Chapter XXX
Ver. 1-38. The Altar of Incense, l. thou shalt make an altar to burn Incense upon, &c.—its material was to be like that of the ark of the testimony, but its oUmeusious very Hntall. it. four-square-the meaning
or lives of the people. It was required from all clas-si-*
alike, and a refusal to pay implied a wi I'ul exclusion from
27*6 Holy Anointing Oil, EXODUS XXXI, XXXII. Bezuleel an^l Aholiuh.
tion by such high authority removed all ground of jealousy or discontent on the part of any who might have thought their merits overlooked (cf. Matthew 18. 1). i>y name Bezaleel—Signifying "in the shadow or protection of God ;" and, as called to discharge a duty of great magnitude—to execute a confidential trust in the ancient church of God, has his family and lineage recorded with marked distinction. He belonged to the tribe of Judah, which, doubtless for wise and weighty reasons, Goil all along delighted to honour; and he was the grandson of Hur, a pious patriot (ch. 17. 12), who was associated, by a special commission, with Aaron in the government of the people during the absence of Moses. Moreover, it may be noticed that a Jewish tradition aflirms Hur to be the husband of Miriam; and if this tradition may be relied on, it affords an additional reason for the appointment of Bezaleel emanating Irom the direct authority of God. 3-5. 1 have filled lilm with the Spirit of Gotl—
the privileges of the sanctuary, as well as exposure to Divine judgments. It was probably the same Impost that was exacted from our Lord (Matthew 17. 2i-27), and it was asually devoted to repairs and other purposes connected with the services of the sanctuary. 18-21. Ttiou shalt
. . , make a laver of brags—Though not actually forming a component part of the furniture of the tabernacle, this vase was closely connected with it; and though from standing at the entrance it would be a familiar object, it possessed great interest and importance from the baptismal purposes to which it was applied. No data are given by which its form and size can be ascertained ; but
it was probably a miniature pattern of Solomon's—a circular basin. Iil8 foot—supposed not to be the pedestal on which it rested, but a trough or shallow receptacle below, into which the water, let out from a cock or spout, flowed; for the way in which all Eastern people wash their hands or feet is by pouring upon them the water which falls into a basin. This laver was provided for the priests alone. But in the Christian dispensation,
It is probable that he was naturally endowed with a mechanical genius, and had acquired in Egypt great knowledge and skill in the useful, as well as liberal arts so as to be a first-class artisan, competent to take charge of both the plain and ornamental work; which the building of the sacred edifice required. When God has any special work to be accomplished. He always raises up instruments capable of doing It; and It Is likely that H< had given to the son of Uri that strong natural aptitude and those opportunities of gaining inechanical skill, with an ultimate view to this responsible office. Notwithstanding his grand duty was to conform with scrupulous
all believers are priests, and h^nce the apostle exhorts thern how to draw near to God (Joshua 13. 10; Hebrews
10. 22). fl-Z-33. Take thou also . . . principal spices, &c. — Oil is frequently mentioned in Scripture as an em-
olern of sanctification, and anointing with it a means
of designating objects as well as persons to the service of God. Here it is prescribed by Divine authority, and the various ingredients in their several proportions described which were to compose the oil used in consecrating the furniture of the tabernacle, inyrrli—a fragrant and medicinal gum from a little known tree in Arabia, sweet cinnamon—produced from a species of
fidelity to the pattern furnished, there was still plenty of room for inventive talent and tasteful exactness in the execution; and his natural and acquired gifts were enlarged and invigorated for the Important work. G. I have given with him Aliolial>—He belonged to t he tribe of Dan, one of the least influential and honourable in
li-urel or sweet bay, found chiefly in Ceylon, growing to a Height of twenty feet: this spice is extracted from tlie Inner bark, but it is not certain whether tliat mentioned by Moses is the same as that with which we are familiar, sweet calamus—or sweet cane, a product of Arabia and India, of a tawny colour in appearance; it is like tlie common cane, and strongly odoriferous, cassia—from the same species of tree as the cinnamon—some think the out«r bark of that tree. All these together would amount to 120 lbs. troy weight, liin—a word of Egyptian origin, equal to ten pints. Being mixed with the olive
Israel ; and here, too, we can trace the evidence of wise and paternal design. In choosing the colleague or assistant of Bezaleel from an inferior tribe (cf. 1 Corinthians
12. U-25; also Mark 6.7). all tliat are wise-hearted I have put wisdom—At that period, when one spirit pervaded all Israel, it was not the man full of heavenly genius who presided over the work, but all who contributed their skill, experience, and labour, in rendering the smallest assistance, that showed their piety and devotedness to the Divine service. In like manner, It was at the commencement of the Christian church (Acts 6.5; IS. 2). 1*-17. Verily my sabbatlis ye gltall keep—The reason
oil—no doubt of the purest kind—this composition probably remained always in a liquid state, and the strictest prohibition Issued against using it for any other purpose than anointing the tabernacle and its furniture. 34-38. the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices—These were: stacte, the flncst myirli; onycha, supposed to be an odoriferous shell; galbanum, a gumresin from an umbelliferous plant, frankincense—
for the fresh Inculcation of the fourth commandment at this particular period was, that the great ardour and eagerness with which all classes betook themselves to the construction of the tabernacle, exposed them to the temptation of encroaching on the sanctity of the appointed day of rest. They might suppose that the erectloii of the tabernacle was a sacred work, and that It would be a high merit, an acceptable tribute, to prosecute the undertaking without the Interruption of a day's repose; and therefore the caution here given, at the commencement of the undertaking, was a .seasonable admonition. 18. <al>l«8 of stone, written with the linger of God— containing the ten commandments (ch. 24. 12), called "tables of testimony," because God testified His will Id them.
dry, resinous, aromatic gum, of a yellow colour, wlilch comes from a tree in Arabia, and is obtained by incision of the bark. This incense was placed within tlie sanctuary, to be at hand when the priest required to burn on the altar. The art of compounding unguents and perfumes was well known In Egypt, wlicre sweet-scented spices were extensively used not only in common life, but in the ritual of the temples. Most of the ingredients here mentioned have been found on minute examination of mummies and other Egyptian relics; and the Israel-
ites, therefore, would have the best opportunities of acquiring In that country the skill in pounding and nilx-
tni; them which they were called to exercise In the service of the tabernacle. But the recipe for the Incenso as well as for the oil In the tabernacle, though It receives illustration from the customs of Egypt, was peculiar, and being prescribed by Divine authority, was to be applied to no common or Inferior purpose.