ExodusExodus Fickle People – Steadfast God Lesson 11 – Tabernacle and Priesthood

Migdol Marah Elim 1234

Fun Facts: 40s The Flood, 40 days and 40 nights (Gen 7:4) Moses lived in three 40-year periods Moses spent two 40-day periods on Sinai (Ex 24:18, 34:28) Spies explored Canaan 40 days (Num 13:25) Israelites wandered for 40 years (Num 32:13) Saul (Acts 13:21), David (2 Sam 5:4), Solomon (1 Kings 11:42) each ruled for 40 years Goliath challenged Israelites for 40 days (1 Sam 17:16) Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights (Mt 4:2) Jesus walked earth 40 days after His resurrection (Acts 1:3)

The L ORD bestows His presence on and commitment to His people Investment in obedience; completion of God’s instructions Forgiveness and renewal of covenant Violation of the covenant, intercession, punishment, mercy War, exposure to God’s power, holy covenant with The L ORD Two months of contact with God’s power and provision Moses: a year of direct contact with God Israelites: months of first-hand observation of God’s power A century of slave labor Centuries of benefitting from God’s blessing of Joseph Setting the Stage 430 years in Egypt 1794 BC Joseph dies, 110 yrs old (1:1-6) 1486 BC Moses flees (2:15) Exodus 250+ yrs 1876 BC Jacob Arrives 1526 BC Moses born “New King” arises, Israelites enslaved (1:8-14) Israel of ~2 million (12:37) Jacob with 75 people (1:5; Ac 7:14) (2:2) 1446 BC Moses returns (4:20) Arrive Sinai Covenant Tabernacle instructions Covenant renewed Tabernacle built The L ORD fills tabernacle

God at Sinai – Providing a Framework Prep/God’s Pres.Commands 40 days Idol Save Punish Trip 40-2 Covenant Elders Initial instruction, prep for covenant Commandments, ordinances Book of Covenant Israelites agree Instructions for tabernacle, priesthood Elders prepared Israel’s ‘golden calf’ sin Moses intercedes with God Moses deals with Israelites Moses intercedes with God, negotiates trip to Canaan Covenant renewed, Moses marked 19, 20: :1-17, 20:22-23:33 24:3-8 24:1-2, 24: :1-6 32: : List of things important to God Address nature of relationships between Man and God and between people – Attitude of people in considering/accounting for God – How people should treat each other Address the attitude(s) that drives behavior Provides a framework for fairness and balance in living List of things important to God Address nature of relationships between Man and God and between people – Attitude of people in considering/accounting for God – How people should treat each other Address the attitude(s) that drives behavior Provides a framework for fairness and balance in living

God at Sinai – Providing the Means Prep/God’s Pres.Commands 40 days Idol Save Punish Trip 40-2 Covenant Elders Initial instruction, prep for covenant Commandments, ordinances Book of Covenant Israelites agree Instructions for tabernacle, priesthood Elders prepared Israel’s ‘golden calf’ sin Moses intercedes with God Moses deals with Israelites Moses intercedes with God, negotiates trip to Canaan Covenant renewed 19, 20: :1-17, 20:22-23:33 24:3-8 24:1-2, 24: :1-6 32: :

The 40 Days Why so long? – Being prepared for the task ahead? – Testing the people, elders, Aaron, Joshua? – Things get ‘real’ after a period of time? I.e. can behave for a few days but once days stretch into weeks... Time for reflection, meditation? – “Time in the wilderness” – Note that Moses didn’t yet know the Israelites would be wondering in the desert for 40 years; they hadn’t yet failed to take Canaan. Why a second period of 40 days?

The Tabernacle

Instructions for Tabernacle and Priesthood Everyone contributes (25:1-9) Ark of the Covenant (:10-22) Table for showbread (:23-30) Golden lampstand (:31-40) Curtains of linen (26:1-6) Curtains of goat hair (:7-14) Walls (:15-30) Veil and screen (:31-37) Alter (27:1-8) Outer courtyard, linen walls (:9-21) Garments for priests (28:1-43)

Consecration of priests (29:1-9) Sacrifices (:10-30) Food for priests (:31-46) Alter of incense (30:1-21) Anointing oil (:22-33) Incense (:34-38) Appointment of lead craftsmen (31:1-11) Emphasis of the Sabbath (:12-17) Tablets given (:18) [Violation of the covenant, idolatry, intercession, punishment, forgiveness (32:1-33:23)] New tablets, covenant renewed (34:1-18) Instructions for Tabernacle and Priesthood

Instructions carried out (35:1-38:20) – People contribute gifts and talents (35:20-36:7) – Note emphasis placed by Moses on the attitudes of the people 35: 21, 22, 26, 29; 36:2 Too much! 36:5-7 Detailed discussion of garments (39:1-31) All the work completed (:32-43) Date for tabernacle to be erected (40:1-2) – Final instructions (:3-16) Erected (:17) – It all comes together! (:18-33) The Glory of the L ORD ! The Glory of the L ORD ! (40:34-38) Building Tabernacle, Installing Priesthood

What’s the point/purpose? To emphasize the primacy of God – That He would have this (to begin with!) – Such a complex, ornate structure to be used in the desert by nomads Serving God calls for effort, expense, attention – people must make a commitment – Means something very important, isn’t to be taken lightly, isn’t just bestowed on Israelites There are penalties for disobedience, inattention, casualness toward God There is blessing for obedience! People need devices/aids to help them remember – Like a quilt, or something built by hand, or an artifact from a significant event…the various devices in the tabernacle and the garments of the priests carried meaning Significance of God establishing His presence among His people

Insights?

Exodus: Fickle People—Steadfast God July 12 – Overview July 19—Joseph to Moses: Consequences of a Steadfast Faith July 26—Moses: Prepared for the Task Aug 2—The Plagues, 1-9 Aug 9—The Tenth Plague (Part 1) Aug 16—The Tenth Plague (Part 2) – Passover, Feasts, Memorials Aug 23—Exodus from Egypt Aug 30—Songs and Prayers Sep 6—Mount Sinai Sep 13—Commandments and Ordinances Sep 20—Priesthood, Tabernacle, Culmination…and Beginning Sep 27—What’s the Point?