Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Delivery of the Law and Covenant. EXODUS XXV. Concerning an Offering.
Mood, and sprinkled it on the people—probably on the twelve pillars, as represeuting the people (also Uie book, Hebrews 9. 19), and the act was accompanied by a public pioclamation of its import. It was setting their seal to the covenant (of. 1 Corinthians II. 25). It must have been a deeply impressive, as well as instructive scene, for it taught the Israelites that the covenant was made with them only through the sprinkling of blood— that the Divine acceptance of themselves and services, was only by virtue of an atoning sacritice, and that even the blessings of the national covenant were promised and secured to them only through grace. The ceremonial, however, had a further and higher significance, as is shown by the apostle (see as above). 9. Then went np Moses and Aaron—In obedience to a command given {v. 1, 2 ; also cli.
their sovereign, they were expected to contribute to His state, as other subjects to their kings; and the "ottering" required of them was not to be imposed as a tax, but to come from their own loyal and liberal feelings. 3. this ia the offering which ye sliall take of them—The articles of which the offerings should consist, brass—rather copper, brass being a composite metal. 4. goats' hair—or leather of goats' skin. 5. badgers' skin—Tlie badger was an unclean animal, and is not a native of the East—rather some kind of fish, of the leather of which sandals are made in the East, shittlm wood—or Shittah (Isaiah 41. 19), the acacia, a shrub which grows plentifully in the deserts of Arabia, yielding a light, strong, and beautiful wood, in long planks. 7. Ephod—a square cloak, hanging down from the shoulders, and worn by priests. 8. a sanctuary tliat I may dwell among them—In one sense the tabernacle was to be a palace, the royal residence of the king of Israel, in which he was to dwell amongst his people, receive their petitions, and issue his responses. But it was also to be a place of worship. In which God was to record His name and to enshrine the mystic symbols of His presence. 9. According to all tliat I show tliee, after tlie pattern of the tabernacle—The proposed erection could be in the circumstances of tlie Israelites, not of a fixed and stable but of a temporary and movable description, capable of being carried about with them in their various sojournings. It was made after " the pattern " shown to Moses, by which is now generally understood, not that it was an unheard-of novelty, or an entirely original structure, for it is ascertained to have borne resemblance in form and arrangements to the style of an Egyptian temple, but tliat it was so altered, modified, and purified from all idolatrous associations, as to be appropriated to right objects, and suggestive of ideas connected witli the true God and His worship. 10. an nrk—a coffer or chest, overlaid with gold, tlie dimensions of which, taking the cubit at eighteen inches, are computed to be t luee feet nine inches in length, two feet three inches in breadth. 11. a crown—a rim or cornice. 13. rings—staples for the poles, with which it was to be carried from place to place. 15. staves shall be in the rings of the ark i. e., alwaya remain in the rings, wlietlier the ark be at rest or in motion. 16. tlie testimony—that is, tlie two tables of stone, containing the ten commandments, and called " tlie Testimony," because by it God did testify His sovereign authority over Israel as His people, His selection of them as the guardians of His will and worship, and His displeasure in the event of their transgressing His laws ; while on their part, by receiving and depositing this law in its appointed place, they testified their acknowlciiginent of God's right to rule over them, and their submission to tlie authority of His law. The superb and elaborate style of
19. 24), previous to the religious engagement of the people, now described. Nadab and Ablhu—the two eldest sons of Aaron, seventy of tlie elders—a select number ; what was the principle of selection is not said; but they were the chief representatives, the most conspicuous for oflicial rank and station, as well as for their probity and weight of character in their respective tribes. 10. they sa%v the God of Israel—That there was no visible form or representation of the Divine nature, we have express intimation (Deuteronomy 4. 15). But a symbol or emblem of HiS gl( >ry was distinctly, and at a distance, displayed before those chosen witnesses. Many think, however, that in this private scene was discovered, amid the luminous blaze, the faint adumbrated form of the humanity of Christ (Ezekiel 1.26; cf. Galatians 3.24). sapphire—one of the most valuable and lustrous of the precious gems of a sky-blue or liglit azure colour, and frequently chosen to describe the throne of God (see Ezekiel 1.26; 10.1). 11. npon the nohles of the clilldren of Israel lie laid not his hand—The " nobles," i. e., the elders, after the sprinkling of the iflood, were not inspired with terror in presence of the calm, benign, radiant symbol of the Divine majesty; so dift'erent from the terrific exhibitions at the giving of the law. The report of so many competent witnesses would tend to confirm the people's faith in the divine mission of Moses, eat and drink —feasted on the peace offering—on the remnants of the late sacrifices and libations. This feast had a prophetic bearing, intimating God"s dwelling with men. 13. I will give thee tables of stone—The ten commandments, whicli had already been spoken, were to be given In a permanent form. Inscribed on stone, for greater durability, by the hand of God himself, they were thus authenticated and honoured above the judicial or ceremonial parts of the law. 13. Moses Avent up Into the mount of God—He was called to receive the Divine transcript. Joshua was taken a little higlier, and it would be a great comfort for the leader to have his company during the six days he was in patient waiting for the call on the seventh or sabliath-day. 14. he said unto the elders, Tarry ye Iiere for us—There is a circular valley or hollow a good way up on thebrowof Jebel Musa, which WIS their halting-place, while he alone was privileged to asct nd the highest peak. The people stood below, as in the "outer court," the elders in the "lioly place," Moses, as a type of Christ, in "the holy of holies." 18. Mosa-s went Into the midst of the cloud—the visible tolcen of God's presence. Divine grace animated and suiiported him to enter with holy boldness. Moses was In the mount forty days and forty niglits—Tl\e six days spent in waiting are not included. During that protracted period lie was miraculously supported (Deuteronomy 9.
tlie ark that contained " the Testimony" was emblematic of the great treasure it held; in otlier words, the incomparable value and excellence of the Word of God, while its being placed In this chest furtlier showed the great care which (Jod has ever taken for preserving it. 17. thou shalt make a mercy-scat of pure gold—to serve as a lid, covering it exactly. It was "the propitiatory cover," as tlie term may be rendered, denoting tlial Clirist, our great propitiation, has fully answered all the demands of the law, covers our transgressions, and comes between us and the curse of a violated law. 18. two chrriiblm—The real meimlng of tlieso figures, as well as tile shape or form of tliem, is not known with certainty probably similar to wliat was afterwards introduced Into the temple, and described, Ezekiel 10. Tliey stretched out their wings, and their faces were turned towards the mercy-seat, probably in a bowing attitude. Tlie prevailing opinion now is, tliat those splendid figures were symbolical not of angelic but of earthly and lunnan beings— the members of the church of God interested ii» tlie dispensation of grace, the redeemed In every age—and tViat these hieroglyphic forms symbo UzcHl tlio qualities of the true people of God—courage, patience, intelligence, and activity. 33. there I wlU meet with tlice, and I will commune with thee fi-om al>ovc tlic mercy-seat—The SliecJiinah or symbol of the Divine presence rested on the
9), on a peak scarcely thirty paces In compass. CHAPTER XXV.
Ver. 1-40. Concerning an Offerinq. 1. the liord spake unto Moses, &c.—The business tliat chiefly occupied Moses on the mount, whatever otherdlsclosures were made to him there, was In receiving directions about the tabcrna<de, and tliey are here recorded as given to him.
ti. bring iiie an ofl Tvrlngt of every man that glvcth It willingly, &c,—Having declared allegiance to God as 64