“And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward. And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end. And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars: and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold. And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was sheaved thee in the mount.”
The Bars
Ver. 26. And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood.) We have already considered the boards of the tabernacle, fitly framed together, and firmly fixed in the sockets of silver, as typical of believers standing in redemption, and associated together in Church fellowship. We have now to consider the bars of shittim wood, overlaid with gold—God’s provision for compacting together and securing the whole.
The fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians will furnish us with a solution of the spiritual import of these bars.
The Epistle to the Hebrews is largely occupied with priesthood and sacrifice, and there we find the corresponding types richly unfolded.
The Epistle to the Ephesians preeminently treats (Incomplete Article...) of the Church, and it is there we especially find the interpretation of the things connected with the tabernacle.
In the first six verses of Ephesians 4, the seven-fold, or perfect provision for the unity of the Church is mentioned; one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.
Then, from verses 7, to 11, the five, gifts given from a once humbled, but now ascended and glorified Savior, are noticed—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.
Then the object for which they are given is stated from verses 12 to 16: “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; 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 fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ, from whom the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
These five bars of the tabernacle answer most strikingly to these five gifts. From a risen Christ, and their object and end is the same, the “perfecting,” “edifying,” and “compacting! of the whole together.
The Material.
“Bars of Shittim Wood.”
They were to be of shittim. wood, reminding us that those. who have received gifts for service to the Lord and to his saints, are men of like passions with others. They have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of them. Not sufficient of themselves to think anything as of themselves, they can of their own selves do nothing.
The Arrangement of the Bars.
Verses 26-28. Five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward. And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end.) There are five bars for each side of the tabernacle, and there are four sides, one north, one south, and two sides westward.
God’s arrangements and provisions for ministry are simple, perfect, and uniform, and adapted to the need of the Church of God throughout the whole world.
The gifts of the Spirit are for the edifying of the whole body; and wherever believers are gathered in. the name of the Lord Jesus, there these gifts have their place and service.
All believers everywhere have need of all the gifts of the Spirit for their compacting and edifying; and according to God’s arrangements, whatever gifts there may be, are available for all.
The apportioning a certain number of souls for one man’s care, or one man to a certain number, is entirely contrary to God’s order. The gifts are for the body, and God sets them in the Church for the benefit of all.
The leading of the Spirit, or the providence of God, may indeed place some in certain localities; but all believers have a title to their service, and they are debtors according to their ability and opportunity to all. Every human arrangement which interferes with this is a thwarting of God’s gracious, benevolent plan.
There are two bars lying side by side near the bottom of the boards of the tabernacle (not one above the other), one in the center, and two side by side near the top; thus, the two under bars may be taken to represent the gifts of the apostles and prophets. These, as to doctrine and practice, according to the ability given them of God, have laid the foundation. And the Church is said to be built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.
This they did by their labors, example, and teaching in their lifetime, and in the inspired Scriptures of the New Testament which they have left, the Church has still the benefit of their gifts.
The foundations have been laid; the word of God filled up and perfected. Since then there have been. no new revelations of doctrine, and no new directions for practice, the doctrines, precepts, and principles of Scripture being fully adequate to meet all emergencies. Therein the roan of God is thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Hence, apostles and: prophets; in the strict sense of the words, are no longer to be found among living men; but we have them, as have said, in the inspired word, for every necessary purpose.
The middle bar in the center of the boards was entire, extending the whole length of the tabernacle from end to end; whereas, the other bars met in the middle, extending only half way each way.
The middle bar is beautifully suggestive of the wide extended sphere of the labors of the evangelist; whose commission is; “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature,” and in whose experience the ‘prompting of the Spirit is ever “to the regions beyond”— “the regions beyond.”
The two bars near the top represent the ministry of the pastors and teachers; the pastor watching over the souls of the converted, feeding the flock of God. And the teacher leading them onward and upward into further and higher acquaintance with the truth of God, and of the love, person, and ways of Jesus. Thus,
Pastor and Teacher.
Evangelists
Apostles and Prophets.
The Overlaying of the Boards with Gold.
Ver. 29. And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold It is remarkable that the direction for overlaying the boards does not occur in the portion which treats of the boards themselves (verses 15 to 25). but here in connection with the bars; and, doubtless; there is significance in this. The boards were of shittim wood, for they represent believers, in themselves the partakers of human nature, in its weakness and frailty. But the boards are overlaid with gold; signifying that, as one with Jesus, believers are also partakers of the Divine nature. (2 Peter 1:44Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:4).)
As associated together in the confession of the name of Christ, they are not regarded as they are in themselves, but as seen or God in Christ Jesus, —the sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty.
As we are by the grace of God—as seen by Him in the—Son of his love—such we ought to be practically and experimentally at all times, but especially when gathered in the name of Jesus, under the searching eye of him with whom we have to do, that, as builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit, there may be nothing to grieve or quench that Holy Spirit of our God, or to hinder the full flow of blessing from our God and Father.
Oh for grace ever to remember this! As the shittim wood in the tabernacle was nowhere to be seen, so the flesh, or that which is merely natural, should never be manifest in the assembly of God’s saints. But putting off the old man, and Putting on the new, as the elect of God holy and beloved, the Divine nature should appear, and Divine charity be ever in full exercise: Thus it would come to pass that the distinctions and graduations which exist in the arrangements of Divine providence, and which cannot be overlooked with impunity in the outward walks of life, would disappear when believers were assembled together in the Church; and each and all, as children. of God, members of Christ, dwelt in by the Spirit, partakers of the Same Divine arid eternal life, loved and loving with the same Divine charity, they would hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, without respect of persons. (James 2:11My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. (James 2:1))
But more than this: “Holiness becomes God’s house.” The infirmities of the flesh may be confessed in the closet, but ought never to mar the worship of the assembled saints: Collective failure may be acknowledged in the prayer meeting; but when met in the Church, as, for example, around the table of the Lord, we should meet and worship as the sods of God, “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar People, showing forth the praises of him who bath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:99But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9).)
Yet, while the gold glittered on the surface of the boards, the shittim wood, still existed Within. So it becomes us ever to remember that, notwithstanding all that Divine grace has made us; in ourselves we are nothing at all. “The true circumcision, worshipping God in the Spirit, rejoicing in Christ Jesus, but having no confidence of the flesh.” This, however; is no excuse for sin or failure; for the grace of Christ is sufficient for us, and his strength is made perfect in weakness.
But why is this direction to overlay the boards with gold reserved for insertion here, in the midst of the instructions respecting the bars?
Does it not intimate a connection between the exercising of the gifts given, and the fuller participation and manifestation of the Divine nature?
Thus holding the Head, all the Body, by joints and bands, having nourishment ministered and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
And while God, “according to his Divine power, has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these we might be partakers of the Divine nature,”—is it not through the exercise of the gifts of the Spirit, in the ministry of the Word, that very especially, both individually and collectively, these great and precious promises are realized, and that this growth in grace is experienced? (2 Peter 1:3,43According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:3‑4).)
The Golden Rings.
Ver. 29. And make their rings of gold for places for the bars.) There is a divinely given and provided place for ministry, in the exercise of the gifts of the Spirit, in the Church of God.
“Rings of gold for places for the bars;” how significant!
Yes, there is a place provided and appointed of God for each of the several kinds of ministry.
A place for the apostles and prophets, which none else can occupy: a place of authority and power.
A place for the evangelist, and a work of vast importance and responsibility; having to do with souls and with eternity.
A place for the pastor and the teacher, in watching over, and leading on, the souls of the redeemed, with which the saints’ well-being, and the honor of the Lord Jesus, is intimately connected.
The Overlaying of the Bars.
And thou shalt overlay the bars with gold.) “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”
Real ministry is the exercise of a gift received from God through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Ghost, according to the ability which God giveth, and for God’s glory is not mere natural ability, however highly cultivated, or however fully recognized by human authority. It is something far more precious, more glorious, more important than this.
How vividly the Apostle Paul realized the truth so beautifully Set forth by these bars of shittim wood, overlaid with gold!
“I magnify mine office,” he exclaims; “not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God.” “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the pother may be of God, and not of us.”
To sum up these various figures of ministry which we have already considered.
In the cherubim on the mercy-seat, in the holiest of all, we have set forth ministry in its heavenly origin and source.
In the golden candlestick in the holy place, over against the table, and by the altar of incense, we have ministry in the assembly, and in connection with communion and worship.
And in these bars of the tabernacle, uniting the boards together, we see ministry for the building up and compacting of the Church of God.
The Charge.
Ver. 30. And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was showed thee in the mount.) All important, and ever important words! Whether as to Church gathering and constitution, or whether as to ministry in the Church, God’s pattern, and that alone, is to be followed; —a pattern not earthly and human, but heavenly and Divine.
Is there not pride, presumption, and sin, in pretending to improve on God’s order of things in any particular? or in setting aside that order to make way for man’s?
How thankful should we be to God, that he has condescended so minutely to arrange and order everything for us in his word! —in type in the Old Testament, in example in the Gospels and the Acts, and in express directions in the inspired epistles of the apostles!
May we be prayerfully diligent to ascertain God’s order by means of every portion of his word, and hearty and earnest in seeking to carry it out, in our humble measure, according to I the grace given to us: esteeming all his commandments concerning all things to be right, and hating every false way, fully persuaded that God’s plans are the best plans, and that in keeping his commandments there is great reward. T. N.
(The Vail, and Hanging for the Door (D.V.), in the number for June.)