Questions

Scriptural Reflection
Exodus 38:9–31

We shall continue the study of Exodus, the second book of the Old Testament.

(1) The details described in 38:9-20 for the building of the Courtyard are very similar to the instructions given originally in 27:9-19. The perimeter of the courtyard serves the function of separating this place of worship from the outside world. How does this speak to our need to be separated from our usual environment physically in order to meet with the Lord?

(2) As the Bible gives us details of the various materials used for the Tabernacle, why does it stress that the tabernacle is “the tabernacle of the Testimony (or covenant)” (38:21)?

(3) How much gold had been given to the project? Just for the sake of interest, how much will it be worth today (the equivalent of 1 ton of gold)?

(4) How much silver had been obtained from the community? How much might it be worth today (the equivalent of 3¾ tons of silver)?

(5) How much bronze was obtained from the community? How much might it be worth today (the equivalent of 2½ tons of bronze)?

(6) Based on the latest prices of the above metals (in 2013), the total value of gold, silver and bronze would have far exceeded US$70 million:

a. How does it speak to the heart of this community of 600,000+ recently freed migrants in the wilderness?

b. Should that much money and resources be devoted to the building of a portable, less-than-permanent “temple” of the Lord? Why or why not?

(7) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Exodus 39:1–31

This section gives a compressed account of the making of the garments for the priests omitting the purposes and functions given in the original instructions:

(1) 39:2-7 is the compressed version of 28:6-14 concerning the making of the ephod:

a. In the reading of this abbreviated account of the ephod, what catches your attention?

b. What would the wearing of such an ephod mean to you, if you were the priest?

(2) 39:8-21 gives an almost verbatim account of the breastpiece in 28:15-28 (omitting the purpose and function mentioned in 28:29-30):

a. In the reading of this abbreviated account of the breastpiece, what catches your attention?

b. What would the wearing of such a breastpiece mean to you, if you were the priest?

(3) 39:22-31 is a compressed version of 28:31-43 concerning the other garments for the priests:

a. In the reading of this abbreviated account of the turban, what catches your attention?

b. What would the wearing of such a turban, in particular, mean to you, if you were the priest?

(4) Underline the repetitions in vv. 1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 27 and  31. What is the message being conveyed by the Bible in these repetitions?

(5) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Exodus 39:32–43

The bringing of all the parts of the tabernacle upon their completion to Moses for inspection reminds me of the day when we shall bring our works before the Lord one day (1 Co. 3:13). If you read this passage in such a light:

(1) How does v. 32 speak to you?

(2) Just for the sake of clarity, compile a list of everything mentioned from v. 33-41 that was being brought before Moses.

(3) If the making of the tabernacle requires the inspection of every single component, how should we prepare ourselves to be inspected on the day referred to in 1 Corinthians 3?

(4) What was the criterion used by Moses for his inspection?

(5) What will be the criterion used by the Lord for His inspection of our lives?

(6) Did the work of the Israelites pass Moses’ inspection? What did Moses do to them?

(7) Will your work pass the Lord’s inspection? What will the Lord do to you?

(8) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Exodus 40:1–11

When Moses has inspected the tabernacle and its contents, the Lord gave orders to have the tabernacle set up:

(1) The Lord ordered that the tabernacle be set up exactly on the first day of the first month of the second year since they left Egypt.

a. Can you recap the major events that had taken place in the preceding one year to these people of God?

b. What then might be the significance to have this tabernacle set up exactly one year after their departure from Egypt?

(2) Where is the ark of Testimony (or Covenant) to be placed? What does this “shielding” of the Lord mean to Moses and the people?

(3) Can you describe your meeting with the Lord as “with unveiled face”? Why or why not?

(4) Next, the Lord told Moses to furnish the Holy Place. What do the furnishings of the Holy Place include? What is the purpose and function of each? How do they collectively constitute the Holy Place?

(5) Next, the Lord told Moses to furnish the courtyard. What do the furnishings of the courtyard include? What is the purpose and function of each? How do they contribute to the meaning and purpose of the tabernacle?

(6) We understand the meaning and the need to anoint the tabernacle and everything in it. How should we apply this meaning to our worship to the Lord both corporately and individually in our lives?

(7) Why did the Lord single out the consecration of the altar of sacrifice as the “most holy”?

(8) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Exodus 40:12–16

(1) What was the first act of consecration of the priests and its implication?

(2) What was the next act of preparation for priesthood?

(3) Not being a member of a “high” church, we normally do not put much meaning on the dress of the minister. Why then would God dress the priests with special garments?

(4) If you were the priest, what might be the difference it would make with or without putting on these sacred garments when you served?

(5) What lesson should we learn about serving the Lord?

(6) If the anointing with oil symbolizes both the filling of the Holy Spirit and the choosing by God for service, can anyone serve the Lord without being “anointed” today?

(7) These days we take a very negative view on “succession” in any Christian ministry. Why then did God ordain Aaron’s priesthood to be passed in succession for “all generations to come”?

(8) In what way(s) might succession be good? In what way(s) might succession be detrimental?

(9) Can you cite examples (contemporary or otherwise) to support your answer to the previous question?

(10) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Exodus 40:17–28

The Bible goes on to describe how Moses set up the tabernacle exactly as the Lord commanded, beginning with the putting up of the frame of the tabernacle. As the tabernacle is the realization of the promise of the Lord’s ever-Presence with His people and the people’s fear and love of the Lord through their worship in this place, reflect on each step of the setting up of the tabernacle described here through the lens of your daily communion with the Lord:

(1) The Ark of Testimony (or Covenant)—Read vv. 20-21 reflectively and consider the following:

a. Why is the Testimony (i.e. the Ten Commandments) placed inside the ark?

b. What does it represent? How does it play a part as their covenantal relationship with the Lord?

c. Why is the atonement cover placed over the ark?

d. On what basis are you able to come before the Presence of the Holy God?

(2) The Table of the Bread of Presence—Read vv. 22-23 reflectively and consider the following:

a. How does your eating of the bread of the Lord’s Table echo the Bread of the Presence before the Ark?

b. In your daily communion with the Lord, is the feeding of the Bread of Life—Jesus Christ—a reality?

(3) The Golden Lampstand—Read vv. 24-25 reflectively and consider the following:

a. How different will the tabernacle be with or without the golden lampstand?

b. Are you being lit at your daily communion with the Lord? (Or, are you not even aware of any difference being made within your heart whether you are being lit or not by the Word of Life?!)

(4) The Golden Altar—Read vv. 26-27 reflectively and consider the following:

a. Do you remember where this golden altar of incense is placed and the significance of its location?

b. Are you aware that the prayers you offer today do rise up like incense all the way to the throne of God?

c. Have you regarded your prayers as a sacrifice to the Lord?

(5) What is the main message for you today and how may you apply it in your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Exodus 40:29–38

(1) The Altar of Burnt Offering: Read v. 29 reflectively and consider the following.

a. Why did God demand from them burnt offerings?

b. Why did God demand from them grain offerings?

c. What kind of offerings does God demand from us today?

(2) The Basin: Read vv. 30-32 reflectively and consider the following.

a. When were the priests and Moses required to wash in the basin?

b. What is the lesson for us today?

(3) Now Moses finished his work—the work of building the Tabernacle. It is a place where God’s promised Presence is to be fulfilled and the beginning of a permanent relationship of worshipping Yahweh as the Only God by the people.

a. How important was this project?

b. Though to a lesser degree, what is the importance of the construction of a church building today?

(4) Underline the special words used to describe the glory of the Lord that filled the tabernacle. What is the message behind such a description?

(5) Do you think the glory of the Lord still fills the church today? Why or why not?

(6) “In all the travels of the Israelites”, what did they see on a daily basis?

(7) What purposes and functions did the cloud and fire serve?

(8) What does God use today to do the following?

a. To reveal His presence to us

b. To guide us

(9) Was it easier for the Israelites to believe in and follow God then, or is it easier for us to believe in and follow God today? Why?

(10) At the completion of Exodus, try to recall this remarkable portion of the history of the Israelites and list three main messages being told through this book.

(11) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?