Read-Post Through the Bible

[daniel1212av]

Exodus 36 -
Overview
Exo_36:1, The offerings are delivered to the workmen; Exo_36:4, The liberality of the people is restrained; Exo_36:8, The curtains with cherubims; Exo_36:14, The curtains of goats’ hair; Exo_36:19, The covering of skins; Exo_36:20, The boards with their sockets; Exo_36:31, The bars; Exo_36:35, The vail; Exo_36:37, The hanging for the door. - TSK


The building made under Moses was a physical one which must be made as precisely prescribed, for God would meet with them there. Yet we know in truth, that although God can use physical places to manifest His presence in a special way,  "Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, {49} Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?" (Acts 7:48-49).  And that spiritually speaking the church is His temple: "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Cor 6:16).  And this “building” is “built” by, and we can say with, the spiritual counterparts, “living stones”, to the servants in this chapter.

(1 Cor 12:14)  "For the body is not one member, but many."

(Eph 4:11-13)  "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; {12} For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: {13} Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"

V. 6: Such abundant unrestrained giving, in response to the graciousness of almighty God, is in glad contrast to the prior whining of the Israelites. But God's grace in time of blessing is to be remembered when we go through trials, and the children of Israel will yet face them. And indeed, often the greatest trial of long continuance is not adversity, nor affliction, but affluence.

The LORD provided abundantly, both in material and men, for the building of a place where He would meet with His people. And so it is with His church (Eph. 1; 1 Cor. 12).  But we have not rendered “again according to the benefit done unto” us (2 Chr. 32:25).

V. 18:  "And he made fifty taches of brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one."
 "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling" (Eph 4:4). While true believers are positionally and spiritually one in regards to being accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6), complete unity of mind and judgment is a goal seldom realized yet, for which we must strive by more consistent surrender and consecration to Christ, in obeying His word by the Spirit.   

Exo 36:1-7 -
I. The workmen set in without delay. Then they wrought, Exo_36:1. When God had qualified them for the work, then they applied themselves to it. Note, The talents we are entrusted with must not be laid up, but laid out; not hid in a napkin, but traded with. What have we all our gifts for, but to do good with them? They began when Moses called them, Exo_36:2. Even those whom God has qualified for, and inclined to, the service of the tabernacle, yet must wait for a regular call to it, either extraordinary, as that of prophets and apostles, or ordinary, as that of pastors and teachers. And observe who they were that Moses called: Those in whose heart God had put wisdom for this purpose, beyond their natural capacity, and whose heart stirred them up to come to the work in good earnest. Note, Those are to be called to the building of the gospel tabernacle whom God has by his grace made in some measure fit for the work and free to engage in it. Ability and willingness (with resolution) are the two things to be regarded in the call of ministers. Has God given them not only knowledge, but wisdom? (for those that would win souls must be wise, and have their hearts stirred up to come to the work, and not to the honour only; to do it, and not to talk of it only), let them come to it with full purpose of heart to go through with it. The materials which the people had contributed were delivered by Moses to the workmen, Exo_36:3. They could not create a tabernacle, that is, make it out of nothing, nor work, unless they had something to work upon; the people therefore brought the materials and Moses put them into their hands. Precious souls are the materials of the gospel tabernacle; they are built up a spiritual house, 1Pe_2:5. To this end they are to offer themselves a free-will offering to the Lord, for his service (Rom_15:16), and they are then committed to the care of his ministers, as builders, to be framed and wrought upon by their edification and increase in holiness, till they all come, like the curtains of the tabernacle, in the unity of the faith, to be a holy temple, Eph_2:21, Eph_2:22; Eph_4:12, Eph_4:13.

II. The contributions restrained. The people continued to bring free offerings every morning, Exo_36:3. Note, We should always make it our morning's work to bring our offerings unto the Lord; even the spiritual offerings of prayer and praise, and a broken heart surrendered entirely to God. This is that which the duty of every day requires. God's compassions are new every morning, and so must our duty to him be. Probably there were some that were backward at first to bring their offering, but their neighbours' forwardness stirred them up and shamed them. The zeal of some provoked many. There are those who will be content to follow who yet do not care for leading in a good work. It is best to be forward, but better late than never. Or perhaps some who had offered at first, having pleasure in reflecting upon it, offered more; so far were they from grudging what they had contributed, that they doubled their contribution. Thus, in charity, give a portion to seven, and also to eight; having given much, give more. Now observe, 1. The honesty of the workmen. When they had cut out their work, and found how their stuff held out, and that the people were still forward to bring in more, they went in a body to Moses to tell him that there needed no more contributions, Exo_36:4, Exo_36:5. Had they sought their own things, they had now a fair opportunity of enriching themselves by the people's gifts; for they might have made up their work, and converted the overplus to their own use, as perquisites of their place. But they were men of integrity, that scorned to do so mean a thing as to sponge upon the people, and enrich themselves with that which was offered to the Lord. Those are the greatest cheats that cheat the public. If to murder many is worse than to murder one, by the same rule to defraud communities, and to rob the church or state, is a much greater crime than to pick the pocket of a single person. But these workmen were not only ready to account for all they received, but were not willing to receive more than they had occasion for, lest they should come either into the temptation or under the suspicion of taking it to themselves. These were men that knew when they had enough. 2. The liberality of the people. Though they saw what an abundance was contributed, yet they continued to offer, till they were forbidden by proclamation, Exo_36:6, Exo_36:7. A rare instance! Most need a spur to quicken their charity; few need a bridle to check it, yet these did. Had Moses aimed to enrich himself, he might have suffered them still to bring in their offerings; and when the work was finished might have taken the remainder to himself: but he also preferred the public before his own private interest, and was therein a good example to all in public trusts. It is said (Exo_36:6), The people were restrained from bringing; they looked upon it as a restraint upon them not to be allowed to do more for the tabernacle; such was the zeal of those people, who gave to their power, yea, and beyond their power, praying the collectors with much entreaty to receive the gift, 2Co_8:3, 2Co_8:4. These were the fruits of a first love; in these last-days charity has grown too cold for us to expect such things from it. – Henry

Exo 36:8-38 -
Ex 36:8-38:20. Execution of the Work. - Preparation of the dwelling-place: viz., the hangings and covering (Exo_36:8-19, as in Exo_26:1-14); the wooden boards and bolts (Exo_36:20-34, as in Ex 26:15-30); the two curtains, with the pillars, hooks, and rods that supported them (Exo_36:35-38, as in Exo_26:31-37).  –  K+D

[daniel1212av]

Exo 36:8-13 -
The first work they set about was the framing of the house, which must be done before the furniture of it was prepared. This house was not made of timber or stone, but of curtains curiously embroidered and coupled together. This served to typify the state of the church in this world, the palace of God's kingdom among men. 1. Though it is upon the earth, yet its foundation is not in the earth, as that of a house is; no, Christ's kingdom is not of this world, nor founded in it. 2. It is mean and mutable, and in a militant state; shepherds dwelt in tents, and God is the Shepherd of Israel; soldiers dwelt in tents, and the Lord is a man of war, and his church marches through an enemy's country, and must fight its way. The kings of the earth enclose themselves in cedar (Jer_22:15), but the ark of God was lodged in curtains only. 3. Yet there is a beauty in holiness; the curtains were embroidered, so is the church adorned with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, that raiment of needle-work, Psa_45:14. 4. The several societies of believers are united in one, and, as here, all become one tabernacle; for there is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. – Henry
 
Exo 36:14-34 -
Here, 1. The shelter and special protection that the church is under are signified by the curtains of hair-cloth, which were spread over the tabernacle, and the covering of rams' skins and badgers' skins over them, Exo_36:14-19. God has provided for his people a shadow from the heat, and a covert from storm and rain, Isa_4:6. They are armed against all weathers; the sun and the moon shall not smite them: and they are protected from the storms of divine wrath, that hail which will sweep away the refuge of lies, Isa_28:17. Those that dwell in God's house shall find, be the tempest ever so violent, or the dropping ever so continual, it does not rain in. 2. The strength and stability of the church, though it is but a tabernacle, are signified by the boards and bars with which the curtains were borne up, Exo_36:20-34. The boards were coupled together and joined by the bars which shot through them; for the union of the church, and the hearty agreement of those that are its stays and supporters, contribute abundantly to its strength and establishment. – Henry

[daniel1212av]

(Exo 37)  "And Bezaleel made the ark of gotcha2tim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it: {2} And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about. {3} And he cast for it four rings of gold, to be set by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it. {4} And he made staves of gotcha2tim wood, and overlaid them with gold. {5} And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. {6} And he made the mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof. {7} And he made two cherubims of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat; {8} One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof. {9} And the cherubims spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubims. {10} And he made the table of gotcha2tim wood: two cubits was the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof: {11} And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made thereunto a crown of gold round about. {12} Also he made thereunto a border of an handbreadth round about; and made a crown of gold for the border thereof round about. {13} And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings upon the four corners that were in the four feet thereof. {14} Over against the border were the rings, the places for the staves to bear the table. {15} And he made the staves of gotcha2tim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table. {16} And he made the vessels which were upon the table, his dishes, and his spoons, and his bowls, and his covers to cover withal, of pure gold. {17} And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same: {18} And six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof: {19} Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick. {20} And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers: {21} And a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches going out of it. {22} Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold. {23} And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold. {24} Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof. {25} And he made the incense altar of gotcha2tim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same. {26} And he overlaid it with pure gold, both the top of it, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns of it: also he made unto it a crown of gold round about. {27} And he made two rings of gold for it under the crown thereof, by the two corners of it, upon the two sides thereof, to be places for the staves to bear it withal. {28} And he made the staves of gotcha2tim wood, and overlaid them with gold. {29} And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary."

[daniel1212av]

I have been having some PC problems, much due to my own discontentment with Vista. and apologize for missing yesterday's commentary (postin on 36 rather than 37).  Men cannot write operating systems like God built the temple.

Exodus 37 -
Overview
Exo_37:1, The ark and mercy seat with cherubims made; Exo_37:10, The table of shew-bread with its vessels; Exo_37:17, The candlestick with its lamps and instruments; Exo_37:25, The altar of incense; Exo_37:29, The anointing oil and sweet incense. –  TSK

Exo 37:1-29 -
Preparation of the vessels of the dwelling: viz., the ark of the covenant (Exo_37:1-9, as in Exo_25:10-22); the table of shew-bread and its vessels (Exo_37:10-16, as in Exo_25:23-30); the candlestick (Exo_37:17-24, as in Exo_25:31-40); the altar of incense (Exo_37:25-28, as in Exo_30:1-10); the anointing oil and incense (Exo_37:29), directions for the preparation of which are given in Ex 30:22-38; the altar of burnt-offering (Exo_38:1-7, as in Exo_27:1-8); the laver (Exo_37:8, as in Exo_30:17-21); and the court (Exo_37:9-20, as in Exo_27:9-19). The order corresponds on the whole to the list of the separate articles in Exo_35:11-19, and to the construction of the entire sanctuary; but the holy chest (the ark), as being the most holy thing of all, is distinguished above all the rest, by being expressly mentioned as the work of Bezaleel, the chief architect of the whole. –  K+D


Exo 37:1-9 -
I. It may be thought strange that Moses, when he had recorded so fully the instructions given him upon the mount for the making of all these things, should here record as particularly the making of them, when it might have sufficed only to have said, in a few words, that each of these things was made exactly according to the directions before recited. We are sure that Moses, when he wrote by divine inspiration, used no vain repetitions; there are no idle words in scripture. Why then are so many chapters taken up with this narrative, which we are tempted to think needless and tedious? But we must consider, 1. That Moses wrote primarily for the people of Israel, to whom it would be of great use to read and hear often of these divine and sacred treasures with which they were entrusted. These several ornaments wherewith the tabernacle was furnished they were not admitted to see, but the priests only, and therefore it was requisite that they should be thus largely described particularly to them. That which they ought to read again (lest they should fail of doing it) is written again and again: thus many of the same passages of the history of Christ are in the New Testament related by two or three, and some by four of the evangelists, for the same reason. The great things of God's law and gospel we need to have inculcated upon us again and again. To write the same (says St. Paul) to me is not grievous, but for you it is safe, Phi_3:1. 2. Moses would thus show the great care which he and his workmen took to make every thing exactly according to the pattern shown him in the mount. Having before given us the original, he here givers us the copy, that we may compare them, and observe how exactly they agree. Thus he appeals to every reader concerning his fidelity to him that appointed him, in all his house, and in all the particulars of it, Heb_3:5. And thus he teaches us to have respect to all God's commandments, even to every iota and tittle of them. 3. It is intimated hereby that God takes delight in the sincere obedience of his people, and keeps an exact account of it, which shall be produced to their honour in the resurrection of the just. None can be so punctual in their duty, but God will be as punctual in his notices of it. He is not unrighteous to forget the work and labour of love, in any instance of it, Heb_6:10. 4. The spiritual riches and beauties of the gospel tabernacle are hereby recommended to our frequent and serious consideration. Go walk about this Zion, view it and review it: the more you contemplate the glories of the church, the more you will admire them and be in love with them. The charter of its privileges, and the account of its constitution, will very well bear a second reading.
II. In these verses we have an account of the making of the ark, with its glorious and most significant appurtenances, the mercy-seat and the cherubim. Consider these three together, and they represent the glory of a holy god, the sincerity of a holy heart, and the communion that is between them, in and by a Mediator. 1. It is the glory of a holy god that he dwells between the cherubim; that is, is continually attended and adored by the blessed angels, whose swiftness was signified by their faces being one towards another. 2. It is the character of an upright heart that, like the ark of the testimony, it has the law of God hid and kept in it. 3. By Jesus Christ, the great propitiation, there is reconciliation made, and a communion settled, between us and God: he interposes between us and God's displeasure; and not only so, but through him we become entitled to God's favour. If he write his law in our heart, he will be to us a God and we shall be to him a people. From the mercy-seat he will teach us, there he will accept us, and show himself merciful to our unrighteousness; and under the shadow of his wings we shall be safe and easy. –  Henry

Exo 37:1-29 -
In the furniture of the tabernacle were emblems of a spiritual and acceptable service. The incense represented the prayers of the saints. The sacrifice of the alter represented the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. The golden pot with manna, or bread from heaven, the flesh of Jesus Christ, which he gave for the life of the world. The candlestick, with its lights, the teaching and enlightening of the Holy Spirit. The shew-bread represented that provision for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, which the gospel, the ordinances and the sacraments of the house of prayer, abundantly bestow. The exactness of the workmen to their rule, should be followed by us; seeking for the influences of the Holy Spirit, that we may rejoice in and glorify God while in this world, and at length be with him for ever. –  MHCC

Exo 37:6-10 - made the mercy seat of pure gold--To construct a figure, whether the body of a beast or a man, with two extended wings, measuring from two to three feet from tip to tip, with the hammer, out of a solid piece of gold, was what few, if any, artisans of the present day could accomplish. –  JFB

Exo 37:10-24 -
Here is, 1. The making of the table on which the show-bread was to be continually placed. God is a good householder, that always keeps a plentiful table. Is the world his tabernacle? His providence in it spreads a table for all the creatures: he provides food for all flesh. Is the church his tabernacle? His grace in it spreads a table for all believers, furnished with the bread of life. But observe how much the dispensation of the gospel exceeds that of the law. Though here was a table furnished, it was only with show-bread, bread to be looked upon, not to be fed upon, while it was on this table, and afterwards only by the priests; but to the table which Christ has spread in the new covenant all real Christians are invited guests; and to them it is said, Eat, O friends, come eat of my bread. What the law gave but a sight of at a distance, the gospel gives the enjoyment of, and a hearty welcome to. 2. The making of the candlestick, which was not of wood overlaid with gold, but all beaten work of pure gold only, Exo_37:17, Exo_37:22. This signified that light of divine revelation with which God's church upon earth (which is his tabernacle among men) has always been enlightened, being always supplied with fresh oil from Christ the good Olive, Zec_4:2, Zec_4:3. God's manifestations of himself in this world are but candle-light compared with the daylight of the future state. The Bible is a golden candlestick; it is of pure gold, Psa_19:10. From it light is diffused to every part of God's tabernacle, that by it his spiritual priests may see to minister unto the Lord, and to do the service of his sanctuary. This candlestick has not only its bowls for necessary use, but its knops and flowers for ornament; there are many things which God saw fit to beautify his word with which we can no more give a reason for than for these knops and flowers, and yet we are sure that they were added for a good purpose. Let us bless God for this candlestick, have an eye to it continually, and dread the removal of it out of its place. –  Henry

Exo 37:25-29 -
Here is, 1. The making of the golden altar, on which incense was to be burnt daily, which signified both the prayers of saints and the intercession of Christ, to which are owing the acceptableness and success of those prayers. The rings and staves, and all the appurtenances of this altar, were overlaid with gold, as all the vessels of the table and candlestick were of gold, for these were used in the holy place. God is the best, and we must serve him with the best we have; but the best we can serve him with in his courts on earth is but as brass, compared with the gold, the sinless and spotless perfection, with which his saints shall serve him in his holy place above. 2. The preparing of the incense which was to be burnt upon this altar, and with it the holy anointing oil (Exo_37:29), according to the dispensatory, Exo_30:22, etc. God taught Bezaleel this art also; so that though he was not before acquainted with it yet he made up these things according to the work of the apothecary, as dexterously and exactly as if he had been bred up to the trade. Where God gives wisdom and grace, it will make the man of God perfect, thoroughly furnished to every good work. –  Henry 

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[daniel1212av]

(Exo 38)  "And he made the altar of burnt offering of gotcha2tim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof. {2} And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass. {3} And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basins, and the fleshhooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass. {4} And he made for the altar a brazen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it. {5} And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves. {6} And he made the staves of gotcha2tim wood, and overlaid them with brass. {7} And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards. {8} And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. {9} And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, an hundred cubits: {10} Their pillars were twenty, and their brazen sockets twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. {11} And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. {12} And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. {13} And for the east side eastward fifty cubits. {14} The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. {15} And for the other side of the court gate, on this hand and that hand, were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. {16} All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen. {17} And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver. {18} And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court. {19} And their pillars were four, and their sockets of brass four; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver. {20} And all the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about, were of brass. {21} This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest. {22} And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses. {23} And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen. {24} All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary. {25} And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary: {26} A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men. {27} And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the veil; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket. {28} And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them. {29} And the brass of the offering was seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels. {30} And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the brazen altar, and the brazen grate for it, and all the vessels of the altar, {31} And the sockets of the court round about, and the sockets of the court gate, and all the pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins of the court round about."

[daniel1212av]

Exodus 38 -
Here is an account,  I. Of the making of the brazen altar (Exo_38:1-7), and the laver (Exo_38:8 ).  II. The preparing of the hangings for the enclosing of the court in which the tabernacle was to stand (Exo_38:9-20).  III. A summary of the gold, silver, and brass, that was contributed to, and used in, the preparing of the tabernacle (Exo_38:21, etc.). – Henry

Exo 38:1-8 -
In all ages of the church there have been some persons more devoted to God, more constant in their attendance upon his ordinances, and more willing to part even with lawful things, for his sake, than others. Some women, devoted to God and zealous for the tabernacle worship, expressed zeal by parting with their mirrors, which were polished plates of brass. Before the invention of looking-glasses, these served the same purposes. – MHCC

Exo 38:9-20 -
The walls of the court, or church-yard, were like the rest curtains or hangings, made according to the appointment, Exo_27:9, etc. This represented the state of the Old Testament church: it was a garden enclosed; the worshippers were then confined to a little compass. But the enclosure being of curtains only intimated that the confinement of the church in one particular nation was not to be perpetual. The dispensation itself was a tabernacle-dispensation, movable and mutable, and in due time to be taken down and folded up, when the place of the tent should be enlarged and its cords lengthened, to make room for the Gentile world, as is foretold, Isa_54:2, Isa_54:3. The church here on earth is but the court of God's house, and happy they that tread these courts and flourish in them; but through these courts we are passing to the holy place above. Blessed are those that dwell in that house of God: they well be still praising him. The enclosing of a court before the tabernacle teaches us a gradual approach to God. The priests that ministered must pass through the holy court, before they entered the holy house. Thus before solemn ordinances there ought to be the separated and enclosed court of a solemn preparation, in which we must wash our hands, and so draw near with a true heart. – MHCC

V. 23: “And with him was Aholiab,..“
(Eccl 4:9)  "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour."
(Luke 10:1)  "After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come."

Exo 38:21-31 -
Here we have a breviat of the account which, by Moses's appointment, the Levites took and kept of the gold, silver, and brass, that was brought in for the tabernacle's use, and how it was employed. Ithamar the son of Aaron was appointed to draw up this account, and was thus by less services trained up and fitted for greater, Exo_38:21. Bezaleel and Aholiab must bring in the account (Exo_38:22, Exo_38:23), and Ithamar must audit it, and give it in to Moses. And it was thus: - 1. All the gold was a free-will offering; every man brought as he could and would, and it amounted to twenty-nine talents, and 730 shekels over, which some compute to be about 150,000l. worth of gold, according to the present value of it. Of this were made all the golden furniture and vessels. 2. The silver was levied by way of tax; every man was assessed half a shekel, a kind of poll-money, which amounted in the whole to 100 talents, and 1775 shekels over, Exo_38:25, Exo_38:26. Of this they made the sockets into which the boards of the tabernacle were let, and on which they rested; so that they were as the foundation of the tabernacle, Exo_38:27. The silver amounted to about 34,000l. of our money. The raising of the gold by voluntary contribution, and of the silver by way of tribute, shows that either way may be taken for the defraying of public expenses, provided that nothing be done with partiality. 3. The brass, though less valuable, was of use not only for the brazen altar, but for the sockets of the court, which probably in other tents were of wood: but it is promised (Isa_60:17), For wood I will bring brass. See how liberal the people were and how faithful the workmen were, in both which respects their good example ought to be followed.  – MHCC

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[Mon, June 11 07]
(Exo 39)  "And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses. {2} And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. {3} And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work. {4} They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together. {5} And the curious girdle of his ephod, that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work thereof; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses. {6} And they wrought onyx stones enclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel. {7} And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses. {8} And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. {9} It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled. {10} And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row. {11} And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. {12} And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. {13} And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were enclosed in ouches of gold in their enclosings. {14} And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes. {15} And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold. {16} And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate. {17} And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate. {18} And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it. {19} And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward. {20} And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod. {21} And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses. {22} And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue. {23} And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend. {24} And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen. {25} And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates; {26} A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses. {27} And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons, {28} And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen, {29} And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses. {30} And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. {31} And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses. {32} Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. {33} And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets, {34} And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the veil of the covering, {35} The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat, {36} The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the showbread, {37} The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light, {38} And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door, {39} The brazen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot, {40} The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation, {41} The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons' garments, to minister in the priest's office. {42} According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. {43} And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them."

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V. 1: “they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place,..”   “Work” is service, and is not simply that which is done in temporal realm, but that which is done in the spiritual. While the former  is often the most visible, and labour therein usually receive the most praise of men, the is the labor in the spiritual that is most critical, and which God see and rewards most highly.  Principally this is real prayer and the study and preaching of the Word of God, and is often the most demanding, as only those who are born of the Spirit and are yielding to Him, and not the flesh, can perform it.  Such must have the primacy, and without which all the physical labour done for the work of the LORD will be in vain.  It is thus that the apostles wisely placed the priority on spiritual labor,(Acts 6:2-4), yet they were men of hard physical labour, working with their own hands (1 Cor. 4:12), and men and women of God are to be found in service to the LORD in various ways, and not indolent. 
 

Exodus 39 -
This chapter gives us an account of the finishing of the work of the tabernacle.  I. The last things prepared were the holy garments. The ephod and its curious girdle (Exo_39:1-5). The onyx-stones for the shoulders (Exo_39:6, Exo_39:7). The breastplate with the precious stones in it (Exo_39:8-21). The robe of the ephod (Exo_39:22-26). The coats, bonnets, and breeches, for the inferior priests (Exo_39:27-29). And the plate of the holy crown (Exo_39:30, Exo_39:31).  II. A summary account of the whole work, as it was presented to Moses when it was all finished (Exo_39:32, etc.). –  Henry

Exo 39:1-31 -
The priests' garments were rich and splendid. The church in its infancy was thus taught by shadows of good things to come; but the substance is Christ, and the grace of the gospel. Christ is our great High Priest. When he undertook the work of our redemption, he put on the clothes of service, he arrayed himself with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, girded himself with resolution to go through the undertaking, took charge of all God's spiritual Israel, laid them near his heart, engraved them on the palms of his hands, and presented them to his Father. And he crowned himself with holiness to the Lord, consecrating his whole undertaking to the honour of his Father's holiness. True believers are spiritual priests. The clean linen with which all their clothes of service must be made, is the righteousness of saints, Rev_19:8.

Exo 39:1-31 -
Preparation of the priests' clothes. - Previous to the description of the dress itself, we have a statement in Exo_39:1 of the materials employed, and the purpose to which they were devoted (“cloths of service,” see at Exo_31:10). The robes consisted of the ephod (Exo_39:2-7, as in Exo_28:6-12), the choshen or breastplate (Exo_39:8-21, as in Exo_28:15-29), the meïl or over-coat (Exo_39:22-26, as in Exo_28:31-34); the body-coats, turbans, drawers, and girdles, for Aaron and his sons (Exo_39:27-29, as in Exo_28:39-40, and Exo_28:42). The Urim and Thummim are not mentioned (cf. Exo_28:30). The head-dresses of the ordinary priests, which are simply called “bonnets” in Exo_28:40, are called “goodly bonnets” or “ornamental caps” in Exo_39:28 of this chapter (מגבּעת פּארי, from פּאר an ornament, cf. פּאר ornatus fuit). The singular, “girdle,” in Exo_39:29, with the definite article, “the girdle,” might appear to refer simply to Aaron's girdle, i.e., the girdle of the high priest; but as there is no special description of the girdles of Aaron's sons (the ordinary priests) in Exo_29:40, where they are distinctly mentioned and called by the same name (abnet) as the girdle of Aaron himself, we can only conclude that they were of the same materials and the same form and make as the latter, and that the singular, האבנט, is used here either in the most general manner, or as a generic noun in a collective sense (see Ges. §109, 1). The last thing mentioned is the diadem upon Aaron's turban (Exo_39:30, Exo_39:31, as in Exo_28:36-38), so that the order in which the priests' robes are given here is analogous to the position in which the ark of the covenant and the golden altar stand to one another in the directions concerning the sacred things in ch. 25-30. “For just as all the other things are there placed between the holy ark and the golden altar as the two poles, so here all the rest of the priests' robes are included between the shoulder-dress, the principal part of the official robes of the high priest, and the golden frontlet, the inscription upon which rendered it the most striking sign of the dignity of his office” (Baumgarten). –  K+D

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(Exo 40)  "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, {2} On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. {3} And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the veil. {4} And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. {5} And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle. {6} And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. {7} And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein. {8} And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate. {9} And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy. {10} And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy. {11} And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it. {12} And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. {13} And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. {14} And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats: {15} And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations. {16} Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he. {17} And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up. {18} And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars. {19} And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses. {20} And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark: {21} And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses. {22} And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the veil. {23} And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses. {24} And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward. {25} And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses. {26} And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the veil: {27} And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses. {28} And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle. {29} And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses. {30} And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal. {31} And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat: {32} When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses. {33} And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work. {34} Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. {35} And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. {36} And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: {37} But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. {38} For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys."

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The last chapter-
Exo 40:1-16 -
After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo_19:1), sc., in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo_40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo_40:23), i.e., to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo_40:4 cf. Lev_24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo_40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo_40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo_40:12-15). When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “holy” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “most holy,” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo_30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo_30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo_30:10). It is stated provisionally, in Exo_40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev_1:1.). – K+D

Exo 40:1-15 -
The materials and furniture of the tabernacle had been viewed severally and approved, and now they must be put together. 1. God here directs Moses to set up the tabernacle and the utensils of it in their places. Though the work of the tabernacle was finished, and every thing ready for rearing, and the people, no doubt, were very desirous to see it up, yet Moses will not erect it till he has express orders for doing so. It is good to see God going before us in every step, Psa_37:23. The time for doing this is fixed to the first day of the first month (Exo_40:2), which wanted but fourteen days of a year since they came out of Egypt; and a good year's work there was done in it. Probably the work was made ready but just at the end of the year, so that the appointing of this day gave no delay, or next to none, to this good work. We must not put off any necessary duty under pretence of waiting for some remarkable day; the present season is the most convenient. But the tabernacle happening to be set up on the first day of the first month intimates that it is good to begin the year with some good work. Let him that is the first have the first; and let the things of his kingdom be first sought. In Hezekiah's time we find they began to sanctify the temple on the first day of the first month, 2Ch_29:17. The new moon (which by their computation was the first day of every month) was observed by them with some solemnity; and therefore this first new moon of the year was thus made remarkable. Note, When a new year begins, we should think of serving God more and better than we did the year before. Moses is particularly ordered to set up the tabernacle itself first, in which God would dwell and would be served (Exo_40:2), then to put the ark in its place, and draw the veil before it (Exo_40:3), then to fix the table, and the candlestick, and the altar of incense, without the veil (Exo_40:4, Exo_40:5), and to fix the hanging of the door before the door. Then in the court he must place the altar of burnt offering, and the laver (Exo_40:6, Exo_40:7); and, lastly, he must set up the curtains of the court, and a hanging for a court-gate. And all this would be easily done in one day, many hands no doubt being employed in it under the direction of Moses. 2. He directs Moses, when he had set up the tabernacle and all the furniture of it, to consecrate it and them, by anointing them with the oil which was prepared for the purpose, Exo_30:25, etc. It was there ordered that this should be done; here it was ordered that it should be done now, Exo_40:9-11. Observe, Every thing was sanctified when it was put in its proper place, and not till then, for till then it was not fit for the use to which it was to be sanctified. As every thing is beautiful in its season, so is every thing in its place. 3. He directs him to consecrate Aaron and his sons. When the goods were brought into God's house, they were marked first, and then servants were hired to bear the vessels of the Lord; and those must be clean who were put into that office, Exo_40:12-15. The law which was now ordered to be put in execution we had before, ch. 29. Thus in the visible church, which is God's tabernacle among men, it is requisite that there be ministers to keep the charge of the sanctuary, and that they receive the anointing. – HENRY

Exo 40:16-33 -
When the tabernacle and the furniture of it were prepared, they did not put off the rearing of it till they came to Canaan, though they now hoped to be there very shortly; but, in obedience to the will of God, they set it up in the midst of their camp, while they were in the wilderness. Those that are unsettled in the world must not think that this will excuse them in their continued irreligion; as if it were enough to begin to serve God when they begin to be settled in the world. No; a tabernacle for God is a very needful and profitable companion even in a wilderness, especially considering that our carcases may fall in that wilderness, and we may be fixed in another world before we come to fix in this.

The rearing of the tabernacle was a good day's work; the consecrating of it, and of the priests, was attended to some days after. Here we have an account only of that new-year's-day's work. 1. Moses not only did all that God directed him to do, but in the order that God appointed; for God will be sought in the due order. 2. To each particular there is added an express reference to the divine appointment, which Moses governed himself by as carefully and conscientiously as the workmen did; and therefore, as before, so here it is repeated, as the Lord commanded Moses, seven times in less than fourteen verses. Moses himself, as great a man as he was, would not pretend to vary from the institution, neither to add to it nor diminish from it, in the least punctilio. Those that command others must remember that their Master also is in heaven, and they must do as they are commanded. 3. That which was to be veiled be veiled (Exo_40:21), and that which was to be used he used immediately, for the instruction of the priests, that by seeing him do the several offices they might learn to do them the more dexterously. Though Moses was not properly a priest, yet he is numbered among the priests (Psa_99:6), and the Jewish writers call him the priest of the priests; what he did he did by special warrant and direction from God, rather as a prophet, or law-giver, than as a priest. He set the wheels a going, and then left the work in the hands of the appointed ministry. (1.) When he had placed the table, he set the show-bread in order upon it (Exo_40:23); for God will never have his table unfurnished. (2.) As soon as he had fixed the candlestick, he lighted the lamps before the Lord, Exo_40:25. Even that dark dispensation would not admit of unlighted candles. (3.) The golden altar being put in its place, immediately he burnt sweet incense thereon (Exo_40:27); for God's altar must be a smoking altar. (4.) The altar of the burnt-offering was no sooner set up in the court of the tabernacle than he had a burnt-offering, and a meat-offering, ready to offer upon it, Exo_40:29. Some think, though this is mentioned here, it was not done till some time after; but it seems to me that he immediately began the ceremony of its consecration, though it was not completed for seven days. (5.) At the laver likewise, when he had fixed that, Moses himself washed his hands and feet. Thus, in all these instances, he not only showed the priests how to do their duty, but has taught us that God's gifts are intended for use, and not barely for show. Though the altars, and table, and candlestick, were fresh and new, he did not say it was a pity to sully them; no, he handselled them immediately. Talents were given to be occupied, not to be buried. – HENRY

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Exo 40:34-38 -
As when, in the creation, God had finished this earth, which he designed for man's habitation, he made man, and put him in possession of it, so when Moses had finished the tabernacle, which was designed for God's dwelling-place among men, God came and took possession of it. The shechinah, the divine eternal Word, though not yet made flesh, yet, as a prelude to that event, came and dwelt among them, Joh_1:14. This was henceforward the place of his throne, and the place of the soles of his feet (Eze_43:7); here he resided, here he ruled. By the visible tokens of God's coming among them to take possession of the tabernacle he testified both the return of his favour to them, which they had forfeited by the golden calf (Exo_33:7), and his gracious acceptance of all the expense they had been at, and all the care and pains they had taken about the tabernacle. Thus God owned them, showed himself well pleased with what they had done, and abundantly rewarded them. Note, God will dwell with those that prepare him a habitation. The broken and contrite heart, the clean and holy heart, that is furnished for his service, and devoted to his honour, shall be his rest for ever; here will Christ dwell by faith, Eph_3:17. Where God has a throne and an altar in the soul, there is a living temple. And God will be sure to own and crown the operations of his own grace and the observance of his own appointments.

As God had manifested himself upon mount Sinai, so he did now in this newly-erected tabernacle. We read (Exo_24:16) that the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai, which is said to be like devouring fire (Exo_40:17), and that the cloud covered it on the outside, and the glory of the Lord filled it within, to which, probably there is an allusion in Zec_2:5, where God promises to be a wall of fire round about Jerusalem (and the pillar of cloud was by night a pillar of fire) and the glory in the midst of her.

I. The cloud covered the tent. That same cloud which, as the chariot or pavilion of the shechinah, had come up before them out of Egypt and led them hither, now settled upon the tabernacle and hovered over it, even in the hottest and clearest day; for it was none of those clouds which the sun scatters. This cloud was intended to be, 1. A token of God's presence constantly visible day and night (Exo_40:38) to all Israel, even to those that lay in the remotest corners of the camp, that they might never again make a question of it, Is the Lord among us, or is he not? That very cloud which had already been so pregnant with wonders in the Red Sea, and on mount Sinai, sufficient to prove God in it of a truth, was continually in sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys; so that they were inexcusable if they believed not their own eyes. 2. A concealment of the tabernacle, and the glory of God in it. God did indeed dwell among them, but he dwelt in a cloud: Verily thou art a God that hidest, thyself. Blessed be God for the gospel of Christ, in which we all with open face behold as in a glass, not in a cloud, the glory of the Lord. 3. A protection of the tabernacle. They had sheltered it with one covering upon another, but, after all, the cloud that covered it was its best guard. Those that dwell in the house of the Lord are hidden there, and are safe under the divine protection, Psa_27:4, Psa_27:5. Yet this, which was then a peculiar favour to the tabernacle, is promised to every dwelling-place of mount Zion (Isa_4:5); for upon all the glory shall be a defence. 4. A guide to the camp of Israel in their march through the wilderness, Exo_40:36, Exo_40:37. While the cloud continued on the tabernacle, they rested; when it removed, they removed and followed it, as being purely under divine direction. This is spoken of more fully, Num_9:19; Psa_78:14; Psa_105:39. As before the tabernacle was set up the Israelites had the cloud for their guide, which appeared sometimes in one place and sometimes in another, but henceforward rested on the tabernacle and was to be found there only, so the church had divine revelation for its guide from the first, before the scriptures were written, but since the making up of that canon it rests in that as its tabernacle, and there only it is to be found, as in the creation the light which was made the first day, centered in the sun the fourth day. Blessed be God for the law and the testimony!

II. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, Exo_40:34, Exo_40:35. The shechinah now made an awful and pompous entry into the tabernacle, through the outer part of which it passed into the most holy place, as the presence-chamber, and there seated itself between the cherubim. It was in light and fire, and (for aught we know) no otherwise, that the shechinah made itself visible; for God is light; our God is a consuming fire. With these the tabernacle was now filled, yet, as before the bush was not consumed, so now the curtains were not so much as singed by this fire; for to those that have received the anointing the terrible majesty of God is not destroying. Yet so dazzling was the light, and so dreadful was the fire, that Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, at the door of which he attended, till the splendour had a little abated, and the glory of the Lord retired within the veil, Exo_40:35. This shows how terrible the glory and majesty of God are, and how unable the greatest and best of men are to stand before him. The divine light and fire, let forth in their full strength, will overpower the strongest heads and the purest hearts. But what Moses could not do, in that he was weak through the flesh, has been done by our Lord Jesus, whom God caused to draw near and approach, and who, as the forerunner, has for us entered, and has invited us to come boldly even to the mercy-seat. He was able to enter into the holy place not made with hands (Heb_9:24); nay, he is himself the true tabernacle, filled with the glory of God (Joh_1:14), even with the divine grace and truth prefigured by this fire and light. In him the shechinah took up its rest for ever, for in him dwells all the fulness of the godhead bodily. Blessed be God for Jesus Christ! – Henry.

[daniel1212av]

(Lev 1)  "And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, {2} Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. {3} If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD. {4} And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. {5} And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. {6} And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces. {7} And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire: {8} And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar: {9} But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. {10} And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish. {11} And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar. {12} And he shall cut it into his pieces, with his head and his fat: and the priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar: {13} But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and the priest shall bring it all, and burn it upon the altar: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. {14} And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons. {15} And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off his head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar: {16} And he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes: {17} And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD."
Leviticus 1 -

[daniel1212av]

Leviticus 1 -
This book begins with the laws concerning sacrifices, of which the most ancient were the burnt-offerings, about which God gives Moses instructions in this chapter. Orders are here given how that sort of sacrifice must be managed.  I. If it was a bullock out of the herd (Lev_1:3-9).  II. If it was a sheep or goat, a lamb or kid, out of the flock (Lev_1:10-13).  III. If it was a turtle-dove or a young pigeon (Lev_1:14-17). And whether the offering was more or less valuable in itself, if it was offered with an upright heart, according to these laws, it was accepted of God. – Henry

Leviticus 1 -
I. Laws and Ordinances Determining the Covenant Fellowship Between the Lord and Israel - Leviticus 1-16
The Laws of Sacrifice - Leviticus 1-7
When the glory of the Lord had entered the tabernacle in a cloud, God revealed Himself to Moses from this place of His gracious presence, according to His promise in Exo_25:22, to make known His sacred will through him to the people (Lev_1:1). The first of these revelations related to the sacrifices, in which the Israelites were to draw near to Him, that they might become partakers of His grace.

The patriarchs, when sojourning in Canaan, had already worshipped the God who revealed Himself to them, with both burnt-offerings and slain-offerings. Whether their descendants, the children of Israel, had offered sacrifices to the God of their fathers during their stay in the foreign land of Egypt, we cannot tell, as there is no allusion whatever to the subject in the short account of these 430 years. So much, however, is certain, that they had not forgotten to regard the sacrifices as a leading part of the worship of God, and were ready to follow Moses into the desert, to serve the God of their fathers there by a solemn act of sacrificial worship (Exo_5:1-3, compared with Lev_4:31; Lev_8:4, etc.); and also, that after the exodus from Egypt, not only did Jethro offer burnt-offerings and slain-offerings to God in the camp of the Israelites, and prepare a sacrificial meal in which the elders of Israel took part along with Moses and Aaron (Exo_18:12), but young men offered burnt-offerings and slain-offerings by the command of Moses at the conclusion of the covenant (Exo_24:5). Consequently the sacrificial laws of these chapters presuppose the presentation of burnt-offerings, meat-offerings, and slain-offerings as a custom well known to the people, and a necessity demanded by their religious feelings (Lev_1:2-3, Lev_1:10, Lev_1:14; Lev_2:1, Lev_2:4-5, Lev_2:14; Lev_3:1, Lev_3:6, Lev_3:11). They were not introduced among the Israelites for the first time by Moses, as Knobel affirms, who also maintains that the feast of the Passover was the first animal sacrifice, and in fact a very imperfect one. Even animal sacrifices date from the earliest period of our race. Not only did Noah offer burnt-offerings of all clean animals and birds (Gen_8:20), but Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock an offering to the Lord (Gen_4:4).


1. General Rules for the Sacrifices - Leviticus 1-5
The common term for sacrifices of every kind was Corban (presentation; see at Lev_1:2). It is not only applied to the burnt-offerings, meat-offerings, and slain or peace-offerings, in Lev_1:2-3, Lev_1:10, Lev_1:14; Lev_2:1, Lev_2:4., Lev_3:1-6, etc., but also to the sin-offerings and trespass-offerings in Lev_4:23, Lev_4:28, Lev_4:32; Lev_5:11; Num_5:15, etc., as being holy gifts (Exo_28:38 cf. Num_18:9) with which Israel was to appear before the face of the Lord (Exo_23:15; Deu_16:16-17). These sacrificial gifts consisted partly of clean tame animals and birds, and partly of vegetable productions; and hence the division into the two classes of bleeding and bloodless (bloody and unbloody) sacrifices. The animals prescribed in the law are those of the herd, and the flock, the latter including both sheep and goats (Lev_1:2-3, Lev_1:10; Lev_22:21; Num_15:3), two collective terms, for which ox and sheep, or goat (ox, sheep and goat) were the nomina usitatis (Lev_7:23; Lev_17:3; Lev_22:19, Lev_22:27; Num_15:11; Deu_14:4), that is to say, none but tame animals whose flesh was eaten (Lev_11:3; Deu_14:4); whereas unclean animals, though tame, such as asses, camels, and swine, were inadmissible; and game, though edible, e.g., the hare, the stag, the roebuck, and gazelle (Deu_14:5). Both male and female were offered in sacrifice, from the herd as well as the flock (Lev_3:1), and young as well as old, though not under eighty days old (Lev_22:27; Exo_22:29); so that the ox was offered either as calf (Lev_9:2; Gen_15:9; 1Sa_16:2) or as bullock, i.e., as young steer or heifer (Lev_4:3), or as full-grown cattle. Every sacrificial animal was to be without blemish, i.e., free from bodily faults (Lev_1:3, Lev_1:10; Lev_22:19.). The only birds that were offered were turtle-doves and young pigeons (Lev_1:14), which were presented either by poor people as burnt-offerings, and as a substitute for the larger animals ordinarily required as sin-offerings and trespass-offerings (Lev_5:7; Lev_12:8; Lev_14:22, Lev_14:31), or as sin and burnt-offerings, for defilements of a less serious kind (Lev_12:6-7; Lev_15:14, Lev_15:29-30; Num_6:10-11). The vegetable sacrifices consisted of meal, for the most part of fine flour (Lev_2:1), of cakes of different kinds (Lev_2:4-7), and of toasted ears or grains of corn (Lev_2:14), to which there were generally added oil and incense, but never leaven or honey (Lev_2:11); and also of wine for a drink-offering (Num_15:5.).

The bleeding sacrifices were divided into four classes: viz., (1) burnt-offerings (Lev 1), for which a male animal or pigeon only was admissible; (2) peace-offerings (slain-offerings of peace, Lev 3), which were divisible again into praise-offerings, vow-offerings, and freewill-offerings (Lev_7:12, Lev_7:16), and consisted of both male and female animals, but never of pigeons; (3) sin-offerings (Lev 4:1-5:13); and (4) trespass-offerings (Lev_5:14-19). Both male and female animals might be taken for the sin-offerings; and doves also could be used, sometimes independently, sometimes as substitutes for larger animals; and in cases of extreme poverty meal alone might be used (Lev_5:11). But for the trespass-offerings either a ram (Lev_5:15, Lev_5:18; Lev_19:21) or a lamb had to be sacrificed (Lev_14:12; Num_6:12). All the sacrificial animals were to be brought “before Jehovah,” i.e., before the altar of burnt-offering, in the court of the tabernacle (Lev_1:3, Lev_1:5, Lev_1:11; Lev_3:1, Lev_3:7, Lev_3:12; Lev_4:4). There the offerer was to rest his hand upon the head of the animal (Lev_1:4), and then to slaughter it, flay it, cut it in pieces, and prepare it for a sacrificial offering; after which the priest would attend to the sprinkling of the blood and the burning upon the altar fire (Lev_1:5-9; Lev_6:2., Lev_21:6). In the case of the burnt-offerings, peace-offerings, and trespass-offerings, the blood was swung all round against the walls of the altar (Lev_1:5, Lev_1:11; Lev_3:2, Lev_3:8, Lev_3:13; Lev_7:2); in that of the sin-offerings a portion was placed upon the horns of the altar of burnt-offering, and in certain circumstances it was smeared upon the horns of the altar of incense, or sprinkled upon the ark of the covenant in the most holy place, and the remainder poured out at the foot of the altar of burnt-offering (Lev_4:5-7, Lev_4:16-18, Lev_4:25, Lev_4:30). In the case of the burnt-offering, the flesh was all burned upon the altar, together with the head and entrails, the latter having been previously cleansed (Lev_1:8, Lev_1:13); in that of the peace-offerings, sin-offerings, and trespass-offerings, the fat portions only were burned upon the altar, viz., the larger and smaller caul, the fat upon the entrails and inner muscles of the loins, and the kidneys with their fat (Lev_3:9-11, Lev_3:14-16; Lev_4:8-10, Lev_4:19, Lev_4:26, Lev_4:31, Lev_4:35; Lev_7:3-5). When a peace-offering was presented, the breast piece and right leg were given to Jehovah for the priests, and the rest of the flesh was used and consumed by the offerer in a sacrificial meal (Lev_7:15-17, Lev_7:30-34). But the flesh of the trespass-offerings and sin-offerings of the laity was boiled and eaten by the priests in a holy place, i.e., in the court of the tabernacle (Lev_6:19, Lev_6:22; Lev_7:6). In the sin-offerings presented for the high priest and the whole congregation the animal was all burnt in a clean place outside the camp, including even the skin, the entrails, and the ordure (Lev_4:11-12, Lev_4:21). When the sacrifice consisted of pigeons, the priest let the blood flow down the wall of the altar, or sprinkled it against it; and then, if the pigeon was brought as a burnt-offering, he burnt it upon the altar after taking away the crop and faeces; but if it was brought for a sin-offering, he probably followed the rule laid down in Lev_1:15 and Lev_5:8. – K+D

[daniel1212av]

The bloodless gifts were employed as meat and drink-offerings. The meat-offering (minchah) was presented sometimes by itself, at other times in connection with burnt-offerings and peace-offerings. The independence of the meat-offering, which has been denied by Bähr and Kurtz on insufficient grounds, is placed beyond all doubt, not only by the meat-offering of the priests (Lev_6:13.) and the so-called jealousy-offering (Num_5:15.), but also by the position in which it is placed in the laws of sacrifice, between the burnt and peace-offerings. From the instructions in Num 15:1-16, to offer a meat-offering mixed with oil and a drink-offering of wine with every burnt-offering and peace-offering, the quantity to be regulated by the size of the animal, it by no means follows that all the meat-offerings were simply accompaniments to the bleeding sacrifices, and were only to be offered in connection with them. On the contrary, inasmuch as these very instructions prescribe only a meat-offering of meal with oil, together with a drink-offering of wine, as the accompaniment to the burnt and peace-offerings, without mentioning incense at all, they rather prove that the meat-offerings mentioned in Lev 2, which might consist not only of meal and oil, with which incense had to be used, but also of cakes of different kinds and roasted corn, are to be distinguished from the mere accompaniments mentioned in Num 15. In addition to this, it is to be observed that pastry, in the form of cakes of different kinds, was offered with the praise-offerings, according to Lev_7:12., and probably with the two other species of peace-offerings as well; so that we should introduce an irreconcilable discrepancy between Num 15 and Lev 2, if we were to restrict all the meat-offerings to the accompaniments mentioned in Num 15, or reduce them to merely dependent additions to the burnt and peace-offerings. Only a portion of the independent meat-offerings was burnt by the priest upon the altar (Lev_2:2, Lev_2:9, Lev_2:16); the rest was to be baked without leaven, and eaten by the priests in the court, as being most holy (Lev_6:8-11): it was only the meat-offering of the priests that was all burned upon the altar (Lev_6:16). - The law contains no directions as to what was to be done with the drink-offering; but the wine was no doubt poured round the foot of the altar (Ecclus. l. 15. Josephus, Ant. Iii. 9, 4).

Lev 1:1-2 -
The Burnt-Offering. - Lev_1:2. “If any one of you present an offering to Jehovah of cattle, ye shall present your offering from the herd and from the flock.” קרבּן (Corban, from הקריב to cause to draw near, to bring near, or present, an offering) is applied not only to the sacrifices, which were burned either in whole or in part upon the altar (Lev_7:38; Num_18:9; Num_28:2, etc.), but to the first-fruits (Lev_2:12), and dedicatory offerings, which were presented to the Lord for His sanctuary and His service without being laid upon the altar (Num_7:3, Num_7:10., Num_31:50). The word is only used in Leviticus and Numbers, and two passages in Ezekiel (Eze_20:28; Eze_40:43), where it is taken from the books of Moses, and is invariably rendered δῶρον in the lxx (cf. Mar_7:11 “Corban, that is to say a gift”). הבּהמה מן (from the cattle) belongs to the first clause, though it is separated from it by the Athnach; and the apodosis begins with הבּקר מן (from the herd). The actual antithesis to “the cattle” is “the fowl” in Lev_1:14; though grammatically the latter is connected with Lev_1:10, rather than Lev_1:2. The fowls (pigeons) cannot be included in the behemah, for this is used to denote, not domesticated animals generally, but the larger domesticated quadrupeds, or tame cattle (cf. Gen_1:25). – K+D

Lev 1:3 - If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd,.... So called, because consumed by fire, see Lev_6:9 even all of it except the skin, and therefore its name with the Greeks is "a whole burnt offering", as in Mar_12:33 its name in Hebrew is עולה, which comes from a word which signifies to "ascend" or "go up", because not only it was carried up to the altar by the priest, which was common to other sacrifices, but being burnt upon it, it ascended upwards in smoke and vapour; it was typical of Christ's dolorous sufferings and death, who therein sustained the fire of divine wrath, and his strength was dried up like a potsherd with it. Jarchi on Lev_1:1 says, there were in the burnt offerings mysteries of future things:

let him offer a male; and not a female, pointing at the Messiah's sex, and his strength and excellency, the child that was to be born, and the Son to be given, whose name should be Immanuel:

without blemish; or perfect, having no part wanting, nor any part superfluous, nor any spot upon it, see Lev_22:19 denoting the perfection of Christ as man, being in all things made like unto his brethren, and his having not the least stain or blemish of sin upon him, either original or actual, and so could, as he did, offer up himself without spot to God, Heb_2:17,

and he shall offer it of his own voluntary will; not forced or compelled to it, or with any reluctancy, but as a pure freewill offering; so our Lord Jesus Christ laid down his life of himself, and freely gave himself an offering and a sacrifice, and became cheerfully and readily obedient unto death:

at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, before the Lord; it was to be done openly and publicly, and in the presence of the Lord, to whom it was offered up; showing, that Christ's sacrifice would be offered up to God, against whom we have sinned, by which his law would be fulfilled, his justice satisfied, and wrath appeased, and that his death would be public and notorious; see Luk_24:18. – Gill

Lev 1:4 -
And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering - The usual ceremony. By it the sacrificer identified himself with his victim Lev_3:2, Lev_3:8; Lev_4:15; Lev_8:14; Rom_12:1.
To make atonement for him - This phrase belongs more especially to the sin-offerings and the trespass-offerings (compare Lev_4:20, Lev_4:26, Lev_4:31, Lev_4:35; Lev_5:16, Lev_5:18; Lev_6:7, etc.) It is not used in reference to the peace-offerings, and but rarely in reference to the burnt-offerings. It should be noticed that it is here introduced in close connection with the imposition of hands by the worshipper, not, as it is when it refers to the sin-offering, with the special functions of the priest, Lev_4:26, Lev_4:35; 2Ch_29:23. – Barnes

Lev 1:5 - he shall kill the bullock--The animal should be killed by the offerer, not by the priest, for it was not his duty in case of voluntary sacrifices; in later times, however, the office was generally performed by Levites.

before the Lord--on the spot where the hands had been laid upon the animal's head, on the north side of the altar.

sprinkle the blood--This was to be done by the priests. The blood being considered the life, the effusion of it was the essential part of the sacrifice; and the sprinkling of it--the application of the atonement--made the person and services of the offerer acceptable to God. The skin having been stripped off, and the carcass cut up, the various pieces were disposed on the altar in the manner best calculated to facilitate their being consumed by the fire. – JFB

Lev 1:6 -
And he shall flay - The sacrificer, or his assistant, had to skin and cut up the victim. The hide was the gratuity of the officiating priest. Lev_7:8.
His pieces - That is, its proper pieces, the parts into which it was usual for a sacrificed animal to be divided. – Barnes

Lev 1:7 -
Put fire - The fire that came out of the tabernacle from before the Lord, and which was kept perpetually burning; see Lev_9:24. Nor was it lawful to use any other fire in the service of God. See the case of Nadab and Abihu, Leviticus 10 (note).

Lev 1:8 -
The priests - shall lay the parts - The sacrifice was divided according to its larger joints.
1.   After its blood was poured out, and the skin removed, the head was cut off.
2.   They then opened it and took out the omentum, or caul, that invests the intestines.
3.   They took out the intestines with the mesentery, and washed them well, as also the fat.
4.   They then placed the four quarters upon the altar, covered them with the fat, laid the remains of the intestines upon them, and then laid the head above all.
5.   The sacred fire was then applied, and the whole mass was consumed. This was the holocaust, or complete burnt-offering.– Clarke

[daniel1212av]

Lev 1:9: “...an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.” (Eph 5:2)  "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour."

Lev 1:10 -
Of the flocks - These directions are more brief than those for the bullock. The burnt-offering of the sheep must have been that with which the people were most familiar in the daily morning and evening service. Exo_29:38-42. Sheep were preferred for sacrifice when they could be obtained, except in some special sin-offerings in which goats were required Lev_4:23; Lev_9:3; Lev_16:5. The lamb “without blemish” is a well-known type of Christ. Heb_9:14; 1Pe_1:19. – Barnes

Lev 1:10-13 - if his offering be of the flocks--Those who could not afford the expense of a bullock might offer a ram or a he-goat, and the same ceremonies were to be observed in the act of offering.- JFB

Lev 1:14 -
Of turtledoves, or of young pigeons - The offering of a bird was permitted to one who was too poor to offer a quadruped. (Compare the marginal references.) But in certain rites of purification birds were appointed for all, whatever might be their circumstances. See Lev_15:14, Lev_15:29; Num_6:10. The limitation of the age of the pigeons may be accounted for by the natural habits of the birds. It would seem that the species which are most likely to have been the sacrificial dove and pigeon are the common turtle and the bluerock pigeon, a bird like our stock-dove, and considerably larger than the turtle. The turtles come in the early part of April, but as the season advances they wholly disappear. The pigeons, on the contrary, do not leave the country; and their nests, with young ones in them, may be easily found at any season of the year. Hence, it would appear, that when turtledoves could not be obtained, nestling pigeons were accepted as a substitute. – Barnes

Lev 1:16 -
His crop with his feathers - The weight of authority is in favor of the marginal rendering. It is most probable that the feathers were burned with the body, and that the wings, mentioned in Lev_1:17, were not mutilated.
The place of the ashes - The ashes were daily removed from the altar (except on certain holy days) and thrown into a heap on its eastern side. When the heap became inconveniently large, it was removed in vessels appropriated to the purpose (see Exo_27:3) to a spot without the camp. Lev_4:12; Lev_6:11. – Barnes

Lev 1:14-17 - if the burnt sacrifice . . . be of fowls--The gentle nature and cleanly habits of the dove led to its selection, while all other fowls were rejected, either for the fierceness of their disposition or the grossness of their taste; and in this case, there being from the smallness of the animal no blood for waste, the priest was directed to prepare it at the altar and sprinkle the blood. This was the offering appointed for the poor. The fowls were always offered in pairs, and the reason why Moses ordered two turtledoves or two young pigeons, was not merely to suit the convenience of the offerer, but according as the latter was in season; for pigeons are sometimes quite hard and unfit for eating, at which time turtledoves are very good in Egypt and Palestine. The turtledoves are not restricted to any age because they are always good when they appear in those countries, being birds of passage; but the age of the pigeons is particularly marked that they might not be offered to God at times when they are rejected by men [HARMER]. It is obvious, from the varying scale of these voluntary sacrifices, that the disposition of the offerer was the thing looked to--not the costliness of his offering. – JFB