Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
The Tabernacle Removed. EXODUS XXXIII, xxxrv. The Tables are Benewed.
But Christ actually died for His people (Romans 5. 8). 33. tlie Lord plagfiied tUc people, because tliey made the calf—No irainediate judgments were inflicted, but that the favour was to be restored with some memento jf the rupture; for at the former time God himself had provided the materials, as well as written upon them. Now, Moses was to prepare the stone tables, and Gcd was only to retrace the characters originally Inscribed for the use and guidance of the people, a. present thyself ... to me In the top of the mount—Not absolutely the higlu-st peak; for as the cloud of the ShecUinah usually abode oi the summit, arid yet (v. 5) it "descended," the plain in ference is, that Moses was to station himself at a poiiil not far distant, but still below the loftiest pinnacle. 3. no man shall come up with thee . . . neither . . . flocka nor herds—All these enactments were made in order tliat the law might be a second time renewed with the soU mnity and sanctity that marked its first delivery. 'Ilie whole transaction was ordered so as to impress the people with an awful sense of the holiness of God; and that it; was a matter of no trifling moment to have subjected him, so to speak, to the necessity of re-delivering the law of the ten commandments. 4. Moses . . . took In his hand the two tables of stone—As he had no atlfiidant to diTlde the labour of carrying them, it is evident that they must have been light, and of no great dimensions — probably flat slabs of shale or slate, such as abound in the mountainous region of Horeb. An additional proof of their comparatively small size appears in the circumstance of their being deposited in the ark of the most holy place (ch. 25. 10). 5. the Lord descended In tho cloud—After graciously hovering over the tabernacle, it seems to have resumed its usual position on the summit of the mount. It was the shadow of God manifest to the outward senses; and, at the same time, of God manifest in the flesh. The emblem of a cloud seems to have been chosen to signify that, although He was pleased to make known much about himself, there was more veiled from mortal view. It was to check presumption, and engender awe, and give a humble sense of human attainments in Divine knowledge, as now man sees, but darkly. 6. the Loi-d passed by before him—in this remarkable scene, God performed what He had promisetl to Moses t he day before, proclaimed. The Lord . . . merciful and gracious—At an earlier period He had announced himtliis early lapse into idolatrj' was always mentioned as an aggravation of their subsequent apostasies.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Ver. 1-23. The Lokd Refuseth to Go with the PE0P1.E. 1. tlie Lord said—rather "had" said unto Moses. The conference detailed in this chapter wiust be considered as having occurred prior to the pathetic intercession of Moses, recorded at the close of the preceding chapter; and tlie historian, having mentioned tlie fact of his earnest and painful anxiety, under the overwhelming pressure of which he poured forth that intercessory prayer for his apostate countrymen, now enters on a detailed account of the circumstances. 3. I will not go up . . . lest I consume thee—Here the Lord is represented as determined to do what he afterwards did not. (See on ch.
32. 10). 4-. when the people Iieard these evil tidings from Moses on his descent from the mount. 5. put off thy ornaments—In seasons of mourning, it is customary with Eastern people to lay aside all gewgaws, and divest themselves of their jewels, their gold, and every thing rich and splendid in their dress. This token of their sorrow the Lord required of His offending people, that I may know wliat to do unto thee—The language is accommodated to the feeble apprehensions of men. God judges the state of the heart by the tenor of the conduct. In the case of the Israelites, He cherished a design of mercy; and the moment he discerned the first symptoms of contrition, by their stripping otT their ornaments, as penitents conscious of their error, and sincerely sorrowful, this fact added its weight to the fervency of Moses' prayers, and gave them prevalence with God in behalf of the people. 7. Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp—Not the tabernacle, of which a pattern had been given him, for it was not yet erected, but his o\Vn tent—conspicuous as that of the leader—in a part of which he heard causes, and communed with God about
bo people's interests ; hence called "the tabernacle of the ...ijngregation," and the withdrawal o£ which, in abhorrence from a polluted camp, was regarde<l as the first step In tlie total abandonment with which God had threatened them. 8. all the people rose up, and stootl every man at his tent floor—Its removal produced deep and universal consternation; and it is easy to conceive how anxiously all eyes wouUl be directed towards It; how rajiidly tlie happy intelligence would spread, when a phenomenon was witnessed from which an encouraging hope could be founded. 9-11. the cloutly pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle—How would self to Moses, in the glory of His self-existent and eternal majesty, as " I am ;" now He makes himself known in the glory of His grace and goodness,—attributes that were to be illustriously displayed in the future history and experience of the church. Being about to republish His law, —the sin of the Israelites being forgiven, and the deed of pardon about to be signed and scaled, by renewing tho terms of the former covenant,—it was the most fitting time to proclaim the extent of the Divine mercy which was to be displayed, not in the ease of Israel only, but of all who offend. 8-aO. Moses bowed . . . and worslilpped —In the East, people bow the head to royalty, and are silent when it passes by, while In the West, they take otr their hats and shout. 9. he said. If now I have found grace In thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I prny thee, go among us—On this proclamation, he, in tho overflowing benevolence of his heart, founded an earnest petition
Mie downcast hearts of the people revive—how would the tide of joy swell in every bosom, when the symbolic cloud was seen slowly and majestically to descend, and stand at the entrance of the tabernacle ! as Moses entered—It was when he appeared as their mediator—when he repaired from day today to intercede for them, that welcome token of assurance was given th.at his advocacy prevailed, that Israel's sin was forgiven, and that God would again bo praclous. lS-23. I beseech thee, show me thy glory for the Divine presence being continued with the people and God was pleased to give Ills favourable answer to his Intercession by a renewal of His promise under the form of a covenant, repeating the leading points that formed the conditions of the former national compact. a7,!48. the Lord said unto Moses, Write thou these wowls—j. e., the ceremonial and Judicial iivjunctions comprehended above (r. 11-26); while the re-writing of the ten commandment*! on the newly-prepared slalis was done by God him-
Tills is one of the most mysterious scenes described in the
I'.lble: he had, for his comfort and encouragement, a KpUmdid and full display of the Divine majesty, not in Its nnveiied ef Tulgence, but as far as the weakness of liumanlty wouhl admit. The face, hand, back parts, are to
D'i understood figuratively.
self (cf. Deuteronomy 10. 1-1). lie was there with thfl Lord forty days and forty nights—As long as formcrl.v, being sustained for the execution of his special duties by the miraculous power of God. A special cause Is assigned
CHAPTER XXXIV,
Ver. l-Xy. The Tatu.es ark Reneweb. 1. the Lord snld unto Moses, Ilew thee two tables of stone like unto the first—(Jod having been reconciled to repentant Israel, through tl>e earnest Intercession, the su(^<'eRsful mediation of Moses, means were to lie taken for the restoration of the broken covenant. Intimation was given, bowevcr. In a most intelligible and expreiislve Rianner, for his protracted fast on this second occasion (Deuteronomy !). IH). ^9. Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone when he talked with him— It was an Intlmntlon of the exalted presence Into which he had been admitted and of the glory he had witnessed (2 Corinthians 3. 18,) and In that view, it was a badge of his iih
OimtrilnUions to, Ihe Tahemaxh. EXODUS XXXV, XXXVl. Offering* Delirered lo the Workmen.
office as the ambassador of God. No testimonial needed minded the people that the Individuals entrusted with the application of their gold and silver had l)een nominated to the work by authority to wliicli all would l)OW. 35. Them liath he ftlled with wisflom of lieart— to be produced. Hi' bore his credentials on his very face ftud whether this extraordinary effulgence was a perma Dent or merely temporary distinction, it cannot be doubted that this retlected glory was given him as an honour before all the pet>ple. 30. they were afraid to come uigh him—their fear arose from a sense of guilt,— statement which not only testifies that skill in art and science is a direct gift from God, l)at tliat weaving was especially the business of men in Egypt (see ch.lW. "22; 39.
the beaming radiance of his countenance made him appear to their awe-struck consciences a flaming minister
22, 27), and in perfect harmony with the testimony of the monuments is the account given by Moses to the artists wlio were divinely taught the arts necessary for the embellishment of the tabernacle. Others, whose limited means did not admit of these expensive contributions, ottered their gratuitous services in fiiljricating such articles of tapestry as wei-e needed; arts wiiich the Israelitish females learned as bonds-women, in the houses of Egyptian princes.
of heaven. 3.1. he p«t a veil upon hU face—That veil was with the greatest propriety removed when speaking with the Lord, for every one appears unveiled lo the eye of Omniscience; but it was removed On returning to the people, —and tliis was emblematic of the dark and shadowy character of that dispensation (2 Corinthians 3.
13, 14). CHAPTER XXXV.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Ver. 1-38. Offeuings Delivered to the Workmen.
Ver. 1-35. Contkibittions to the Tabernacle. 1. Noses gathered all the conegation of the clil Ulren of Israel, &c.—On the occasion referred to In the opening of this chapter, the Israelites were specially reminded of the design to erect a magnificent tabernacle for the regular worship of God, as well as of the leading articles that were required to furnish that .sacred edifice. (See on chs.
1. Tlieii wrouglit Bezaleel and Aliollab, and every wise-hearted man, <fcc.—Here is an illustrious example of zeal and activity in the work of the Lord. No unnecessary delay was allowed to take place ; and from tlie moment the first pole Wiis stuck in the ground till the final completion of the .sacred edifice, he and his associates laboured with all tlie energies botli of mind and body engaged in the work. And what was the mainspring of their arduous and untiring diligence? They could be actuated by none of the ordinary motives that give impulse
25., 27., 30., 31). no, fil. All the cougregatiou of lerael departed from the presence of Moses—No exciting harangues wore made, nor had the people Bibles at home in which they could compare the requirements of their leader and see if these things were so. But they had no doubt as to his bearing to' them the will of God, and they were impressed with so strong a sense of Its being their duty, that they made a spontaneous olferof the best and most valuable treasures they possessed, they came, every one whose heart stirred him up—One powerful element doubtless of this extraordinary open-hearted to human industry, by no desire for the acquisition of gain; no ambition for honour; no view of gratifying a mere love of power in directing the labours of a large body of men. They felt the stimulus—the strong irresistible impul.se of higher and holier motives—obedience to the authority, zeal for tlie glory, and love to the service of God. 3. they brouglit yet unto liim free oflerings every morning, &c.—Jloses, in common with other Oriliberality, was the remembrance of their recent transgression, which made them " zealous of good works" (ef. 2 Corinthians 7. 11). But along with this motive, there were others of a higlier and nobler kind—a principle of love to God and devotedness to His service, an anxious desire to secure the benefit of His presence, and gratitude for the tokens of His Divine favour: it was under the combined influence of these considerations that the peoental magistrates, had his morning levees for receiving the people (see on ch. 18. 13), and it was while he was performing his magisterial duties that the people brought unto him freewill offerings every morning. Some who had nothing but their manual labour to give would spend a great part of the night iu hastening to complete their self-imposed task before the early dawn; others might find their hearts constrained by silent meditations on ple were so willing and ready to pour their contributions into that exchequer of the sanctuary, every one whom his spti-it iaad« willing—Human nature is always the same, and it is implied that while an extraordinary spirit of pious liberality reigned in the bosoms of the people at large, there were exceptions—some who were too fond of the world, who loved their possessions more than their God, and who could not part with these; no, not for the gervice of the tabernacle. !2^. tliey came, both men and women, &c.—lil., "the men over and above the women ;" a phraseology which implies that the women acted a prominent part, presented their ot Terings fijst, and then were followed by as many of their male companions as were similarly disposed, brought bracelets, &c.—Money in the form of coins or bullion there was none in that early age. What money passed current with the merchant consisted of rings which were weighed, and principally of ornaments for personal decoration. Astonishment at the abundance of their ornaments is at an end when we learn that costly and elegant ornaments abounded in proportion as clothing was simple and scarce among the Egyptians, and some, entirely divested of clothing, yet wore rich necklaces. [Hengstenbero.] Amongst people with Oriental sentiments and tastes, Bcarcely any stronger proof could have been given of the power of religion than their willingness not onlj' to lay uslde, but to devote those much-valued trinkets to the house of God; and thus all, like the Eastern sages, laid the best they had at the service of God. 30. See. the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, &c. —MOHCB had made this communication before. But now that the collection had been made, the materials were contributed, and the operations of building about to be oomioenced, it was with the greatest jjropriety be retheir beds to open their coffers and give a part of their hoarded treasure to the pious object. All whose hearts were touched by piety, penitence, or gratitude, repaired with eager haste into the presence of Moses, not as heretofore, to have their controversies settled, but to lay on his tribunal their contributions to the sanctuary of God
(2 Corinthians 9. 7). they (the workmen) received of Moses all tlie oftering which tlie children of Israel had brought, &e.—It appears that the building was begun after the first few contributions were made; it was progressively carried, and no necessity occurred to suspend operations even for the shortest Interval, from want of the requisite materials. 5. they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough, Ac-By the calculations which the practised eyes of the workmen enabled them to make, they were unanimously of opinion that the supply already far exceeded the demand, and that no more contributions were required. Such a report reflects the highest honour on their character as men of the strictest honour and integrity, who, notwithstanding they had command of an untold amount of the most precious things, and might, without any risk of human discovery, have appropriated much to theit own use, were too high principled for such acts of peculation. Forthwith, a proclamation was issued to stop further contribu Uons. 35. he made a veil of blue—the second or inner veil, which separated the holy from the most holy place, embroidered with cherubim and of great size and thickness. 37. made an hanging for the . . . door—curtains of elaborately wrought niedlework are often suspended over the entrance to tents of the great nomad sheicks, and throughout Persia, at the entrance of summer tents, mosques, and palaces. They are pre-
Fwniture of the Tabernacle. EXODUS XXXVII—XXXIX. Oarmems cf the Prieds.
ferred as cooler and more elegant tlian wooden doors. This chapter contains an Instructive narrative: it is the sources in the camp was exhausted, it is interesting to learn how zealously and to a vast extent they surrendered those valued accompaniments of the female toih't. of the -women assembling ... at the door—not priestesses but females of pious character and influence, who frequented the courts of the sacred building (Luke 2. 37), and whose parting with their mirrors, like the cutting tlie hair of the Nazarites, was tlieir renouncing the world for a season. [Hengstenberg.J 0. the court—It occupied a space of one hundred and fifty feet by seventy-five, and first instance of donations made for the worship of God, given from tlie wages of the people's sufl'erings and toils. They were acceptable to God (Philippians 4. 18), and if the Israelites showed such liberality, how mucli more should those whose privilege it is to live under the Christian dispensation (1 Corinthians 6. 20; 16. 2). CHAPTEE XXXVII.
it was enclosed by curtains of fine linen about eiglit feet, high, suspended on brazen or copper pillars. Those fenrtains were secured hy rotls fastened to the top, and kept extended by being fastened to pins stuck in tlie grouud. 10. hooks—the hooks of the pillars in the court were for hanging up tlie carcasses of the sacrificial beasts—tliose on the pillars at the entry of tlie tabernacle were for hanging the sacerdotal robes and other things u.sed in the service. 11. sockets—mortices or holes in which the end of the pillars stood. 17. chapiters—or capitals of the
Ver. 1-29. Furniture of the Tabernacle. 1. Bezaleel made tlie arlt—^The description here given of the things within the sacred edifice is almost word for word the same as that contained in ch. 25. It is not on that account to be regarded as a useless repetition of minute particulars; for by the enumeration of these details,
It can be seen how exactly every thing was fashioned according to the "pattern shown on tlie mount; " and the knowledge of this exact correspondence between the prescription and the execution was essential to the purposes of the fabric. 6-10. made tlie mercy-seat of pure gold —To construct a figure, whether the body of a beast or a man, with two extended wings, measuring from two to three feet from tip to lip, witli the hammer, out of a solid piece of gold, was what few, if any, artisans of the present day could accomplish. 17-32. he made tlie candlestick of pure gold—Practical readers will be apt to say, " Why do such works with the hammer, when tliey could have been cast so mucii easier—a process they were well acquainted with ?" The only answer that can be given is, that it was done according to order. We have no doubt but there were reasons for so distinctive an order, something significant, whieli has not been revealed to us. [Napier.] The whole of that sacred building was arranged with a view to inculcate throngli every part of its apparatus tlie great fundamental principles of revelapillars, were wooden posts which ran along their top, tc wliicii were attached the hooks for the hangings. 18. the height in the breadth—or in the measure. The sense ia that tlie hangings of the court gate, which was twenty cubits wide, were of the same height as the Iiangings all round the court. [Wall.] 31. Tlils is tlie sum of the tabernacle—Having completed his description of the component parts of the tabernacle, the inspired historian digresses into a statement respecting the gold and silver employed in it, the computation being niatle according to an order of Jloses—by the Levites, under the direction of Ithamar, Aaron's youngest son. 24. twenty and nine talents, and seven liuiulred and thirty shekels equivalent to £150,000 sterling. 35. the silver of them that were iiumbered—G0".,550 men at half a shekel each would contribute 301,775 shekels; which at 2s. id. each, amounts to £.>5,'207 sterling. It ma.v seem difficult to imagine how the Israelites should be possessed of so much wealth in the desert; but it should lie remembered that they were enriched first by the spoils of the Egyptians, and afterwards by those of the Amalekites. Besides, It, tion. Every object was symbolical of important truth every piece of furniture was made tlie liieroglyphic of a doctrine or a duty—on the floor and along the sides of that movable eiliflce was exliil)ited, by emblematic signs addressed to tlie eye, the whole remedial scheme of the gospel. How far tliis spiritual instruction M'as received by every successive generation of tlie Israelites, it may not be easy to determine. But tlie tabernacle, lilvc the law of which it was a part, was a schoolmaster to Christ; and is highly probable that during their sojourn they traded with the neighbouring nations who bordered on the wilderness. [Hewlett.]
CHAPTER XXXIX.
lust as the walls of schools are seen studded witli pictorial flgures, by wliicli tlie cliildren, in a manner level to tlieir capacities and suited to arrest their volatile minds, are kept in constant and familiar renifmlirance of the lessons of piety and virtue ; so the taliernacle was intended Iiy its furniture and all its arrangements to .serve as a "sluwiow of good things to come." In this view, tlie minute description given In this chapter respecting the ark and mercy-seat, tlie table of showbread, the candlestick, the altar of incense, and the liolyoll, were of the greatest utility and importance; and though there are a few things that are merely ornamental appendages, .such as
Ver. 1-43. Garments of the Prie.sts. 1.. cloths of service—official robes. The epho<l of the liigh priest. Die rolie of the ephod, the gircile of needlework and the broidered coat were all of fine linen; for on no material less delicate could such elaborate symbolical flgures hn.\e been portrayed in embroider.v, and all l)eautifled with the same brilliant colours. (See on ch. 2.S.) 3. cut tlic gold into wires to work it— i. c, the metal was bentcii with a hammer into f liin plates—cut witli scissors or some other instrument into long slips—then rounded into filaments or threads. " Cloth of golden tissue is not uncommon on the monuments, and specimens of it liave been found tlie knops and the flowers, yet, in iiitrodu<'iiiK these Into the tabernacle, God displayed the same M isilom andgoodness as He has done by introducing real Howers into the kingdom of nature to engage and gratify the eye of man.
rolled about mummies; but it Is not easy to determino whether the gold thread was originally illfervoven or subsi(iuently inserted by the embroiderer." [Taylor.] 30. a writing, like to tl>o engrnvlngs of a signet—the seal-ring worn both by ancient and modern Eg.vptlivns on the little finger of the right h.-ind, contained, inscribed on a (•ornelian or other juccious stone, along with the owner's name, a religious sentiment or sacred symbol. Intimating that he was the servant of (Jod, or <-xpre.ss!ve of trust In Him. And it was to this practice the lns<-r!ptlon on the high priest alludes (ef. .Joshua 3. !!3\ 34. (]t« covering of rnms' skin dyed reil—(See eh. '2.5. 7). It was
CHAPTER XXXVIIT.
Ver. 1-31. Furniture of the Tap.ernacle! 1. Ilie nltar of burnt of Tering—The repetitions are continued.
In wliich may lie traced the e.vnct conformlt.v of the execution to the order. 8. laver of brass ... of the lonk Ing-gln Hxe* of the women—the word m/jTor.s should have been used, as those imiilemeiits, usually round, insert(>d Into a handle of wood, stone, or ineliil, were made of brass, silver, or bronze, highly polished. [Wilkinson.]
red morocco li'ather, and "h»<lgcis' skins," rather "the skins of the /(i/)<i.ih, supposed lo be the dii-
It was customary for the Kgyptlan women tocarry mirrors goiig, or dolphin of the lied Sea, the skin of which ts witli them to the temples; and whether by taking the looking-glasses of the Hebrew women Moses designed to still used by the Arabs under the same appcllntuiti."
Hioss.l 4.3. nioses did look upon nil the work, nud, bcliold, tiiey liail done It as <he Lord had eoiiiiitiinded —A formal Inspection was made on the completion of liij put It out of their power to follow a similar practice at
Xlxn tubernacle, or whether the supply of brass from other
With tke Court of the Tabernacle Tjco d XW ^-^TT.
TAiB K ]R JUA€Ij]E ir N 1' © V IE ffi K B , Kxod.XXI'V/
A TluPlarr B r/ie iiiost ffolu or Nn/i/ tfHo/ies