📅 February 24: Exodus 37 - Crafting the Sacred and Testimony of God's Presence

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February 24: Exodus 37 - Crafting the Sacred and Testimony of God’s Presence

Introduction

In Exodus 37, we find Bezalel, an artisan endowed with God-given talent and wisdom, meticulously crafting the Ark, the Table, the Lampstand, and the Altar of Incense: Each piece bearing immense communal and spiritual significance for the Israelites.

Creating the Ark and its Furnishings

Bezalel and team fulfill God’s detailed instructions: The Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God’s presence and the Table for the Bread of Presence, a constant reminder that God sustains His people.

Key Verse: Exodus 37:1 “Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.”

Crafting the Golden Lampstand

The careful crafting of the lampstand, symbolizing God’s light guiding His people, reminds us that God’s directions are invaluable, empowering us to traverse spiritual darkness.

Key Verse: Exodus 37:17 “He also made the lampstand of pure gold…”

Key Themes and Reflections

1. God-inspired Craftsmanship: Exodus 37 emphasizes the beauty and nobility of craftsmanship inspired and directed by God. Each piece crafted demonstrates the hard work, talent, and dedication we can offer back to God when we use our unique gifts for His glory.

2. Presence and Provision: The artifacts symbolize God’s sustaining presence within the Israelite community and remind us today that God is ever-present in our lives, guiding and providing in ways we often don’t recognize.

Today’s Application

Exodus 37 encourages us to use our God-given talents in service of others, realizing we are part of a larger community united under God’s love and shelter.

Hidden Gem

The Ark, Lampstand, Table, and Altar are laden with symbolism, directly tied to Jesus Christ in the New Testament - The Ark (Jesus, God among us), Lampstand (Jesus, the Light of the World), Table (Jesus, Bread of Life), and Altar (Jesus, our High Priest).

Reflective Q&A

How does Exodus 37 encourage us to use our specific gifts?
A: Exodus 37 implicitly teaches us to use our unique talents for God’s glory and people’s service.

What does the crafting of these items reveal about God’s nature?
A: It reveals God as meticulous, indicative of His profound love - God cares about even minute details of our lives.

Join the Discussion

Share your thoughts on today’s reading. How do you use your talents to serve God & others?

See You Tomorrow in Exodus 38

Tomorrow, we’ll delve into the crafting of the altar of burnt offering and basin for washing; another testament to God’s careful planning in worship.

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Exodus 37
The building of the tabernacle and all its appointments, previously given in vision to Moses in the mount, is now made a reality by the labours of “every wise hearted man in whom Yahweh put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary” (Exo. 36:1). It is only those of such a character that are able to build a place of dwelling for the divine pleasure. Only those with such a disposition can today properly construct the “temple of their body” in a way which conforms to the “pattern shewed in the mount” (fulfilled in the Lord Yahshua). This chapter sets out: [1] The ark and its staves: vv. 1-5. [2] The golden mercy seat: vv. 6-9. [3] The table and vessels: vv. 10-16. [4] The golden lampstand: vv. 17-24. [5] The altar of incense: vv. 25-28. [6] The anointing oil: v. 29. The purpose of the “jugs” (translated “covers”) in v. 16 is not specifically stated. Probably they contained wine which was poured out into the cups or “bowls.” On the Sabbath the bread was eaten in the holy place, the frankincense offered on the altar and possibly the wine was drunk by the priests (cp. Lev. 24:5-9). Amongst the important elements of furniture were two altars: one of gold overlaying shittim wood (ch. 37:25), and the other of brass overlaying shittim wood (ch. 38:1). The brazen altar was outside in the courtyard; the golden altar inside the Holy Place, near the veil. The former was made of wood overlaid with brass; the latter with wood overlaid with gold. Thus both were related to human nature – sin’s flesh – typified in the shittim (acacia) wood (see “Logos” April, 2001). The brazen altar speaks of flesh purified by the sacrifice; the golden altar speaks of faith perfected in prayer. The first altar had no crown; the second had a crown. The first altar represented Christ in his humiliation (as a sacrifice on earth); the second represented him in glory (at the right hand of the Father in heaven with power and great glory). The brazen altar was the place of suffering, and typified Christ as Saviour. The golden altar was the place of glory and typified him as Mediator. Sinners come to the first to be made saints; saints make their way into the second seeking for the glory of immortality. Paul expounds that the golden incense altar was in the Most Holy (Heb. 9:3-4), though physically it was in the Holy Place. He so explains it because the incense of the altar permeated the Most Holy, and mingled with the Shekinah glory over the mercy seat and between the Cherubim. Thus our prayers take us forward in thought and aspiration to the glory of immortality and the fulness of divine nature: the joy yet to come. — Logos.