LESSON 45
COMPLETED WORK & THE COMMAND OF GOD
—By E. L. Bynum
Memory Verse: Ex.. 39:43————Lesson: Ex. 39:33-43; 40:1-16
The building of the Tabernacle was accomplished by following God’s instruction (Ex.. 31:6) under Moses’ inspection (Ex. 25:40; 39:43) through the people’s execution of the work Ex. 31:2-6; 39:42).
I. THE WORK BROUGHT TO MOSES. Ex. 39:33-43
A. The Presentation Of The Work. v. 33-41
1. The demonstration of a will to work. Ex.. 35:5, 21, 22, 29. The work flourished. Phil. 2:13, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
2. The dedication of a will to work. The work was fulfilled. Ex. 36:5, 6; II Cor. 8:5, 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.
3. The determination of a will to work. Ex. 39:32; I Cor. 2:2, For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. II Tim. 4:7, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
B. The Precision Of The Work. v. 42-43
The work was finished in minute detail according as Moses was shown “in the mount.” (Ex. 25,:40; 26:30). It is equally as important for the church today to follow in minute detail the exact command and plan of the Lord Jesus in doing His work. Matt. 28:19-20, 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. Acts. 13:1-4, Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
C. The Inspection Of The Work. v. 43
1. According “as the Lord had commanded.”
2. Every man’s work was tried, “even so had they done it.” I Cor. 3:13, Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
D. The Remuneration Of The Work. v. 43b
1. Faithful service brought the blessing of Moses.
2. Faithful service will be rewarded by the Lord. I Cor. 3:14, If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. II Cor 5:10, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
II. GOD’S COMMAND TO SET UP THE TABERNACLE. Ex. 40:1-16
Note how this portion of Scripture is introduced and then how it closes: “And the Lord spake unto Moses …thus did Moses.” v. 1, 16.
A. The Directions For The Setup. v. 1-8
1. The time. v.2. Approximately six months had passed from the time Moses received God’s complete instructions concerning the construction of the Tabernacle until it was set up. Ex. 19:1; 24:18; 34:28; 40:17.
2. The ark set in place. v.3.
a. The symbol of God’s presence. Ex. 25:22.
b. The statement of God’s precepts. Ex. 25:16, 22.
c. The secrecy of God’s person. “Cover the ark with a vail.” Deut. 29:29, The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Heb. 6:17-20, Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 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. Heb. 9:3, And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all. 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. II Cor. 5:19, To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
3. The table of shewbread, the candlestick and lamps, and the golden altar of incense. v.4-5.
a. Their position was “before the ark of testimony.”
b. The table of shewbread symbolizes Christ the bread of life. John 6:35. See notes on Ex. 25:23-30; Lesson 26.
c. The candlestick symbolizes Christ the light of life. John 1:4, In him was life; and the life was the light of men. See notes on Ex. 25:31-40, Lesson 26.
d. The altar of incense symbolizes Christ our intercessor ever before the Father in our behalf. 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. See notes on Ex. 30:1-16, Lesson 33.
4. The brazen altar and laver. v.6-7.
a. The brazen altar of judgment symbolizes the offering of Christ for our sins. Heb. 10:10, By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Phil. 2:8, And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Col. 1:20, And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Cf notes in Lesson 29.
b. The laver of brass symbolizes judgment, sanctification and cleansing by the Word of God. His Word is right. Psa. 33:4, For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. His Word sanctifies and cleanses. John 17:17, Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Eph. 5:25-28, Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Cf. Lessons 35.
5. The court and gate. v.8. Christ is the way for a repentant sinner to enter in and the righteousness imputed to that sinner through redemption. John 14:6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Rom. 10:4, For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 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.
B. The Directions For Anointing. v. 9-16
1. Anointing the tabernacle and its furniture. v.9-11. Lev. 8:10-11, And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them. And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.
2. Anointing Aaron and his sons and their garments. v.12-16. Cf. Ex. 28:40-41.
3. Remember that oil is a type of the Holy Spirit. Anointing with oil was an act of consecration.
—E. L. Bynum
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. What did the people do with the tabernacle and its furniture upon its completion?
2. Compare the exactness of following the Lord’s command in building the tabernacle to our service today.
3. What verse of Scripture reveals that our works will be tried?
4. What do the following symbolize: Ark, shewbread, candlestick?