June 2001
Exodus Chapters 27-31
After the Lord instructed Moses into the detailed layout of the Tabernacle and the "most holy" place containing the Ark of the Covenant with its Mercy Seat, the Lord provided further details of the alter, worship area and clothing of the priests.
The next five chapters of Exodus (27-31 ).specify with exacting detail the building of a sacrificial altar, the decoration of the court within the Tabernacle, as well as the clothing and ornaments to be worn by Aaron and his sons who were to minister unto the Lord in the Tabernacle.
Chapter 31 concludes with the Lord's demand that the Sabbath be kept holy, and the delivery to Moses of the 10 Commandments inscribed in the two stone tablets.
Chapter 27 opens with the Lord's instruction for the building of a sacrificial altar for burnt offerings, to be made largely of brass (verses 1-8). Then the Lord details the court of the Tabernacle and its making from fine woven linens (verses 9-19), and concludes the 27~' chapter describing the tending of the lamp filled with pure olive oil; which was lighted continuously (verses 20-21)..
Chapter 28 opens with the Lord describing the intricate detail of the priests' garments, including the jeweled breastplate. The priests garments, to be worn by Moses' brother Aaron and his sons, were to be made of fine linen and of the colors gold and blue, purple and scarlet (Verses 1-14).
The breastplate described for making by the Lord consisted of 12 precious stones , each engraved with the name of one each of the two tribes of Israel (verse 21-30). The Lord further detailed the making of a priest's robe with embroidered golden bells with the robe identifying itself as made for "Holiness to the Lord." (Verse 36).
Chapter 29 describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons as ministers in the priest's office, followed by the method and order by which sacrifices were to be made. (Verses 1-37). The Lord required daily rituals (Exodus 29:38). Based on the proper performance of the Tabernacle worship and sacrificial ceremonies, the Lord promised He would "dwell among the children of Israel" and that He would "be their God." Exodus 29:45.
"And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the Lord their God." 29:46.
Chapter 30 of Exodus details the making of an altar for incense for the perpetual burning of incense; and the atonement money offerings by the Israelites to be made by all persons above the age of 20.
Both the rich and the poor were to sacrifice the same amount of money
(Exodus 30:14-15). This is followed by the Lord's instruction for the making of a "laver" or basin to be used for the washing of hands and feet before the priest~ would enter the Most Holy Place within the Tabernacle.
The Lord further required the preparation of anointing oil for the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:22-38).
The Lord's tedious requirements for the tabernacle and the elaborate worship services required 'detailed' and skilled workmen. So the Lord created his own craftsmen. He made the men skilled in working with precious metals, in cutting stones, carving timber, and the making of all the garments and other worship items (Exodus 31:1-11 ).
The Lord concludes his instruction to Moses, directing the children of Israel to keep the Sabbath holy.
"Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people." 31:14.
The Lord commanded His people that work was to be done for six days of the week, but the "seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord." 31:15.
The Lord then presented to Moses two stone tablets of His Commandments, "written with the finger of God." 31:18.
While the Lord kept Moses upon the Mount to provide all these elaborate and detailed instructions for the tabernacle and the worship of the Lord, the people of Israel grew restless waiting. Their impatience was about to cause them major problems.
Next: Tabernacle, stone tablets and golden calf have significance