Exodus 27
Altar of burnt offeringverses 1-8
And you shall make an ALTAR of shittim wood
five cubits long – five cubits broad
the altar shall be foursquare
and the height thereof shall be three cubits
And you shall make the horns of it on the four corners thereof
his horns shall be of the same
and you shall overlay it with brass
And you shall make his pans to receive his ashes
and his shovels – basins – fleshhooks – firepans
all the vessels thereof you shall make of brass
And you shall make for it a grate of network of brass
and on the net shall you make four brazen rings
in the four corners thereof
And you shall put it under the compass of the altar beneath
that the net may be even to the midst of the altar
And you shall make staves for the altar – staves of shittim wood
and overlay them with brass
and the staves shall be put into the rings
and the staves shall be upon the
two sides of the altar – to bear it
Hollow with boards shall you make it
as it was SHOWED you in the MOUNT
so shall they make it
Courtyard curtains [150 feet by 75 feet]verses 9-15
And you shall make the COURT of the TABERNACLE
for the south side southward there shall be hangings
for the court of fine twined linen of a hundred
cubits long for one side
and the twenty pillars thereof and
their twenty sockets
shall be of brass
the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver
And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings
of an hundred cubits long – and his twenty pillars
and their twenty sockets of brass
the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver
And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings
of fifty cubits – their pillars ten – and their sockets ten
And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits
the hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits
their pillars three – and their sockets three
And on the other side shall be hangings fifteen cubits
their pillars three – and their sockets three
Entrance to courtyardverses 16-18
And for the gate of the court shall be a hanging of twenty cubits
of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen
wrought with needlework
and their pillars shall be four and their sockets four
All the pillars round about the court shall be filleted with silver
their hooks shall be of silver – their sockets of brass
The length of the court shall be a hundred cubits
and the breadth fifty every where
and the height five cubits of fine twined linen
and their sockets of brass
Brass articles for Tabernacleverse 19
All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof
and all the pins thereof – and all the pins of the court
shall be of brass
Olive oil for lampsverses 20-21
And you shall command the children of Israel
that they bring you pure olive oil beaten for the light
to cause the lamp to burn ALWAYS
In the tabernacle of the congregation without the veil
which is before the testimony
Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening
to morning before the LORD
it shall be a statute for ever to
their generations on the behalf
of the children of Israel
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 8 Hollow with boards shall you make it: as it was showed you in the mount, so shall they make it. (7200 “showed” [ra’ah] means to see, to understand, to spy, reveal, look at, examine, inspect, to cause to look intently at, or cause to gaze at)
DEVOTION: God continually reminded Moses of what he saw on the mountain when he was with the LORD. He not only received the Ten Commandments but had a longer conversation with the LORD. Also the LORD used visual aids to help Moses understand what needed to be done in the future.
Details are important to the LORD. HE wants us to be people who like to know the details of HIS Word. HE wants us to not just an overview but a detailed look at what the Christian life is like. HE sent HIS Son Jesus Christ to give us a visual aid to what the Christian life looked like.
Jesus was born. Jesus was baptized. Jesus worked with his father in the carpentry shop. Jesus started his public ministry at the right age. Jesus taught a group of men how to become better followers of God. Jesus was willing to die to show us the way and show us the love of the Father.
We need to pay attention to what the LORD is revealing to us every day. Each new truth we learn needs to be put in our memory bank for future use in our service for the LORD. We are going to forget things but the Holy Spirit will bring to our memory what we need to know at the right time and in the right place.
Too often we worry about our knowledge not being strong enough to give the right witness to others. Sometimes we depend too much on our own thinking and don’t allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us.
Trust the LORD to give us just the right words and actions to fulfill HIS plan for our life. HE knows what we need to know when we need to know it. Our life is a training ground to become more like HIS Son. Give yourself time to realize these truths and the LORD will use you beyond your wildest dreams.
CHALLENGE: Availability is one characteristic that we need each hour of each day. Let the LORD cause us to remember what HE wants us to know AND do at the right time.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
:18 The length of the court shall be a hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty everywhere, and the height five cubits of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass. (2691 “court” [chatser] means 1 court, enclosure. 1a enclosures. 1b court. 2 settled abode, settlement, village, town. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])
DEVOTION: Have you noticed in this section how our God is a God of precise measurement? God did not tell Moses to build a tabernacle with a court, but rather specified the measurements of each area of the tabernacle just like He wanted! Our God is a God of the details.
Some people are more general oriented, and some are more detail oriented. My wife, for example, likes to plan a dinner by knowing exactly which dishes to make and when to make them. Then she wants to know where on the table each dish will sit. Others will simply plan such a meal on the fly and not make any decisions until the guests actually show up!
We may not appreciate it, but God works much the same detail in our lives as well. He is working behind the scenes to cause things to happen exactly when He wants them to happen. This includes the fact that God states that Jesus came in the fullness of time (Galatians 4:4). His providence is such that He states that He elects those who are His chosen before the foundation of the world.
What that means is that we can fully trust God and His sovereign providence in our lives for every aspect of our lives. There is no detail of our lives that God is not concerned with. That is why He directs us not to be anxious about anything (Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:6), and cast all our care upon Him (1 Peter 5:7). In other words, God has all the plans made in advance, and we need to do our part to cooperate in them.
CHALLENGE: Are there any details in your life that you need to trust God for? Perhaps that is your marriage partner or a job. Whatever that is, trust Him to meet that need! (MW)
: 19 All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court shall be of brass. (5656 “service” [‘abodah] means work, act, service which is rendered, labor, business, office, or worship)
DEVOTION: The instructions included even the little details. The tent pegs it seems could have been made of anything that didn’t rust. It seems that they were not important enough to mention in the instructions.
Yet we find them mentioned. Why would God mention the tent pegs? It is because they gave support to the Tabernacle. Without support the whole Tabernacle could fall down. The little things are important to God because they make the whole Tabernacle stay in place.
There are no little people with God in the church. Every member is important. Why can we say that? It is simple! Every believer is given a spiritual gift to be used in the church. Without one of the gifts the church would not function properly. No gift is unimportant because God says so. No peg is unimportant because God says so.
Too often people want the gifts that are up front but they are not the ones that make the whole ministry work. It is the people that support the pastor and leaders that are important. If they were not there the church would fail to serve the LORD properly.
The children are important to the ministry of the church. Their talents and gifts can be used by God to win people to Christ. Many times it is the children who bring in the adults who need to know the LORD. They invite their parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and friends to church.
So remember that God wants even the pegs to be used properly to serve their purpose in supporting the Tabernacle.
CHALLENGE: God wants every member to realize that without them the ministry would not be complete.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 20 And you shall command the children of Israel, that they bring you pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. (5216 “lamp” [niyr] means candle, light, a small container with a wick that extending from it, or used of the lampes of the holy candlestick)
DEVOTION: Jesus is the light of the world. HE is shining 24/7 in our world. We are HIS representative to the world. HE wants us to be a light in a very dark world. So our responsibility is to shine for Jesus Christ.
The Tabernacle was to have the lights lit at all times when it was up and running. There was always to be enough olive oil to keep the lights burning. It was the responsibility of the priests to have the lights lit.
Today we are a kingdom of priest who represents Jesus Christ to the world. Our light needs to shine in some very dark places. The most important place for a church to light up is the church itself.
There must be the preaching of the Word of God with power. There needs to be praise that could raise the roof at times. There needs to be testimonies of the people regarding what God is doing in their life. There needs to be individuals coming to the church because they have just joined the family of God. There needs to be instruction that causes people to grow in the LORD. There has to be love for one another expressed in a multitude of ways.
Our churches need to be lighthouses that show the world the way to being true believers. If someone enters your church this Sunday will they be excited about the brightness of the people and the service or will they see only dullness?
CHALLENGE: Today we are to shine as lamps in a dark world. Are we letting our light shine through our life to reach the world for Christ?
: 21 In the tabernacle of the congregation without the veil, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel. (6186 “order” [‘arak] means to set in a row, arrange, direct, handle, or prepare.)
DEVOTION: The last chapter dealt with the tent of the Tabernacle. This chapter deals with the courtyard around the Tabernacle. Remember that the LORD is a God of details.
Sometimes in the Bible the courtyard is included when describing the Tabernacle and at other times it is only talking about the tent of the Tabernacle. The context will let us know which is talked about.
God does everything decently and in order. HE has arranged for the children of Aaron to work with their father in the Tabernacle. They are the ones who conduct the daily service to the LORD in the tabernacle. They will have a formal ceremony in future chapters before they begin their ministry of service to the LORD in the Tabernacle area.
First the Tabernacle has to be built according to the pattern shown Moses on the mountain when he met with the LORD. God has exact measurements even for the courtyard surrounding the Tabernacle. HE wants each of the items made of certain materials. Nothing is left to interpretation by the children of Israel. HE gives them the instructions and they are to follow them to the “T.”
We are called a kingdom of priests in the New Testament. We have the responsibility of coming before the LORD daily and worship HIM. HE has given us instructions to follow in the Bible. HIS instructions never get old or outdated. Our society tells us different but the LORD is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Husbands have the responsibility in leading their families in daily worship of the LORD. Families have the responsibility of weekly coming together to worship the LORD in a local church. Churches have the responsibility of leading the people who attend in worship of the LORD.
The example we are given in Scripture is Aaron and his sons. They had to be prepared daily for service, let’s be prepared daily as well.
We come together to worship the LORD and we should be there to give God the glory. We should sing praises with all our heart to HIM because of all the blessings HE has given us. When the worship service is well organized it gives glory to the LORD. Each part of the service is to help individuals understand who God is and what HE expects of HIS people. It is not a show but a time to enter into HIS presence in reverence.
Learn the details that God expects us to follow in our daily walk with HIM. Work on areas that need improvement. Are we preparing our hearts before we enter the church building? Are we ready to sing with all our hearts during the service? Are we ready to give a cheerful gift to the LORD?
CHALLENGE: Are we ready to have genuine fellowship before and after the service? Are we ready to be an encouragement to all those around us?
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Altar of shittim woodverses 1-8
Brass = all vessels
Grate
Staves of shittim wood
Court of the tabernacleverses 9-15
Gate of the courtverses 16-18
100 x 50
Vessels and ins of brassverse 19
Tabernacle of the congregationverse 21
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Statute foreververse 21
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD (Jehovah)verse 21
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Children of Israelverses 20, 21
Bring pure olive oil
Aaron and sonsverse 21
Order it from evening to morning
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
1 “Nadab and Abihu” were two of Aaron’s four sons who later offered unauthorized fire before the Lord and were consumed (Lev 10:1–2), leaving only Eleazer and Ithamar. Aaron and his sons were to “serve … as priests.” They were to stand before the Lord (applied to all Levites in Deut 10:8) “to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins” and “to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray” (Heb 5:1–2). They were to teach the people (Neh 8:2, 9) and serve as intercessors for them. (Kaiser, W. C., Jr. (1990). Exodus. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, pp. 464–465). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
27:1–8. In giving instructions about the tabernacle God progressed from within (the ark and the atonement cover) outward to the courtyard outside the tabernacle.
In the courtyard was an altar called “the altar of burnt offering” (30:28; Lev. 4:7, 10, 18) and “the bronze altar” (Ex. 38:30). Unlike the altar of incense (30:1–10), this was an altar for animal sacrifices. It was to be made of acacia wood, was 7 1/2 square and 4 1/2 high, with a horn (a projection that looked like an animal horn) at each of the four corners, overlaid with bronze. The utensils with it were to be of bronze also (27:3). The horns were to be covered with blood at the consecration of the priests (29:1, 10–12; Lev. 8:14–15; 9:9) and on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:18). (Hannah, J. D. (1985). Exodus. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 150). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
When a worshiper came to the tabernacle to offer a sacrifice, the first thing he met was a white linen fence, 150 feet long and 75 feet wide, that surrounded the tabernacle and created a courtyard area where the priests ministered. The tabernacle proper stood at the west end of this courtyard, and at the east end was a 30-foot entrance to the enclosure. Here the priests met the people who came to offer sacrifices and examined each animal carefully to make sure it was acceptable. The worshiper would put his hand on the animal’s head to identify with the offering (Lev. 1:1–9), and then the priest would slay the animal and offer it on the brazen altar according to the regulations given in Leviticus 1–7.
There was only one entrance to the enclosure and therefore only one way to get to the altar of God. When God puts up a fence and assigns the way in, nobody has the authority to question it or change it. Jesus claimed to be the only door (John 10:9) and the only way to God (14:6), which explains why Peter said, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, nkjv). In today’s pluralistic society, many people like to think that every way is acceptable to God, but that attitude leads to death (Prov. 14:12; 16:25; Matt. 7:13–27).
The brazen altar was a hollow “box,” seven and a half feet wide and four and a half feet high, made of acacia wood covered with bronze. In Scripture, bronze is often identified with judgment (Num. 21:4–9; Deut. 28:23; Rev. 1:15). Two and a half feet from the top, inside the “box,” was a bronze grating on which the priests kept a fire burning (Lev. 6:8–13) and through which the ashes of the wood and the sacrifices fell. Because they were part of offerings dedicated to God, these ashes were considered ceremonially clean and were collected on the east side of the altar. Regularly, the priests carried these ashes outside the camp to a clean place (1:16; 4:12; 6:10–11).
Unlike the golden altar of incense in the holy place, the brazen altar was a place of bloodshed and death, for “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb. 9:22, niv). If a sinner could manage to enter the tabernacle courtyard and wash in the laver, that wouldn’t save him, nor would he be forgiven if he entered the holy place and ate the bread or burned the incense. The way into the presence of God began at the brazen altar where innocent victims died for guilty sinners. In short, the brazen altar takes us immediately to Calvary where the Son of God died for the sins of the world (Matt. 26:26–28; John 1:29; 3:14–16; Rom. 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24).
Each morning, the priests were to offer a burnt offering on the brazen altar (Ex. 29:42–43), a picture of total dedication to the Lord (Lev. 1). That would be a good way for each of God’s children to begin the day, presenting ourselves in total dedication to God as “living sacrifices” (Rom. 12:1–2).
Preachers and evangelists sometimes invite people in their congregations to “come to the altar,” but there are no altars on earth that are ordained of God or acceptable to God. Why? Because the death of Jesus Christ took care of the sin problem once and for all (Heb. 9:25–28). No more sacrifices can be or should be offered. The Lord’s Supper (Communion, Eucharist) is a reminder of His sacrifice, not a repeat of His sacrifice.
The only “altar” believers have today is Jesus Christ Himself who bears on His glorified body the wounds of the cross (Heb. 13:10; Luke 24:39; John 20:20). As a holy priesthood, believers “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5, nkjv, italics mine). We present to Him our bodies (Rom. 12:1–2), our material wealth (Phil. 4:18), praise and good works (Heb. 13:15–16), and a broken heart (Ps. 51:17). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1998). Be delivered (pp. 143–145). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub.)
27:1 altar. The largest piece of equipment, also known as the “altar of burnt offering” (Lv 4:7, 10, 18), was situated in the courtyard of the tabernacle. It was covered, not in gold as the items inside the Holy Place, but in bronze. Like the other pieces of furniture and equipment, it was also built to be carried by poles (vv. 6, 7). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ex 27:1). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 1. And thou shalt make an altar of shittim-wood, &c.] This is a different altar from that made of earth before the tabernacle was built, ch. 20:24 and from the altar of incense, ch. 30:1 this was to offer burnt-offerings on, and was placed at the door of the tabernacle, in the court of the people, where they brought their sacrifices to the priests to offer for them: it stood in the open air, as it was proper it should, that the smoke of the sacrifices might ascend up and scatter. This altar was not typical of the altar of the heart; though indeed all the saints are priests, and every sacrifice of their’s should come from the heart, and particularly love, which is more than all burnt-offerings; but the heart is not this altar of brass to bear the fire of divine wrath, which none can endure; nor does it sanctify the gift, it being itself impure: nor of the Lord’s table, or the table on which the Lord’s supper is set; that is a table, and not an altar, a feast, and not a sacrifice; is not greater than the gift, nor does it sanctify: nor of the cross of Christ, on which he died, bore the sins of his people, and sanctified them by his blood; but of Christ himself, who by his office as a priest, his human nature is the sacrifice, and his divine nature the altar; and he is that altar believers in him have a right to eat of, Heb. 13:10 his divine nature is greater than the human, is the support of it, which sanctifies and gives it virtue as a sacrifice, and which makes the sacrifices of all his people acceptable to God. This altar of burnt-offering is said to be made of shittim-wood, a wood incorruptible and durable; Christ, as God, is from everlasting to everlasting; as man, though he once died, he now lives for evermore, and never did or will see corruption; his priesthood is an unchangeable priesthood, and passes not from one to another, and particularly his sacrifice is of a continual virtue and efficacy: five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be four-square: as to the length and breadth of it, which were alike, two yards and a half each, according to the common notion of a cubit. The altars of the Heathens were made in imitation of this, they were four-square as this was. Pausanias makes mention of an altar of Diana, that was τετραγυνος four-square, sensibly rising up on high. And this figure may denote the perfection of Christ’s sacrifice, and the permanency of it; though the altars in Solomon’s temple, and in the visions of Ezekiel, are much larger, and which also were four-square, 2 Chron. 4:1; Ezek. 43:16. Christ’s sacrifice is large and extensive, making satisfaction for all his people, and for all their sins; and he is an altar large enough for all their sacrifices to be offered up to God with acceptance: and the height thereof shall be three cubits; a proper height for a man to minister at; for, as Aben Ezra observes, the height of a man is but four cubits ordinarily; so that a man serving at the altar would be a cubit, or half a yard or more above it, and would have the command of doing on it what he had to do. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, pp. 475–476). London: Mathews and Leigh)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
Jesus warns us to be careful how we listen, to avoid the fate of the ever hearing but never listening Israel (Matt. 13: 10-15). Sadly, some people just won’t pay attention to God’s word. And that’s their problem. (p. 44, Saving Eutychus by Gary Millar & Phil Campbell)
Micah 7
Micah laments the degradation of his fellow men, but hopes in the Lord.
INSIGHT
Micah sets his narrative in an imaginary courtroom where he pours out scathing rebuke on the injustice he sees in the fellow men around him. The evidence is brought forth and the children of Israel are found guilty. Sins swarm from Micah’s pen, filling the first third of his book. The second portion of this book addresses sin. Jerusalem will be destroyed, and the people will be banished to captivity in Babylon. Typical of the prophets of God, the third part of the book tells of hope. A divine Deliverer will appear, and once again justice and righteousness will reign.(QuietWalk)
PROVIDENCE
He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way. Job 12:24
What exactly do we mean by providence? I cannot think of a better definition or description than this: “Providence is that continued exercise of the divine energy whereby the Creator upholds all His creatures, is operative in all that transpires in the world, and directs all things to their appointed end.”
Notice how Psalm 104 puts it in verses 28-30: “That thou givest them [animals of the earth] they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.” Now God does not create these animals of the earth constantly. What He does is to keep life, to preserve what He has already created.
We are also told that God’s providence is exercised over the affairs of nations. You will find that in Job 12:24: “He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.”
We are also told that God providentially governs a man’s birth and his lot in this world. We read in 1 Samuel 16:1, “And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel” Fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.” And Paul says about himself in Galatians 1:15-16, “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen….”
A Thought to Ponder
The Creator is operative in all that transpires in the world and directs all things to their appointed end. (From God the Father, God the Son,
(pp. 143-144, 147, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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