Important Veil

Important Veil

Exodus 26: ³¹ “You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim. ³² You shall hang it upon the four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Their hooks shall be gold, upon four sockets of silver. ³³ And you shall hang the veil from the clasps. Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy. ³⁴ You shall put the mercy seat upon the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy. ³⁵ You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand across from the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south; and you shall put the table on the north side.

 

³⁶ “You shall make a screen for the door of the tabernacle, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver. ³⁷ And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold; their hooks shall be gold, and you shall cast five sockets of bronze for them.

 

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GOD provided Moses with the final instructions to build the tabernacle. HE gave the measurements of the veil that would be used to divide the holy place from the most holy place.

 

My Observations:

• GOD established a place and a process of temporarily forgiving sins through a remediator, namely a high priest.
• GOD required a certain amount of formality that HE taught the children of Israel.
• GOD had Moses make a veil to protect other people from HIS glory.

 

Keeping the people safe was GOD’s number one purpose. If HE wanted to harm humans HE would not have gone through the lengths that HE did to have them make the tabernacle in this fashion. GOD was planning to meet with humans to provide guidance and to forgive sins.

 

Humans would be able to listen to GOD and surrender what they were doing to be led by GOD. The ark of the Testimony would be behind the veil. Moses was not given the instructions of the contents of the ark yet. But the ark was supposed to carry remnants of how GOD provided. GOD was building a temporary tent to meet with humans to forgive sins and to be with them.

 

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the veil measurements?
• Has GOD told you to do something and is providing protection in the thing HE told you to do?
• What lengths has GOD taken to show you mercy, forgiveness and love?

Holding the Structure Together

Holding the Structure Together

Exodus 26: ²⁶ “And you shall make bars of acacia wood: five for the boards on one side of the tabernacle, ²⁷ five bars for the boards on the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the far side westward. ²⁸ The middle bar shall pass through the midst of the boards from end to end. ²⁹ You shall overlay the boards with gold, make their rings of gold as holders for the bars, and overlay the bars with gold. ³⁰ And you shall raise up the tabernacle according to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain.

 

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GOD provided Moses with the instructions on how to hold the temporary structure together.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wanted the children of Israel to succeed, so HE gave very detailed instructions.
• GOD wanted the structure to be held together in a sturdy fashion.
• GOD wanted to be with HIS people without the distractions of the structure falling apart.

 

Providing the engineering of how to keep the structure together seems to be a pattern that GOD showed before. When HE gave Noah specific instructions, HE used the ark to save humanity. This time HIS reason for building the tabernacle was to be with HIS creation and guide them daily.

 

GOD told Moses t use strong wood, overlayed with a substance that came from heaven, namely gold. Gold was not currency to GOD, rather building material. HE was preparing a place to have safe discussions with HIM so the people would not be harmed by HIS presence. GOD could not risk a panel or a curtain falling down, exposing the high priest to HIS glory, which would kill a person instantly.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the bars that would hold the tabernacle together?
• Has GOD indicated to you that HE wants to be with you?
• How is GOD showing you that HE wants a strong stable relationship with HIM?

Heavy Temporary Dwelling Place

Heavy Temporary Dwelling Place

Exodus 26: ¹⁴ “You shall also make a covering of ram skins dyed red for the tent, and a covering of badger skins above that.

 

¹⁵ “And for the tabernacle you shall make the boards of acacia wood, standing upright. ¹⁶ Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the width of each board. ¹⁷ Two tenons shall be in each board for binding one to another. Thus you shall make for all the boards of the tabernacle. ¹⁸ And you shall make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side. ¹⁹ You shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards: two sockets under each of the boards for its two tenons. ²⁰ And for the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, there shall be twenty boards ²¹ and their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under each of the boards. ²² For the far side of the tabernacle, westward, you shall make six boards. ²³ And you shall also make two boards for the two back corners of the tabernacle. ²⁴ They shall be coupled together at the bottom and they shall be coupled together at the top by one ring. Thus it shall be for both of them. They shall be for the two corners. ²⁵ So there shall be eight boards with their sockets of silver—sixteen sockets—two sockets under each of the boards.

 

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GOD gave Moses very specific instruction to cover the tabernacle. HE also provided details into the structure that could easily be assembled and disassembled.

 

My Observations:

• GOD chose a sturdy wood that was rot and water resistant and very heavy.
• GOD gave the instructions on how to make a tongue and groove structure that was not flimsy.
• GOD wanted a temporary meeting place that would need to be carried around for forty years.

 

The tabernacle weighed about seven to ten tons. Its top was red and had a dark center. GOD seems to want the structure noticed and carefully carried. This enormous structure would require a large group of people to build, assemble and disassemble it when GOD said to move from one location to the next.

 

There was no other structure like it at the time. The Egyptians had stone pyramid tombs and huge grain vaults, made by the children of Israel. GOD was preparing the children of Israel for HIS presence. HE would be with them and wanted a formal structure. I notice that the structure came after the curse mentioned in Genesis. The structure was more for humans than it was for GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the top and walls of the tabernacle?
• Has GOD called you into something that requires a stronger structure?
• Does GOD want you to strengthen the flimsy idea and make it into something sturdy with components?

Second Set of Curtains for the Tabernacle

Second Set of Curtains for the Tabernacle

Exodus 26: ⁷ “You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair, to be a tent over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains. ⁸ The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; and the eleven curtains shall all have the same measurements. ⁹ And you shall couple five curtains by themselves and six curtains by themselves, and you shall double over the sixth curtain at the forefront 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 of the second set. ¹¹ And you shall make fifty bronze clasps, put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one. ¹² The remnant that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. ¹³ And a cubit on one side and a cubit on the other side, of what remains of the length of the curtains of the tent, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, on this side and on that side, to cover it.

 

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GOD gave Moses additional detailed instructions for the second set of curtains.

 

My Observations:

• A scapegoat would be instituted as a symbolic representation of taking on the guilt of sin and JESUS became our scapegoat.
• JESUS also said HE would separate the sheep from the goats, meaning believers would be separated from non-believer in HIS salvation.
• GOD called for the use of bronze on these curtains, which is a lesser metal that would patina due to the cheap metal ingredients.

 

I believe the second set of curtains represent the human part of the relationship with GOD. Goat’s hair could be shaved off without killing the animal. Bronze would be used to hold up the goat hair curtains. I believe GOD allows humans to temporarily do their own thing, but is will have lesser results, like bronze compared to gold.

 

I also believe that human results require the need for JESUS to become our scapegoat. The overwhelming number of curtains and the extreme extra care it would take to fashion the curtains would remind the high priests of the need for GOD’s forgiveness.  GOD was very intentional in HIS choice of materials.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the details regarding the curtains made from goat’s hair?
• Has GOD focused your attention on HIS mercy HE has for you?
• Have you placed your human efforts and expectations under GOD’s control?

First Set of Curtains for the Tabernacle

First Set of Curtains for the Tabernacle

Exodus 26: “Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them. ² The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits. And every one of the curtains shall have the same measurements. 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 yarn on the edge of the curtain on the selvedge of one set, and likewise you shall do on the outer edge of the other curtain of the second set. ⁵ Fifty loops you shall make in the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain that is on the end of the second set, that the loops may be clasped to one another. ⁶ And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains together with the clasps, so that it may be one tabernacle.

 

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GOD gave Moses very detailed instructions on how to make the first set of curtains for the tabernacle.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wanted representation of angels HE would use to protect the people.
• GOD was very specific in terms of colors, measurements and numbers.
• GOD would provide the talent to the people who made the tabernacle curtains.

 

JESUS’s robe would be scarlet and purple, similar to the colors of the curtains. HIS robe mocked HIS kingly status. But the curtains were supposed to be special. Eventually there would be twenty-one curtains

 

Some of the curtains would be used to separate the three main sections of the tabernacle, namely the Outer Court, Holy Place and the Most Holy place or the Holies of Holies. The designs, colors and measurements were for humans to see and be reminded of GOD’s presence and protection. GOD provided the measurement and the skill it would take to make everything.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the detailed measurements of the first set of curtains?
• Has GOD ever given you detailed instructions?
• What are you working on that is preparing you for your meetings with GOD?

 

Miracle of the Almond Blossoms Predicted

 Miracle of the Almond Blossoms Predicted

Exodus 25: ³¹ “You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece. ³² And six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side. ³³ Three bowls shall be made like almond blossoms on one branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower, and three bowls made like almond blossoms on the other branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower—and so for the six branches that come out of the lampstand. ³⁴ On the lampstand itself four bowls shall be made like almond blossoms, each with its ornamental knob and flower. ³⁵ And there shall be a knob under the first two branches of the same, a knob under the second two branches of the same, and a knob under the third two branches of the same, according to the six branches that extend from the lampstand. ³⁶ Their knobs and their branches shall be of one piece; all of it shall be one hammered piece of pure gold. ³⁷ You shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it. ³⁸ And its wick-trimmers and their trays shall be of pure gold. ³⁹ It shall be made of a talent of pure gold, with all these utensils. ⁴⁰ And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.

 

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GOD gave Moses specific instructions to make a gold lampstand. HE even may have shown him a pattern.

 

My Observations:

• GOD told Moses to add almond blossoms as a symbol of what HE was going to do.
• Eventually Aaron’s rod would blossom and produce almonds.
• Everything GOD does is intentional and had meaning of high importance.

 

Predicting that HE was going to make Aaron’s rod blossom almond blossoms may not have been understood by Moses at the time. But when it happened, he could look at the lampstand and see that GOD had it planned all along.

 

GOD is amazing! HE took something as simple as decorating a lampstand and turned it into a prophecy. JESUS would later use the lampstand as an analogy for seven churches mentions in Revelation. You and I are the light of the world. GOD wants out light held high, as if it were on a lampstand.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the specifics of the lampstand?
• Has GOD given you specific instruction that you don’t understand?
• Even if you do not understand what GOD has you doing, will you continue anyway?

Breaking Bread

Breaking Bread

Exodus 25: ²³ “You shall also make a table of acacia wood; two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height. ²⁴ And you shall overlay it with pure gold, and make a molding of gold all around. ²⁵ You shall make for it a frame of a handbreadth all around, and you shall make a gold molding for the frame all around. ²⁶ And you shall make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings on the four corners that are at its four legs. ²⁷ The rings shall be close to the frame, as holders for the poles to bear the table. ²⁸ And you shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be carried with them. ²⁹ You shall make its dishes, its pans, its pitchers, and its bowls for pouring. You shall make them of pure gold. ³⁰ And you shall set the showbread on the table before Me always.

 

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GOD gave Moses specific instructions to build a table and dishes for HIM to have Showbread with him or any high priest.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants to interact with HIS creation.
• Showbread, also known as shewbread, is unleavened, representing no sin.
• Gold was a remnant of the garden of Eden and is special to GOD.

 

Never leaving us or forsaking is included preparation to eat with us. GOD wanted a special, portable table that was to be handled properly. GOD was telling humans how to handle HIM properly.

 

HE wanted unleavened bread that was named Showbread or shewbread. GOD would eat with HIS creation in the form or the preincarnate JESUS. Eating is something that will happen forever. In heaven there will be a feast. GOD wants to interact with you and me.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the special table for the Showbread?
• Have you made a special place or thing that honors GOD?
• What would you say to GOD if HE showed HIMSELF to you physically?