These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
Review…
- Exodus 20-24 – the LAW of God for INDIVIDUALS / SOCIETY / JUDGES…
- Exodus 25-31 – The Tabernacle – where God would dwell with His people making them HOLY…
- Exodus 32-33 – The Golden Calf
- Moses was DELAYED coming down from the mountain…
- Israel demanded Aaron make them a god they could SEE…
- He made them a Golden Calf and told Israel this is the god who brought you out of Egypt!
- The Lord told Moses – go down – YOUR people have sinned.
- Moses shattered the tablets of stone – and all who would not repent were executed…
- The day the Law was given to Israel – 3000 people died!
- The day of PENTECOST – 3000 people were given new life – II Corinthians 3:6
- Exodus 34 – Reconfirming the Covenant…
- New stones – God had Moses carve 2 new stone to put the Law (contact) on…
- Because the Character of God is – merciful and forgiving / righteous and just!
- Moses was DELAYED coming down from the mountain…
Following the Blueprints… (4 points)
- 1st – The WORD of the Lord… vs. 1-3– READ
- 1st – ANG PULONG SANG DIOS…VS. 1-3-READ
- 1st – These are the WORDS… vs. 1
- 1st– Amo ini ang PULONG.. vs. 1
- These are the WORDS – which the Lord has COMMANDED [piel] …
- May ara sang PULONG- kon sa diin GINMANDO sang DIOS[piel]
- WORDS – [הַדְּבָרִים] – from the verb to speak…
- PULONG- [הַדְּבָרִים]- halin sa verb nga nagahambal…
- In the NT – the WORD [λόγος] – is one of the TITLES for Jesus Christ!
- Sa NT- ang PULONG[λόγος]- amo ang isa ka naga TITULO para kay Jesus Christ!
- I can remember as a child wanting to hear from God – to hear Him speak…
- May nadumduman ako nga bata nga gusto makabati halin sa Ginoo- para mabatian Siya nga nagahambal…
- I would even try an imagine what would the sound of His voice be like!
- Natestingan ko man nga imaginon kon ano pareho sa ano ang Iya tingog!
- The VOICE of the Lord is His WORD – that is how He COMMANDS [piel] us…
- Ang TINGOG sang DIOS ara sa Iya PULONG-
- If we want to hear from Him – know His will for our lives…
- Kon gusto ta nga makabati halin sa Iya- hibaluon kon ano ang Iya gusto sa aton kabuhi….
- Then we only have to READ His WORD – and He will SPEAK to us!
- Kag aton lang himuon amo ang MAGBASA sang Iya PULONG- kag Siya MAKIPAGHAMBAL Sa aton!
- God choose to speak through His WORD…
- Ang Ginoo nagpili nga maghambal paagi sa Iya nga PULONG….
- Have you even played the PHONE game – passing a word from person to person…
- Nakaagi kamo hampang sa CELLPHONE nga mga hampang- nagapasa sang tinaga sa isa ka tawo…
- Inevitably by the time you get to the last person – completely different word!
- If God SPOKE to a man – that man would know His COMMANDS…
- But then when that man shared it with others – it would NOT be coming from the Lord…
- Inevitably over time – the COMMANDS of God – passed from one person to the next…
- Would be corrupted – so men would NOT know the TRUTH!
- That is why God ONLY speaks through His WORD – because it NEVER changes!
- Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
- 2nd – The Sabbath Day… vs. 2-3
- Six days men shall do their work – but the SEVENTH day shall be a HOLY day…
- SABBATH of rests [שַׁבַּת שַׁבָּתוֹן] – a day special day to REST…
- If anyone worked on this DAY – they were to be put to DEATH – Numbers 15:32
- They could not so much as start a FIRE in their house [cook] – on the SABBATH…
- Because it was a HOLY [קֹדֶשׁ] day – a day set aside to LISTEN to the WORDS of God!
- Take the time – MAKE the time – to listen to the WORD…
- Hearing from God does not happen by accident – we set aside time to LISTEN…
- Because if we do NOT set aside time [קֹדֶשׁ] – we will begin to spiritually wither!
- 2nd – Responding to the Word… vs. 35:4 – 36:7 – READ BY SECTION
- 1st – The WORD [הַדָּבָר] the Lord commanded [piel] … vs. 4-5
- Take an OFFERING – from the verb [רוּם] – meaning to LIFT UP…
- The picture is of GIVING something – lifting it up – to God!
- Israel was to bring an OFFERING to God – the materials needed to build the tabernacle!
- Not because God needed anything from Israel – He is the creator of all heaven and earth!
- But God does wanted Israel to invest in Him / His work – Luke 12:34
- We do not choose where are heart is – we do choose where we put our treasures…
- Wherever we put our money / time / talents – is where our heart will also be!
- 2nd – Information – not solicitation… vs. 5-19
- Israel was to give various kinds of precious metals…
- The different metals in the Tabernacle all have significant meaning…
- Gold – a picture of the Glory and Holiness of God – ONLY used inside the Tabernacle…
- Silver – a picture of salvation – the grace of God – used inside and outside…
- Bronze – a picture of judgment – ONLY used on the outside of the Tabernacle…
- Israel was to give various colors of thread and fine linen…
- Blue – a picture of HEAVEN – used in the decorations…
- Purple – a picture of ROYALTY – wealth and power – used in the decorations…
- Red – a picture of SACRIFICE / REDEMPTION – used in the decorations…
- Israel was also to bring animal skins / wood / oil / spices / and stones…
- Animal skins – were used as curtains / and a waterproof covering for the Tabernacle…
- Wood – was used to build the furniture / curtain poles / and supports for the Tabernacle…
- Oil – was used to light the Menorah – and as anointing oil…
- Spices – were used to make anointing oil / and as incense for the altar…
- Stones – were used on the Ephod for the clothing of the priests!
- Moses told the people about what the Tabernacle NEEDED…
- But nothing was REQUIRED – the people were to give from a WILLING heart!
- There are a LOT of diverse opinions today in the church about how to collect money…
- Some churches have very PUBLIC programs to help raise funds…
- While others only put a box in the back of the sanctuary for those who want to give!
- There is not a RIGHT or WRONG way – but I would mention two principals…
- First – do NOT let your left hand know what you right hand is doing – Matthew 6:1-4
- We do not want to give to be recognized by men – no donation name plates!
- Second – while it is OK to give information [opportunity] – do not SOLICIT money…
- It misrepresents the Lord – as if God somehow needs something from us!
- 3rd – A WILLING heart… vs. 5 / 20-29
- Whoever is of a WILLING heart…
- WILLING [נָדַב] – used 6x in this passage [3 forms] – to stir up / impel / motivate…
- Because people were listening to the WORD of the Lord – they were STIRRED by the Lord…
- STIRRED [נָשָׂא] – used 3x in this passage – to take away / can be translated as FORGIVEN…
- Do NOT miss this – why were the people so WILLING to give so much to the Lord…
- Because they listened to the WORD Lord – which brought FORGIVENESS from the Lord!
- I have to wonder – if the command to give had taken place BEFORE the Golden calf…
- Perhaps the people would have been LESS generous – giving out of obligation…
- But POST golden calf – seeing how SINFUL they were – but FORGIVEN…
- They were very STIRRED and WILLING to show their gratefulness to the Lord!
- We do NOT have to give anything to God…
- The question is NOT – what are we required to GIVE to the Lord – the answer is NOTHING…
- The question is – do we understand what the Lord has GIVEN to us…
- If we think we HAVE to GIVE – out of some sense of obligation – we will hesitate…
- But if we get into the WORD of the Lord – and see we are sinners – Romans 3:23
- And the wages of sin is death – hell – eternal separation – Romans 6:23
- And we TRULY believe God paid the price for our sin – GIVEN us forgiveness – John 3:16
- Our giving will NOT out of obligation – but a STIRRED heart / spirit…
- Like Zacchaeus who gave half of all he had when Jesus came into his house – Luke 19:8
- We WILLINGLY give – desiring to show our gratitude for what God has done!
- II Corinthians 9:7 – “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
- 4th – GIFTED by God… vs. 25/30-3
- People gave more than just their possessions…
- Some of the women who were good at sewing – spun blue / purple / and red yarn …
- God filled Bezalel – Aholiab – and others with wisdom and understanding to do the work…
- God even put it in the heart of Bezalel to teach others what God had given to him!
- Perhaps we do have a desire to GIVE to the Lord – be involved in His work…
- The problem is we do not t think we have anything to GIVE to the Lord – no money!
- Money is only ONE way that we give to the Lord – it is NOT the ONLY way…
- God has GIFTED each one of us – we can GIVE God our time and efforts to Him!
- The POOR church of Philippi – was ONLY church to support Paul – he called them his crown!
- While one of the richest churches – Laodicea – was spiritually bankrupt – Revelation 3:17
- Being used by the Lord has nothing to do with how much money we have…
- It is all about a heart that is humble – and being willing to GIVE ourselves to the Lord!
- It is not about MONEY – it is about the HEART…
- Mark 12:42-44 – Jesus sat opposite the treasury – watching as people put their money in…
- There were many there who were rich – who put in a lot of money…
- But there was a poor widow who only put in 2 mites – about 50 centavos…
- Jesus called the disciples and told them – she gave more than all the rich put together!
- The rich gave out of their abundance – she out of her poverty – she gave all she had!
- Giving to God is not about money or talent – God does not need anything…
- And it is not about the quantity – giving a lot means nothing if it costs us nothing…
- It is about sacrifice – giving from the heart – showing our Love for God!
- Giving to the Lord is not just giving to the church – Deuteronomy 14:28-29
- We are often taught the only way to give to the Lord – is to give to the church…
- But we can give an offering to the Lord by helping out those around us…
- God considers that to be just as much a gift as anything we give to the Lord!
- 5th – Too much… vs. 4-7
- The craftsman spoke to Moses – the people bring much more than enough…
- The Children of Israel gave SO MUCH – Moses had to tell them to stop giving!
- When God is the one who is behind a work – He will provide for all the needs!
- We do NOT have to tell people to give / we do NOT have to make them help…
- When God is the one doing the work – He will stir the hearts of His people…
- He will provide for all the needs to complete His work!
- He will provide so much – we end up having to tell the people to STOP giving!
- So many churches today STIVE for money – and miss the work God is doing…
- Too often in the church – money is the focus – tithes / offerings – the reason…
- The church is trying to do something that is THEIR idea – new building – sound…
- If it is our idea – we have to pay for it – if it is from the Lord – HE will pay for it…
- Much better to seek the Lord on what He wants to do – then He will provide the needs!
- 3rd – Following the Word… vs. 36:8 – 39:43 – DO NOT READ
- 1st – All the gifted artisans… vs. 8
- In a repeat of Exodus 25-30 – God gave Moses the BLUEPRINTS for the Tabernacle…
- The GIFTED artisans now build everything according to the design God gave to Moses…
- But notice the CHANGE in pronoun – from THEM to HE [vs. 10 and onwards] …
- This is no doubt a reference to Bezalel who oversaw the work – Exodus 37:1
- But I cannot help but think there is a subtle application for us!
- A MULTITUDE of people took part in the work – but only ONE got the credit…
- Because while God may use an army – ultimately – He is the one who oversees it all…
- I Corinthians 3:6 – “[One] planted, [another] watered, but God gave the increase.”
- One person might plant a seed – another does all the work of nurturing it to fruition…
- But really – do we do anything – it is God who makes the plant grow!
- Perhaps we share the Gospel with someone – but they do not get saved…
- We planted the seed – but it was not the right time for the fruit to grow…
- Someone else comes and encourages that person in Jesus – fertilizes / weeds…
- A completely different person tells them about Jesus – harvest – salvation!
- We never know how God will use us – plant / water / or harvest…
- And it really does NOT matter – it is God who get the credit!
- 2nd – The Pattern…
- The Tabernacle – Exodus 36:8-34
- A tent – 15 feet wide x 15 feet high x 45 feet long – covered in FOUR layers…
- It was portable – along with everything that was in it – meant to be easily moved….
- Embroidered doorway with cherubim – SECOND of THREE doors into the presence of God…
- Common people were not allowed inside – only the priests could enter…
- The inside framework of the tabernacle – made of wood overlaid in gold!
- The Veil – Exodus 36:35-38
- The Tabernacle was divided inside into TWO parts…
- THE HOLY [הַקֹּדֶשׁ] – the FIRST room inside the Temple – only the priest were allowed…
- The HOLY of HOLIES [קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִֽׁים] – the inner room – the Ark of the Covenant…
- The VEIL separated THE HOLY – from the HOLY of HOLIES…
- It was to be decorated with CHERUBIM – embordered in blue / purple / and red thread…
- The VEIL was no small piece of cloth – 15×15 feet x 4 inches thick!
- The Ark of the Covenant / the Mercy seat – Exodus 37:1-9
- A wooden box roughly 4x2x2 – covered inside and out in pure gold…
- It had FOUR gold rings on its sides – used to insert TWO gold poles – used to carry the ark…
- The poles were never to be taken out of the rings – because you could NOT touch the Ark!
- The Ark was meant to hold the TESTIMONY – the TEN commandments written on stone!
- The cover for the Ark – was called the MERCY SEAT…
- It was also to be made out of pure gold – with two CHERUBIM on top of the cover…
- The TWO angels would face each other – with wing spread out over the MERCY SEAT…
- Symbolic of the THRONE ROOM of God – surrounded by the CHERUBIM – Revelation 4
- Table of Showbread – Exodus 37:10-16
- A wooden table – THREE feet long x 1.5 FEET wide x TWO feet high – overlaid with gold…
- It also had FOUR gold rings on its sides – used to insert TWO gold poles to carry it…
- SHOWBREAD – [לֶחֶם הַפָּנִֽים] – literally the bread before the FACE of God – Exodus 35:13
- On top of the table there would be TWELVE loaves of bread – ONE for each of the tribes…
- God kept a reminder of all His people before Him there in the Tabernacle!
- The Menorah – Exodus 37:17-24
- A candle stick – with SIX branches coming out of the main stem – made of solid gold!
- The priests were to keep the lights burning day and night – Exodus 27:20-21
- In was a SEVEN stemmed / SEVEN foot candle stick made of 75 pounds of solid gold!
- SEVEN in the Bible is the number of perfection – the Menorah was the PERFECT light!
- Altar of incense – Exodus 37:25-29
- Inside the Tabernacle – next to the VEIL just outside the Holiest of Holies…
- The Alter of incense – 18 inches square x 3 inches high – overlaid with Gold…
- Like the Ark / Menorah / and table of showbread – it had two poles attached for carrying!
- The Alter of incense was used to burn INCENSE before the Lord in the Tabernacle…
- The Altar was a picture – it represented the PRAYERS of the saints coming up to God!
- The Altar of burnt offering – Exodus 38:1-7
- A wooden box 7.5’ wide x 7.5’ long x 4.5’ high – overlaid with BRONZE…
- At each of the FOUR corners there were BRONZE horns sticking out…
- It also had FOUR bronze rings on its sides – used to insert TWO bronze poles to carry it!
- Those who came to meet with God could only come as far as the ALTAR …
- They came to bring sacrifices – the penalty for their sins – but they could NOT meet God…
- It served as a reminder that sin had to be judged – and sin kept us from God!
- The Bronze pool – Exodus 38:8
- Outside the Tabernacle – next to the bronze ALTAR – was the large Bronze POOL…
- The pool was used by the Priests to wash their HANDS and FEET…
- The priests had to wash before the went into the TABERNACLE or to the ALTAR!
- Made from the mirrors of the women who served in the Tabernacle…
- Choosing to be clean / beautiful on the inside – rather than focusing on the outside!
- How much time do we spend making ourselves look good – looking in the mirror…
- If we spent half as much time looking into the WORD – cleaning the inside – Ephesians 5:26
- We would find God makes us beautiful from the inside out!
- The outer courtyard – Exodus 38:9-20
- A wall of curtains 150 feet long x 75 feet wide x 7.5 feet high around the Tabernacle…
- The curtains were held up by 56 bronze posts – set in 56 bronze bases…
- The tops of the bronze posts were all connected by silver rails to hang the curtains…
- On the EAST side there was a 30-foot entryway – the FIRST of the THREE doors!
- Inventory of the Tabernacle – Exodus 38:21-31
- 1000kg of gold – only used within the Tabernacle – over 3 BILLION pesos…
- 3422kg of silver – used inside and outside – over 135 MILLION pesos
- 3400kg used for the silver bases of the Tabernacle [100 bases – 34kg each] …
- Collected from the census tax – ½ shekel from every man over TWENTY – 603,550 in all…
- 2408kg of bronze – used on the outside of the Tabernacle – 700k Pesos…
- 3 billion pesos worth of Gold / 135 million worth of silver / 700k worth of bronze…
- An ENORMOUS fortune – not given out of necessity – but out of love for God!
- Not from a wealthy and powerful people – but from a group of slaves!
- When God does a work – nothing is impossible – and He uses the least likely people…
- God who takes a group of slaves – and makes them His nation…
- God who takes a group of fishermen – and makes them His disciples…
- God who takes you and I (a bunch of sinners) – and makes us His children….
- God who can do anything – if we will just listen to Him and follow His Word!
- The Ephod and the Onyx stones – Exodus 29:1-7
- The Ephod was like an apron worn over the robe of the High priest…
- Attaching the front of the Ephod to the back were two onyx stones on the shoulders
- On each of the stones were SIX of the names of the Tribes of Israel…
- Made from blue / purple / and scarlet thread – with Gold thread woven in…
- The Gold was hammered into thin sheets – then cut into thin strips to be woven in!
- The Chest piece – with the TWELVE stones – Exodus 29:8-21
- Over the top of the Ephod there was a cloth pouch – covered in TWELVE precious stones…
- Each one of the stones had one of the names of the 12 tribes engraved on it!
- The Blue robe – with pomegranates and bells – Exodus 29:22-27
- The bells had a practical role – letting you know the priest was alive…
- The pomegranate fruit is a picture of being righteous before God…
- Jewish tradition teaches the pomegranate has 613 seeds inside – one for each Law…
- The idea being a fruitful man who keeps all the commands of God!
- The Sash / Underclothes / and the Turban with the Medallion – Exodus 29:28-31
- The medallion was over the head of the high priest – his mind set apart for the Lord…
- Inscribed on the medallion were the words – HOLY to the Lord!
- As the Lord COMMANDED – Exodus 29:32-43
- COMMANDED [צָוָה] – 26x in the last five chapters – to give orders / instructions…
- Everything Israel made was according to the instructions of the Lord…
- FIRST – it was a PATTERN of heaven – Exodus 25:9 / Hebrews 8:5
- SECOND – if we want to MEET with God – we need to follow the instructions of God!
- A lot of people think that coming to God can be on their own terms…
- But there is only ONE way to come to the Lord – and that is by obeying His Word!
- John 14:23 – “Jesus replied – Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
- 1st – All the gifted artisans… vs. 8
- 4th – The presence of the Lord… Exodus 40:1-38
- 1st – The FIRST month… vs. 1-33 – READ VERSE 1-2
- On the FIRST day of the FIRST month [Nissan] – Moses set up the TENT of meeting…
- This marked the ONE year anniversary of the Exodus…
- It means Israel would have been ready to keep the PASSOVER – Numbers 9:1-2
- Moses set up everything according to the pattern God had shown him
- Exodus 40:16 – “Moses did; according to all that the LORD had commanded him, so he did.”
- 2nd – Following God… vs. 34-38 – READ
- When all of the work was completed – THEN the presence of God filled the Tabernacle!
- It looked like a cloud by day – and fire by night – always visible to the people…
- Whenever the cloud moved – so did the children of Israel…
- If the CLOUD did not move – neither did the children of Israel!
- As we invest in the work of the Lord – become a part of what He is doing…
- As we get into the Word of the Lord – listening to His guidance and direction…
- The Lord – who knows where we should go and what we should do – will also direct us!
- 1st – The FIRST month… vs. 1-33 – READ VERSE 1-2