EXODUS
CHAPTER
25
1. The LORD said to Moses: 2. Tell the Israelites to take for me an offering from all whose hearts prompt them to give you shall receive for me.
(Exodus chapter 25 verse 1 to 2)
(Exodus chapter 25 verse 1 to 2)
Throughout my analysis of the Word of God throughout these four years God has never stopped showing me how generous and loving a father He really is. God loves us so much that He does not force Himself on us. When reflecting on the very first verse of this chapter we find that although God wanted an offering from His people He did not force the people in general to make this contribution. God strictly refers to those whose hearts are prompt meaning ready to give willingly to God and not do so under compulsion as part of an obligation or answer to a prayer. God generously gives from the heart and wishes that we respond in the same manner that means from our hearts.
3. This is the offering that you shall receive from them: gold, silver and bronze, 4. blue, purple, and crimson yarns and fine linen, goats hair, 5. tanned ram's skins, fine leather, acacia wood, 6. oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 7. onyx stones and gems to be set in the ephod and for the breastpiece. 8. And have them make me a sanctuary, so that I may dwell among them. 9. In accordance with all that I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle and of all the furniture, so you shall make it.
(Exodus chapter 25 verses 3 to 9)
There comes a time when God asks of us not only praise and worship but even material gifts. On reflecting God does not need any material gifts, however from what we generously give to Him He gives back to us and to others who may be in need of such goods. God is always giving, so much that He wishes to give Himself by means of His Holy presence and be with His people. God wanted His people to build a sanctuary or a chapel from the materials mentioned so that they could have fellowship with Him in His presence. God wants to have personal time with you and me in our hearts. He also wants to have a relationship of love with us in the little chapel of our inner being. Today God is asking this from us. May we all have a prayer corner in our homes where we can open our hearts to God and fraternise with Him. Moreover it would be better to do so as a family because our salvation is not only personal but even as a family.
10. They shall make an ark of acacia wood, it shall be two and a half cubits long a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. 11. You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside you shall overlay it, and you shall make a moulding of gold upon it all around. 12. You shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet, two rings on one side of it, and two rings on the other side. 13. You shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14. And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark by which to carry the ark. 15. The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. 16. You shall put into the ark of of the covenant that that I shall give you
(Exodus chapter 25 verses 10 to 16)
God gave Moses specific instructions in order to make the ark according to the given measurements that have been given in cubits. God plans the adequate measurements and materials for the job at hand. God requires that pure substances be used such as gold, that reflect the pureness of God. In order for the people to always have access to the Word of God in order to give praise and worship God planned the construction of a tent that would serve as a sanctuary and also a means of transport for His Holy Word this was the ark of the covenant which is represented by the tabernacle that we find in our churches. Now that we lead settled lives the tabernacle is placed on the altar, however during the times of Moses, everything needed to be mobile in order to suit their migratory way of life.
In order to have an idea of how long a cubit is please click on the following link, I will leave the head work for you in order to make out the exact dimensions.
length of a cubit
(Exodus chapter 25 verses 10 to 16)
God gave Moses specific instructions in order to make the ark according to the given measurements that have been given in cubits. God plans the adequate measurements and materials for the job at hand. God requires that pure substances be used such as gold, that reflect the pureness of God. In order for the people to always have access to the Word of God in order to give praise and worship God planned the construction of a tent that would serve as a sanctuary and also a means of transport for His Holy Word this was the ark of the covenant which is represented by the tabernacle that we find in our churches. Now that we lead settled lives the tabernacle is placed on the altar, however during the times of Moses, everything needed to be mobile in order to suit their migratory way of life.
In order to have an idea of how long a cubit is please click on the following link, I will leave the head work for you in order to make out the exact dimensions.
length of a cubit
ark of the covenant
17. Then you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and half its width. 18. You shall make two cherubim of gold; you shall make them of hammered work, at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19. Make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other; of one piece with the mercy seat you shall make the cherubim at its two ends. 20. The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overflowing the mercy seat with their wings. They shall face one to another; the faces of the cherubim shall be turned toward the mercy seat. 21. You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark; and in the ark you shall put the covenant that I shall give you. 22. There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the covenant. I will deliver to you all my commands for the Israelites.
(Exodus chapter 25 verses 17 to 22)
Apparently the mentioned mercy seat is the lid of the ark of the covenant. This lid was to support two angels or Cherubims facing each other at opposite sides of the lid with their wings outstretched in each others direction. The gap between the two angels was to be the place where God was to appear to the Israelites. The ark of the covenant was to contain the commandments that God had planned to give to Moses in the form of two tablets of stone.
In order to view an image showing the ark of the covenant and the Cherubims please click on the following link
Cherubims on ark of the covenant
The people of God were to carry the ark with them. This granted them access to God wherever they went. As a good practise I also carry my pocket version of the New Testament in my pocket all the time, so that at times I turn to God in prayer when and where ever He makes it possible for me even during my lunch break at work. God and His word or covenant are with me all the time of the day.
23. You shall make a table of acacia wood, two cubits long, one cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high. 24. You shall overlay it with pure gold, and make a molding of gold around it. 25. You shall make around it a rim of bandbreath wide, and a molding of gold around the rim. 26. You shall make for it four rings of gold, and fasten the rings to the four corners at its four legs. 27. The rings that hold the poles used for carrying the table shall be close to the rim. 28. You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, and the table shall be carried with these.
(Exodus chapter 25 verses 23 to 28)
In order to have a bird's eye view of this table and other apparatus that were to be used during the ritual offerings to God please click on the following link that describes everything in detail as mentioned in chapter 25 of the book of Exodus
Apparatus
As previously mentioned any of the apparatus made was to be able to be carried due to their migratory lifestyle. We can also observe the constant use of gold which as an element is pure and thus reflects the purity of God. Any of the apparatus that were to come in contact with God or His offering was to be covered with gold that was totally pure. In this way God was given the respect and dignity that was due to Him. Likewise when we go to His temple in order to give worship we are also to manifest our love and our respect towards the house of God and anything that is there including the prayer books,benches and footrests that we are to use with care as part of our love and respect to God.
29. You shall make its plates and dishes for incense, and its flagons and bowls with which to pour drink offerings, you shall make them of pure gold. 30. And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me always.
(Exodus chapter 25 verses 29 to 30)
On reflecting the bread of the Presence is very similar to the Eucharistic Host that contains in it the Holy Presence of God that is always placed in the tabernacles of our Churches and chapels in order to facilitate our worship. In order to view a more detailed explanation please click on the following link which in fact covers all that is mentioned to the end of the chapter.
Bread of presence and other apparatus
31. You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The base and the shaft of the lampstand shall be made of hammered work; its cups, its calyxes, and its petals shall be of one piece with it; 32. and there shall be six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it. 33. three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with calyx and petals, on one branch, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with calyx and petals on the other branch-so for the six branches going out of the lampstand.
(Exodus chapter 25 verses 31 to 33)
On reflecting on these verses Oh God I am filled with awe and wonder for even the description reflects a great work of art and beauty that in turn reflects your own unimaginable awesomeness that as follows is reflected in your creations. You wanted everything that you created on earth and also by means of your children meaning us humans to be so beautiful, but not to appear beautiful in itself in order to glorify itself as in simply a work of art that gives aesthetic beauty but in order to magnify your beauty, love and kindness which is beyond all human comprehension and perception. Thank You for having created us on such a beautiful and perfect image.
34. On the lampstand itself there shall be four cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with its calyxes and petals. 35. There shall be a calyx of one piece with it under the first pair of branches, a calyx of one piece with it under the next pair of branches, and a calyx of one piece with it under the last pair of branches- so for the six branches that go out of the lampstand.
(Exodus chapter 25 verses 34 to 35)
As all the branches find their strength and centre of gravity in the middle stand as Christians and or followers of God we all find our strength and stability in God who is our cornerstone and point of stability or centre gravity and we are to place all our faith and security in Him.
36. Their calyxes and their branches shall be of one piece with it, the whole of it one hammered piece of pure gold. 37. You shall make the seven lamps for it; and the lamps shall be set up so as to give lights on the space in front of it. 38. Its snuffers and trays shall be of pure gold. 39. It and all these utensils shall be made from a talent of pure gold. 40. And see that you make them according to the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain.
(Exodus chapter 25 verses 36 to 40)
As in the branches of the lampstand and each calyx when we are all united together as one lampstand we make a bright light which has its source in God, however when we remain divided in different groups sects and or churches our lights are fragmented and do not give as much light.
In order to view an image of the lapstand please click on the following link:
The golden lampstand
The author of this chapter Mary Geveetha chose to end this chapter with the following prayer:
Almighty Father,
God of all creation, God of all Power and Might, we Praise and Glorify Your name. We thank You for Your abounding blessings. We thank You for your, everlasting covenant, a tabernacle made perfect and great in atonement for our sins. A holy tabernacle in which the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us by Your grace and mercy.
By His grace and glorious works, He dwells amongst those who come to His sanctuary in solemn worship and praise. We pray to preserve and perceive, the knowledge of Your Kingdom and your methods of Grace in revelation as we come in honour to Your sanctuary, the tabernacle of Glory. As we come in communion with You in the body and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray to be nourished in Your spiritual provision and be in communion with You and Your Spirit throughout our lives.
May the light of the Gospel of Christ and the communion of His body and blood in bread and wine, bring light in our darkness and be a lamp unto our feet leading us into a righteous path, towards the tabernacle of Glory.
Amen!
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