Exodus 38 - 39 and Psalm 61
In summary:
Israel's repentance for its sin of idolatry continues to manifest itself as they build the tabernacle in obedience to Yahweh's instructions.
Israel's repentance for its sin of idolatry continues to manifest itself as they build the tabernacle in obedience to Yahweh's instructions.
In more detail:
The construction (and our review) of the tabernacle continues with the three main parts outside of the tent itself:
The bronze altar where the priests will burn the animal sacrifices and the grain
and drink offerings,
The bronze basin, between bronze altar and the tabernacle, where the priests will
wash their hands and feet each time they pass. Here it tells us that it was made from the mirrors of the women who ministered at the entrance of the tent of meeting (Exodus 38:8), and
The court, where the priests will work, separated from the camp by its curtains and columns.
The inventory which follows testifies of the Israelites’ diligence in using the gold, silver and bronze which had been donated.
We also review the high priest’s clothing:
The ephod with its onyx stones on the shoulder pieces with the names of the
tribes of Israel,
The breastplate with its 12 precious stones with the name of a tribe engraved on
each one,
The robe with its bells and pomegranates all around the hem, and
The turban with its plate of pure gold saying: Holy to the Lord.
The Israelites present everything to Moses who inspects it and gives his approval: “Behold, they had done it; as the LORD had commanded, so had they done it” (Exodus 39:43). How different their actions are this time! There is no disobedience or sin like in the incident of the golden calf. Neither is there any curse or condemnation: “Then Moses blessed them”(Exodus 39:43). There is no need for Moses to go and intercede for their forgiveness that day; this time he can be an instrument of blessing, communicating something of God’s pleasure in their work. Maybe he even whispered in prayer, “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17)
The bronze altar where the priests will burn the animal sacrifices and the grain
and drink offerings,
The bronze basin, between bronze altar and the tabernacle, where the priests will
wash their hands and feet each time they pass. Here it tells us that it was made from the mirrors of the women who ministered at the entrance of the tent of meeting (Exodus 38:8), and
The court, where the priests will work, separated from the camp by its curtains and columns.
The inventory which follows testifies of the Israelites’ diligence in using the gold, silver and bronze which had been donated.
We also review the high priest’s clothing:
The ephod with its onyx stones on the shoulder pieces with the names of the
tribes of Israel,
The breastplate with its 12 precious stones with the name of a tribe engraved on
each one,
The robe with its bells and pomegranates all around the hem, and
The turban with its plate of pure gold saying: Holy to the Lord.
The Israelites present everything to Moses who inspects it and gives his approval: “Behold, they had done it; as the LORD had commanded, so had they done it” (Exodus 39:43). How different their actions are this time! There is no disobedience or sin like in the incident of the golden calf. Neither is there any curse or condemnation: “Then Moses blessed them”(Exodus 39:43). There is no need for Moses to go and intercede for their forgiveness that day; this time he can be an instrument of blessing, communicating something of God’s pleasure in their work. Maybe he even whispered in prayer, “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17)
