EXODUS
CHAPTER
36
1. Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful one to whom the LORD has given skill and understanding to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded.
(Exodus chapter 36 verse 1)
From the very beginning of this chapter the issue that is outstanding is that of obedience to the will of God. As humans Oh God this is one of the most challenging issues to overcome, because this goes directly against the drives of human nature, which is broken to the point of being strongly inclined to disobedience. This is why God gave us His commandments, and this also explains that we are subject to the obedience of rules everywhere we are even in our families. If it was not for this structure or system that upholds social order our lives would end up in total chaos. Therefore when tempted to break the law by maybe parking on a yellow line, or making a false declaration on the income tax form we are to keep in mind that this means that we are going against the spiritual and even social norms that support order in our lives. When breaking laws we end up in a state of sin which is also a sate of disorder.
2. Moses then called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful one to whom heart was stirred to come to do the work; 3. and they received from Moses all the freewill offerings that the Israelites had brought for doing work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, 4. so that all the artisans who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary, each from the task being performed, 5. and said to Moses, "The people are bringing much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 2 to 5)
When a project is initiated according to the blessing and will of God, without our knowing resources start flowing in like the waves of the sea that flow to the sand banks that is there destination. A typical example is the time when our daughter Maria was born. At that time I was recovering from a long stretch of unemployment. Our resources were thin. In relation to necessities for the baby we were far under stocked. I was in a crisis. When I talked the issue over with a friend of mine who lived in a home for the elderly she told me, that if God wanted us to have this baby, He will also provide us with all that was needed in order to bring it up according to His will.
God provided me with many benefactors who supported me during this moment of crisis, and provided us with all that was needed, so much that at a point we ended up with more than enough clothes toys and other essentials such as car seats among many other things. Now our daughter is going to be seven years old in February and God is still providing us with essentials by means of the same benefactor who even donated us a dress for Maria to dress for her first holy communion. God's bounty has no limits. Even though now I am employed He still keeps on caring for our needs. God does so so that we can be of help to others and share of His providence with others who were in our situation or maybe in even a more morbid situation. So when in a moment of great need raise your voice to God and He will sure to help. However it is very important, loving and respectful to God that we thank Him for His infinite providence.
6. So Moses gave command and word was proclaimed throughout the camp: "No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary." So the people were restrained from bringing: 7. for what they had already brought was more than enough to do all the work.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 6 to 7)
Oh Holy Father by means of verses 6 to 7 You give us a very important lesson in the management and even the mismanagement in the resources that You provide us. This is that of not putting to waste of any resources that you give us. Resources in our case has a wide meaning and is not limited only to material goods. If God has given me alot of time of time to use, I am to use it for the good of others, prayer time and in order to cater for my needs and that of the family. A healthy balance is to be found in the resources invested in work, leisure, pray, time and play time. Any time that is excessively invested in either one creates an imbalance that leads to a state of sin and disorder.
8. All those with skill among the workers made the tabernacle with ten curtains; they were made of fine twisted linen, and blue, purple, and crimson yarns, with cherubim skillfully worked into them. 9. The length of each curtain was twenty eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains were of the same size.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 8 to 9)
In order to view the construction of the tabernacle and the ten curtains please click on the following link:-
The tabernacle and the curtains
10. He joined five curtains to one another, and the other five curtains he joined to one another. 11. He made loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain of the first set; likewise he made them on the edge of the outermost curtain of the second set: 12. he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was in the second set: the loops were opposite one another. 13. And he made fifty clasps of gold, and joined the curtains one to the other with clasps: so the tabernacle was one whole.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 10 to 13)
As referred to in the previous video clip by means of the provided link the tabernacle and its tent covering were to be constructed and take the form described in verses 10 to 13. The tent was to be one whole. God also wants His Church to be one whole held together with the clasps of the Holy Spirit that keeps us all bound together as one unit, a construction held together with bonds of love.
14. He also made curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle: he made eleven curtains. 15. The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits: the eleven curtains were of the same size. 16. He joined five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. 17. He made fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain of the one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the other connecting curtain. 18. He made fifty clasps of bronze to join the tent together so that it might be one whole. 19. And he made for the tent a covering of tanned ram's skins and an outer covering of fine leather.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 14 to 19)
The structure given to us by the biblical writer in verses 14 to 19 can be associated with the structure of the Catholic Church and its offshoots. The centre of the tent meaning the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat is the dwelling place of God in the world, which may be the Vatican or our hearts. The outer courts are the offshoots of the Roman Catholic Church meaning other churches and religions, while the tent that acts as a complete covering is the same Holy Spirit of God which governs and controls the whole body of Christ.
20. Then he made the upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. 21. Ten cubits was the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the width of each frame. 22. Each frame had two pegs for fitting together; he did this for all the frames of the tabernacle. 23. The frames for the tabernacle he made in this way: twenty frames from the south side; 24. and he made forty bases of silver under the twenty frames, two bases under the first frame for its two pegs, and two bases under the next frame for its two pegs.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 20 to 24)
The upright frames can be associated with the ten major commandments that we consider to be the framework of our faith. The other frames are all the moral values and sacraments that uphold the life of the Church.
In order to view the detailed explanation of the mentioned structure given to us in verses 20 to 38 please click on the following link, which although is explained in Spanish,the exhibits are clear enough to explain what is written in verses 20 to 38 of chapter 36 of the book of Exodus.
The framework of the tent
25. For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty frames 26. and their forty bases of silver, two bases under the first frame and two bases under the next frame. 27. For the rear of the tabernacle westward he made six frames. 28. He made two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear. 29. They were separate beneath, but joined at the top, at the first ring; he made two of them in this way, for the two corners. 30. There were eight frames with their bases of silver; sixteen bases, under every frame two bases.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 25 to 30)
As in the above mentioned description the Roman Catholic Church is open from all angles, welcoming its sons and daughters from all denominations to be reunited into the body of Christ Jesus. The doors are always open. Two huge enormous arms and a great big loving pumping heart awaits those who decide to turn back and reunite with God. As in the case of the prodigal son, the decision is always ours to make.
31. He made bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, 32. and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the tabernacle at the rear westward. 33. He made the middle bar to pass through from end to end halfway up the frames. 34. And he overlaid the frames with gold, and made rings of gold for them to hold the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 31 to 34)
As in the case of the tabernacle and its protective tent, the Roman Catholic Church as in the case of other churches also has a structure. The bar that passes through the middle which supports the whole framework is the Holy Spirit of God, which has been promised to keep on supporting the Church till the end of time, with the promise that although the forces of evil will place stress on the structure as is the case of the present times, the middle bar will keep on supporting the whole structure forever. He is the cornerstone of our lives the 'Rock of our Salvation'.
Let us now stop and give worship to God the Rock of our salvation by clicking on the following link:-
Jesus our Rock
35. He made the curtain of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and fine twisted linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
(Exodus chapter 36 verse 35)
As in the case of our cross which marks the presence of God, the Cherubim was inscribed in the yarns in order to reflect that the presence of God was present in that place. May our hearts be tabernacles in which God is welcome to make His presence felt in a welcoming way forever as His dwelling place.
36. For it he made four pillars of acacia and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold, and he cast for them four bases of silver. 37. He also made a screen for the entrance to the tent of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and fine twisted linen, embroidered with needle work; 38. and its five pillars with their hooks. He overlaid their capitals and their bases with gold, but their bases were of bronze.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 36 to 38)
The pillars mentioned in verses 36 to 38 are made to have been made of gold. This can be compared to the evangelists Matthew, Mark and John and even Peter and Paul who were also pillars that God used to support, defend and uphold the Christian faith.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-
Oh God loving and merciful father I would like to thank You for not leaving us orphans before leaving this earth. Thanks for the structure that You left us, that is Your Church. Thanks for Your Word that is light that guides us in our ways. Thanks for calling the apostles, and even the popes of our times and even those of previous times who laid the foundations in Your name and according to Your Holy Will. Thanks for Your protection especially during these times of tribulation and trials, from all sides both internally and externally in Your Church. Thanks for Your promise to be with the Roman Catholic Church till the end of time. Thanks for calling disciples even from other churches to be leaders and pastors because they are also instruments in Your hands and have hooks to bring many people to You. Thanks for the New Year 2015 in which this chapter will be published.
(Exodus chapter 36 verse 1)
From the very beginning of this chapter the issue that is outstanding is that of obedience to the will of God. As humans Oh God this is one of the most challenging issues to overcome, because this goes directly against the drives of human nature, which is broken to the point of being strongly inclined to disobedience. This is why God gave us His commandments, and this also explains that we are subject to the obedience of rules everywhere we are even in our families. If it was not for this structure or system that upholds social order our lives would end up in total chaos. Therefore when tempted to break the law by maybe parking on a yellow line, or making a false declaration on the income tax form we are to keep in mind that this means that we are going against the spiritual and even social norms that support order in our lives. When breaking laws we end up in a state of sin which is also a sate of disorder.
2. Moses then called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful one to whom heart was stirred to come to do the work; 3. and they received from Moses all the freewill offerings that the Israelites had brought for doing work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, 4. so that all the artisans who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary, each from the task being performed, 5. and said to Moses, "The people are bringing much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 2 to 5)
When a project is initiated according to the blessing and will of God, without our knowing resources start flowing in like the waves of the sea that flow to the sand banks that is there destination. A typical example is the time when our daughter Maria was born. At that time I was recovering from a long stretch of unemployment. Our resources were thin. In relation to necessities for the baby we were far under stocked. I was in a crisis. When I talked the issue over with a friend of mine who lived in a home for the elderly she told me, that if God wanted us to have this baby, He will also provide us with all that was needed in order to bring it up according to His will.
God provided me with many benefactors who supported me during this moment of crisis, and provided us with all that was needed, so much that at a point we ended up with more than enough clothes toys and other essentials such as car seats among many other things. Now our daughter is going to be seven years old in February and God is still providing us with essentials by means of the same benefactor who even donated us a dress for Maria to dress for her first holy communion. God's bounty has no limits. Even though now I am employed He still keeps on caring for our needs. God does so so that we can be of help to others and share of His providence with others who were in our situation or maybe in even a more morbid situation. So when in a moment of great need raise your voice to God and He will sure to help. However it is very important, loving and respectful to God that we thank Him for His infinite providence.
6. So Moses gave command and word was proclaimed throughout the camp: "No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary." So the people were restrained from bringing: 7. for what they had already brought was more than enough to do all the work.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 6 to 7)
Oh Holy Father by means of verses 6 to 7 You give us a very important lesson in the management and even the mismanagement in the resources that You provide us. This is that of not putting to waste of any resources that you give us. Resources in our case has a wide meaning and is not limited only to material goods. If God has given me alot of time of time to use, I am to use it for the good of others, prayer time and in order to cater for my needs and that of the family. A healthy balance is to be found in the resources invested in work, leisure, pray, time and play time. Any time that is excessively invested in either one creates an imbalance that leads to a state of sin and disorder.
8. All those with skill among the workers made the tabernacle with ten curtains; they were made of fine twisted linen, and blue, purple, and crimson yarns, with cherubim skillfully worked into them. 9. The length of each curtain was twenty eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains were of the same size.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 8 to 9)
In order to view the construction of the tabernacle and the ten curtains please click on the following link:-
The tabernacle and the curtains
10. He joined five curtains to one another, and the other five curtains he joined to one another. 11. He made loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain of the first set; likewise he made them on the edge of the outermost curtain of the second set: 12. he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was in the second set: the loops were opposite one another. 13. And he made fifty clasps of gold, and joined the curtains one to the other with clasps: so the tabernacle was one whole.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 10 to 13)
As referred to in the previous video clip by means of the provided link the tabernacle and its tent covering were to be constructed and take the form described in verses 10 to 13. The tent was to be one whole. God also wants His Church to be one whole held together with the clasps of the Holy Spirit that keeps us all bound together as one unit, a construction held together with bonds of love.
14. He also made curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle: he made eleven curtains. 15. The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits: the eleven curtains were of the same size. 16. He joined five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. 17. He made fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain of the one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the other connecting curtain. 18. He made fifty clasps of bronze to join the tent together so that it might be one whole. 19. And he made for the tent a covering of tanned ram's skins and an outer covering of fine leather.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 14 to 19)
The structure given to us by the biblical writer in verses 14 to 19 can be associated with the structure of the Catholic Church and its offshoots. The centre of the tent meaning the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat is the dwelling place of God in the world, which may be the Vatican or our hearts. The outer courts are the offshoots of the Roman Catholic Church meaning other churches and religions, while the tent that acts as a complete covering is the same Holy Spirit of God which governs and controls the whole body of Christ.
20. Then he made the upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. 21. Ten cubits was the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the width of each frame. 22. Each frame had two pegs for fitting together; he did this for all the frames of the tabernacle. 23. The frames for the tabernacle he made in this way: twenty frames from the south side; 24. and he made forty bases of silver under the twenty frames, two bases under the first frame for its two pegs, and two bases under the next frame for its two pegs.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 20 to 24)
The upright frames can be associated with the ten major commandments that we consider to be the framework of our faith. The other frames are all the moral values and sacraments that uphold the life of the Church.
In order to view the detailed explanation of the mentioned structure given to us in verses 20 to 38 please click on the following link, which although is explained in Spanish,the exhibits are clear enough to explain what is written in verses 20 to 38 of chapter 36 of the book of Exodus.
The framework of the tent
25. For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty frames 26. and their forty bases of silver, two bases under the first frame and two bases under the next frame. 27. For the rear of the tabernacle westward he made six frames. 28. He made two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear. 29. They were separate beneath, but joined at the top, at the first ring; he made two of them in this way, for the two corners. 30. There were eight frames with their bases of silver; sixteen bases, under every frame two bases.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 25 to 30)
As in the above mentioned description the Roman Catholic Church is open from all angles, welcoming its sons and daughters from all denominations to be reunited into the body of Christ Jesus. The doors are always open. Two huge enormous arms and a great big loving pumping heart awaits those who decide to turn back and reunite with God. As in the case of the prodigal son, the decision is always ours to make.
31. He made bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, 32. and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the tabernacle at the rear westward. 33. He made the middle bar to pass through from end to end halfway up the frames. 34. And he overlaid the frames with gold, and made rings of gold for them to hold the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 31 to 34)
As in the case of the tabernacle and its protective tent, the Roman Catholic Church as in the case of other churches also has a structure. The bar that passes through the middle which supports the whole framework is the Holy Spirit of God, which has been promised to keep on supporting the Church till the end of time, with the promise that although the forces of evil will place stress on the structure as is the case of the present times, the middle bar will keep on supporting the whole structure forever. He is the cornerstone of our lives the 'Rock of our Salvation'.
Let us now stop and give worship to God the Rock of our salvation by clicking on the following link:-
Jesus our Rock
35. He made the curtain of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and fine twisted linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
(Exodus chapter 36 verse 35)
As in the case of our cross which marks the presence of God, the Cherubim was inscribed in the yarns in order to reflect that the presence of God was present in that place. May our hearts be tabernacles in which God is welcome to make His presence felt in a welcoming way forever as His dwelling place.
36. For it he made four pillars of acacia and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold, and he cast for them four bases of silver. 37. He also made a screen for the entrance to the tent of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and fine twisted linen, embroidered with needle work; 38. and its five pillars with their hooks. He overlaid their capitals and their bases with gold, but their bases were of bronze.
(Exodus chapter 36 verses 36 to 38)
The pillars mentioned in verses 36 to 38 are made to have been made of gold. This can be compared to the evangelists Matthew, Mark and John and even Peter and Paul who were also pillars that God used to support, defend and uphold the Christian faith.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-
Oh God loving and merciful father I would like to thank You for not leaving us orphans before leaving this earth. Thanks for the structure that You left us, that is Your Church. Thanks for Your Word that is light that guides us in our ways. Thanks for calling the apostles, and even the popes of our times and even those of previous times who laid the foundations in Your name and according to Your Holy Will. Thanks for Your protection especially during these times of tribulation and trials, from all sides both internally and externally in Your Church. Thanks for Your promise to be with the Roman Catholic Church till the end of time. Thanks for calling disciples even from other churches to be leaders and pastors because they are also instruments in Your hands and have hooks to bring many people to You. Thanks for the New Year 2015 in which this chapter will be published.
Thanks my God and my Father
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