God Directs The Tabernacle Design (Part Three)
God Commands Priestly Duties
Text: Exodus Chapters 28 - 31
The Tabernacle required great skill and special talent to follow the examples God gave to Moses. It would take many people with a great dedication to move and erect repeatedly but the most important thing the Tabernacle did was to provide a place to meet with God.
There are many today that think once they are "Born Again they have met all the requirements God gave them and they can go on about their lives and some think that they do not even have to change the way they live. Neither of these things are true and those that think this way need to see what God has to say about it.
God tells the Church:
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25 [Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: (and so much the more), as ye see the day approaching].
God not only says to not forsake coming together but in the day of the Church(the last days) to even meet more often.
That word "forsaking" means to desert the assembling or to abandon the Church.
The most important things about the Tabernacle took place when "the ministry God assigned to it" took place!
In this time of Israel the Tabernacle defined the ministry of the "Priest".
1.) What is a "Priest"?
One who represents "Man" to "God"!
"that he may minister unto me in the priest's office"
Heb 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men [in things pertaining to God], that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
Heb 5:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
Heb 5:3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
Heb 5:4 [And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron].
And our High Priest:
Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
To compare a "priest" and "prophet":
A prophet is one who represents "God" to "Man":
Exo 7:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, [I have made thee a god to Pharaoh]: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
So Our Lord:
Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, [now to appear in the presence of God for us]:
1.) We will see that through the attire of the Priest, God has a special concern that everything in our approach to Him shall be perfect. (28:2)
2.) We will see a constant and profound emphasis on "Holiness". (28:36)
This is an example of how our approach to God should be.
3.) We will know the assurance given that the people were never out of God's thoughts. (28:29,30)
4.) What we should realize is the "Glory", the "Power", the "Comfort" and the "Inspiration" of Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 [Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need].
And remember to go see Him in the House that has His name. A local "Bible Believing Church". Any place of worship not based on the "Written Word Of God" is just a place to fellowship and not a "Place of Worship"
God says:
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
There should be an assembling for worship:
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
*****Our Text:
Exo 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
Exo 28:2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.
Exo 28:3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Exo 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Exo 28:5 And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.
Exo 28:6 And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.
Exo 28:7 It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.
Aaron and his sons are the first "partnership" of priests in the Bible and Aaron's son were priest only because they were in the family line.
What we will see is that Aaron and his sons are a "type" of the "spiritual priesthood" of all true believers in the New Testament, who are priests only because of Our Lord Jesus. Our True High Priest!
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Aaron the High Priest, in offering sacrifices was also a "type" of Christ who offered the "Ultimate Sacrifice". All other sacrifices were only a shadow to His sacrifice.
Aaron was also a "type" of Christ in his death. When Aaron's time came to die, God told Moses to bring Aaron and Eleazar to Mount Hor.
Num 20:23 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,
Num 20:24 Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.
Num 20:25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor:
Num 20:26 And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there.
Num 20:27 And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
Num 20:28 And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.
Aaron died there and God concealed the record of his burial. By Aaron's going up the Mount and not returning it becomes a "type" of the ascension of Jesus Christ.
Eleazar returned in his place, wearing the high priestly garments. In "type" this represents the "Second Coming" of Our Lord.
While Aaron was living it was Eleazar who was chief over the tribe of the Levites.
Num 3:32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.
It was Eleazar that was over "Oil" for the Lampstand, the "Incense", the "Anointing Oil, and the "Tabernacle" itself.
Num 4:16 And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.
Aaron in "type" was as the ministry of Christ on this earth and Eleazar was a "type" of a Christ ministry in Heaven, throughout the Church Age until His Coming again.
Comparing scripture with scripture we can see that the Levites are a "type" of the Church:
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
compare:
Num 1:48 For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying,
Num 1:49 Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:
Num 1:50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
Num 2:33 [But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel]; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Num 3:12 And I, [behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel] instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;
Num 3:13 Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: [mine shall they be: I am the LORD].
Num 3:41 [And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the LORD)] instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.
Num 3:45 Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; [and the Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD].
And the Church:
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
*****I.) The Ephod: (28:4-7)
It is only in the "Ephod", the "Curious Girdle" of the Ephod and the "Breast Plate" that we find "Gold" woven into the fabric. We know the "Gold" represents in "type" of "Deity". Mixed with the blue, the scarlet, and the fine twined linen we have in "type" the "Royalty", the "Suffering" and the "Spotless Righteousness" of Jesus Christ Our Lord. (in that order)
The (2) shoulder pieces:
Two is the number for "fellowship" the "joining together" is the very purpose of the "Priesthood". Even at the name of "Levi" we get the meaning of "joined unto".
Gen 29:34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be [joined unto me], because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.
Rachel had suffered from the want of a child but Leah had suffered for the WANT OF LOVE!
The "Levites" are in "type" the Church, as the Church seeks to be "joined unto" Our Lord Jesus.
The 2 piece Ephod being "joined together" at the "shoulders" is in "type" the role of Christ Jesus, our "Eternal High Priest" joining man to God. The "Shoulders" represent the "Sustaining Power of God"
*****II.) The Curious Girdle:
Exo 28:8 And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Lev 8:7 And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and [he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith].
The binding of the "Curious Girdle" indicated the High Priest was ready for his service.
In "type" we can know that Our Own High Priest is willing to and ready to meet our every need and that His "strength" will never fail.
*****III.) The (2) stones:
Exo 28:9 And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:
Exo 28:10 Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.
Exo 28:11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.
Exo 28:12 [And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial].
Also on the "Shoulders" were these (2) stones and the High Priest bore the names engraved on those (2) stones.
This represents that "those written in the Lamb's Book of Life" will alway be carried with Our Own Great High Priest and it is He that "Sustains" us.
*****IV.) The Breast Plate of Judgment:
Exo 28:15 And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.
Exo 28:16 Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.
Exo 28:17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.
Exo 28:18 And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
Exo 28:19 And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
Exo 28:20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.
Exo 28:21 And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.
The "Breastplate" is the most costly of all the garments. God is a God of order and this is the first of the "garments mentioned".
Exo 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make; [a breastplate], and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Though each stone may have a significance there is not time in this study to get into that. What we can readily see is that each name is recorded twice.
1.) Once on the Onyx stone:
Exodus 28:9
2.) Once on the stones of the Breastplate.
Exodus 28:21
This can certainly mean that God will never forget the names of "His Children".
Isa 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
Isa 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
The Apostle John also saw these names on the gates of New Jerusalem:
Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Rev 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
This "breastplate" was securely fastened with (4) golden chains. (2) to the shoulder pieces and (2) to the curious girdle.
Jesus Christ will always hide the names of God's Children on His heart!
The "union with Christ" (2) is a major theme in the Tabernacle study.
*****Our Text:
Exo 28:30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
The "Urim" and the "Thummim" are defined as "lights" and "perfections".
In other words it is the job of the High Priests to shed "light" on the "complete truth", The Perfect Word Of God!
The "Urim" and the "Thummim" were a combination that represent God's Perfect Balance in "Grace", "Mercy", "Judgment" and "Wrath"!
1Jn 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, [that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all].
Deu 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
All the perfections of God are seen in Jesus Christ:
Joh 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? [he that hath seen me hath seen the Father]; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
The "Urim" and the "Thummim" are only a foreshadow of Jesus Christ!
*****Our Text:
Exo 28:31 And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue.
Exo 28:32 And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.
Exo 28:33 And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:
Exo 28:34 A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.
Exo 28:35 And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.
The Hebrew word for "robe" used here is "meheel". It is uses 28 times in the Bible.
1.) 19 times robe or robes.
2.) 7 times as mantle.
3.) 1 time cloak.
4.) 1 time coat.
There should be little doubt that this was the upper or outer garment,
This "Robe of Blue" points to Our Heavenly Prince, the soon coming KING of Kings.
It was a woven work and probably seemless.
Joh 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: [now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout].
Exo 39:22 And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.
Exo 39:23 And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.
A special feature of this Robe was that it had a full circle of Golden Bells and Pomegranates(of blue, of purple, and of scarlet).
We have the symbolism of the colors:
Blue = Heavenly
Purple = Royalty
Scarlet = Suffering
But also Our Lord's "Fruitfulness" on this Earth.
These "Bells" were meant to be heard when the High Priests was in and out of the Holy Place.
God tells us that those that believe will know the joyful sound of Our Lord:
Psa 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
We should also know the glad tidings of the Word of God:
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, [How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things]!
Rom 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? [Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world].
*****Our text:
Exo 28:36 And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
Exo 28:37 And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.
Exo 28:38 And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.
Exo 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.
Verse 38 tells us that the "Most Holy Things" that man can do are still corrupted and stained with "Sin".
It is only our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ who "MUST" bear the iniquity of all "Holy Things"!
That "plate of Gold" on Aaron's forehead is symbolic of Jesus Christ bearing us, even though we can pray and offer up gifts to God. Anything we offer God are acceptable only by virtue of the "Shed Blood Of Jesus"!
Heb 9:21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Jesus offers up a "Warning" for those that try to get to the "Wedding Supper" of the "Bride" by any other means.
Mat 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
Mat 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Mat 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
It is Our Lord that has chosen the "Wedding Garments"!
Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
God speaks of Abraham
Rom 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Rom 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Rom 4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
Rom 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
These garments of the High Priest should tell us that only through the "Righteousness of Jesus" (Our Garment) can we be admitted to the Marriage Supper Of The Lamb!
Paul goes on to say our garment must be Jesus Christ:
Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
We know that Adam and Eve tried to make their own garments with the fig leaves but the correct garment had to come through the "Blood" of an "Innocent Lamb".
God's Lamb is Himself!
Gen 22:8 And Abraham said, My son, [God will provide himself a lamb] for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
*****Our Text:
Exo 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.
Exo 39:27 And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,
Exo 39:28 And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,
Exo 39:29 And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Though the coats that were worn by Aaron and his sons were identical, Aaron wore the "Mitre" while his sons wore "Bonnets".
Both of these are "symbols" of the "Reverence" of God.
*****Our text:
Exo 28:42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
Exo 28:43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.
We can see that they all wore the linen britches.
The wearing of under garments were not done in these days. This linen britches served the priests as tis function. This shows us that we all should dress appropriatley, and reverance the House of God for every child of God is a priest.
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
*****Our Text:
Exodus 29:1-37
*****The Washing:
Exo 29:4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.
There can be little doubt that this in "type" is refering to the newly "Born Again" child of God:
Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, [by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost];
Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Moses was God's man so he had to do the washing.
We also see Our Lord Jesus:
Joh 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
*****The Anointing:
Lev 8:10 And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.
Lev 8:11 And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.
Lev 8:12 And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.
The Tabernacle and everything that was in it, were anointed with "Oil" (our Holy Ghost) and all the vessels were "Sanctified"(set apart for sacred service).
Only the "Altar" was sprinkled in addition to the anointing. (The Altar is in "type" the "Cross")
It is believed that only Aaron was anoited with oil and then this anointing was counted for his sons and those that followed.
When Our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ was anointed then that anointing was counted for everyone that believes on Him for their "Salvation".
*****The Sin Offering:
Exo 29:10 And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.
Exo 29:11 And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Exo 29:12 And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.
Exo 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.
Exo 29:14 But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.
Israel had no High Priest until Aaron was anointed by Moses. Moses had performed all official duties up until this point.
*****The laying on of hands:
This was a ceremonial act that represented the transfering of "Sin" to "innocent" victim. Immediatly after the transfer then the bullock was killed and the "Blood was applied to the Altar". To the Altar, the Horns and what remained was poured on the ground at the bottom of the Altar.
Why?
Verse 21, "he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him"
(Set aside for the sacred use of God!)
The "Sin Offering", was not a sweet savor unto the Lord and was to be burnt with fire outside the Tabernacle and the camp.
Our Lord Jesus was led to the Hill called Golgotha:
Joh 19:17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
Joh 19:18 Where they crucified him,
Heb 13:11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
Heb 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Heb 13:13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
*****The Burnt offering:
Exo 29:15 Thou shalt also take one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.
Exo 29:16 And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle it round about upon the altar.
Exo 29:17 And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put them unto his pieces, and unto his head.
Exo 29:18 And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
The "Burnt" signified God's acceptance in anticipation of the "SHED" Blood of Jesus.
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Before we go any further let's point out the difference between the "Shed Blood" and as some say the "Spilt Blood"
1.) To "shed" is an intentional act.
2.) To spill though it could be intentional, is most times by accident.
Jesus Christ intentionally died on the Cross and He intentionally "Shed" His Blood! It was no accident!
The "washing" of the inwards symbolizes the inner being, the nature, the affections, the attitudes.
The "washing" of the legs symbolizes our walk in this life.
The Bible says after we are redeemed we too need a washing:
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26 That [he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word],
TO SAY WE HAVE FAITH WITHOUT SEEING THE FRUIT OF IT IS A FALSE CLAIM!
Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
All dead faith will be fruitless!
*****The "Ram of Consecration":
Exodus 29:19-28
Moses would kill this ram only after Aaron and his sons had identified themselves with the ram by laying their hands uppn it's head.
Moses then killed the ram and took the blood and put it on:
1.) The tip of Aaron's right ear = his dedication to the Word of God
2.) The thumb of Aaron's right hand = his service to God
3.) The big toe of Aaron'd right foot = his walk with God
4.)Moses did the same to each of Aaron's sons.
We are washed in the blood of Jesus:
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works [to serve the living God]?
Moses then sprinkled the blood upon the Altar "round about" which means on "every side"
There were "seven" parts of this "Consecration Lamb" that were to be burnt on that Altar together with unleavened bread and an unleavened cake tempered with oil and an unleavened wafer anointed with oil.
Lev 8:25 And he took the fat, and the rump, and all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and the right shoulder:
Lev 8:26 And out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before the LORD, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and put them on the fat, and upon the right shoulder:
Lev 8:27 And he put all upon Aaron's hands, and upon his sons' hands, and waved them for a wave offering before the LORD.
Lev 8:28 And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savour: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
1.) The Unleavened "Bread" = "Freedom from Sin" (Especially that of Jesus)
2.) The Unleavened "Cakes tempered with oil" = Speak of Our Lord Jesus being filled with the Holy Spirit even before His birth at Bethlehem.
3.) The Unleavened "Wafers anointed with oil" = This special "anointing" by the Holy Spirit gave to us in "Type" Our Lord's power to fulfiull the work assigned by the Father in every minute detail.
Moses then took of the "anointing" oil ("Holy Spirit") and the "Blood" from the Altar ("Blood of Calvary") and sprinkled it upon Aaron and his sons.
Lev 8:30 And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Aaron and his sons then boiled the the remaining flesh of the "Consecration Ram" and ate it with the bread from the basket "at the door of the Tabernacle".
All these ceremonies were to be completed and repeated for "seven days". Seven the number of "perfection".
In "type" this shows that it is imperitive for the "believer" to abide in Christ Jesus "always"! That we die not!
Lev 8:35 Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, [that ye die not]: for so I am commanded.
Aaron performed his first priestly duties on the (8th) day, (his new beginning) but he still had to sacrifice another calf before he could begin.
But Our Lord:
Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Heb 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Heb 7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
And Our Lord Jesus will never have to sacrifice Himself ever again:
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
The believer knows certain things:
1.) We are "formed" by Our Lord:
Psa 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
2.) We are "purchased" by Our Lord:
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
3.) We are "cleansed" by Our Lord:
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
4.) We are "redeemed" by Our Lord:
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
5.) We are then "endowed" with the Holy Spirit for safe keeping:
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
How can we ever deny Him?
*****Our text:
Exodus Chapter 30
The Incense Alter:
Exo 30:1 And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it.
Exo 30:2 A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same.
Exo 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
Exo 30:4 And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it, by the two corners thereof, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it; and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withal.
Exo 30:5 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
Exo 30:6 And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.
Exo 30:7 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.
Exo 30:8 And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
Exo 30:9 Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.
Exo 30:10 And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.
We must notice the order in which God teaches us these things. God instructed Moses on the "Consecration" of the Priest before He introduced this Golden Altar.
In "Type" this Altar represent Our Lord Jesus as our "Mediator"!
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Aaron and the Brazen Altar are "types" of Christ in His sacrificial role at Mount Calvary but this Golden Altar stood squarely in front of the 'Mercy Seat" depicting Christ Jesus interceeding at God's right hand for all believers.
1.) We still have the "uncorruptable wood" the humanity of Jesus.
2.) We still have the "Golden deity" the One True God.
3.) We still have the "One" cubit the "One" being the need for unity with human relationships.
4.) We have "two" cubits high pointing to the "union and fellowship with Our Lord Jesus.
We must remember if our "vertical" relationship with Christ is not as it should be then our "horizontal" relationships with our families and all other will also suffer.
Mat 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Our "prayers" will go unheard and be fruitless because of faulty human relationships!
*****The Horns and the Crown:
Those "Horns" still symbolize power! On the Brazen Altar it is the "Power of the Blood" but here on the Golden Altar they represent the "Power of Prayer".
A "Horn" on each corner means the the "powere of Prayer" is available to every believer in the "same strength". We hinder that power by our own actions.
Psa 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
These "horns" do symbolize the "power of prayer" but they do not magnify the power of prayer.
The "incense" represents our prayers but until incense is burnt on the Golden Altar which represents Our Advocate with the Father, can we have no "Power in our Prayer life"
1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
It is only in Jesus that our prayers have power!
If a "prayer" is not prayed in the "Name of Jesus", that name above all other names, it will not be answered. We must pray under His Authority, under His Glory.
Jesus Christ is our "legal Advocate" just as He is "Our Savior"!
*****The Golden Crown on this Altar, which is not present on the Brazen Alter, is the "Divine Autthority" that backs this altar. This Golden Crown is in "type" the Victory Our Savior had at the Cross!
1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
*****This Golden Altar stood just outside the "Veil" of the "Holy of Holies". It was squarely in front of the "Mercy Seat". Christ Jesus opened for us a "new and living way" through Himself because that "Veil" is fore ever gone to the believer, but we still haave to pass by this Golden Altar before we can go through that "Door", that "Door" being Jesus.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
But we must go "Humbly" no matter what others teach.
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
We cannot be lifted up any other way.
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
We cannot be exalted when the time comes in any other way.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
God will allow us to approach His Throne without any kind of appoinment but only if we come through the "Door of Jesus" HUMBLY!
Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the Levitcal priesthood!
1.) We cannot bypass the Cross.
2.) We cannot bypass the Washing by His Word.
3.) We cannot forego the Living Bread.
4.)But Most Important of All, we have to have Jesus Christ as Our Intercessor!
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
*****This Golden Altar was intended for "Sweet Incense" if our prayers are not seasoned with "love, devotion, and worship then we are offering "strange incense"!
Joh 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Aaron was to burn sweet incense upon this Altar every morning and every evening so once a day was not enough.
In order for a sinner to be saved a prayer of faith had to be prayed. This person is then Born Again into a new life. That prayer was then was the breath that gave "New Life".
Prayer then is the Chistian Believer's vital breadth. Our bodies cannot survive without breathing and our spirit cannot survive without prayer.
Paul said:
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
*****The Annointing Oil
Exo 30:22 Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 30:23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
Exo 30:24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:
Exo 30:25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.
Exo 30:26 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,
Exo 30:27 And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense,
Exo 30:28 And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot.
Exo 30:29 And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.
Exo 30:30 And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Exo 30:31 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.
Exo 30:32 Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.
Exo 30:33 Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.
We already know that "Oil" symbolizes the Holy Spirit. We have seen that all the Vessels, the Furniture and the Tabernacle itself have been anointed with "Oil".
Everyone of these objects represent certain aspects of Jesus Christ, His Ministry, and the Church.
Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
We can see this totally symbolized in the Golden Lampstand.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
As a Lampstand it would be the Oil that flowed. The Lamp could not burn without the "Oil".
All this points to the "Work" of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Oil cannot be poured on anything that man chooses but only on the things that God has chosen.
Exo 30:32 Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.
Even the sweet spices for the incense was reserved for the Tabernacle.
What God sets apart for His use is Holy, Sanctified, and Reverent.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Let's Pray!
God Commands Priestly Duties
Text: Exodus Chapters 28 - 31
The Tabernacle required great skill and special talent to follow the examples God gave to Moses. It would take many people with a great dedication to move and erect repeatedly but the most important thing the Tabernacle did was to provide a place to meet with God.
There are many today that think once they are "Born Again they have met all the requirements God gave them and they can go on about their lives and some think that they do not even have to change the way they live. Neither of these things are true and those that think this way need to see what God has to say about it.
God tells the Church:
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25 [Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: (and so much the more), as ye see the day approaching].
God not only says to not forsake coming together but in the day of the Church(the last days) to even meet more often.
That word "forsaking" means to desert the assembling or to abandon the Church.
The most important things about the Tabernacle took place when "the ministry God assigned to it" took place!
In this time of Israel the Tabernacle defined the ministry of the "Priest".
1.) What is a "Priest"?
One who represents "Man" to "God"!
"that he may minister unto me in the priest's office"
Heb 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men [in things pertaining to God], that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
Heb 5:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
Heb 5:3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
Heb 5:4 [And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron].
And our High Priest:
Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
To compare a "priest" and "prophet":
A prophet is one who represents "God" to "Man":
Exo 7:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, [I have made thee a god to Pharaoh]: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
So Our Lord:
Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, [now to appear in the presence of God for us]:
1.) We will see that through the attire of the Priest, God has a special concern that everything in our approach to Him shall be perfect. (28:2)
2.) We will see a constant and profound emphasis on "Holiness". (28:36)
This is an example of how our approach to God should be.
3.) We will know the assurance given that the people were never out of God's thoughts. (28:29,30)
4.) What we should realize is the "Glory", the "Power", the "Comfort" and the "Inspiration" of Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 [Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need].
And remember to go see Him in the House that has His name. A local "Bible Believing Church". Any place of worship not based on the "Written Word Of God" is just a place to fellowship and not a "Place of Worship"
God says:
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
There should be an assembling for worship:
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
*****Our Text:
Exo 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
Exo 28:2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.
Exo 28:3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Exo 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Exo 28:5 And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.
Exo 28:6 And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.
Exo 28:7 It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.
Aaron and his sons are the first "partnership" of priests in the Bible and Aaron's son were priest only because they were in the family line.
What we will see is that Aaron and his sons are a "type" of the "spiritual priesthood" of all true believers in the New Testament, who are priests only because of Our Lord Jesus. Our True High Priest!
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Aaron the High Priest, in offering sacrifices was also a "type" of Christ who offered the "Ultimate Sacrifice". All other sacrifices were only a shadow to His sacrifice.
Aaron was also a "type" of Christ in his death. When Aaron's time came to die, God told Moses to bring Aaron and Eleazar to Mount Hor.
Num 20:23 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,
Num 20:24 Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.
Num 20:25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor:
Num 20:26 And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there.
Num 20:27 And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
Num 20:28 And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.
Aaron died there and God concealed the record of his burial. By Aaron's going up the Mount and not returning it becomes a "type" of the ascension of Jesus Christ.
Eleazar returned in his place, wearing the high priestly garments. In "type" this represents the "Second Coming" of Our Lord.
While Aaron was living it was Eleazar who was chief over the tribe of the Levites.
Num 3:32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.
It was Eleazar that was over "Oil" for the Lampstand, the "Incense", the "Anointing Oil, and the "Tabernacle" itself.
Num 4:16 And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.
Aaron in "type" was as the ministry of Christ on this earth and Eleazar was a "type" of a Christ ministry in Heaven, throughout the Church Age until His Coming again.
Comparing scripture with scripture we can see that the Levites are a "type" of the Church:
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
compare:
Num 1:48 For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying,
Num 1:49 Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:
Num 1:50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
Num 2:33 [But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel]; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Num 3:12 And I, [behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel] instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;
Num 3:13 Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: [mine shall they be: I am the LORD].
Num 3:41 [And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the LORD)] instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.
Num 3:45 Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; [and the Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD].
And the Church:
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
*****I.) The Ephod: (28:4-7)
It is only in the "Ephod", the "Curious Girdle" of the Ephod and the "Breast Plate" that we find "Gold" woven into the fabric. We know the "Gold" represents in "type" of "Deity". Mixed with the blue, the scarlet, and the fine twined linen we have in "type" the "Royalty", the "Suffering" and the "Spotless Righteousness" of Jesus Christ Our Lord. (in that order)
The (2) shoulder pieces:
Two is the number for "fellowship" the "joining together" is the very purpose of the "Priesthood". Even at the name of "Levi" we get the meaning of "joined unto".
Gen 29:34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be [joined unto me], because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.
Rachel had suffered from the want of a child but Leah had suffered for the WANT OF LOVE!
The "Levites" are in "type" the Church, as the Church seeks to be "joined unto" Our Lord Jesus.
The 2 piece Ephod being "joined together" at the "shoulders" is in "type" the role of Christ Jesus, our "Eternal High Priest" joining man to God. The "Shoulders" represent the "Sustaining Power of God"
*****II.) The Curious Girdle:
Exo 28:8 And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Lev 8:7 And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and [he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith].
The binding of the "Curious Girdle" indicated the High Priest was ready for his service.
In "type" we can know that Our Own High Priest is willing to and ready to meet our every need and that His "strength" will never fail.
*****III.) The (2) stones:
Exo 28:9 And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:
Exo 28:10 Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.
Exo 28:11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.
Exo 28:12 [And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial].
Also on the "Shoulders" were these (2) stones and the High Priest bore the names engraved on those (2) stones.
This represents that "those written in the Lamb's Book of Life" will alway be carried with Our Own Great High Priest and it is He that "Sustains" us.
*****IV.) The Breast Plate of Judgment:
Exo 28:15 And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.
Exo 28:16 Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.
Exo 28:17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.
Exo 28:18 And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
Exo 28:19 And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
Exo 28:20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.
Exo 28:21 And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.
The "Breastplate" is the most costly of all the garments. God is a God of order and this is the first of the "garments mentioned".
Exo 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make; [a breastplate], and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Though each stone may have a significance there is not time in this study to get into that. What we can readily see is that each name is recorded twice.
1.) Once on the Onyx stone:
Exodus 28:9
2.) Once on the stones of the Breastplate.
Exodus 28:21
This can certainly mean that God will never forget the names of "His Children".
Isa 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
Isa 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
The Apostle John also saw these names on the gates of New Jerusalem:
Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Rev 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
This "breastplate" was securely fastened with (4) golden chains. (2) to the shoulder pieces and (2) to the curious girdle.
Jesus Christ will always hide the names of God's Children on His heart!
The "union with Christ" (2) is a major theme in the Tabernacle study.
*****Our Text:
Exo 28:30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
The "Urim" and the "Thummim" are defined as "lights" and "perfections".
In other words it is the job of the High Priests to shed "light" on the "complete truth", The Perfect Word Of God!
The "Urim" and the "Thummim" were a combination that represent God's Perfect Balance in "Grace", "Mercy", "Judgment" and "Wrath"!
1Jn 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, [that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all].
Deu 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
All the perfections of God are seen in Jesus Christ:
Joh 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? [he that hath seen me hath seen the Father]; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
The "Urim" and the "Thummim" are only a foreshadow of Jesus Christ!
*****Our Text:
Exo 28:31 And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue.
Exo 28:32 And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.
Exo 28:33 And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:
Exo 28:34 A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.
Exo 28:35 And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.
The Hebrew word for "robe" used here is "meheel". It is uses 28 times in the Bible.
1.) 19 times robe or robes.
2.) 7 times as mantle.
3.) 1 time cloak.
4.) 1 time coat.
There should be little doubt that this was the upper or outer garment,
This "Robe of Blue" points to Our Heavenly Prince, the soon coming KING of Kings.
It was a woven work and probably seemless.
Joh 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: [now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout].
Exo 39:22 And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.
Exo 39:23 And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.
A special feature of this Robe was that it had a full circle of Golden Bells and Pomegranates(of blue, of purple, and of scarlet).
We have the symbolism of the colors:
Blue = Heavenly
Purple = Royalty
Scarlet = Suffering
But also Our Lord's "Fruitfulness" on this Earth.
These "Bells" were meant to be heard when the High Priests was in and out of the Holy Place.
God tells us that those that believe will know the joyful sound of Our Lord:
Psa 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
We should also know the glad tidings of the Word of God:
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, [How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things]!
Rom 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? [Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world].
*****Our text:
Exo 28:36 And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
Exo 28:37 And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.
Exo 28:38 And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.
Exo 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.
Verse 38 tells us that the "Most Holy Things" that man can do are still corrupted and stained with "Sin".
It is only our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ who "MUST" bear the iniquity of all "Holy Things"!
That "plate of Gold" on Aaron's forehead is symbolic of Jesus Christ bearing us, even though we can pray and offer up gifts to God. Anything we offer God are acceptable only by virtue of the "Shed Blood Of Jesus"!
Heb 9:21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Jesus offers up a "Warning" for those that try to get to the "Wedding Supper" of the "Bride" by any other means.
Mat 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
Mat 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Mat 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
It is Our Lord that has chosen the "Wedding Garments"!
Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
God speaks of Abraham
Rom 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Rom 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Rom 4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
Rom 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
These garments of the High Priest should tell us that only through the "Righteousness of Jesus" (Our Garment) can we be admitted to the Marriage Supper Of The Lamb!
Paul goes on to say our garment must be Jesus Christ:
Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
We know that Adam and Eve tried to make their own garments with the fig leaves but the correct garment had to come through the "Blood" of an "Innocent Lamb".
God's Lamb is Himself!
Gen 22:8 And Abraham said, My son, [God will provide himself a lamb] for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
*****Our Text:
Exo 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.
Exo 39:27 And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,
Exo 39:28 And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,
Exo 39:29 And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Though the coats that were worn by Aaron and his sons were identical, Aaron wore the "Mitre" while his sons wore "Bonnets".
Both of these are "symbols" of the "Reverence" of God.
*****Our text:
Exo 28:42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
Exo 28:43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.
We can see that they all wore the linen britches.
The wearing of under garments were not done in these days. This linen britches served the priests as tis function. This shows us that we all should dress appropriatley, and reverance the House of God for every child of God is a priest.
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
*****Our Text:
Exodus 29:1-37
*****The Washing:
Exo 29:4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.
There can be little doubt that this in "type" is refering to the newly "Born Again" child of God:
Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, [by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost];
Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Moses was God's man so he had to do the washing.
We also see Our Lord Jesus:
Joh 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
*****The Anointing:
Lev 8:10 And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.
Lev 8:11 And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.
Lev 8:12 And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.
The Tabernacle and everything that was in it, were anointed with "Oil" (our Holy Ghost) and all the vessels were "Sanctified"(set apart for sacred service).
Only the "Altar" was sprinkled in addition to the anointing. (The Altar is in "type" the "Cross")
It is believed that only Aaron was anoited with oil and then this anointing was counted for his sons and those that followed.
When Our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ was anointed then that anointing was counted for everyone that believes on Him for their "Salvation".
*****The Sin Offering:
Exo 29:10 And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.
Exo 29:11 And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Exo 29:12 And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.
Exo 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.
Exo 29:14 But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.
Israel had no High Priest until Aaron was anointed by Moses. Moses had performed all official duties up until this point.
*****The laying on of hands:
This was a ceremonial act that represented the transfering of "Sin" to "innocent" victim. Immediatly after the transfer then the bullock was killed and the "Blood was applied to the Altar". To the Altar, the Horns and what remained was poured on the ground at the bottom of the Altar.
Why?
Verse 21, "he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him"
(Set aside for the sacred use of God!)
The "Sin Offering", was not a sweet savor unto the Lord and was to be burnt with fire outside the Tabernacle and the camp.
Our Lord Jesus was led to the Hill called Golgotha:
Joh 19:17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
Joh 19:18 Where they crucified him,
Heb 13:11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
Heb 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Heb 13:13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
*****The Burnt offering:
Exo 29:15 Thou shalt also take one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.
Exo 29:16 And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle it round about upon the altar.
Exo 29:17 And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put them unto his pieces, and unto his head.
Exo 29:18 And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
The "Burnt" signified God's acceptance in anticipation of the "SHED" Blood of Jesus.
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Before we go any further let's point out the difference between the "Shed Blood" and as some say the "Spilt Blood"
1.) To "shed" is an intentional act.
2.) To spill though it could be intentional, is most times by accident.
Jesus Christ intentionally died on the Cross and He intentionally "Shed" His Blood! It was no accident!
The "washing" of the inwards symbolizes the inner being, the nature, the affections, the attitudes.
The "washing" of the legs symbolizes our walk in this life.
The Bible says after we are redeemed we too need a washing:
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26 That [he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word],
TO SAY WE HAVE FAITH WITHOUT SEEING THE FRUIT OF IT IS A FALSE CLAIM!
Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
All dead faith will be fruitless!
*****The "Ram of Consecration":
Exodus 29:19-28
Moses would kill this ram only after Aaron and his sons had identified themselves with the ram by laying their hands uppn it's head.
Moses then killed the ram and took the blood and put it on:
1.) The tip of Aaron's right ear = his dedication to the Word of God
2.) The thumb of Aaron's right hand = his service to God
3.) The big toe of Aaron'd right foot = his walk with God
4.)Moses did the same to each of Aaron's sons.
We are washed in the blood of Jesus:
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works [to serve the living God]?
Moses then sprinkled the blood upon the Altar "round about" which means on "every side"
There were "seven" parts of this "Consecration Lamb" that were to be burnt on that Altar together with unleavened bread and an unleavened cake tempered with oil and an unleavened wafer anointed with oil.
Lev 8:25 And he took the fat, and the rump, and all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and the right shoulder:
Lev 8:26 And out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before the LORD, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and put them on the fat, and upon the right shoulder:
Lev 8:27 And he put all upon Aaron's hands, and upon his sons' hands, and waved them for a wave offering before the LORD.
Lev 8:28 And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savour: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
1.) The Unleavened "Bread" = "Freedom from Sin" (Especially that of Jesus)
2.) The Unleavened "Cakes tempered with oil" = Speak of Our Lord Jesus being filled with the Holy Spirit even before His birth at Bethlehem.
3.) The Unleavened "Wafers anointed with oil" = This special "anointing" by the Holy Spirit gave to us in "Type" Our Lord's power to fulfiull the work assigned by the Father in every minute detail.
Moses then took of the "anointing" oil ("Holy Spirit") and the "Blood" from the Altar ("Blood of Calvary") and sprinkled it upon Aaron and his sons.
Lev 8:30 And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Aaron and his sons then boiled the the remaining flesh of the "Consecration Ram" and ate it with the bread from the basket "at the door of the Tabernacle".
All these ceremonies were to be completed and repeated for "seven days". Seven the number of "perfection".
In "type" this shows that it is imperitive for the "believer" to abide in Christ Jesus "always"! That we die not!
Lev 8:35 Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, [that ye die not]: for so I am commanded.
Aaron performed his first priestly duties on the (8th) day, (his new beginning) but he still had to sacrifice another calf before he could begin.
But Our Lord:
Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Heb 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Heb 7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
And Our Lord Jesus will never have to sacrifice Himself ever again:
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
The believer knows certain things:
1.) We are "formed" by Our Lord:
Psa 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
2.) We are "purchased" by Our Lord:
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
3.) We are "cleansed" by Our Lord:
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
4.) We are "redeemed" by Our Lord:
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
5.) We are then "endowed" with the Holy Spirit for safe keeping:
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
How can we ever deny Him?
*****Our text:
Exodus Chapter 30
The Incense Alter:
Exo 30:1 And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it.
Exo 30:2 A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same.
Exo 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
Exo 30:4 And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it, by the two corners thereof, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it; and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withal.
Exo 30:5 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
Exo 30:6 And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.
Exo 30:7 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.
Exo 30:8 And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
Exo 30:9 Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.
Exo 30:10 And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.
We must notice the order in which God teaches us these things. God instructed Moses on the "Consecration" of the Priest before He introduced this Golden Altar.
In "Type" this Altar represent Our Lord Jesus as our "Mediator"!
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Aaron and the Brazen Altar are "types" of Christ in His sacrificial role at Mount Calvary but this Golden Altar stood squarely in front of the 'Mercy Seat" depicting Christ Jesus interceeding at God's right hand for all believers.
1.) We still have the "uncorruptable wood" the humanity of Jesus.
2.) We still have the "Golden deity" the One True God.
3.) We still have the "One" cubit the "One" being the need for unity with human relationships.
4.) We have "two" cubits high pointing to the "union and fellowship with Our Lord Jesus.
We must remember if our "vertical" relationship with Christ is not as it should be then our "horizontal" relationships with our families and all other will also suffer.
Mat 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Our "prayers" will go unheard and be fruitless because of faulty human relationships!
*****The Horns and the Crown:
Those "Horns" still symbolize power! On the Brazen Altar it is the "Power of the Blood" but here on the Golden Altar they represent the "Power of Prayer".
A "Horn" on each corner means the the "powere of Prayer" is available to every believer in the "same strength". We hinder that power by our own actions.
Psa 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
These "horns" do symbolize the "power of prayer" but they do not magnify the power of prayer.
The "incense" represents our prayers but until incense is burnt on the Golden Altar which represents Our Advocate with the Father, can we have no "Power in our Prayer life"
1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
It is only in Jesus that our prayers have power!
If a "prayer" is not prayed in the "Name of Jesus", that name above all other names, it will not be answered. We must pray under His Authority, under His Glory.
Jesus Christ is our "legal Advocate" just as He is "Our Savior"!
*****The Golden Crown on this Altar, which is not present on the Brazen Alter, is the "Divine Autthority" that backs this altar. This Golden Crown is in "type" the Victory Our Savior had at the Cross!
1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
*****This Golden Altar stood just outside the "Veil" of the "Holy of Holies". It was squarely in front of the "Mercy Seat". Christ Jesus opened for us a "new and living way" through Himself because that "Veil" is fore ever gone to the believer, but we still haave to pass by this Golden Altar before we can go through that "Door", that "Door" being Jesus.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
But we must go "Humbly" no matter what others teach.
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
We cannot be lifted up any other way.
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
We cannot be exalted when the time comes in any other way.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
God will allow us to approach His Throne without any kind of appoinment but only if we come through the "Door of Jesus" HUMBLY!
Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the Levitcal priesthood!
1.) We cannot bypass the Cross.
2.) We cannot bypass the Washing by His Word.
3.) We cannot forego the Living Bread.
4.)But Most Important of All, we have to have Jesus Christ as Our Intercessor!
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
*****This Golden Altar was intended for "Sweet Incense" if our prayers are not seasoned with "love, devotion, and worship then we are offering "strange incense"!
Joh 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Aaron was to burn sweet incense upon this Altar every morning and every evening so once a day was not enough.
In order for a sinner to be saved a prayer of faith had to be prayed. This person is then Born Again into a new life. That prayer was then was the breath that gave "New Life".
Prayer then is the Chistian Believer's vital breadth. Our bodies cannot survive without breathing and our spirit cannot survive without prayer.
Paul said:
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
*****The Annointing Oil
Exo 30:22 Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 30:23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
Exo 30:24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:
Exo 30:25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.
Exo 30:26 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,
Exo 30:27 And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense,
Exo 30:28 And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot.
Exo 30:29 And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.
Exo 30:30 And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Exo 30:31 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.
Exo 30:32 Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.
Exo 30:33 Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.
We already know that "Oil" symbolizes the Holy Spirit. We have seen that all the Vessels, the Furniture and the Tabernacle itself have been anointed with "Oil".
Everyone of these objects represent certain aspects of Jesus Christ, His Ministry, and the Church.
Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
We can see this totally symbolized in the Golden Lampstand.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
As a Lampstand it would be the Oil that flowed. The Lamp could not burn without the "Oil".
All this points to the "Work" of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Oil cannot be poured on anything that man chooses but only on the things that God has chosen.
Exo 30:32 Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.
Even the sweet spices for the incense was reserved for the Tabernacle.
What God sets apart for His use is Holy, Sanctified, and Reverent.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Let's Pray!
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