“This is the offering which ye shall take of them: ―
For anointing and incense.
Many other stones―twelve at least.
(Exod. 25:3-7).
The combined value of the foregoing offerings has been roughly estimated at, ₤250,000―probably much more.
Their Spiritual Signification.
Israel left Egypt a wealthy people. Its gold, silver, jewels, precious stones, rich and varied stores of raiment were poured in profusion into the lap of the departing people: while of course their numerous flocks and herds accompanied them into the wilderness (Exod. 11:2, 3; 12:32, 36). Israel spoiled the Egyptians.
The materials so freely offered by the people are enumerated in Exodus, chap. 25:3-7, and are again named exactly in the same order in chap. 35:5-9, when the work was about to commence.
In considering the typical import of these things we must avoid dogmatism. The spiritual signification of the materials employed in the construction of the Tabernacle must appeal to minds taught of God. We cannot enforce all these teachings with a “thus saith the Lord,” but surely much and real instruction is gained by those whose spiritual instinct is wisely used (Heb. 5:14). The leading lines of truth are developed clearly enough in the Epistle to the Hebrews. Our spiritual understanding must fill in many of the details in this delightful branch of study; but these details must be in moral keeping with the general line of truth as unfolded in the Epistle to the Hebrews.
Gold. — Christ in His Divine Nature. Essential Glory and Divine Righteousness. Christ the Eternal Son in the Divine glory and dignity of His Person.
Silver. — Christ effecting Atonement and Redemption in the power and value of His own blood: see for Atonement, Exod. 30:12-16; for Redemption, Num. 18:16. It was the Atonement money that was used in the building of the Tabernacle—not the Redemption silver as is generally, but erroneously stated.
Brass, or Native Copper. — Christ bearing the judgment of sin―endurance and stability. His ability, because God, to bear the cross: Gold signifies Righteousness in the presence of God. Brass, Righteousness in judgment measured out according to human responsibility.
The colors were blue, purple, and scarlet which occur in this combination and order about 28 times in the book of Exodus.
Blue. — Christ the heavenly One on earth (1 Cor. 15:47, 48; John 1:18). The Nature of the Son as heavenly and Divine is inscrutable to all—only the Father knows Him (Matt. 11:27).
Purple. ―Christ in humiliation and death: see Num. 4:13, for the meaning here given.
Scarlet. ―Christ invested with the insignia of earth’s glory see Rev. 11:15; Dan. 7:14. Human glory.
The textile fabrics were fine linen and goats’ hair.
Fine Linen. ―Christ in spotless purity — practical righteousness, as exhibited by Christ in all His life and in all its detail, hence the challenge of the Righteous One “Which of you convinceth Me of sin”? (John 8:46); see also Ps. 17.
Goats’ Hair. — Christ in prophetic character, and in, practical separation from all evil without and within.
The coverings over all were rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins. Thus the order was as follows: first, set of fine linen curtains; second, set of goats’ hair curtains; third, a covering of rams’ skins dyed red; fourth, over all a covering of badgers’ skins. Two curtains and two coverings.
Rains’ Skins Dyed Red.―Christ’s devotedness to God even unto death. The rani was the consecration animal (Exod. 29:27). The skin of the sin offering was burned outside the camp (Lev. 4:11, 12; Exod. 29:14). The skin of the burnt offering was given to the officiating priest (Lev. 7:8). These rams’ skins dyed red told of absolute surrender to God even to the death of the cross.
Badgers’ Skins. ―Christ in the absolute holiness of His Person and Life repelling every form of outward evil. To the natural eye and mind “no form nor comeliness.”
The only wood referred to in the construction of the Tabernacle is the shittim. There are four kinds specified in the building of Solomon’s Temple, namely, the cedar, fir, algum, and olive. In Ezekiel’s Temple the palm tree, emblematic of rest and victory, is the only one named, and we may add, that neither gold, silver, nor brass are referred to in the millennial Temple of the prophet of the captivity.
Shittim Wood. ―Christ in the incorruptibility of His human nature. In Him there was neither taint, nor corruption, nor sin. “That HOLY THING which shall be born of thee (the virgin) shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
Oil, and spices, these latter were four in number (Exod. 30:34), answering to the four-fold description of Christ in the Gospels i.e., the King, the Servant, the Man, the Son and Lamb of God.
Oil for the Light. ―Christ the light of the world in the power of the Holy Ghost. The light is Christ; the oil is the Spirit.
Spices for Anointing Oil. ―Christ in moral grace and beauty witnessed to by the Spirit.
Spices for Sweet Incense. ―Christ in varied moral beauties and perfections displayed in His life here below, now filling heaven with fragrance.
The only stone specially named is the Onyx, but other precious stones were abundantly supplied though not here specified. “Onyx stones and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate.”
Onyx Stones. ―Christ in many and varied excellencies.
Stones for the Ephod and Breastplate. ―Christ in the many and diversified moral glories of His Person and ways manifested on behalf of His saints, and in which they appear before God.
Its Central Position in the Midst of Israel.
The Tabernacle when set up in the wilderness became the center of the many thousands of Israel, and the meeting-place between Jehovah and His redeemed people (Exod. 29:42-46). In it God dwelt, and out of it He addressed His people in strains of richest grace (Lev. 1:1). It is several times termed “the Tabernacle of Witness,” as eloquent in its testimony of heavenly and “better things to come.”
The Tabernacle was erected, and set up in the wilderness on the first day of the first month of the second year of the deliverance from Egypt (Exod. 40:2.) Its flooring was the sand of the desert (Num. 5:17), unlike that of the Temple which was of pure gold (1 Kings 6:30). What mattered it whether sand or gold formed the floor of God’s house. It was His presence which made the sacred enclosure all glorious and holy; which made it the most sacred and blessed spot on earth, for the glory of Jehovah filled it and the majesty of Jehovah abode thereon (40:34).
That sleeper wrapped in slumber in the apparently sinking vessel in the angry Galilean sea, is none other than the Rock of Ages and the Eternal God (Mark 4:37-41). God in the midst is faith’s answer to all the forces of evil—single or combined. His presence in the Tabernacle was the chief glory and strength of Israel. His presence in the Church is our Divine safeguard. Wreck and ruin, nations alarmed and armed, clouds and darkness, governments and powers may rock and reel, but all is still, all calm and peace within), the charmed circle of the Lord’s immediate presence. Jehovah in the midst and Jehovah on the throne are enough till pilgrim days are over.
When the Tabernacle was finished the glory of Jehovah so filled the sacred enclosure that Moses the Mediator could not enter (Exod. 40:35). On the completion of the Temple the glory filled the house “so that the priests could not stand to minister” (1 Kings 8:10, 11). When the new and spiritual house composed of living stones was formed, then the Spirit of God occupied it, with the result that every heart was stirred, and every tongue became eloquent in expressing the wonderful works of God (Acts 2.).
The Tabernacle with its Court set in the midst of the many thousands of saved and happy Israel, must have been an imposing sight — an all-absorbing object of interest to the whole nation, as also to each one of the mighty host. The tents of Moses, of Aaron and his sons, occupied the nearest position and were pitched on the front of the entrance―east (Num. 3:38). Then the Levites surrounded the Court according to their respective families. “The Levites shall pitch round about the Tabernacle of testimony” Num. 1:53). The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath and Merari. This latter as a family was the more numerous of the three―probably because of the heavier work alloted to them. The boards, pillars, sockets of brass and silver which were the special care of the Merarites demanded constant relays of men, and these, because of their number were ever at hand. Gershon and his sons had their work and place assigned them on the west side of the Tabernacle. Kohath and his sons had also a weighty charge committed to them, and were pitched on the south side of the Tabernacle. Merari and his sons were by Divine appointment set to guard on the north side, while as we have already remarked, Moses, Aaron and his sons guarded the door of entrance on the east side of the Tabernacle (Num. 3.). The service of the Levites was not to be entered upon before thirty years of age nor to be extended beyond fifty years of age. Nor was the service in all to exceed twenty years (Sum. 4.). These injunctions are six times repeated. The most vigorous period of life was thus absolutely devoted to God and to His service. Then the tribes of Israel were pitched “far off about the Tabernacle of the congregation” (Num. 2:2) ―three tribes on each side under their respective standards.
All was duly regulated and ordered by God. It was His house, and He alone had sovereign right to assign each one his place and prescribe the special work of each and all. God gives each one his place, assigns his work and regulates his service. Thus the whole nation and every individual thereof, were appointed guardians and custodians of the Tabernacle. Probably the people when at rest in their respective camps, formed a square of about twelve miles, and in the midst stood the Tabernacle to which all eyes and hearts were directed-the center of their worship and out of which they were governed and directed. “Happy is that people that is in such a case; yea, happy is that people whose God is the LORD” (Ps. 143:15).
God by His Spirit now dwells in the Church 1 Cor. 16; Eph. 2:22), and in each believer (1 Cor. 6:19).
The Church is God’s Temple―the Shrine of His holiness.
The Church is God’s Habitation―for He dwells in it.
The Church is God’s House — the sphere of His special government. The Temple, the Habitation, and the House are each composed of living stones, i.e., saved persons.
Jehovah’s sovereign choice of Israel as His people was founded on His absolute will and purpose. I AM THAT I AM. We can assign no reason for it. Israel was a Divine selection from amongst the nations and families of the earth (Amos 3:2). But the people were sinful, absolutely ignorant of God, and in abject slavery and misery in Egypt. Jehovah rises to the occasion. He provides the blood of the Paschal Lamb as an answer to His own righteous judgment. (Exod. 12.), crushes the strength of the enemy in the Red Sea (xiv.), and in the same act of Divine power redeems His people. The old bonds with sin and Satan were forever broken, and the nation redeemed for the worship and service of Jehovah.
The calling of Israel to be a peculiar people to Jehovah Himself, was a privilege of the highest order and character, one founded solely on the sovereign choice of God, and hence irrevocable (Rom. 11:29). On the Divine side all was safe. But on the human side this new and happy relationship, expressed in communion and intercourse with Jehovah had to be practically maintained. To effect this, priesthood as a standing institution in Israel was established—the normal link between the people and God. We may observe that the break down of the priesthood in the family of Eli as the means established by God to meet the failure and weakness of His people, only served as an occasion for our God to draw upon the resources in Himself. God, even our God, is ever more than equal to any difficulty. If that which was set up in Israel to meet failure, itself failed, what is the resource? God establishes prophecy in Samuel (Acts 3:24), and by it He would address the conscience of the people and direct their thoughts onward to the glory of the Kingdom. But prophecy as an ordered institution of God miserably failed in the family of Samuel. There yet remained but one resource―one remedy―if the blessing of the people was to be secured and maintained; royalty was established in David. This means of blessing is one which stretches out to the world at large, not to Israel only. These three institutions, namely, Priesthood, Prophecy, and Royalty shall be witnessed in combined perfection in the palmy days of the Kingdom. The connection between those three great principles of blessing are fully unfolded in the first book of Samuel.