How To Build a Relationship with God (Exodus 37:1-38-20)
37:1 Then Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits was its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. 2 He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold all around it. 3 And he cast for it four rings of gold to be set in its four corners: two rings on one side, and two rings on the other side of it. 4 He made poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold. 5 And he put the poles into the rings at the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. 6 He also made the mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits was its length and a cubit and a half its width. 7 He made two cherubim of beaten gold; he made them of one piece at the two ends of the mercy seat: 8 one cherub at one end on this side, and the other cherub at the other end on that side. He made the cherubim at the two ends of one piece with the mercy seat. 9 The cherubim spread out their wings above, and covered the mercy seat with their wings. They faced one another; the faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.
Making the Table for the Showbread
10 He made the table of acacia wood; two cubits was its length, a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height. 11 And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made a molding of gold all around it. 12 Also he made a frame of a handbreadth all around it, and made a molding of gold for the frame all around it. 13 And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings on the four corners that were at its four legs. 14 The rings were close to the frame, as holders for the poles to bear the table. 15 And he made the poles of acacia wood to bear the table, and overlaid them with gold. 16 He made of pure gold the utensils which were on the table: its dishes, its cups, its bowls, and its pitchers for pouring.
Making the Gold Lampstand
17 He also made the lampstand of pure gold; of hammered work he made the lampstand. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and its flowers were of the same piece. 18 And six branches came out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side. 19 There were three bowls 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 coming out of the lampstand. 20 And on the lampstand itself were four bowls made like almond blossoms, each with its ornamental knob and flower. 21 There was 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 extending from it. 22 Their knobs and their branches were of one piece; all of it was one hammered piece of pure gold. 23 And he made its seven lamps, its wick-trimmers, and its trays of pure gold. 24 Of a talent of pure gold he made it, with all its utensils.
Making the Altar of Incense
25 He made the incense altar of acacia wood. Its length was a cubit and its width a cubit—it was square—and two cubits was its height. Its horns were of one piece with it. 26 And he overlaid it with pure gold: its top, its sides all around, and its horns. He also made for it a molding of gold all around it. 27 He made two rings of gold for it under its molding, by its two corners on both sides, as holders for the poles with which to bear it. 28 And he made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.
Making the Anointing Oil and the Incense
29 He also made the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the perfumer.
Making the Alter.
38:1 He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood; five cubits was its length and five cubits its width—it was square—and its height was three cubits. 2 He made its horns on its four corners; the horns were of one piece with it. And he overlaid it with bronze. 3 He made all the utensils for the altar: the pans, the shovels, the basins, the forks, and the firepans; all its utensils he made of bronze. 4 And he made a grate of bronze network for the altar, under its rim, midway from the bottom. 5 He cast four rings for the four corners of the bronze grating, as holders for the poles. 6 And he made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with bronze. 7 Then he put the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, with which to bear it. He made the altar hollow with boards.
Making the Bronze Laver
8 He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the bronze mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
Making the Court of the Tabernacle
9 Then he made the court on the south side; the hangings of the court were of fine woven linen, one hundred cubits long. 10 There were twenty pillars for them, with twenty bronze sockets. The hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver. 11 On the north side the hangings were one hundred cubits long, with twenty pillars and their twenty bronze sockets. The hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver. 12 And on the west side there were hangings of fifty cubits, with ten pillars and their ten sockets. The hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver. 13 For the east side the hangings were fifty cubits. 14 The hangings of one side of the gate were fifteen cubits long, with their three pillars and their three sockets, 15 and the same for the other side of the court gate; on this side and that were hangings of fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three sockets. 16 All the hangings of the court all around were of fine woven linen. 17 The sockets for the pillars were bronze, the hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver, and the overlay of their capitals was silver; and all the pillars of the court had bands of silver. 18 The screen for the gate of the court was woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen. The length was twenty cubits, and the height along its width was five cubits, corresponding to the hangings of the court. 19 And there were four pillars with their four sockets of bronze; their hooks were silver, and the overlay of their capitals and their bands was silver. 20 All the pegs of the tabernacle, and of the court all around, were bronze.
How do you build a relationship with the Lord? Maybe it’s like building a house. You start with a blueprint and then follow the design to construct it. But have you ever heard of a blueprint for developing a relationship with another person? There are all kinds of formulas and suggestions, but a complete blueprint is rare. However, surprisingly enough, there is one in the Bible for building a relationship with God.In Exodus chapter 37, Moses describes the construction of the Tabernacle, which serves as a symbolic blueprint for building our relationship with the Lord. Let's turn to Exodus 37 and explore this together. At this point in the book, Moses begins explaining how they built the Tabernacle, which will continues until chapter 38 verse 20.
Previously, Moses provided the blueprint in chapters 25 through 31, and now he describes the actual construction in chapters 37 and 38. Comparing the two, you'll find they are virtually identical. In these two chapters, we see the construction of the ark of the covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, the altar of incense, as well as mentions of the anointing oil, incense, the brazen altar, the labour, and the courtyard. The outline of these chapters is focused on the furniture, with the first half covering the ark of the covenant, table of showbread, lampstand, and altar of incense. The second half describes the courtyard, including the brazen altar, labour, and fence surrounding it.
It begins by telling us that someone called Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood and the dimensions are given.In verse 2, it says, "He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside it has a gold overlay with a decorative gold moulding around the top to prevent anything from falling off. In verse 3, it mentions the four rings of gold on the corners of the ark, with two rings on each side. These rings were used for carrying the ark. In verse 4, it states that poles of acacia wood were made and overlaid with gold, which were inserted into the rings for carrying the ark.
Moving on, we come to the mercy seat in verse 6. It was made of pure gold, 2 and a half cubits wide and a cubit and a half long. The mercy seat was the removable top of the ark, without hinges, fitting perfectly over it. Some interpret it as God's throne, as it represented His presence in the holiest of holies. In verse 7, it mentions the two cherubim made of beaten gold, placed on the ends of the mercy seat. These cherubim faced each other and the mercy seat, forming one piece with it. They were positioned above and covered the mercy seat with their wings. The cherubim were looking down at the mercy seat, which held great significance. Inside the ark were the tablets of the law, Aaron's rod that budded, and a jar of manna—all representing Israel's rebellion. The cherubim focused on the sprinkled blood during the annual atonement, which provided forgiveness for their rebellion.
Moving on to the next piece of furniture, we encounter the table of showbread. It was made of acacia wood, the dimensions are again given. As we continue reading, we will encounter more repetition and detailed descriptions of the other elements in the Tabernacle. Although this repetition may seem mundane, it holds valuable insights on how to build a relationship with the Lord. The next item of furniture is the lampstand. In verse 17, he says he also made a lampstand of pure gold, of hammered work. It gives us the design details of the elaborate detail concerning the lampstand. He continues on to verse 21 describing in detail the lampstand.
He then says in verses 22 and 23, not only about the lampstand, but all the instruments it took to operate the lampstand.The next piece of furniture is the altar of incense. This is the holy place. Now we've got three items of furniture, the lampstand, and the altar of incense, which stood up against the veil. "The incense altar of Acacia wood is described repeating the detail. It was three feet high with horns on each corner and overlaid it with pure gold, on its top, its sides all around. Again, it's portable, and that will be important.
Now let's go out to the courtyard. The next piece of furniture, which is in chapter 38, verse 1, is the brazen altar. This is the altar on which they burnt sacrifices.In the verses that follow we're told that they made the brazen altar, and it was portable and its made of bronze . and it is portable.
All right, God gave instructions for the building of the Tabernacle just like he did before the rebellion with the golden calf. These two passages are virtually identical." Well, this is the addition. He mentions the laver, which was not mentioned earlier. The other thing I might point out is this. First, he mentions the Tent of Meeting, at one point set up a tent apart from the camp. This might be a reference to that tent, but elsewhere, Tent of Meeting refers to the Tabernacle itself.
Alright, a couple more, we're almost done.
We got to get out to the courtyard, and he describe the fence and the gate. All the stuff about the size and the materials but nothing has changed. The only entrance to the court was the gate, made of fine woven linen and embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet thread. This suggests Christ, the only way that you can approach God. Now, I think, I think that might be a legitimate application.There was only one gate to the Tabernacle, and God lives in the Holy of Holies, and there's only one way to get to God.
If we're going to try to summarize all this, I would say that the building of the Tabernacle, the first thing that strikes me is that this is a lot of repetition. I mean, even within the passage he repeats it over and over and over again. God repeats everything in great detail. So, the first thing that strikes me in the context of Exodus is there's a lot of repetition here. The other thing that strikes me is that this whole thing, the furniture and the courtyard, just the whole thing, illustrates how to have a relationship with the Lord. I want to make an issue out of the fact that God doesn't mind repeating important things. You can't read the Old Testament without just being struck with how much judgment there is. We've seen it in the book of Exodus, and there's more to come in the Pentateuch. And when you get to Joshua, there's judgment, and in the historical books, there's judgment. And when you get to the prophets, it is judgment, judgment, judgment. It's in the New Testament as well but especially in the Book of Revelation.
In fact, in the Book of Revelation, when you hit chapters 6, and from 6 to 18, it is one judgment right after another. So apparently, God believes in repetition. Repetition is used for emphasis. I think the importance of the Tabernacle and all that is connected with it makes an even stronger impression because it repeats it so much therefore repetition is a teaching tool.
The other thing, and this is what I want to end with is to say the Tabernacle is a type. You've heard me discuss types before. It is a God-intended illustration of a spiritual truth. I believe that the Tabernacle is teaching us how to build a relationship with God. So just think of the Tabernacle. You walk in the gate, there's a brazen altar. Only certain people could go that far and only the priest could go to the next item of furniture, which was the laver and then only twice a day. The priest went into the Holy Place, three items of furniture—the ones we've looked at—the table of showbread, the candelabra or lampstand, and the table of the altar of incense. Then the high priest could go into the Holy of Holies once a year and sprinkle blood on the mercy seat. The presence of God was in the Holiest of Holies.
So why all this furniture? What's the point? Is it not teaching us that this is the way you get to God it is in fact teaching us how you can build a relationship with Him.
So, let's think about that.
As I've already pointed out, there's only one gate.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father, but by me."
What's the first thing you encounter as you enter the tabernacle, a brazen altar where they sacrificed lambs. So, to get to God, you must come through a sacrifice, right? The first step let's call it conversion. You have to be converted by trusting in the death of Jesus Christ and His resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. Keep going. What's the next item? The laver. What did the priests do with the laver? It was filled with water, and they went through some ceremonial washing.
It doesn’t take a Ph.D. in theology to figure that out it’s about cleansing and that was where I experienced forgiveness of sins. Cleansing my stain. Why is the next step cleansing? The clearest demonstration of that is in John 13 where Jesus washed their feet, and Peter said, "No, don't wash my feet. Wash me all over again. I need a complete bath." And Jesus says, "No, you don't. I'm going to wash your feet. You've already been clean through the word which I've spoken to you, but your feet are dirty, and you need daily cleansing."
The second step in approaching God is daily cleansing. The verse that says it very clearly is 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Notice, He includes Himself. If we, as believers, confess our sins. In fact, in that verse, it says if you don't, you deceive yourself, and you make God a liar. If you say you don't have any sins. But if you say you do have sins and confess them, we simply mean to say the same thing God says. So instead of saying, "I stretched the truth," you say, "I lied." Call it a sin. Then God forgives you and cleanses you. Somebody who said that forgiveness is in heaven and the cleansing is on earth. He forgives you and cleanses you. So, the second step in approaching God and building a relationship with Him is cleansing. So first, there is conversion, and second, there is cleansing.
Now, what happens when you get into the Holy Place? There is the table of showbread and the altar of incense. What's that about? Many Bible teachers have come to this and said, and I think with good merit, that it's about Christ. He provides the blood for conversion and the cleansing. Would it be too much to say that the candelabra represents Jesus as the light? What about the table? Guess what He said? "I am the bread of life." What about that altar of incense? Prayers of the saints. In the Book of Revelation, that altar is seen to represent the prayers of the saints. But if you follow through with Christ being the light and the table of showbread, it could be Christ praying as well, interceding on the right hand of the Father.
Alright, let me close by saying this: He is the bread on which we should feed, and He is the light by which we should see. There's a lot of significance in that. We are in the dark until we come to Christ, and then we see everything through the eyes of Scripture, the Word, and the Lord. It starts to make sense all of a sudden. We were once in the dark, but now we have Christ. But I want to end on Christ. Christ is our intercessor. The Bible emphasizes this, Turn with me to Romans chapter 8, specifically verses 26 and 34.
" Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us."
So, Christ intercedes for us. The altar of incense in the Book of Revelation represents the prayers of the saints, but today Christ intercedes for us, on our behalf. In fact, in verse 26 of that chapter, it says the Holy Spirit intercedes for us as well. Now, what does that look like? Let's turn to Hebrews chapter 7, verse 25. It says,
Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
(Hebrews 7: 25 N.I.V.)
This is a really interesting verse. Notice, we come to God through Him, which is the whole point I'm making about the Tabernacle. We come to God in the Holiest of Holies, and we come to Him through Christ, through conversion, through cleansing, through communion with Him, seeing Him as the light and the bread of life. And we are saved completely because He makes intercession for us. He is able to save us wholly because He makes intercession for us.
So how does that look like in tangible terms?Well, let's turn back to Hebrews chapter 2, verse 18. It says.
"For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted."
So, He aids us when we are tempted.
Part of that is because He was tempted Himself. Now, look again in Hebrews chapter 4, verse 15. It says.
"For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."
That's what it mentioned in verse 18 of chapter 2. He is our high priest, and He can help us when we're tempted. And one of the ways He does that is by sympathizing with us. He knows exactly what you're going through. Now, does that mean He had every specific temptation that we do? Yes and no. He was tempted in all points, and I think that the temptations recorded in the Gospels cover all points. All of our temptations are a subdivision of one of those three temptations. So how does He do that?
“Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
(Hebrews 4: 16)
One of my favourite verses that I quote all the time. You're going to get sick of hearing it, but repetition is one of those tools of learning.
He aids us, He sympathizes with us. How does this work? Well, He's interceding for us, and when we go to Him, He sympathizes and gives us mercy and grace to help and aid. And put all that together, it's connected with His high priestly ministry. He is a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. So, we approach the Father through the Son. That's the meaning of the Tabernacle. There's only one way to God, conversion, cleansing, communion. We go to the Father through the Son and receive mercy and grace. It's all laid out in symbolic form in the Tabernacle. Hebrews 4:16 is the ultimate. When you need mercy, when you need grace, when you need help, when you need aid, go to the Son. He's interceding for you, and that gets you directly to God the Father who is sitting on the throne of grace.
Maybe you already knew some of this, but you needed to be reminded. Apparently, God believes in repetition, along with many others. The tabernacle is the picture of how people can gain access to God the father of all things. But today we can go straight to the Father, because we know His son. And because of the son’s priestly ministry and His prayers of intercession we now all have access to God illustrated for the first time in the Tabernacle, but repeated throughout all time in the life and death and the eternal ministry of his son the Lord Jesus Christ.