Author: Art Davison

LESSON 44

THE PRIESTLY GARMENTS COMPLETED

By E. L. Bynum, Pastor

Memory Verse: 39:32————Lesson: Ex. 39:1-32

The garments of the priest were a symbol of service “in the beauty of holiness.” I Chron. 16:29, Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Believers are also to adorn themselves for service. Eph. 4:24, And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. I Thess. 3:13, To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. I Thess. 4:7, For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. “As the Lord commanded” is stated seven times in this lesson: vv. 1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29 & 31. Faithfulness is required, success is supplied by the Lord.

I. THE MATERIAL USED. v. 1

A. The Color Of Significance. (See Lesson 30)

1. Blue-Heavenly

2. Purple-Royalty

3. Scarlet-Sacrifice or earthly.

B. The Cloths Of Service.

1. Made to contribute to the service of God.

2. Made to be adorned by the priest.

C. The Place Of Service.

1. God’s presence makes a place holy. Ex. 3:5

2. A holy place requires separated service. Heb. 7:26, For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.

3. A holy service requires an anointed priest. Ex. 28:41. (Heb. 7:26, above) Acts 10:38, How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

4. A holy person requires holy garments. Ex. 35:19. 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. Rom. 8:3, For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. II Cor. 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

II. THE EPHOD. v. 2-7; Ex. 28:5-14.

A. The Material Construction. v. 2-3

1. Gold-deity; Blue-heavenly; Purple-royalty; Scarlet-sacrifice blood redemption; Linen-righteousness.

2. The gold beaten. Isa. 53:4-5, Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

3. The Gold cut into wires. Isa. 53:8, He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

4. The Gold woven together with “cunning work.” 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.

B. The Shoulder Pieces & The Curious Girdle. v. 4-5

1. Made in two pieces coupled at the shoulders.

2. The “curious girdle” was interlaced with, and a part of the ephod. (Not to be confused with the “girdle” of v. 29.)

C. The Stones For A Memorial. v. 6-7

1. The names of the children of Israel rested on the priests’ shoulders.

a. Bearing them before the Father. John 17:11, And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

b. The shoulder represents strength for the work. Isa. 40:28, Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

2. As the high priest went in before God bearing the names of the children of Israel, so also our High Priest bears our, names before the Father. Luke 10:20, Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. John 17:20-21, Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

III THE BREASTPLATE. v. 8-21; Ex. 15-30

A. The Breastplate Of Judgement. v. 8-14

1. “Cunning work” of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, linen. v. 8

2. The size and shape. v. 9

3. The setting of the precious stones. v. 10-13

4. The names of the twelve tribes. v. 14. (See Lesson #30.)

B. The Breastplate Attached To The Ephod. v. 15-21

1. Attached by golden chains and ouches. A divine work. John 9:4, I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

2. It was a memorial upon the priests’ heart.

3. It was not to be separated from the ephod. v. 21

4. As the shoulder bears the names of the tribes Israel, representing the strength of the Lord, so the breastplate represents His constant love

IV. THE ROBE, POMEGRANATES, BELLS. v. 22-26

(See notes on Lesson 30)

A. The Robe Of Blue. v. 22-23; Ex. 23:31-34

1. Signifies high-priestly authority from heaven. v. 22. 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.

2. Signifies the strength of this authority. v. 23

B. The Pomegranates & Bell. v. 24-25

1. A reminder of the service to a performed. Psa. 89:15, Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. Num. 15:38-40, Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

2. The people knew the priest was still active by the sound of the bells. 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.

V. THE COAT, MITRE, BONNET, & GIRDLE. v. 27-29

Ex. 28:39-43

These were the ordinary garments of the priest, “for Aaron and his sons.” (See notes on lesson 30.)

VI. THE HOLY CROWN. v. 30-31; Ex. 28:36-38

A. Worn Upon The Forehead. v. 30; Ex. 28:38

1. To bear the “iniquity of the holy things.” Isa. 53:11-12, He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

2 . To assure acceptance “before the Lord.”

B. Fastened Firmly. v. 31

1. By a lace of blue.

2. By the command of the Lord.

VII. THE FINISHED WORK. v. 32

1. They made the tabernacle according to God’s pattern. Deut. 12:32, What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. Heb. 8:5, Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

2. Ever New Testament Church is to be built according to God’s pattern. Matt. 28:18-20, And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

—by W. W. Mosley & E. L. Bynum

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. How many times in this lesson do we hear these words: “As the Lord commanded Moses”?

2. What is the significance of this number?

3. Name the pieces of the garments of the priest and briefly explain their position and purpose.

4. What do the colors and the cloth represent in v. 1?

LESSON 43

COURT OF THE TABERNACLE & IT’S FURNITURE

By E. L. Bynum, Pastor

Memory Verse: Ex. 38:8————Lesson: Ex. 38:1-31

I . THE FURNITURE FOR THE COURT. v. 1-8

A. The Making Of The Brazen Altar. v. 1-7 (See Lesson 29)

1. The wood speaks of the humanity of Jesus Christ. v. 1. He was born in a stable. Luke 2:7, And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. He was circumcised in obedience to the law. Luke 2:21, And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. He was subject to Joseph and Mary. Luke 2:51, And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. He was tempted and He hungered. Luke 4:2, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. He became weary. John 4:6. These and many other things during his earthly life, show forth His humanity.

2. The brass speaks of His righteous judgment, v. 2. Brass is unbending and unyielding. When Christ pronounced judgment this was a manifestation of the brass qualities of His nature. Matt. 11:20-24, Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. (See Luke 16:19-31.) The brazen altar in typical form sets forth the righteousness, justice, and holiness of God, which was satisfied by the death of Christ. In a very real sense it typifies the cross. 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? (See Heb.10:1-14.)

3. The horns were for binding the sacrifice on the altar. v. 2. Christ was nailed to the cross, but it was love that held Him there. Matt. 26:53, Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

4. The vessels and grates were used in making the sacrifices. v. 3-4

5. The pans were to receive the ashes. v. 3. Ex. 27:3, And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basons, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass. The ashes were poured out in a clean place outside the camp. Lev. 4:12, Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt. They represented the body of the sacrificial animal after the sacrifice was made. They are a type of the body of Christ, which was laid in a clean place after He had paid the sin debt on the cross. His body was placed in a new tomb.

6. The rings and stave made it portable to be taken where there was a need. v. 5-7. A type of Christ’s availability.

B. The Making Of The Layer Of Brass. v. 8 (See Lesson 34)

1. It was a place of sanctification and of cleansing. The priests had been washed all over, but even so they must have their hands and feet washed daily Those who serve God today are to be clean. Psa. 24:3-4, Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Psa. 119:9, Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Isa. 52:1, Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

2. After we are saved, we need daily cleansing to serve Him.

3. The brass was given by the women. Here consecration won over vanity. They assembled at the door of the tabernacle, to serve and worship God. They first gave themselves.

II. THE COURT AND ITS GATE. V. 9-20 (See Lesson 29)

A. The Fence Of The Court Made. v. 9-17

1. The fine twined linen represents the righteousness of Christ. I Cor. 1:30, But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. It also is a type of that righteousness which is imputed to us. II Cor. 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Rev. 19:8, And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

2. The pillars are a type of His body (the church) that upholds His righteousness (the linen fence). v. 10

3. The brazen sockets a type of His righteous judgment, which is the basis of upholding righteousness. v. 10

4. The fillets of silver (redemption) are necessary to uphold the fence (righteousness). v. 10

B. The Gate Of The Court Made. v. 18-20

1. The gate sets forth in typical fashion the spiritual beauties of Christ.

2. The gate speaks of Christ the door. John 10:1-7

3. The court suggests separation, one of the great doctrines of the Bible. II Cor. 6:17, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you.

4. All are shut out from the presence of God, unless they come by the door.

III. THE METAL FOR THE TABERNACLE. v. 21-31

A. It Was Committed To Faithful Men. v. 21-23

1. It was properly counted and cared for. v. 21

2. It was properly used by skilled workmen. v. 22-23

B. The Gold For The Tabernacle. v. 24

We can only estimate the weight and value of the gold, but it was indeed a vast amount. One estimate (not the largest) is that there were approximately 2,206 pounds of gold. At $400 per ounce, this would amount to $14,118,400.00.

C. The Silver For The Tabernacle. v. 25-28

One estimate was 7,604.7 pounds of silver. At $15.00 an ounce this would be $1,825,125.00. Where did they get such vast sums? They had lived in Egypt where gold was plentiful. They borrowed from the Egyptians. Ex. 11:2, Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold. To borrow did not suggest that they were promising to take give it back. The Hebrew word for borrow, is translated in the following ways. ( AV – ask 94, enquire 22, desire 9, require 7, borrow 6, salute 4, demand 4, lent 4, request 3, earnestly 2, beg 2, misc 16; 173) They may have gained gold and silver from Amalek. Ex. 17

D. The Brass For The Tabernacle. v . 29-31

1. Brass stands for judgment in the Bible. The Brazen Serpent was lifted up when the people had sinned, and the fiery serpents were biting the people. Num. 21:6-9, And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

2. That Brazen Serpent was a type of the lifting of Christ on the cross for our sins. John 3:14-16, And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

—by E. L. Bynum

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Name the two pieces of furniture for the court.

2. Give the typical meaning of both.

3. What is the typical meaning of brass?

4. Where were the ashes from the altar placed?

5. What Bible doctrine does the court point us to?

6. What were the pillars set in?

7. What metal was used in the making of the fillets?

8. What is the typical meaning of the gate of the court?

LESSON 42

BUILDING FURNITURE FOR THE TABERNACLE

By E. L. Bynum, Pastor

Memory Verse: Ex. 37:6————Lesson: Ex. 37:1-29

They were to build all things according to God’s pattern, so the Church today should give due respect to God’s Word in order to build all things according to every jot and tittle of His Word. Matt. 5:18, For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. God delights in sincere obedience and keeps an exact account of it. The only way we can build our lives and our families is to follow His plan recorded in His Word.

I. THE FURNITURE FOR THE MOST HOLY PLACE. v. 1-9

A. The Making Of The Ark. v. 1-5

1. Made of wood, a type of the humanity of Christ. v. 1. Wood was obtained by cutting down a living tree. Christ was cut down in order to provide a meeting place between God and man. Heb. 2:9-16, But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, … in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings … in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

2. It was overlaid with pure gold. v. 2. It had to be pure if it was to represent gold that came from God, to typify Christ. I John 3:3, And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Matt. 5:8, Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

3. The crown. v. 2. It speaks of Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

4. The rings and staves. v. 3-5. They speak of Christ the ever living, ever present Saviour who abides with His people.

5. The ark as a type of Christ our Saviour.

a. The ark went before the people. John 10:4, And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

b. When they were camped it was in the midst of the people, just as Christ is today. Matt. 18:20, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Rev. 1:13, And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. Rev. 1:20, …and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

c. It went down into Jordan the place of death first. Josh. 3:3, And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. So Christ went down into death before us and for us. Rom. 6:3-4, Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Col. 3:1-4, If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

d. God’s people were to follow the ark. Josh. 3:3. So we are to follow Christ. Heb. 12:1-2, Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

e. The ark led in bringing down the walls of Jericho. Josh. 6:4, And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. Col. 2:14-15, Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

f. When the ark was taken by the enemy, Israel fled. I Sam. 4:17-18, And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. Mark 14:50, And they all forsook him, and fled.

g. The ark brought death to the Philistines. I Sam. 5:10, Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people. Christ is a saviour of death to the unsaved unbeliever. II Cor. 2:15-16, For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

h. Dagon fell before the ark. I Sam. 5:2-4, When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. All false religion will someday fall before Christ.

i. The ark brought blessing to Obededom. II Sam. 5:25, And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household. Christ brings blessing to the house obedient believers today.

j. The ark was carried by the sons of Kohath, chosen men of Levi. Christ chose, and commissioned His Church to carry His name to the heathen. Num. 4:15, And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.

k. The ark brought to the proper resting place. Christ is se seated in His proper place at the right hand of the Father. I Chron. 16:1, So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.

B. The Making Of The Mercy Seat. v. 6-9

1 . The golden mercy seat speaks of the divine person, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. v. 6

2. It was made of gold, showing that all mercy is divine and comes down from God. v. 6

3. Mercy seat (the Hebrew (“capporeth”) means a covering. The law was covered by the mercy n the day of atonement their sins were here covered by the blood.

4. The cherubims made of one piece of gold beaten out. v.7-9. This speaks of the suffering of Christ as He was beaten for us/

II. THE FURNITURE FOR THE HOLY PLACE. v. 10-29

A. The Making Of The Table Of Shewbread. v. 10-16

1. The wood speaks of His humanity. v. 10

2. The gold speaks of His deity. v. 11

3. The crown speaks of His kingship. v. 11

4. The table speaks of fellowship and communion in Christ.

5. The shewbread speaks of Christ the bread of Life, who satisfies our every need. John 6:35, And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

B. The Making Of The Golden Candlestick. v. 17-24

1. The candlestick sets forth Christ as the light of the world. John 8:12, Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

2. The pure gold speaks of His deity and shows us that the light is divine light.

3. The beaten work sets forth the sufferings of Christ, in order to provide a light to lighten the Gentiles and Israel.

4. The almonds, knops and flowers set forth the resurrection life and fruitfulness of Christ.

C. The Making Of The Altar Of Incense. v. 25-28

1. The wood speaks of His humanity. v. 25

2. The gold speaks of His deity. v. 26

3. The altar speaks of His intercession for us.

D. the Making of the Anointing Oil and the Incense. V. 29

1. Christ was anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows. Heb. 1:8, But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

2. Christ lifts us up through intercession.

—by E. L. Bynum

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Where was the ark kept and of what was it made?

2. What did these materials speak of?

3. What does the crown represent or typify?

4. How was the ark a type of Christ?

5. What material was used in making the mercy seat?

6. What is the meaning of “mercy seat?”

7. How did the beaten work of the cherubims typify Christ?

8. Name the three pieces of furniture in the Holy Place and what each one typifies.

LESSON 41

THE BUILDING OF THE TABERNACLE

—by E. L. Bynum

Memory Verse: Ex. 36:5————Lesson: Ex. 36:1-38

Although we have studied Ex. 26 which is quite similar to this chapter, nevertheless there is a difference. In Ex. 26 God is telling them what to build, but in Ex. 36 we have their obedience in building. Also, it furnishes us an excellent review of some of the truths that we previously studied.

I. THE WORKMAN AND THE OFFERINGS. v. 1-7

A. The sufficiency Of The Workmen. v. 1-3

1. They had sufficient wisdom and understanding. v. 1. This was provided by the all sufficient Lord.

2. They had sufficient plans from the Lord. v. 1. Notice that service to God is not to from the head, but from the heart. A head full of knowledge is worth very little to a person with an empty heart.

3. They had sufficient workers. v. 2. There is a need at this present time, for our hearts to be stirred up to serve God. Acts 6:3, Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4. They had sufficient materials. v. 3

B. The Sufficiency Of The Offerings. v. 4-7

1. The offering was more than enough. v. 4-5. How sad that modern churches have departed from God’s plan of tithes and freewill offerings and have substituted pledges, every member canvas, and high pressure offerings. A church that is walking in the truth and the Spirit will have their NEEDS supplied. I Cor. 16:2, Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. II Cor. 8:1-5, How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. II Cor. 9:6-8, But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

2. The people restrained from giving. v. 6-7

II. THE COVERING FOR THE TABERNACLE. v. 8-19

A. LinenThe First Covering. v. 8-13

1. Made by wise hearted men. v. 8. Only God could cause them to be wise hearted. “The talents with which God has intrusted the believer are not to be laid up but laid out. Have your tools ready and God will find you work.” Brooks

2. The fine twine linen speaks of Christ’s righteousness, which He imputes to His saints. v. 8. Rev. 19:8, And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Isa. 64:6, But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Eph. 3:8, 10, 16, Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; … To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, … That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.

3. The colors. v. 8. Blue speaks of His coming from heaven. Purple speaks of His royalty. Scarlet speaks of His blood.

4. The description of the curtains. v. 9-13. Loops of blue and taches of gold. (A tache was a hook and the selvedge was extreme edge). The taches unite the curtains and they typify Christ’s unity with the Father and with His people. He also unites the Father and redeemed man in Himself.

B. Goats’ HairThe Second Covering. v. 14-18

1. The goats’ hair reminds us of the atonement (Lev. 16:5-22), and the sin offering v. 14. Num. 28: 22, And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you. Num. 29:2, 5, And ye shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year without blemish: … And one kid of the goats for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you.

2. The dimensions and descriptions of this curtain. v. 15-18. The number of curtains were eleven. This was one more than the linen curtains, in order to overlap.

3. They were longer, to overlap and cover the linen curtain. Each panel was 45′ x 6′ and the whole curtain was 45′ x 66′.

C. The Rams’ Skins Dyed RedThe Third Covering. v. 19

1. The ram was the offering of consecration for the priests. Lev. 8:22-29, And he brought the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram. And he slew it; and Moses took of the blood of it, and put it upon the tip of Aaron’s right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot. And he brought Aaron’s sons, and Moses put of the blood upon the tip of their right ear, and upon the thumbs of their right hands, and upon the great toes of their right feet: and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about. 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: 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: And he put all upon Aaron’s hands, and upon his sons’ hands, and waved them for a wave offering before the LORD. 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. And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses’ part; as the LORD commanded Moses.

2. The red speaks of Christ’s precious blood that was shed.

D. Badgers’ SkinsThe Fourth Covering. v. 19

1. The badgers’ skins covering was the outer one.

2. It was made from the same material that they used for shoes.

3. From the outside it appeared drab and not beautiful. This was what the stranger would see, but from the inside they saw the beautiful linen curtain.

4. It was the same with Christ. Isa. 53:2-3, For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

5. It is the same with Christianity and with the New Testament Church. The world looks from the outside and cannot see the glory and beauty on the inside.

III. THE WALLS & THE FOUNDATION. v. 20-23

A. The Boards Of The Walls. v. 20-23

1. The wood is a type of His humanity. v. 20

2. The description of the boards. v. 21-23. Each board was 15 feet by 27 inches. The tenons were fingers on the bottom ends of the boards to secure it to the foundation of silver.

B. The Foundation Of The Walls. v. 24-30

1. The silver foundation made from ransom money. Ex. 30:11-16; 38:25-27. Each socket weighed about 80 to 100 pounds.

2. This silver speaks of our redemption. I Pet. 1:18-19, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Lev. 17:11, For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Heb. 9:22, And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

C. The Bars Of The Walls. v. 31-33

1. These bars were for stability. Five is the number of grace. v. 31-32

2. The middle bar may have been invisible, and speaks of the Holy Spirit. v. 33

D. The Covering For The Boards Of The Walls. v. 34

Gold speaks of His deity.

IV. THE VAILS OF THE TABERNACLE. v. 35-38

A. The Inner VailSeparating The Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. v. 35-36

1. The material from which it was made. v. 35

2. The method of hanging it. v. 36

3. It was a type of Christ, who opened up a new and living way of access to God. Heb. 10:19-20, Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.

4. He rent the veil by His death, and made a way for us to have access to God. Matt. 27:50-51, Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.

B. The Outer VailThe Entrance To The Tabernacle. v. 37-38

It also typifies Christ, the only way to fellowship and service.

—by E. L. Bynum

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What were the qualifications of the workmen and how did they obtain them.

2. How well did the people supply the offerings?

3. Name the four coverings of the Tabernacle and what they typify.

4. What was the wall made of, and with what was it covered? What did it typify?

5. What was the foundation made of, and what did it typify?

6. Name the two vails and what they typify.

LESSON 40

PREPARATION FOR BUILDING

By E. L. Bynum, Pastor

Memory Verse: Ex. 35:5————Lesson: Ex. 35:1-35

The first time that Moses spent 40 days on the mount, he returned to find the people in idolatry and sin. When he returned the second time after 40 days, he finds no calf worship. They had enough of gods of gold. Since chapters 32-34 are parenthetical more or less, our lesson takes up where chapter 31 ends.

I. THE NEED. v. 1-19

A. Making God First In The Sabbath. v. 1-3

1. They assembled to hear the word of the Lord. v. 1

2. They were instructed to work six days weekly. v. 2. This is often overlooked, but God specifically commands six days of work before a day of rest.

3. The sabbath was a day of rest to the Lord. v. 2. It was not a day for recreation, but for meditation and rest.

a. The were to set aside the desires of the flesh.

b. It was not a day for pleasure. Isa. 58:13-14, If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

4. The penalty for sabbath breaking. v. 2

5. Not even a fire could be kindled in ones place of habitation v. 3. This does away with the idea that Gentiles should keep the Sabbath. It would be too cold in many northern countries to survive in the winter without a fire.

6. This did not exclude certain duties of the priest on the Sabbath. Matt. 12:5, Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? Num. 28:9-10, And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof: This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

7. The New Testament Church did not observe the Jewish Sabbath, as is explained below.

a. In his resurrection body Jesus appeared on the first day of the week. Mark 16:9, Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

b. Jesus me with the assembled Church on the first day of the week, not on the Sabbath. John 20:19, Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

c. Years later the churches were still meeting on the first day of the week. Acts 20:7, And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

d. This was the day the Church assembled and when they brought their offerings. I Cor. 16:2, Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. (For more information about the Sabbath, see tract number C-415, “Why I Am a Baptist and Not a Seventh Day Adventist.”)

B. Making God First In The Offering. v. 4-9

1. The offering commanded by God. v. 4

2. It is an offering to the Lord. v. 5

3. It is to come from a willing heart. v. 5. I Chron. 29:14, But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

4. The content of the offering. v. 5-9

a. God which speaks of Christ’s deity. v. 5

b. Silver a type of redemption. v. 5. Ex. 30:16; 38:27. I Pet. 1:18, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

c . Brass which is a type of judgement. v . 5. N um . 21:6-9; John 3:14-15, And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

d. Blue which speaks of heaven. v. 6

e. Purple which speaks of His royalty and wealth. v.6. Luke 16:19, There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. Mark 15:17, And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head.

f. Scarlet a type of the sacrificial blood. v. 6

g. Fine linen speaks of righteousness. (Christ’s) v. 6. Rev. 19:8, And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

h. Goat’s hair speaks of Christ as the sin bearer. v. 6. Lev. 16:5,15, 21

i. Rams’ skins died red speaks of His consecration. v. 7

j. Badgers’ skin speaks of Christ’s humiliation. v.7. Isa.53:2, For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

k. Shittim wood speaks of His humanity. v. 7

l. Oil and spices point to His annointed fragrant life, v. 8

m. The onyx stones and the other stones speak of the glory of Christ. v. 9

C. Making God First In The Tabernacle And Furniture. v. 10-19

1. The tabernacle was God’s meeting place with man, and it al points to Christ where God and man can meet. v. 10-11

2. The ark and the mercy seat speaks of Christ’s atonement for our sins. v. 12

3. The table of shewbread speaks of Christ the bread of life. v. 13

4. The candlestick speaks of Christ the Light of the world. v. 14

5. The incense altar speaks of the fragrant intercession of Christ. v. 14

6. The brazen altar speaks of the cross of Christ. v. 16

7. The laver speaks of Christ’s cleansing of the day to day defilement of sin on His people. v. 16

8. The linen fence speaks of His perfect righteousness. v. 17

9. The hanging for the door speaks of Christ the door. v. 17

10. The pins and cords speak of Christ providing security and stability to His people. v. 18. Heb. 6:19-20, Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

11. The cloths of service point to our Great High Priest who is perfectly clothed in His own spotless righteousness. v. 19

II. THE PROVISION. v. 20-35

A. The Offering Provided. v. 20-29

Three things which are closely connected characterize the giving mentioned in these verses. Everything we do for the Lord must proceed from the heart.

1. Their hearts were stirred up to give. v. 21

2. They were willing hearted. v. 22. II Cor. 8:7, 12, Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. II Cor. 9:9, (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. I Cor. 16:2, Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

3. The women who were wise hearted. v. 25

B. The Workmen Provided. v. 30-35

These workmen were divinely called and divinely equipped. This must be true of all God’s workmen and that is why we need to obey John 4:35-38, Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

1. The Lord called them. v. 30, 34

2. This Spirit filled man had four necessary qualities. v. 31-33

a. Wisdom

b. Understanding

c. Knowledge

d. Workmanship.

3. The training of workers. v. 34

4. They are filled with wisdom of heart. v. 35

—by E. L. Bynum

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Moses spent 40 days on the mountain twice. Contrast the way Israel was behaving when he returned both times.

2. How many days a week were they required to work?

3. What were they to do on the sabbath day?

4. What was the penalty for breaking the sabbath?

5. Name some of the things they were forbidden to do on the Sabbath,

6. Could the priests work on the sabbath day?

7. The offering they were to bring was unto the

8. The offering was to come from a heart.

9. What does our lesson tell us about the heart of the giver?

10. Name the 4 things that characterize the necessary qualities of the men in charge of building the Tabernacle and furniture.