Exodus 30 and 31 Good evening and once again thank you for joining us. Would you please turn in your bibles to Exodus chapter 30? We’re continuing our study as God gives final instructions to Moses on the building plans of the . We’ll study both chapters 30 and 31 tonight and the title of tonight’s message is CONCLUDING THE BLUEPRINTS Would you please stand as we read the 1st 2 verses together? 1 “You shall make an altar to burn incense on; you shall make it of acacia wood. 2 A cubit shall be its length and a cubit its width—it shall be square—and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. Let’s pray We talked last week about the alter where sacrifices were to be made. But tonight, we see instructions from God for an additional altar-an altar of incense. 1-5 1 “You shall make an altar to burn incense on; you shall make it of acacia wood. 2 A cubit shall be its length and a cubit its width—it shall be square—and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. 3 And you shall overlay its top, its sides all around, and its horns with pure gold; and you shall make for it a molding of gold all around. 4 Two gold rings you shall make for it, under the molding on both its sides. You shall place them on its two sides, and they will be holders for the poles with which to bear it. 5 You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. SHOW PIC1 The alter of incense was small– 1½’ long, by 1½’ wide, by 3’ tall. And it was also carried by the system of rings and poles, just like the Ark of the , the table of , and the brazen altar with its grate. CLOSE PIC 1 6 And you shall put it before the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony, where I will meet with you. God clearly states that the altar of incense was placed before the veil, yet in Hebrews 9 it says the altar of incense was behind the veil with the Ark. So, do we have a contradiction? No. SHOW PIC 2 The altar itself was in front of the veil, but the incense would waft or drift through the air behind the veil into the presence of God. CLOSE PIC 2 The altar of incense is a model for every believer. We’re also in two places. Physically we’re on earth, but spiritually we’re in Christ. Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ 7 “ shall burn on it sweet incense every morning; when he tends the lamps, he shall burn incense on it. 8 And when Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations. A sweet smell always came from the Tabernacle. Remember, all the pieces of Tabernacle furniture speak of Jesus, and the altar of incense is no exception. The table of showbread reminds us Jesus is the bread of life. The Menorah displays that Jesus is the light of the world. And the altar of incense speaks of the priesthood of Jesus. Hebrews 7:23 Also there were many , because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 9 You shall not offer strange incense on it, or a , or a grain offering; nor shall you pour a drink offering on it. Priests were not permitted to offer God whatever they wanted on the altar of incense. 10 And Aaron shall make atonement upon its horns once a year with the blood of the of atonement; (atonement is the covering over, or reconciliation) once a year he shall make atonement upon it throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.” Once a year the altar of incense received the blood of atonement, but it was a place where atonement was remembered and enjoyed, not made. 11 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 12 “When you take the census of the children of Israel for their number, then every man shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD, when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you number them. Later on in the book of Numbers, two significant censuses were recorded of the nation of Israel. Now these verses seem a bit odd at first- God told Israel to make a census, but when they do there must be a price for each person so they wouldn’t being plagued. In our western culture this seems foreign to us. But a census would put Israel at risk of a plague because a census (a numbering) signified ownership. If I said to you, take a census in your house of all your electronic devices, you would count each of those devices as yours. But who owned Israel-not the people? God did. So why did God demand ransom money? Well if a count was made without receiving the ransom money, a census communicated the idea that a king or a human leader owned Israel, when God alone did. Israel didn’t belong to Israel; Israel belonged to God. This was David’s problem in 2 Samuel 24 when David took a census without the ransom money and God plagued Israel. 13 This is what everyone among those who are numbered shall give: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (a shekel is twenty gerahs). The half-shekel shall be an offering to the LORD. 14 Everyone included among those who are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering to the LORD. 15 The rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when you give an offering to the LORD, to make atonement for yourselves. This was like a flat tax. No deductions for the poor and no penalties for the rich. Why was it the same amount for everyone? Because this ransom money marked the ones who were atoned. We are all equal in the sight of God, for we have all sinned in the sight of God. Notice everyone had to pay their own redemption money. No lump sum for every member of the tribe or family could satisfy this obligation. Everyone had to make atonement for themselves. So this census was to include everyone aged twenty and over, or full adulthood. And again this ransom money spoke clearly: everyone owes God; everyone is obligated to Him. It was to remind them they deserved to die for their sins, that they were in debt to God. And this money would be a picture of the great redemption which would be paid for the sin of the world. 16 And you shall take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shall appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD, to make atonement for yourselves.” So what would happen with this money from each adult Hebrew? It would go to funding the tabernacle. The sacrifices, oils, and incense needed all cost money. Now starting in verse 17 we come upon the Bronze Laver 17-21 17 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 18 “You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. And you shall put water in it, 19 for Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in water from it. 20 When they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the LORD, they shall wash with water, lest they die. 21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, lest they die. And it shall be a statute forever to them—to him and his descendants throughout their generations.” SHOW PIC 3 In the outer court – between the bronze altar and Holy Place – was a bronze laver, or washing bowl. Here the priests washed-up before entering the tent. Why would they have to wash up? Because of the blood that was shed during the sacrifices we studied last week. CLOSE PIC 3 The bronze laver speaks of the washing that is necessary for anyone who would come into the presence God. Psalm 24:3-4 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. So again the "laver" was a large reservoir for holding the "water" that the priests used to wash as they performed their duties. It stood between the brazen altar and the sanctuary. The laver’s presence in that position symbolized the fact that cleansing is necessary after the making of atonement, but before the enjoyment of fellowship with God. I read a quote that says "God does not accept worship until it comes from a cleansed heart nor will He accept service except from a cleansed heart." The next several verses describe the Holy Oil 22-25 22 Moreover the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Also take for yourself quality spices—five hundred shekels of liquid , half as much sweet-smelling (two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane, 24 five hundred shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of . 25 And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It shall be a holy anointing oil. This oil was used for anointing the priests and the articles pertaining to the priestly service. We studied those last week. This was a oil that could not be imitated or used as normal perfuming oil. 26-30 26 With it you shall anoint the tabernacle of meeting and the ark of the Testimony; 27 the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense; 28 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base. 29 You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy; whatever touches them must be holy.[fn] 30 And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests. This oil was used to anoint the Tabernacle, the Ark, all its furniture, and the priests. 31 “And you shall speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘This shall be a holy anointing oil to Me throughout your generations. 32 It shall not be poured on man’s flesh; nor shall you make any other like it, according to its composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you. Remember what is anointing oil a picture of in the bible? The HS. And the Spirit will never anoint and empower our flesh – our selfish ambitions. The Holy Spirit always seeks to glorify God-you can read this in John 16. The work of the Holy Spirit shouldn’t try to be imitated. God clearly disapproves of anytime we attempt the work of the Spirit through our own power. 33 Whoever compounds any like it, or whoever puts any of it on an outsider, shall be cut off from his people.’ ” The HS is not a mysterious force accessible to just anyone. The power of the Holy Spirit is a gift exclusively for those who’ve surrendered their lives to Jesus. The rest of the chapter is a recipe for the incense that’s to be burned in the Tabernacle. It too was not be duplicated as its also holy to the Lord. 34 And the LORD said to Moses: “Take sweet spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum, and pure frankincense with these sweet spices; there shall be equal amounts of each. 35 You shall make of these an incense, a compound according to the art of the perfumer, salted, pure, and holy. The special incense for the tabernacle was made according to the same principles as the anointing oil. God didn’t want this sacred smell – symbolizing the sweetness of prayer – to be used for human attraction or adornment. Why have incense at all? Because think about the gross smells that would arise from the slaughter of all the animals, and the blood, and the burning of flesh. 36 And you shall beat some of it very fine, and put some of it before the Testimony in the tabernacle of meeting where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. 37 But as for the incense which you shall make, you shall not make any for yourselves, according to its composition. It shall be to you holy for the LORD. 38 Whoever makes any like it, to smell it, he shall be cut off from his people.” God was so concerned to protect the unique character of the tabernacle incense that He commanded excommunication for anyone who would make these holy things common. CHAPTER 31 Now think about all the details and instructions the Lord has laid out to Moses for the building of the tabernacle. how do you possibly go about making all the things the Lord has laid out? It’s simple- where God guides, He provides. 1-5 1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “See, I have called by name the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship Imagine, the skilled labor required in building the Tabernacle? Moses needed talented people able to work with medals, embroidery, fabric, leather, wood, oils, incense. Just as God specifically chose Moses and Aaron, He also specifically chose craftsmen for His service. 6-11 6 “And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 the tabernacle of meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furniture of the tabernacle— 8 the table and its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base— 10 the garments of ministry,[fn] the holy garments for Aaron the and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and sweet incense for the holy place. According to all that I have commanded you they shall do.”. God supernaturally gifted, then raised up the workers necessary to follow His instructions. Bezalel and Aholiab mentioned here, were filled with the Holy Spirit so they could mold medal, cut jewels, and carve wood. So often we get worked up-God you’ve called us to do this outreach-how are we going to pull it off? I don’t have to stress, and sweat over it. God will provide. 12 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. Notice, God has given Moses a monumental job. Remember the Tabernacle was a small-scale model of heaven itself – it spoke of the future Who would save the world. This was a significant undertaking. Yet as critically important as the work for the tabernacle was - and before the first task was assigned - God made it clear to Moses that they still needed to rest one day in seven. And notice in verse 13 what is the sign of their covenant with God? It wasn’t the tabernacle, but the Sabbath. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. For the Christian, Jesus has become our Sabbath rest. We’re no longer under the law of the Sabbath. Colossians 2:16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. The command to observe the sabbath while building the tabernacle is a critical lesson for us. Our rest in the finished work of Jesus is never to be eclipsed by our work for God. This isn’t a license to slack off, but rather making sure priorities are in order. Our service to the Lord must never come at expense of our walk with the Lord. We’re not bound by the sabbath, but the sabbath is still a healthy principle. We’d be wise in setting aside one day in seven to pray and play. 15-18 15 Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’ ” 18 And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God. ” This section concludes the record of all that Moses received from God, during the "40 days and 40 nights" he was on the mountain, that began in chapter 25. Have you ever wondered why the 10 commandments were written on stone? Why not parchment? It was to emphasize the permanence of the Word of God. I pray this week as you read your Bibles the Lord will bring fresh application into your lives, and the HS will minister to you in a mighty and powerful way.