a network of bronze, and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners. ⁵ And you shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net extends halfway down the altar. ⁶ And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. ⁷ And the poles shall be put through the rings, so that the poles are on the two sides of the altar when it is carried. ⁸ You shall make it hollow, with boards. As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made. – Exodus 27:1-8

EXODUS 27 ON THE MAKING OF THE ALTAR

According to a website on bible plants, this type of wood was only mentioned in the making of the altar in the tabernacle and Noah’s ark build. Acacia wood grows very slow, and because of this, the wood is hard and dense. It is very strong and resistant to decay. When pierced, its sap can be used as both pharmaceutical and a preservative. According to inspiredscriptures.com. this symbolized Christ. In Psalm 16:10, David alludes to this non-decaying state of all those who believe in him. No wonder God specified this type of wood to be used in the making of the altar to foreshadow his Son’s strength and indestructibility.

Furthermore, the commentary says that the altar turned the sin into ash. That sin had to be disposed of because sin cannot be in God’s presence. To do this, God ordered the Jews to prepare bronze utensils to remove and dispose of the ash. This again foreshadowed Christ. His blood will not just cover your sins. His blood will take away your sins: “The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”’ (John 1:29). The altar was designed to be portable. The Levites carried it using acacia / shittim poles. This signifies that Christ will bring His sacrificed blood to any place where a sinner may repent.

REFLECTION

• Why do you think God was very specific with the wood to be used in the altar?

July 17

EXODUS 26

“Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them. ² The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall be the same size. ³ Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another. ⁴ And you shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set. Likewise you shall make loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set. ⁵ Fifty loops you shall make on the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain that is in the second set; the loops shall be opposite one another. ⁶ And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains one to the other with the clasps, so that the tabernacle may be a single whole. – Exodus 26:1-6

EXODUS 26 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TABERNACLE

It is with such specific details that the Lord God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle. In this account, he specified the fabric to be used to make the ten curtains made of fine twined linen and ordered Moses to have the color purple, scarlet and blue to be used to skillfully weave the design with cherubim imprinted on them.

One commentary says that in many of the Gospels, we see Christ portrayed as the fine linen that the priest could see while serving. This curtain was composed of fine linen which represents Christ’s pure humanity. On it, cherubim were embroidered with different colors of thread that symbolize different aspects of Christ’s humanity. The blue thread represents Christ’s heavenliness, the gold thread, His divinity, the purple thread, His kingliness and the scarlet threat, that He is our Redeemer.

God doesn’t just direct Moses without a purpose. It was to foreshadow that when Jesus comes to redeem us, this temple with the tabernacle in it will be destroyed just like what happened when Jesus died on the cross.

What an intentional designer God is. He thought of everything. He always has a purpose for all the instructions he gives to Moses as a preparation for his Son’s coming to redeem us all from our sins.

REFLECTION

• Why do you think it is important for us to follow God’s instructions on everything in our lives including specific details?

July 16

EXODUS 25

³¹ “You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. ³² And there shall be six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of one side of it and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it; ³³ three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on the other branch—so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. ³⁴ And on the lampstand itself there shall be four cups made like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and flowers, ³⁵ and a calyx of one piece with it under each pair of the six branches going out from the lampstand. ³⁶ Their calyxes and their branches shall be of one piece with it, the whole of it a single piece of hammered work of pure gold. ³⁷ You shall make seven lamps for it. And the lamps shall be set up so as to give light on the space in front of it. ³⁸ Its tongs and their trays shall be of pure gold. ³⁹ It shall be made, with all these utensils, out of a talent of pure gold. ⁴⁰ And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain. – Exodus 25:31-40

EXODUS 25 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE LAMPSTAND

The Hebrew word for lampstand is “menorah” which means “to flame”. It was to give light to the priests who work in the Holy Place of the tabernacle. The next thing God ordered to be made was a splendid candlestick, made of pure solid gold and Moses was given very detailed instructions as to the materials, design and specific dimensions of it. We witness a God who is very functionally creative and specific about anything he wants done.

According to some sources, the seven lamps allude to the branches of human knowledge, represented by the six lamps inclined inwards towards, and symbolically guided by, the light of God represented by the central lamp. The menorah also symbolizes the creation in seven days, with the center light representing the Sabbath.

According to a commentary, the tabernacle had no windows, so no light from the outside could come into the holy place. It just made perfect sense why God wanted specifically to have something there to light the area. In 2 Peter 1:19 it says that the word of God is the lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

REFLECTION

·       What does the lampstand symbolize in the life of a Christian?

July 15

EXODUS 25

²³ “You shall make a table of acacia wood. Two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. ²⁴ You shall overlay it with pure gold and make a molding of gold around it. ²⁵ And you shall make a rim around it a handbreadth wide, and a molding of gold around the rim. ²⁶ And you shall make for it four rings of gold, and fasten the rings to the four corners at its four legs. ²⁷ Close to the frame the rings shall lie, as holders for the poles to carry the table. ²⁸ You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, and the table shall be carried with these. ²⁹ And you shall make its plates and dishes for incense, and its flagons and bowls with which to pour drink offerings; you shall make them of pure gold. ³⁰ And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me regularly. – Exodus 25:

EXODUS 25 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TABLE OF THE BREAD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

God instructed the Israelites to prepare a table made of acacia wood

Its dimensions are; 3 feet long, 1 foot, 6 inches wide, and 2 feet, 3 inches high

Four rings of gold should be fastened to the four corners of its legs

This will hold the poles that would be inserted in it to carry the table

Everything else will be made out of pure gold including the dishes for incense

They must meet with the Lord on that table to thank him for the things they received.

According to Morgan “In the East a table was always the symbol of fellowship. Thus, the people were reminded of the possibility created of constant communion with God.” Meyer calls the showbread “presence-bread.” Bread is necessary for survival, and the link was a reminder that fellowship with God was just as necessary for man. Leviticus 24:5-9, showbread was made of fine flour, and twelve cakes of showbread – one for each tribe of Israel – set on the table, sprinkled lightly with frankincense. Once a week, the bread was replaced, and normally only priests could eat the old bread.

We use tables to gather and eat together. This account reminds us how important it is for us to gather at the table (presence of God) so we can remember and thank him for all the provisions that he gave us and also to never forget to gather in love and fellowship.

REFLECTION

·       How does our modern-day lifestyle change the importance of gathering together for a meal to thank God for all his provision of both physical and spiritual food?

July 13

EXODUS 25

The Lord said to Moses, ² “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. ³ And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, ⁴ blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats’ hair, ⁵ tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood, ⁶ oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, ⁷ onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. ⁸ And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. ⁹ Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it. – Exodus 25:1-9

EXODUS 25 CONTRIBUTION FOR GOD’S SANCTUARY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord required his people to give a contribution for a sanctuary

He required them to give out of their heart’s desire

They were not forced to give anything that wasn’t voluntary

The sanctuary is a place where the Lord can dwell in their midst.

It is interesting that God requires his people to participate in building a sanctuary where he could dwell among them. You’re probably wondering just like me why God wants participation from his people when he could actually provide everything for himself to build a place they can meet with him.

I think that God was teaching his people skills like accountability, resourcefulness, generosity and stewardship. God is not like a genie that most human beings think. He is more like a good parent who wants to teach the children life skills so that they will develop good habits and a value system that generates teamwork, resourcefulness, responsibility and genuine interest in God and in others.

We were all made in God’s image and we are all capable of these skills because God gave it to us. When we get something without working for it, that just makes for entitled people. When we work hard for something and get involved in doing it with others, there is love and community building. God wants the communion of saints to grow.

REFLECTION

• Why do you think verse 2 mentions to give when their hearts are moved?

July 11

EXODUS 24

Then he said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. ² Moses alone shall come near to the Lord, but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him.” ³ Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the rules.  And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.” ⁴ And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. ⁵ And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. ⁶ And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. ⁷ Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” ⁸ And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”– Exodus 24:1-8

EXODUS 24 COVENANT BETWEEN GOD AND THE ISRAELITES

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord spoke all the laws that he requires from his people through Moses

And Moses wrote down all the words that God has spoken

Then the next day, he got up early to built an altar at the foot of the mountain

He placed twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel

Then he sent young men to offer burnt and peace offerings

And the blood became the symbol of their covenant with the Lord.

This narrative explains how God himself (through Moses) gave his laws to his own people. The promises that God made to provide and rescue his people were solidified with the burnt offerings and peace offerings of oxen. The half of the blood of these animals were placed in a basin and the other part of it was thrown against the altar. It was the blood that solidified the treaty between two parties. The Israelites agreed to follow the laws of the Lord as part of this covenant. God in turn will do his part to rescue them and give them the land he promised.

REFLECTION

• How does this covenant still holds true for all Christians today?

July 10

EXODUS 23

²⁶ None shall miscarry or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. ²⁷ I will send my terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people against whom you shall come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. ²⁸ And I will send hornetsbefore you, which shall drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites from before you. ²⁹ I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild beasts multiply against you. ³⁰ Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and possess the land. ³¹ And I will set your border from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the Euphrates, or I will give the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. ³² You shall make no covenant with them and their gods. ³³ They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”  – Exodus 23:26-32

EXODUS 23 MORE INSTRUCTIONS FOR MOVING INTO CANAAN

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

God promised the Israelites a land that they will inhabit

He gave them specific instructions how to overtake it

Terror and confusion to the nations living in it will be experienced

Those nations will be driven slowly to ensure their takeover.

In this account we witness a God who has a very detailed plan for his people to occupy Canaan. Did you ever wonder why it took that long for that promised land that was part of the covenant he made with Abraham to be fulfilled? Why would God give them a land that had pagan inhabitants? We cannot surmise God’s thoughts or ways, but we can see that God knows our hearts and abilities. If he gave that land right away to Abraham, the lineage that Jesus would be coming from won’t be fulfilled. I think that it is also because of the stubborn spirit of the Israelites that prolonged the arrival at Canaan. Also, the Israelites wouldn’t have propagated that much hadn’t it been for the long years they were travelling. It is interesting how the land was occupied by pagans. Maybe God wanted to show them his power to destroy these idolaters to his people so that they can rely on God for everything. God even timed the occupation slowly. He thought of everything.

REFLECTION

• Why should believers completely trust God’s plan and timing?