Exodus-Plans to Worship
I don’t know if you’ve been involved in a building project. Like me, if you work in a field far removed from construction, many of the steps involved can be foreign to you. Several years ago we built a house. It was a “spec house,” meaning we met with a company who offered several floor plans and we got to pick out some of the details within-which color carpet, what stain the cabinetry would have, which door handles matched our coordinated design scheme. I was truly overwhelmed with all the decisions and details, even though compared to those building custom homes our choices were minimal. At a certain point, I just wanted someone to make those design decisions for me!
I’m so grateful when it comes to worship, God has laid out a plan for us. For how would we begin got decide how to worship a God so holy and majestic as our God, so different and other? From the beginning God makes it clear that He puts boundaries around how He wants to be worship. In Genesis 4:4, we see God make a distinction between the offerings of Cain and Able.
So in Exodus, after giving the law, in His next move in establishing His people, God gives His plans for worship. The temple describes the kingship of God over Israel.
They built the temple at His command to be near to God. As God is so holy, regulations and ordinances needed to established to respect His glory. Yes this pomp made God unapproachable unless by very specific ways. Ways that honored God in this part of the story of God’s people, but unsustainable. The blood of bulls and goats could never full cover for all time the sins of the people, for the spilling of blood, established by Able, was needed to consecrate sinful people. The greatness of the temple was that it served as a foreshadowing of the need for Jesus so we could draw near to God in a whole new way.
[11] But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) [12] he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. [13] For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, [14] how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:11-14 ESV)
As we read this next section, keep in mind the holiness of God, His worthiness to be worshiped, and His kindness in establishing a way for Israel to approach Him. Also, bless Him for His grace in sending Jesus, who all the elements of the temple point to, to provide a new way for us to approach Him, boldly, with the Spirit inside of us so He is always close.
Scripture
Exodus 25-31
This is a massive section to read and may feel dry, until you remember that there is so much to see about the Lord. A study tip in getting through this section is to sketch as you read to visualize what you are reading. This genre is architecture. As you read about the functionality of the temple, consider what does this say about worship and what Jesus would ultimately satisfy.
Commentary:
Contributions-25:1-9
Anyone involved in construction knows that when preparing for a project, the materials needed to complete must be considered. The first nine verses outline the materials needed for the temple—the fine metals, stones, animal skill, linen, and wood. Where did these fine materials come from? Especially from a people wandering in the wilderness? When leaving Egypt, they “plundered” the Egyptians[1]. In asking for contributions, God had already provided what they would need to build his temple. This is much like our offerings to God today. All we give to God comes from Him originally.
So why go through the trouble of making a portable temple that needed to be set up and torn down each time they moved? Why not wait to build something permanent in the promised land? Verse 9 gives us the answer. God is not far off, but wants to be near to His people. Even in the journey when we aren’t settled God wants to be near. He delivers His people to draw close to them, not to wait until they are established.
The Ark-25:10-22
The ark represents where God meets the people, His throne or footstool[2], a symbol of God’s rule. This box was to be carried by poles so no one would touch it, as it was so holy whomever would touch it would die. Inside the box was the tablets of testimony. Above the ark was the mercy seat, which would cover the law. This top layer was decorated by two cheribim whose wings reach toward each other as a symbol to protecting us from God. As a whole, this piece of furniture was to symbolize Jesus as the true ark, the king through which God reigns. Jesus is also the source of God’s mercy toward us, a place where two parties are reconciled as his death intercedes and brings mercy to us who deserve judgement.
The Table-25:23-30
The table was a place to hold many items to engage all the senses of the worshipper through fragrance and food. The table held an incense plate, a flagon for a drink offering and manna, the bread of God’s provision given to feed His people in the dessert.
Why do we worship God? He provides for us and this table is to remind the worshippers of this truth. Worship in one sense can also be described as feasting on God. Even today, worshipers that come still hunger and daily need a taste of God’s lifegiving presence. We see Jesus in the temple here as the bread of life. In John 6:35, Jesus declares that He is the bread of life and ultimately fulfills the hunger of each person.
Lampstand-25:31-40
The lampstand was made from pure gold. It would be made with six branches protruding from the main stem on each side. The calyxes (a bud) and flowers were duplicating the look of the almond tree, a tree that bloomed yearly before any other.
Worshippers need light to approach God. Without God’s illumination, we would not see, have noawareness of our need for him. Jesus is the light of the world, as He makes Himself known in John 8:12. He is the word dwelling among us that gives light[3] who one day will light the city of God[4].
The Tabernacle: 26:1-37
Now God gives directions for the tabernacle itself, the large structure that the Israelites will carry with them serving as a temporary shelter to hold the articles of worship with in. This is ultimately where God will dwell with His people. The curtains serve like walls and are made of purple, red, and blue yarn symbolizing royalty, sacrifice, and divinity. 50 gold clasps are fastened to the edge of the fabric so they could be joined to create a wall like structure when assembled. To protect this fine fabric, instructions on using goat skins are given to create a tent cover. The frames to attach the fabrics are made from acadia wood held up by tenons (stands). A veil made from the colored yarns of linen was constructed to designate the Holy Place from the most holy. Inside the most holy would be the ark, leaving the table to the north and the lampstand to the south. The tent entrance would use a needle worked screen with the same color scheme.
When Jesus died, the curtain inside the temple that marked out the most holy place was torn in two. As His body was broken on the cross, the separation of God was broken to show there was now no separation between men and the mercy seat. Jesus had fulfilled the law and given us access to the throne room of God.
The Bronze Alter: 27:1-8
Next God gives directions on hpw to build the alter. It’s dimensions were a square 3 feet of the ground with 4 bronze horns in each corner. It was the first item you would encounter in the temple, reminding the worshiper that we deserve death but a substitute could be offered in our place. The alter was covered with a bronze grating because it would have to be reused. This shows that the offered sacrifices were inadequate, a symbol of the final sacrifice of Christ and no sufficient once for all.
The Court of the Tabernacle 27:9-19
The court of the tabernacle was built from posts and linen to enclose the worship tools within. The east was the from and had a screen made of multicolored linen. The court symbolizes a mini Eden. Within is life and a place to meet with God. Just like the original garden was guarded in the east by the cherubim, the guards would stand outside this entrance. Yet thanks to Christ we are able to enter in!
Lamp Oil 27:20-21
The oil in the tabernacle was to burn continually. Jesus called Himself the light of the world in John 8:12. His presence in our life never wavers, it is constant and following His ways brings us out of darkness.
The Priests Garments and Consecration 28:1-29:46
Those that would minister in the temple, the priestly line, were to dress to demonstrate the glory and beauty of God. They were to wear several pieces of clothing. The ephod was a priestly garment described like sports pennies, an open garment that attached at the shoulders with 2 stones engraved with the tribes of Israel, as they ministered on behalf of all the people. They also wore a breastplate, with a 4x3 array of jewels representing the 12 tribes, to bear remembrance before God, just as Christ does for us now. The Umin and Thumin were in the breast pocket, placed close to the heart to cast to determine God’s will. The Holy Spirit now lives as close as can be, in our hearts which leads us to follow God. The robe the priests wore had colored pomegranates on the bottom with gold bells in between, an audible reminder that sinners can’t go before God without a mediator. The ensemble was completed by a turban, check work coat and sash and linen undergarments.
The preparation to minister was a cumbersome process. It entailed putting on many clean garments that were made to the Lord’s specifications to represent the tribes and the holiness of God. In the New Testament, we prepare for God by “putting on Christ,” a phrase that means all we need to approach God is remember anew that the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf covers us like a garment and how we approach Him is under this divine dressing. In other places like Romans 13:15, clothing yourself with Christ is following the Spirit and not the flesh. It is about spiritual sanctification, not making yourself look good to other believers.
After dressing and demonstrating obedience to God in dress, the priests had to be consecrated. These next verses preview in detail Leviticus chapters 1-7. After preparing the sacrifice, washing, and being clothed, the priests had to be anointed and offer continuous offerings for 7 days to be made worthy to minister. The problem was the priests were guilty before God and needed a lengthy process to temporary be worthy of time in the temple. Yet Jesus fulfills that requirement for us as the perfect priest and declares His sacrifice makes us a kingdom of priests[5] because His sacrifice was sufficient for us. God promises to dwell with his people at the end of the process, like Jesus dwells with us today as we are his new temple[6].
Altar of Incense 30:1-10
The altar of incense was similar in style to the altar. Made with acacia wood with a gold over lay, it was to burn every morning and evening beyond the veil that separated the holy place from the most holy place. The cloud produced by the incense was to remind the people of the glory of the Lord over the mountain in verses 19:16-20. This element of the temple was to remind people of the holiness and power of God.
The Bronze Basin 30:17-21
This basin was a bath to wash hands and feet before a burnt offering. It was placed between the tent of meeting and the alter. As we saw in the priest’s garments, purity was an outward way to prepare oneself to come before God. This reminded the people that we don’t approach God casually. After the sacrifice of Christ, we can come to God as we are, even boldly[7].
Anointing Oil and Incense 30:22-38
As oil and incense would be used in the temple, God then gives the recipes for each. The oil was used for consecrating the temple items and the priests, while the incense was used on the alter mentioned in verses 1-10. The people could not duplicate this formula outside of the function of the temple. God wanted this special fragrance to be for His worship alone.
Other logistical considerations:
Other parts of this long section cover practical matters of worship. God uses the census tax in 30:11-16 to describe how to budget the practical expenses of the tabernacle as each person age 20 and up was to give half a shekel. This was to bring to mind his mercy during the plagues of taking the firstborn when God spared them and this tax was to be a form of atonement, a memorial to God passing over them. Even today, the believer gives money as an act of worship, to demonstrate trust in the Lord and the reality that all they have is His.
In 31:1-11 God describes who would do the work of building the temple. Not only did God supply the materials, the money, He also prepares the craftsman. Oholiab and Bezalel were filled with God’s Spirit for the unique work, and He had equiped them with the abilities and knowledge to build the temple to His exact specifications. Whatever God calls you to do, He will prepare you with the needed skills and empower you by His Spirit.
This chapter ends (v 12-17) with a reminder of the when to worship. God’s pattern and instructions regarding Sabbath are repeated so the people could enjoy God through His glorious temple.
Worship matters to God. In His word he defines clearly how to worship Him and provides all we need to engage with reverence.
Reflection:
1. What parts of the temple most clearly showed you Christ?
2. How can this section deepen your worship of Jesus?
3. Do you think about glorifying God or your own preferences when gathering with other believers to worship?
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