Ex 35:1-40:38
In this weeks portion, we come to a section scripture that on the one hand, seems boring and redundant and leaves one asking 'is this really necessary?' 10 chapters earlier, God began to give Moses the instructions for the construction for the Tabernacle which began with inviting the people to make a free will offering of the resources required. Then, for 8 chapters, the Lord outlined the dimensions and materials of the furniture, tent frame and covering, and priestly garments. Then when we come to this portion, we find in pretty much the same level of detail, how the people actually built the tabernacle.
First, we are told that B'tzal'el, and others, were filled with the Holy Spirit to equip them "with the skill needed for every kind of work" (35:35). Moses then outlines in detail how they made the tent, frame and furniture as well as the priestly garments. Then again, we are told in a level of detail that seems unnecessary how Moses put the Tabernacle together. For example, we are told that he "put its sockets in place, put up its planks, put in its crossbars..." If efficiency was the purpose, we could have been told in the initial chapters the way the Tabernacle was to look, then in one chapter be told that the parts were made as God has instructed, then Moses put it together. But efficiency is not the goal; the fact that this portion of Exodus slows right down and goes into great detail about the Tabernacle shows us that this is REALLY important. And that the parts and order of the Tabernacle are described three times shows us that this is REALLY REALLY important. In fact, one could say that it was the goal of the Exodus.
The book ends with the Tabernacle constructed and then God's presence filling the tent to such an extent that Moses couldn't enter. The final verse reads, "For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys." You see, the tent wasn't just a place where Israel could 'do church' (the name of this portion is the Hebrew for 'he assembled', which is connected to the Greek Ekklesia, which means church), but rather God said He wanted it built "that I may dwell in their midst" (Ex 25:8). This was the whole goal of the whole Exodus; God living amongst His covenant people, which was a fulfilment of His promise to Abraham. Yes, deliverance from slavery was a big deal, yes the Passover was special, yes the crossing of the Red Sea was amazing and the giving of the commandments was a blessing, but God's presence dwelling among His people; that's what really counts. For this is a partial fulfilment and shadow of what would be ultimately achieved by the one who was promised to come from Eve.
And God's desires have not changed. He desires to dwell within and among His people who are brought into covenant through their faith in Christ. Although the tent, and the later temple are gone, the presence of God is among us via the Holy Spirit and we, the church, exist as God's Temple (1Cor 3:16). And like the Israelites, that God's presence dwells among us is the true prize of the Gospel. Forgiveness, justification and salvation are great, but the best part of the Gospel, according to John Piper, is that we get God. He explains:
References
Carson, D.A "The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God." IVP:Nottingham, 2000.
, J. "The Gospel Is More Than Just Forgiveness." 14 Aug 17.
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/treasure-god-magnify-christ-love-people/excerpts/the-gospel-is-more-than-just-forgiveness
The Goal
In this weeks portion, we come to a section scripture that on the one hand, seems boring and redundant and leaves one asking 'is this really necessary?' 10 chapters earlier, God began to give Moses the instructions for the construction for the Tabernacle which began with inviting the people to make a free will offering of the resources required. Then, for 8 chapters, the Lord outlined the dimensions and materials of the furniture, tent frame and covering, and priestly garments. Then when we come to this portion, we find in pretty much the same level of detail, how the people actually built the tabernacle.
First, we are told that B'tzal'el, and others, were filled with the Holy Spirit to equip them "with the skill needed for every kind of work" (35:35). Moses then outlines in detail how they made the tent, frame and furniture as well as the priestly garments. Then again, we are told in a level of detail that seems unnecessary how Moses put the Tabernacle together. For example, we are told that he "put its sockets in place, put up its planks, put in its crossbars..." If efficiency was the purpose, we could have been told in the initial chapters the way the Tabernacle was to look, then in one chapter be told that the parts were made as God has instructed, then Moses put it together. But efficiency is not the goal; the fact that this portion of Exodus slows right down and goes into great detail about the Tabernacle shows us that this is REALLY important. And that the parts and order of the Tabernacle are described three times shows us that this is REALLY REALLY important. In fact, one could say that it was the goal of the Exodus.
The book ends with the Tabernacle constructed and then God's presence filling the tent to such an extent that Moses couldn't enter. The final verse reads, "For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys." You see, the tent wasn't just a place where Israel could 'do church' (the name of this portion is the Hebrew for 'he assembled', which is connected to the Greek Ekklesia, which means church), but rather God said He wanted it built "that I may dwell in their midst" (Ex 25:8). This was the whole goal of the whole Exodus; God living amongst His covenant people, which was a fulfilment of His promise to Abraham. Yes, deliverance from slavery was a big deal, yes the Passover was special, yes the crossing of the Red Sea was amazing and the giving of the commandments was a blessing, but God's presence dwelling among His people; that's what really counts. For this is a partial fulfilment and shadow of what would be ultimately achieved by the one who was promised to come from Eve.
And God's desires have not changed. He desires to dwell within and among His people who are brought into covenant through their faith in Christ. Although the tent, and the later temple are gone, the presence of God is among us via the Holy Spirit and we, the church, exist as God's Temple (1Cor 3:16). And like the Israelites, that God's presence dwells among us is the true prize of the Gospel. Forgiveness, justification and salvation are great, but the best part of the Gospel, according to John Piper, is that we get God. He explains:
The gospel exists to remove barriers between you and God — the enjoyment of God, the delight in God. It’s not just to relieve your conscience and get you out of hell. Sinners want that without any new birth whatsoever. You don’t need to be born again to not want to burn. But you have to born again to be satisfied in God.
The Law that was given to Israel in the wilderness was given, contrary to popular opinion, for a multitude of reasons. It wasn't merely a diagnostic tool for sin, although it can do that, but one purpose that is overlooked, is that it allowed the people to get the most out of enjoying the presence of God. The laws concerning ritual purity and cleanliness ensured God's presence wasn't impeded, the sacrifices (as we will consider in our next portion) served the purposes of bringing delight to God, and the 10 Commandments ensured God's delight remained on His people. Yes he would always love them as His elect people, but if they are committing wilful and rebellious sin, than His holiness means He will be angry at their actions and attitudes. Similar principles apply for the followers of Jesus today. The place of what are commonly, albeit erroneously, referred to as the 'ceremonial law', Jesus' words in John 15 tell us: "Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love." (John 15:9-10) Likewise, 1 John tells us: "Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him" (1Jn 3:24). And Jude reminds us to 'Keep yourselves in Gods love' (Jd 1:21). This love, D.A Carson (2000) explains, is different to his providential love, whereby he "makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matt 5:45), or His love that drove Him to give His Son because He desires to see the fallen world saved, but rather that expression of pleasure that is set against his wrath (p21-22). This love, is somewhat of a parental love and part of what it means to be in covenant with our Holy creator. This principle is reflected earlier in Exodus when God says in the 10 Commandments that He will show "steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments" (Ex 20:6). And that has not changed.
Therefore, since because of the Gospel, we get to enjoy God and will enjoy Him forever, we need to keep that the focus of our lives. God's purpose for dwelling among His people was, yes it was in part because He loved them, but the goal was that through them by their obedience and devoted worship, that He would be glorified among the nations. Our mandate and calling is the same. May we, like Paul declare: "It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honoured in my body, whether by life or by death" (Phil 1:20).
This is the goal of our own exodus, that "when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory" (Eph 1:13-14).
References
Carson, D.A "The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God." IVP:Nottingham, 2000.
, J. "The Gospel Is More Than Just Forgiveness." 14 Aug 17.
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/treasure-god-magnify-christ-love-people/excerpts/the-gospel-is-more-than-just-forgiveness
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