Exodus 30:12-16 - Homiletics

The atonement money.

Remark three things:—

I. THE ATONEMENT MONEY WAS REQUIRED OF ALL . "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" ( Romans 3:23 ). "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" ( 1 John 1:8 ). There was to be no exemption. Moses and Aaron were to bring their half-shekel no less than the others; the priests had to make the offering, just the same as the laity; the rulers, as much as the common people. The lesson taught was, that every soul was guilty before God—all unclean in his sight, who "is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity"—all in need of pardon and cleansing. So far there was certainly "no difference" ( Romans 3:22 ). "Every mouth was stopped" ( Romans 3:19 ). Boasting was excluded—the right attitude of the soul towards God shown to be one of humility, deprecation, penitence.

II. THE SAME ATONEMENT MONEY WAS REQUIRED OF EACH . It is true to say, that all men equally are guilty in God's sight; but it would not be true to say that all are equally guilty. Yet the same atonement was required of all. "The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less." This marks that one and the same atonement is required, whatever be the degree of a man's guilt, whether he be (so far as is possible) "a just man needing no repentance," or "the chief of sinners." On the man's part is required in every case "repentance and faith;" these, however, cannot atone. The true "atonement money," the true "redemption," the real "ransom of souls," is the death of Christ—one and the same for all—necessary for all—not too much for the least, not too little for the most guilty; but "a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world." it saves all that trust in it—saves them from wrath and death—saves them from sin—atones for them—puts them "at one" with the Father.

III. THE ATONEMENT WAS TO BE KEPT IN MEND , TO BE FOR A PERPETUAL MEMORIAL . There are those who are content to acknowledge that Christ has died for them, and has saved them, who yet object to giving the fact, what they call, undue prominency. They would acknowledge it once for all, and then have done with it. But this is not the general teaching of the Bible, nor is it that of the present passage. The "atonement money" was to be so employed as to be "a memorial unto the children of Israel before the Lord" perpetually. They were to have the shapes of silver, into which it had been cast, ever before their eyes. And assuredly there is nothing in the whole range of spiritual facts which deserves such continual remembrance, such constant dwelling upon in thought, as the atonement made for us by Christ. Herein alone have we hope, trust, confidence. Hereby alone are we saved. The cross of Christ should be ever before the Christian's eye, mind, heart. He should not for a moment forget it, much less be ashamed of it.