Year 1, Week 10, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 10, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Exodus 24-25.

Today’s reading records the official making of the Mosaic Covenant, but also begins describing the building plans for the Tabernacle. Exodus 24 notes the ratification of the Mosaic (also known as the Sinaitic) Covenant. The covenant is made through an animal sacrifice and the shedding of blood. Exodus 25 begins documenting the Tabernacle construction. Exodus 25 to 31 provides the plans for how Israel was to construct the Tabernacle, while Exodus 35 to 40 details the Tabernacle’s actual construction.

What struck me in today’s reading is the LORD’s desire and thus, His provision, to be near His people:“Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!” (Psalm 65:3). The nearness of the LORD occurred in the context of his covenant with the nation of Israel. A covenant that was ratified through blood: “Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.” (Exodus 24:7-8). In this context, the significance of the blood being thrown on them is that if they break the covenant that they are agreeing to keep, they deserve to die. The term “blood of the covenant” is used by Jesus as He was instituting the Lord’s Supper on the eve of His own death: “for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28). As Jesus was picking up that phrase and using it, He was teaching His disciples that He will die for their covenant unfaithfulness and thus provide them forgiveness. Interestingly, another parallel between the Lord’s Supper and the episode here is “they beheld God, and ate and drank.” (Exodus 24:11b).

It is in this context that the LORD drew near: “Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel.” (Exodus 24:9). The nearness of the LORD was brief, but it was a preview of what the LORD’s intent was—the LORD intends to dwell near His people. The challenge is how the LORD would dwell safely with His people; safely for the people’s sake, not His own. The way that a Holy God would dwell with a sinful people would be through the Tabernacle: “And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” (Exodus 25:8). The design and structure of the Tabernacle would provide the means by which the LORD would dwell near His people.

So, after the covenant was made, Moses was brought back up into the presence of the LORD on Mt. Sinai for forty days (Exodus 25-31). The presence of the LORD that Moses experienced on Mt. Sinai would be made available to all of Israel in the Tabernacle—a mobile unit for God’s presence to travel with Israel—a portable Mt. Sinai. The LORD unveiled His plans to Moses for a Tabernacle: “Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.” (Exodus 25:9; see also Hebrews 8:5). The architectural rendering that Moses is shown reflects patterns found in Genesis 1. The LORD spoke seven times as He created all things, placing Adam in a garden. Now in Exodus 25-31, the LORD spoke seven times (25:1; 30:11,17,22,34; 31:1,12), as He recreated a garden-like experience to dwell with His people. The God who dwelt with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, is the God who redeems His people to fellowship with them, bringing us into His presence.

The three furnishings described in Exodus 25 were to reside inside the Tabernacle. The Ark of the Covenant was a box made of acacia wood and covered in gold. The Ark would be placed in the Holy of Holy room of the Tabernacle and symbolize the place where the LORD’s presence dwelt. The lid for the Ark symbolized the Throne of God and would be called the Mercy Seat: “There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel” (Exodus 25:22). The Table of Bread, which would be placed in the Holy room of the Tabernacle, would display bread suggesting the abundance provision from the LORD’s presence: “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Psalm 34:8a). The Lamp stand reflects the look of a tree and is placed so that it casts its light toward the Table of Bread: “You shall make seven lamps for it. And the lamps shall be set up so as to give light on the space in front of it.” (Exodus 25:37). The tree of lights illuminated the provision of the LORD. Before the LORD moves on the detail the additional Tabernacle furnishings, He adds: “And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain” (Exodus 25:40); for “They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” (Hebrews 8:5a).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe