Read Exodus 26 -- 28
In Today's Reading:
Awesomely, God Himself gave the pattern for the Tabernacle in detail, saying thus it shall be. It clearly speaks of the person of Christ and the way of redemption through its materials, colors, furniture, and arrangement. Note the progression from suffering, blood, and death, to beauty, holiness, and the glory of God in today's reading.
Verse for Today:
You shall rear up the Tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was showed you in the mount (Exodus 26:30).
Highlights:
Directions given for constructing the Tabernacle, court, furniture, and enclosure; plans for the altar; Aaron's priestly garments; plans for the ephod.
The purpose of the Tabernacle was to provide a place where God could dwell among His people and reveal Himself to them. The Tabernacle was a rectangular structure 45 feet long, 15 feet high, and 15 feet wide. It was protected by an enclosure that measured 150 feet long and 75 feet wide.
There was only one entrance to this enclosure (Exodus 27:16). It portrayed our Lord as the only Way into the presence of God. This was made clear when Jesus said: I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man comes to the Father, but by Me (John 14:6).
After passing through the entrance into the fenced enclosure, the worshiper approached the Brazen Altar, known as the Altar of Burnt Offering. The sacrifice offered upon the Brazen Altar illustrated the death of Jesus on the cross (Hebrews 13:10-12). Just as the ram was wholly burned upon the altar, Jesus was wholly dedicated to God, willing to die on the cross for our sins. Our wonderful Lord was both the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), and our High Priest, Who officiates over sacrifices as an Intercessor between God and man. We have such a High Priest, Who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens (Hebrews 8:1).
A Thought from Proverbs: Keep My Commandments, and live; and My Law as the apple of your eye. Bind them upon your fingers, write them upon the table of your heart (7:2-3).
Christ Revealed:
Through the Brazen (brass) Altar, upon which the sin sacrifice was burned; brass represents judgment (Exodus 27:1-8; Leviticus 4:1-12; John 1:36; Ephesians 1:7).
Word Studies:
26:6 taches are devices for fastening two parts together, such as a buckle, band, or clamp; 26:19 tenons = clasps, projections that fit into another piece of wood to secure them to each other; 27:5 compass = ledge; 27:6 staves = poles for carrying; 27:10 fillets = ornamental thin bands around the pillars; 27:21 order it = tend it to keep it burning; 28:4 mitre = turban; 28:8 curious girdle = skillfully made interlaced belt; 28:9 grave = engrave, inscribe; 28:11 ouches = mountings or settings for precious stones; 28:12 memorial = remembrance; 28:17 carbuncle = precious stone, possibly an emerald; 28:20 inclosings = settings; 28:22 wreathen = woven, braided; 28:32 hole of a habergeon = neck in a jacket or protective armor; 28:40 bonnets = headpieces; 28:43 bear not iniquity = do not incur guilt.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Rep. Xavier Becerra (CA), Sen. Mark Dayton (MN), and Rep. Ronnie Shows (MS) · Pray for your Pastor · Country: Portugal (10 million) in western Europe · Major language: Portuguese · Limited religious freedom · 90% Roman Catholic; .75% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to teach you His ways (Psalms 27:11).
Optional Reading: Matthew 26
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:5