Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Exodus 38

What does it say?
Two more items for the tabernacle and a court for the tabernacle were made by Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. (Ex.35:30-33) The two items were a bronze altar for burnt offerings and a bronze laver for the priest’s ritual washing. Both of these items were beautifully constructed and designed to be transported. He also made a court for the for the bronze altar and laver of fine twisted linen which included a gate. The entire court was constructed with fine twisted linen hung on pillars and sockets. Gold, silver and bronze was given for the sanctuary and the cost was based on the men twenty years old and upward who numbered 603,550 men. 

What does it mean?
The tabernacle was completed. It was Aaron and his sons whom the Lord elected to work in the tabernacle. It was the tribe of Levi whom the Lord elected to carry and set up the tabernacle. But the tabernacle was built by and was built for the people in order that God might dwell amongst them. The people could not see God but he dwelt amongst them in the tabernacle. We should be reminded that God tabernacled amongst is in the person of Jesus Christ. “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Jn.1:14) skenoo (σκηνόω, 4637), “to pitch a tent” (skene), “to tabernacle,” translated dwelt in John 1:14. (Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary) 

What shall I do?
God walked with Adam in the garden but because Adam sinned Adam was expelled out of the garden away from the presence of the Lord. However, the Lord is compassionate and gracious; slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; he keeps lovingkindness for thousands; he forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet, he will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. (Ex.34:6-7) There is a separation between God and man because of sin. The tabernacle made it so that a holy God could dwell amongst men. However, God humbled himself even further by becoming a man, subject to death, even death on a cross. (Phi.2:8) Now God dwells in believers, in the person of the Holy Spirit. We are chosen and precious in the sight of God, a spiritual house. (1Pe.2:4-5) I shall realize that the same God who tabernacled in the desert, is the same God who tabernacled amongst the apostles in the person of Jesus Christ, is the same God who dwells in us in the person of the Holy Spirit.