God Furnishes His the Tabernacle Through His People - Exodus 37

On January 7, 1913, William Burton was granted a patent for a cracking process that enabled him to obtain gasoline from crude oil. It was this patent that would change the way the world moves from one end of the globe to the other. Most people today don't even recognize the name of William Burton, let alone appreciate his contribution to the transportation industry. But people do complain about how his invention has adversely impacted our environment. No one ever thought greater wisdom was needed in handling this invention.

For the same reason, President Harry S. Truman should have heeded sounder advice when he announced on the same date in 1953 that the United States had developed a hydrogen bomb. Both inventions had tremendous potential. Both inventions offered the world hopeful technology. But both inventions make an important statement: Planning something and carrying out those plans are distinctly different. It is how we carry out the plans drawn that will demonstrate our faithfulness in following through on our commitments.

The plans drawn for processing gasoline and for developing a hydrogen bomb were flawed because no one had the whole picture as to their use, function, and maintenance. But the blueprint for the tabernacle and related items had already been given to the people of Israel, and it was perfect. Nothing was unforeseen by God or left out. After all, this was God's plans and God's building. Moses offered a challenge to the people, and they responded. Not just a few, but everyone got involved. This is God's design. The plans drawn for processing gasoline and for developing a hydrogen bomb were flawed because no one had the whole picture as to their use, function, and maintenance. But the blueprint for the tabernacle and related items had already been given to the people of Israel, and it was perfect. Nothing was unforeseen by God or left out. After all, this was God's plans and God's building. Moses offered a challenge to the people, and they responded. Not just a few, but everyone got involved. This is God's design.

The divine plans for the ark were shared with us back in . And now in this passage we read that Bezalel crafts the ark exactly as he was instructed in ch. 25. The ark of the covenant, as we see depicted in the Bible was comparable to the thrones associated with deities and royalty in the ancient Near East. Yet, there are defining features set it apart such as the seat atop the ark itself, and the cherubim that flank either side. The purpose of the design being similar seems to show that Yahweh God is truly and ultimately king of Israel and Lord over all creation. He is not just a person or another god. Unlike other thones, this seat contains no idol. The reason is Yahweh is not worshiped like other gods. He is the one, real, true God above all and like no other.

The Ark

Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half was its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. 2 And he overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold around it. 3 And he cast for it four rings of gold for its four feet, two rings on its one side and two rings on its other side. 4 And he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold 5 and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark. 6 And he made a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half was its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. 7 And he made two cherubim of gold. He made them of hammered work on the two ends of the mercy seat, 8 one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat he made the cherubim on its two ends. 9 The cherubim spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat were the faces of the cherubim.

Exodus 37:1–9 ESV

Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half was its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. And he overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold around it. And he cast for it four rings of gold for its four feet, two rings on its one side and two rings on its other side. And he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark. And he made a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half was its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. And he made two cherubim of gold. He made them of hammered work on the two ends of the mercy seat, one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat he made the cherubim on its two ends. The cherubim spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat were the faces of the cherubim.

Exodus 37:1–9 ESV

Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half was its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. And he overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold around it. And he cast for it four rings of gold for its four feet, two rings on its one side and two rings on its other side. And he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark. And he made a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half was its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. And he made two cherubim of gold. He made them of hammered work on the two ends of the mercy seat, one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat he made the cherubim on its two ends. The cherubim spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat were the faces of the cherubim.

We can talk measurement, we can talk decorations, we can talk about materials, but the true reason for the Ark is symbolize of the presence of God being with Israel. But more than it, the presence of the ark brings blessing in believers lives.

And the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household.

Do you find such blessing in your life? Do you find that God presence remains with you? That those around you are blessed as well. If you are not able to find such blessing or you do not have the presence of God in your life, Do you really want to live the rest of your life with our that? How are you going to change that?

The Table

He also made the table of acacia wood. Two cubits was its length, a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. 11 And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made a molding of gold around it. 12 And he made a rim around it a handbreadth wide, and made a molding of gold around the rim. 13 He cast for it four rings of gold and fastened the rings to the four corners at its four legs. 14 Close to the frame were the rings, as holders for the poles to carry the table. 15 He made the poles of acacia wood to carry the table, and overlaid them with gold. 16 And he made the vessels of pure gold that were to be on the table, its plates and dishes for incense, and its bowls and flagons with which to pour drink offerings.

The table that is being built is to help us understand that God is mankind’s provider and sustainer. Immediately inside the first veil was the table. On this table was a constant supply of fresh food and drink. All that the we as a believer need to strengthen and sustain us is found in God’s presence.

Not only that but are we live constantly in the presence of God. This truth makes it obligatory for man to offer his life to God.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Our true worship is with our lives and not sitting in worship service. Attending worship is just part of it.

The Lampstand

He also made the lampstand of pure gold. He made the lampstand of hammered work. Its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers were of one piece with it. 18 And there were six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of one side of it and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it; 19 three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on the other branch—so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. 20 And on the lampstand itself were four cups made like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and flowers, 21 and a calyx of one piece with it under each pair of the six branches going out of it. 22 Their calyxes and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole of it was a single piece of hammered work of pure gold. 23 And he made its seven lamps and its tongs and its trays of pure gold. 24 He made it and all its utensils out of a talent of pure gold.

The golden lampstand was placed on the south side in the holy place, opposite the table of showbread. Because the holy place has no windows, the lampstand was the only source of light. Similar there is no other light, no other source of hope, or truth in this world but God. Jehovah alone provides the light we need to see our way. And that light is enough. Additionally, in the courtyard outside the tabernacle tent, all items were made of common bronze, but inside the tent, close to God, they were precious gold which is a most prized and precious material. Our relationship with God should be our most prized and precious relationship and valued above all others.

But the golden lampstand that gives forth light is also a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the future Messiah.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The Alter

He made the altar of incense of acacia wood. Its length was a cubit, and its breadth was a cubit. It was square, and two cubits was its height. Its horns were of one piece with it. 26 He overlaid it with pure gold, its top and around its sides and its horns. And he made a molding of gold around it, 27 and made two rings of gold on it under its molding, on two opposite sides of it, as holders for the poles with which to carry it. 28 And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 29 He made the holy anointing oil also, and the pure fragrant incense, blended as by the perfumer.

This altar is not used for animal sacrifice, but for burning incense. The word “altar” is used because incense was a form of offering in the OT and throughout the ancient Near East.

The altar of incense stood centered before the veil that separated the holy place and the most holy place. This altar spoke of worship and of other dimensions of prayer. Here praise and prayer blended as the priests approached the presence of God, awed and yet exalted by His closeness.

In the book of We read - And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, 4 and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.

The incense altar included the uplifting of holy desire and intercession for all men. Are these things found in us? They may be. It is the work to which Christ has been called, and he is waiting to accomplish it in us

As the musicians come forward, I want to remind you that the main thing about going to the ALTAR is that it should ALTER us as we spend time with God there. We should leave rededicated and with a renewed purpose. We should leave reinvigorated and renewed from being in God’s presence.

This morning the altar is open. This is an alter call. You may want to come to the altar to pray for salvation. You may want to pray for others. You may need to confess sin and repent. You may want to pray for a grandchild or for the children’s ministry. You may need personal prayer or you may want intereinve in prayer for another. Either way, let me pray for you.