Exodus 25:1-9

THE PATTERN IN THE MOUNT

We have now reached in the revelation of the tabernacle the most important step in the history of grace yet met with in Scripture. There are several reasons for believing this: (1) the unusual preparation required on man’s part for its reception (see Exodus 24:9-18 ); (2) the large space occupied by its recital thirteen chapters in all; and (3) the depth of detail seen throughout.

AN OBJECT LESSON

The tabernacle was a divine object lesson; an embodied prophecy of good things to come; a witness to the grace and saving power of God. It taught salvation through propitiation, forgiveness and blood-shedding.

Access to God and worship it disclosed; the holiness of God; the sinfulness of man; the reconciliation which in due time should be affected, are all clearly set forth by the tabernacle and its rites.

Seven chapters are given to the specifications of the tabernacle, and six to its construction; while in between the two is the record of the unbelief and apostasy of the people in the matter of the golden calf.

Of the seven chapters of specification, three are occupied with the tabernacle itself, three with the priesthood, and one with the arrangement for carrying the whole into effect.

Our present lesson deals with the tabernacle itself.

THE OFFERING OF THE PEOPLE, (Exodus 25:1-9 )

On what principle was this offering to be presented (Exodus 25:2 )? What three metals are specified (Exodus 25:3 )? Three colors (Exodus 25:4 )?

What vegetable textile is mentioned and what animal (Exodus 25:4 )? What two kinds of skins (Exodus 25:5 )? The badger here spoken of is thought to be not the animal commonly known by that name among us, but some other animal equally well known in Arabia.

What species of wood is named (Exodus 25:5 )? This is supposed to be the acacia, abundant in Moses’ day.

The oil (Exodus 25:6 ) was from the olive, the spices are more particularly indicated (Exodus 30:23-24 ); the precious stones (Exodus 28:15-21 ), as also the ephod and breastplate in the same chapter.

What name is given to the building (Exodus 25:8 ), and for what purpose is it? The fulfillment of this purpose was in the visible cloud of glory which

overshadowed the tabernacle when completed, and rested upon the mercy seat in the Most Holy place.

As to the name “sanctuary,” it denotes especially the holiness of the place. What other name is given it (Exodus 25:9 )? This simply means a dwelling, and is sometimes used in an indefinite way for the curtain, the framework or the entire structure.

“Tent” is the name given to it in the following chapter; and at other places “the tent of meeting,” having reference to the meeting of God with His people (Exodus 29:42-43 ); or the tent or tabernacle “of testimony” (Numbers 2:50, 53), as designating the place where God declared His will, and especially testified against the sins of His people, by His holy law which, within the ark, witnessed to the covenant they had entered into at Sinai.

According to what design was the sanctuary to be erected (Exodus 25:9 )? Thus we see it was a type of God’s dwelling place in the heaven of heavens, a fact that profoundly impresses us with its significance in every detail.

We do not know how the pattern or type was shown to Moses in the mount, whether by a visible model, or vision presented to his mind, but we know it was in some sense a copy of heavenly things, and that hence Moses was allowed no liberty in constructing it.

Archeological Discoveries

Archeology has shown an analogy between the tabernacle service and the ritualistic practice of some of the heathen nations, but this is not to be interpreted as imitation or adoption on Moses’ part.

There is a similitude in the modes of worship fundamental in the human race, and Moses may have been used of God to cull out the truth from this mass of wrong and falsehood.

A parallel is that of the “Code of Hammurabi,” a Chaldean monarch, hundreds of years before Moses, who in this code gave laws to his people corresponding to those in the previous chapters.

The critics used to argue that the Mosaic code could not be of so early a date as Moses since it presupposed too advanced a civilization on the part of the people for whom it was intended. When, however, this code of Hammurabi was discovered, their tune was changed, and they exclaimed: “Ah! Moses copied after Hammurabi.”

The truth rather is that just suggested about the tabernacle. Hammurabi’s code is based upon fundamental principles of law in the constitution of the race, albeit commingled with many grotesque fancies in consequence of the fall. These fundamental principles, however, are, in their origin, divine, and in the code of Moses we find them separated from the false by the hand of their heavenly originator.

QUESTIONS

1. What three reasons show the importance attached to this theme?

2. What names are given to the tabernacle, and what are their meanings?

3. How may the pattern have been revealed to Moses?

4. How would you explain the similarity of the tabernacle service to the rituals of heathen nations?

5. What is the Code of Hammurabi, and what light does it throw on Moses’ writings?