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CALVARY PANDAN BIBLE- OUTLINE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH [Adapted from Bethel Bible- A. The Altar of Incense (30:1- 10). Presbyterian Church, 10 Downing St. Oakleigh, Vic., 3166] 1. It would be made of shittim wood with four corner horns DHW BIBLE CLASS overlaid with pure gold (vv.1- 3). LESSON 22 2. Two golden rings for the staves to carry it (vv.4-5). 3. It would be placed before the veil (v.6). THE BOOK OF EXODUS 4. Aaron was required to burn CHAPTERS 30-31 sweet incense every morning and every evening (vv.7-9). 5. Aaron must make an atonement once a year upon INTRODUCTION the horns with blood (v.10). Two more items of the furniture B. The Atonement Money of the tabernacle are mentioned (30:11- 16). now, namely, the altar of incense 1. The atonement money for and the laver. The LORD did not give the reason why these two items every person was half a were not mentioned earlier together shekel unto the LORD (vv.11- with the other items. If the LORD 13). had not given any reason, it is best 2. Every one from twenty years that we do not speculate. This is and above should give an always a good principle in studying offering to the LORD (v.14). and interpreting the Word of God. 3. The rich should not give The rest of the things mentioned in more, and the poor must not these two chapters complete the give less than half a shekel articles and requirements for the (v.15). building of the tabernacle. As 4. The offering was for the before, these items of the service of the tabernacle tabernacle present a clear picture of (v.16). the true tabernacle in which the Lord C. The Laver (30:17-21). Jesus Christ is the High Priest even 1. It would be made of bronze now in the presence of God the and placed between the Father interceding on behalf of all tabernacle and the Brazen the children of God. altar (vv.17-18). 2. It would be used for the washing of hands and feet before they minister in the tabernacle (vv.19-21). 2

D. The Sacred Anointing Oil K. Moses Received the Two (30:22-33). Tablets (31:18). 1. The preparation of the anointing oil of myrrh, COMMENTARY cinnamon, calamus, cassia and olive oil (vv.22-25). The Altar of Incense 2. The oil was to be used for The altar of incense was made anointing all the tabernacle with the same material as all the furniture and Aaron and his other furniture—shittim wood with sons (vv.26-30). an overlay of pure gold. It was 3. Moses was warned against smaller than the Ark and it was any unauthorised use of the placed in the Holy Place just before oil (vv.31-33). the Veil in line with the Ark, which was in the Holy of Holies. There E. The Sacred Incense (30:34- were four horns at the corners like 38). the Brazen altar. There were rings 1. The incense would be made for the staves to be inserted for the of stacte, onycha, galbanum, carrying of the altar. Aaron was frankincense into a perfume required to burn the prescribed (vv.34-35). incense on it every morning and 2. It would be offered before the evening continually. The offering of testimony in the tabernacle “strange incense”, that is, incense (v.36). not made according to the LORD’s 3. Warning against prescription, was a very serious unauthorised making and use violation.1 Once a year when the of the perfume (vv.37-38). offering of atonement was kept, F. The Appointment of Aaron had to sprinkle the blood of Bezaleel and Aholiab (31:1- the sacrifice on the horns of the 11). altar. Incense, in Scripture, often 1. The LORD specifically called symbolises prayer. The Psalmist and specially anointed these cried out, “Let my prayer be set forth two men (vv.1-6). before Thee as incense; and the 2. They might make the lifting up of my hands as the tabernacle and all its furniture evening sacrifice” (141:2). In the (vv.7-9). New Testament when Zacharias the 3. They would also make the priest entered into the Temple of the holy garments (vv.10-11). Lord to burn incense, the children of G. The Sabbath (31:12-17). Israel were praying outside (Luke 1. The LORD reminded Moses 1:9, 10). And in Revelation, the concerning the Sabbath 1 Leviticus 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the (vv.12-13). sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, 2. The rehearsing of the and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, requirements in keeping the and offered strange fire before the LORD, Sabbath (vv.14-17). which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. 3 smoke of the incense, which came tabernacle of the congregation” with the prayers of the saints, (30:16).3 ascended up before God out of the The Laver angel’s hand (8:3,4). How the LORD our God is The Laver was made of bronze and pleased when His children pray to was placed between the tabernacle Him morning and evening proper and the Brazen altar. The continually. Paul called on the laver was filled with water. Aaron Thessalonian Christians to pray and his sons had to wash their without ceasing. This is well hands and feet when they entered pleasing in the sight of God, a sweet the tabernacle or when they savour unto the Lord. Praying and ministered to the LORD (30:19, 20). being in fellowship with God is a The violation of this requirement privilege of the Christian only. How was the penalty of death. This sad it is that Christians do not teaches us the absolute holiness of engage themselves in this; not to God and when serving Him it must pray is to deprive themselves of never be taken for granted and done God's ordained means of seeking carelessly. God has clearly God’s help in time of need. prescribed the way, and violating the law means death to the priests. The Ransom Money God takes worshipping and serving The LORD also spoke to Moses Him in the manner prescribed by that whenever a census of the Him very seriously. In like manner, children of Israel was done, a Christians who gather on the Lord’s ransom (or atonement, same word) day to worship Him must have the was to be taken for each person right attitude of heart and mind. above the age of twenty so that When Christians are convicted of “there be no plague among them” their sins, they need to confess and (v.12). This seems to suggest that repent before Lord and ask for each time when Moses was to take forgiveness. The Lord has promised a census, they were in danger of to forgive those who confess their being stricken with a plague. The sins. Daily confession and reason for this is not given. Some repentance of our sins before the scholars suggested that since they Lord is a necessary aspect of our were potential soldiers, who would walk before God. take a life, they had to pay a ransom The Anointing Oil for life. Others suggest that the taking of a census could lead to The consecration of the various pride.2 But these speculative articles and furniture of the explanations present many insoluble tabernacle were either done with problems. Whatever the reason blood or the anointing oil. God gave was, it was not revealed except that Moses the specific recipe for making the ransom money received would 3 King David took a census of the people (2 be used for the service of “the Samuel 24). He suffered a terrible punishment by the Lord. The Lord was displeased. The reason could be that he overlooked the collection of a ransom money as required by 2 W. H. Gispen, Exodus, 283. the Lord. 4 the anointing oil. The formula for craftsmanship” (31:3). The “spirit of making the anointing oil was holy. God” was undoubtedly the Holy No one was allowed to copy the Spirit. Bezaleel was filled with the formula and make a copy of it and Holy Spirit to do the works of God. use it on any person. The penalty God called and God enabled. was severe. Any breach of this law Moreover, his assistant was also would result in the person being “cut specially called and appointed by off from his people” (30:33). This God. He was Aholiab, a Danite, and means that the person would be God also bestowed upon him excommunicated from the wisdom (31:6). His name means community. In those days, it was a “the father (God) is my tent”. terrible punishment. In the desert, Obviously other people would be people needed one another to live, called by these two who had been and to be “cut off” would mean specially ordained to carry out the deprivation and hardship. assignment of making the things The Fragrant Oil pertaining to the tabernacle. It would be observed that many details were Another fragrant oil was to be not spelt out, and hence Bezaleel made for the altar of incense. God had room for creativity, which would gave another formula for the making definitely be inspired by the Holy of this oil. The restriction on its use Spirit. However, where God had was the same as the anointing oil. It specifically given the requirements. must not be copied and made, and it Bezaleel must obey to the letter. must not be used privately on any We observe first that when God individual. It was holy unto the calls a person to serve Him, He LORD. The penalty was the same; would enable him. He would the offender would be cut off from empower him and give him the his people. What was sacred and necessary gifts to carry out His not sacred was very clearly work. If a person is called to preach identified. In this respect, we must and teach the Word of God, God learn that not all things in life may would grant him the wisdom, be presented and accepted before understanding, and knowledge of the Lord and the things which had His Word. God would also grant him been consecrated for use unto the the ability to communicate. Lord should not be for private use. Another thing we learn is that the Appointment of Craftsmen Christian who is called must do Bezaleel, a man from the tribe of according to what God had Judah, was specially called and commanded him to do. Obedience appointed by God to work on all the is the most important characteristic articles and furniture of the of any person who serves the Lord. tabernacle (31:1, 2). His name He has to do every thing in means “in the shadow of God”. God accordance to His will. God’s will is not only called him but bestowed revealed in His Word. He has to be upon him “the spirit of God in careful that when he does the work wisdom and in understanding, and of God, it has to be done in God’s in knowledge, and all manner of way. God’s work must be done in 5

God’s way, and not in any other way covenant God made with Israel which might be attractive to man. setting them apart for His service Remembering the Sabbath and for Himself. Similarly, when Christians faithfully keep the Lord’s The LORD concluded the Day, it demonstrates that God had instructions concerning the chosen and sanctified us (separate tabernacle by reminding the children us, set us apart) for His service. of Israel the commandment This is God’s way in teaching the concerning the Sabbath (Exodus children of Christian parents that 20:8-11). The LORD added some they belong to God. They are not new significant thoughts about the their own for they have been bought Sabbath. Observe that the LORD with the precious blood of the Lord called it “my Sabbath.” One day in Jesus Christ. If the world were to the week is to be devoted to the look at Christians, they would know LORD. Christians must realise this. that Christians are different. They It is the Lord’s Day. It is true that belong to God. every day belongs to Him, but this The violation of this particular day, is His especially. commandment was so serious that Christians must not adopt the the soul that broke this attitude of the world in treating the commandment would be sentenced Lord’s Day as a weekend to death. To break the fourth recreational holiday. This mental commandment is to sin against a attitude does not prepare the mind thrice holy God. The law stipulates and the heart of the Christian to the death penalty for the offender. worship the LORD. How many The Lord Jesus Christ who is the Christians are always late for Lord of the Sabbath taught that acts Sunday worship service, and on a of mercy and necessity could be rainy day some even prefer to stay done on the Sabbath day. But that in the comfort of one’s home. does not mean skipping the worship Christians are not teaching their of God on the Lord’s Sabbath day children to wake up early and and do works of “necessity” and prepare to go to church to worship earn more money. If Christians draw God. It is no surprise that their near to God and walk in His ways, children will imbibe the same such attitude and subtle manoeuvre attitude as their parents. While God might deceive man but not God, and is loving and understanding, He is worst still is self-deceiving. Keep the also holy. He has enjoined Lord’s Sabbath. Christians to be holy as He is holy. Christians must not take God for SUMMARY granted. The LORD next mentioned that Chapter 31 concludes the the Sabbath was a sign between instructions given to Moses Him and His people so that they concerning the building of the Lord’s might know that He is the LORD Tabernacle, the appointment of that sanctified them (31:13). What it Aaron and his sons to serve the means here is that by keeping the Lord’s as priests, the work required Sabbath, it serves as a sign of the of them, and last but not the least a 6 reminder to keep the Lord’s Sabbath. The New Testament has shed much light on the Tabernacle, which God commanded Moses to build. The Tabernacle in the wilderness, the Priestly service before the LORD, and the sacrifices all picture the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, they teach Christians who are all made priests unto the Lord how we ought to conduct ourselves before the Lord. May we be diligent in serving the Lord our God. 7

DHW BIBLE CLASS 2. According to Revelation 5:8, what does the incense speak of?

LESSON 22 ………………………………………… ………………………………………… THE BOOK OF EXODUS ………………………………………… ………………………………………… CHAPTERS 30-31 ………………………………………… ………………………………………… DAILY READINGS & DISCUSSION ………………………………………… QUESTIONS …………………………………………

DAILY READINGS 3. How often must the priests burn the incense? Monday: Exodus 30:1-10; 2 Chronicles 29:1-11; ………………………………………… Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4 ………………………………………… ………………………………………… Tuesday: Exodus 30:11-21; Psalm ………………………………………… 49:6-8; Hebrews 9:11-28 ………………………………………… Wednesday: Exodus 30:22-38; ………………………………………… 1 Kings 1:32-40; 2 ………………………………………… Corinthians 1:21-22 …………………………………………

Thursday: Exodus 31:1-11; Ephesians 5:15-20; Acts 1:8 4. What serious warning was given to the priest concerning the Friday: Exodus 31:12-18 ; Acts burning of incense? 13:14; Matthew 12:12; Luke 13:15- 16. ………………………………………… ………………………………………… DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ………………………………………… ………………………………………… 1. What offerings had to be made ………………………………………… every morning and evening? ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… 5. What was required of the priest ………………………………………… to do once a year? ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… 8

………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… . ………………………………………… 9. What does God reveal to us 6. Why do the rich and the poor about Himself by filling Bezaleel pay the same amount of ransom to do the intricate work of the money? tabernacle?

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7. When the priests washed, what 10. What new emphasis is added do you think they would think here regarding the purpose of about God and themselves? the Sabbath and the punishment of those who disregard it? (see. ………………………………………… 20:8-11; 23:10-13, for the other ………………………………………… references). ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… 8. The formulas for making the ………………………………………… anointing oil and incense might ………………………………………… not be used for every day ………………………………………… purposes. Why do you think God ………………………………………… made such a sharp, utter distinction between the holy and the common?

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