Author Archives: ilmaarts

EXODUS 26 MORE DETAILS FOR THE TABERNACLE

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July 19

EXODUS 26

15 “You shall make upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. 16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each frame. 17 There shall be two tenons in each frame, for fitting together. So shall you do for all the frames of the tabernacle. 18 You shall make the frames for the tabernacle: twenty frames for the south side; 19 and forty bases of silver you shall make under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons; 20 and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side twenty frames, 21 and their forty bases of silver, two bases under one frame, and two bases under the next frame. 22 And for the rear of the tabernacle westward you shall make six frames. 23 And you shall make two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear; 24 they shall be separate beneath, but joined at the top, at the first ring. Thus shall it be with both of them; they shall form the two corners. 25 And there shall be eight frames, with their bases of silver, sixteen bases; two bases under one frame, and two bases under another frame.26 “You shall make bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, 27 and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the side of the tabernacle at the rear westward. 28 The middle bar, halfway up the frames, shall run from end to end. 29 You shall overlay the frames with gold and shall make their rings of gold for holders for the bars, and you shall overlay the bars with gold. 30 Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to the plan for it that you were shown on the mountain. – Exodus 26:15-30

EXODUS 26 MORE DETAILS FOR THE TABERNACLE

In this account, we hear more detailed instructions for frames for the tabernacle. Acacia is a very strong wood and resistant to decay. God also included silver as the bases of these acacia frames. Overlaying the frames with gold was specified in the instruction. Rings of gold were to hold the bars for the poles that hold the tabernacle.

According to a commentary. The number 10 represents the Ten Commandments. The three one half units in width represent the Trinity. This again signifies that God expects holy order in your life to hold things together. Breaking the Ten Commandments will not undermine your salvation. Yet, living within the Ten Commandments will allow God to protect you and bless you.

REFLECTION

  • What can we learn from the details given by God in the making of the tabernacle?

EXODUS 26 DIRECTIONS ON THE COVERING FOR THE TABERNACLE

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July 18

EXODUS 26

7 “You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair for a tent over the tabernacle; eleven curtains shall you make. 8 The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. The eleven curtains shall be the same size. 9 You shall couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and the sixth curtain you shall double over at the front of the tent. 10 You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set. 11 “You shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together that it may be a single whole. 12 And the part that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. 13 And the extra that remains in the length of the curtains, the cubit on the one side, and the cubit on the other side, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, on this side and that side, to cover it. 14 And you shall make for the tent a covering of tanned rams’ skinsand a covering of goatskins on top.- Exodus 26:7-14

EXODUS 26 DIRECTIONS ON THE COVERING FOR THE TABERNACLE

In these following verses, God continued to give Moses directions on how to make the covering for the tabernacle. The reason for the covering is to ensure that his meeting place with his people is holy and protected from impure things. Since he is a holy God, he requires his people to meet with him with pure hearts to worship and adore him. But why mix mundane and ordinary materials such as goatskin, goat hair, tanned rams’ skins with special materials like bronze. Why not make it all glittering with gold? 

Some commentaries say that the tabernacle is a foreshadowing of the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. In the bible, the goat is a symbol of deception and evil. In Genesis 27, Jacob used goat skins to deceive his father Isaac to steal his brother’s birthright. Romans 8:8 mentions that those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Without Jesus, we will never be able to overcome our flesh and sin. 11 goat skins symbolize chaos. It was an 11-day journey from the place where the Jews received the Ten Commandments to the place where they could have invaded the Promised Land (Dt. 1:2). “Bronze” is a symbol of judgment. Jesus is described as having “bronze” feet (Rev. 1:15). His bronze feet will bring judgment to Satan by crushing him (Rom. 16:20). 

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think it is important for us to reflect on why God instructed Moses the making of the tabernacle with such details?

EXODUS 26 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TABERNACLE

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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?

EXODUS 25 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE LAMPSTAND

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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?

EXODUS 25 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TABLE OF THE BREAD

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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?

EXODUS 25 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

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July 14

EXODUS 25

10 “They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubitsand a half shall be its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. 11 You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside shall you overlay it, and you shall make on it a molding of gold around it. 12 You shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet, two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. 13 You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 14 And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark by them. 15 The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. 16 And you shall put into the ark the testimony that I shall give you.17 “You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. 18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. 20 The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be. 21 And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. 22 There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel. – Exodus 25:10-22

EXODUS 25 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

The ark was a very important piece that solidifies and symbolizes the covenant that God made with his people. No wonder he was very specific with the materials that were to be used for building this ark. The ark itself was a chest or a box in which the tablet of the law which was actually written with the finger of God. Since it was God who wrote it himself, that ark is one that would keep the tablet safe, secure and undefiled. God was very detailed and specific as to the dimensions and materials to be used for the ark. According to Matthew Henry’s commentary, a cubit is equivalent to 22 inches. So, this ark was 52x31x31 inches in its dimensions. The mercy seat was the covering of the ark and was made of pure gold. God made sure that the laws that he gave his people were honored and placed in the ark for people to worship him and his words.

REFLECTION

  • How can we honor the law of the Lord even though we don’t have an ark now?

EXODUS 25 CONTRIBUTION FOR GOD’S SANCTUARY

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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?

EXODUS 24 GOD’S PEOPLE SAW GOD’S GLORY

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July 12

EXODUS 24

9 Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, 10 and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. 11 And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank. 12 The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” 13 So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14 And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.” 15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. 18 Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights. – Exodus 24:9-18

EXODUS 24 GOD’S PEOPLE SAW GOD’S GLORY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When God made his covenant with his people

Moses, Aaron Nadab and Abihu and the elders saw the Lord

They saw his feet and under it was a sapphire-stone pavement

Then he asked Moses to come up so he to hand him the tablet

The glory of the Lord was in Mt Sinai in six days, covered amidst clouds

Moses entered the cloud and stayed there forty nights and forty days.

Although it wasn’t really stated what the elders saw, it seemed like they saw God’s feet and his footstool made of sapphire-stone pavement. According to a commentary by Cole he says that the elders didn’t dare to raise their eyes above God’s footstool. The blue of the sapphire may suggest that the elders saw the sea of glass before the throne of God (Revelation 4:6). “Ezekiel 1:26 sees God as seated on a sapphire throne, over a crystal ‘firmament’ (verse 22), and the thought is taken up again in the book of Revelation.”

REFLECTION

  • What visions can you imagine as you read these verses?

EXODUS 24 COVENANT BETWEEN GOD AND THE ISRAELITES

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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?

EXODUS 23 MORE INSTRUCTIONS FOR MOVING INTO CANAAN

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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?