Taking a Census

Numbers 1:1-46

“And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.  And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.” (Numbers 1:1-4) 

The book of Exodus describes Israel’s time as slaves in Egypt and their deliverance by the power of God.  Eleven and a half months after leaving Egypt, after about seven months spent in obtaining God’s laws and building it, they erected the Tabernacle and began to practice the laws and religious activities God had prescribed in Exodus and Leviticus.  It was during the month after erecting the Tabernacle that Moses received the detailed instructions for civil and religious matters given in the book of Leviticus, which was either written or dictated by Moses. The first nine chapters of Numbers describe the planning and implementation during this period.

God specifically instructed them to take a census of all the men of age to fight for their country.  No one less than twenty years of age was considered mature enough to take that responsibility, but every man older was eligible for military service.  By comparison, in
America, eighteen year olds are considered mature enough to fight for their country but not to drink alcohol, and mature men are not eligible for military service.  One suspects that if older men, especially political leaders were forced to take part, there might be less enthusiasm for wars.

“And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.  Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.  Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab.  Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar.  Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon.  Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.  Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni.  Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.  Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran.  Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel.  Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan.  These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.” (Numbers 1:5-16)

God selected a man each tribe to lead the different tribes.  These men were not chosen by the people but were named by God.  At the same time, they were men who had demonstrated leadership and earned the respect of the people during the year in the wilderness.  I Timothy 3:10 stresses assuring leader’s qualifications and ability before placing them in positions of leadership.  God seldom calls a person to a work who has not demonstrated willingness and ability in doing the work.

“And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names: And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.  As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.” (Numbers 1:17-19)

A month after setting up the Tabernacle, Moses had the different leaders collect the different tribes and begin recording their family genealogies.  This would prepare for the dividing of the land when they went in.  It was literally a head count for each tribe.

“And the children of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred. 


Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. 

Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty. 


Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. 


Of the children of Issachar, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. 


Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. 


Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred. 


Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. 

Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. 


Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. 


Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred. 


Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 


These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers.  So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.” (Numbers 1:20-46)

The count of adult men eligible for military duty in the twelve tribes totaled six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty men.  Just assuming one woman and one child for each man, the total number would have been over a million eight hundred thousand people, divided into twelve tribes.    

The Tabernacle Accepted

Exodus 40:17-38

“And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.  And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.  And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.” (Exodus 40:17-19) 

Israel had eaten the Passover meal on the fourteenth day of the first month the pervious year, leaving Egypt about daybreak the next morning.  They had spent four and half months getting to the base of Mount Sinai and then about seven months getting the law and building the tabernacle.  On the first day of the first month, eleven and a half months after they left Egypt they erected the Tabernacle for the first time.

God had instructed Israel that they were to celebrate the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month, then follow it up with the seven day feast of unleavened bread to commemorate their freedom from Egypt.  Exodus 12:16-18 commands, “And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.  And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.  In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.”

Setting up the Tabernacle on the first day of the month gave them two weeks to dedicate it and practice the offerings sand sacrifices before celebrating the first Passover feast.  It also gave them time to organize before entering Canaan.

“And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark: And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.


 And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the veil.  And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.  And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.  And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses. 


And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the veil: And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.  And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle. 


And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses. 


And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.  And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat: When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses.  And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.” (Exodus 40:20-33) 

The Tabernacle was set up exactly as God had commanded, with each piece of furniture in it’s proper place.  Each time Moses or Aaron or one of  the priests approached God, whether at the altar of burnt sacrifice or the holy place, they took time to wash demonstrating our need to confess our sin and be cleaned before we can do the Lord’s work.  It is an area that so often seems unimportant, but is crucial to our being fit to do the work.

“Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.  And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:34-35)

God visibly accepted the tabernacle as a place to meet with the people, sending a cloud to cover it and letting his glory fill it.  Just as Moses had been unable to see the glory of God in full, he was unable to enter the tabernacle when the glory of God filled it.

Sometimes we get to trying to build something to impress and be suitable for God.  While I am sure that the tabernacle was beautiful, it didn’t impress God at all.  As Acts 17:24-25 states, “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.”  The thing that pleased God was their obedience in building it, not the structure itself.  If we are to please God, we need to follow his plan, not try to impress him with our ideas.

“And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.  For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.” (Exodus 40:36-38)

They had followed the cloud and fire already, but from this time forward it would center over where the Tabernacle was to be, establishing it as the center of their lives, for as long as they were traveling around.  Once they came to the land where they were to stay, they no longer had the clear guidance.  That one lacks clear guidance usually indicates that one is to stay and focus on where they are.

The Final Inspection

Exodus 39:32-43

“Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.” (Exodus 39:32)

Each detail had been completed according to God’s plan.  We are given physical descriptions of the actual physical tent so we can understand the builders followed God’s plans exactly.  When we get to the more artistic details, relating to the patterns of the epriest’s garments and the weavings, we are told they were as God commanded Moses.

“And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets, And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the veil of the covering, The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat, The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the showbread, The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light, And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door, The brazen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot, The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation, The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons' garments, to minister in the priest's office. 


According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.” (Exodus 39:33-42) 

Ithamar had been responsible for ensuring that everything was built and accounted for, and it was all there.  Now it was brought to Moses as God’s representative to ensure that it all met the proper specifications.  Moses had not had time to personally oversee the work and had to depend on others to do what needed to be done.

“And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.” (Exodus 39:43)

God had directed each worker so that the job turned out exactly as God had shown Moses, despite his being unable to personally oversee the work.  There is and important lesson for leaders here in that we need to find the individuals God has chosen for the different jobs, then allow them to do the job God has called them to, rather than micromanaging them.

Instructions For Setting Up The Tabernacle
Exodus 40:1-16

 “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.  And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the veil.  And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.  And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.  And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.  And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.  And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate. 


And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.  And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy.  And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.” (Exodus 40:1-11)

God had given instructions for the arrangement of the Tabernacle along witht eh instructions for building it, but it had not yet been set up.  When it was set up, they were to follow the instructions he had given in anointing each part, sanctifying or setting it apart for the service of God.  While each piece of furniture in the tabernacle woud be holy, the altar of burnt offering where the sacrifices for sin were made would be most holy, representing Christ as the means by which our sin can be forgiven.  As Romans 3:10-12 states, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”  Forgiveness is the basis for any worship or service.

“And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.  And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.  And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats: And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.” (Exodus 40:12-15) 

Before they could be ordained and anointed as priests, each one had to be thoroughly cleansed.  In John 13:8, Jesus told Peter, “…If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” Romans 10:9-10 declares, “That  if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  Unless one recognizes one’s sinful state and nature, there is no reason to believe one needs a savior, so the concept of confession is included in the passage.  I John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  That cleansing is essential prior to being anointed by the Holy Spirit, so becoming a Christian and priest of God.

“Thus did Moses: according to all that Lord commanded him, so did he.” (Exodus 40:16)

Making The Priest’s Garments

Exodus 39:1-31

“And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses. 


And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.  And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.  They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together.  And the curious girdle of his ephod, that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work thereof; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses.” (Exodus 39:1-5)

Gold is the softest and most malleable of the metals, and can be beeten down into very thin foil sheets for gilding things without becoming brittle.  The sheets of foil could then be cut into narrow strips or wires that could be woven into the cloth along with the various colored linen threads or yarns.  It required extremely skilled weavers and goldsmiths to produce such fine wires and weave them into the cloth successfully.  The Ephod and belt or girdle were extremely fine pieces of workmanship.

“And they wrought onyx stones enclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.  And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.” (Exodus 39:6-7)

Two onyx stones, each engraved with the names of six tribes of Israel were set in gold settings and attached to the shoulders of the ephod, as a reminder that the high priest carried the responsibility for the sins of the nation just as Christ carried the sins of the world.

“And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.  It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.  And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row.  And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.  And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.  And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were enclosed in ouches of gold in their enclosings.  And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.” (Exodus 39:8-14)

Made of the cloth like the Ephod, the breast plate was doubled over forming a pouch, held against the chest.  Each precious or semiprecious stone was engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel, symbolizing the personal love and attention Christ has for individual Christians.  The Urim and Thummim were to be placed in the pouch of the breastplate.  While we do not know exactly what they were the names mean Lights and Perfections.  Christ justifies the Christian, so that as far as God is concerned  our sin is gone as completely as if it had never happened.  We are perfect in his sight.

“And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold.  And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate.  And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.  And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it.  And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward.  And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.  And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.” (Exodus 39:15-21) 

The breastplate demonstrating our relationship to Christ was attached to the ephod so it could not be loosened or removed emphasizing the fact that we cannot be plucked from the father‘s hand..

“And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.  And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.  And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.  And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates; A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses.” (Exodus 39:22-26)  

Even the details of the bells and pomegranates around the hem of the high priest’s garments met the standard specified by God.  As our high priest, Jesus Christ met every one of the prophecies and qualifications God had specified.  Without doing so, he could not be the Messiah.

“And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons, And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen, And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.  And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.  And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses.” (Exodus 39:27-31)  

The garments for the priests were designed by God and provided through his actions and direction, rather than the efforts of the priests.  Our righteousness is provided by God’s design and Christ’s sacrifice, not our own work.

The Precious Metals Given

Exodus 38:22-31

“And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses. Ex 38:23 And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.” (Exodus 38:22-23)

Bezalel was called of God to oversee building the tabernacle, and he built exactly what God had commanded.  Oholiab was also called of God in Exodus 31:6 to oversee the designing and decorative aspects.  Once again we see that God calls particular men to each aspect of his work.

“All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.” (Exodus 38:24)

Talents and shekels were measures of weight.  From the description in the next verses we learn that a talent is the equivalent of  3000 shekels. Ancient marked weights vary somewhat, but generally indicate a shekel was approximately 10 grams, or about 0.35 ounces.  A talent thus would weigh about 1050 ounces, and be worth nearly $1,800,000 at today’s prices of about $1700 per ounce.  The gold alone was worth more than $52 million.

“And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary: A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men. 


And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the veil; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket.  And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them.” (Exodus 38:25-28)

In addition to the gold, the special offering described in Exodus 30 amounted to an additional three and a half million dollars, even though no one was allowed to give more than a half shekel or about a sixth of an ounce, roughly five dollars.

“And the brass of the offering was seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels. Ex 38:30 And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the brazen altar, and the brazen grate for it, and all the vessels of the altar, Ex 38:31 And the sockets of the court round about, and the sockets of the court gate, and all the pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins of the court round about.” (Exodus 38:29-31)

Brass and bronze are alloys of lead zinc or tin and copper in various proportions and were used for everyday articles, from jewelry to knives tools and cookware.  While they didn’t command the high prices of gold and silver, they were in many ways even more valuable.  Society tends to place the most value on the least useful and important things.

With the exception of the ransom money, all the materials were donated as free will offerings.  Israel had spent four hundred years in slavery, yet God enabled them to give over fifty five million dollars in precious metals, besides the other materials they donated.  It is far too easy to forget God’s ability to provide with what we have on hand, not realizing how much we have been blessed with.  Building the tabernacle was not even a burden on the people.  The amount of the ransom money illustrated the impact just a little from each person can have.  Too often we become focused on the big donations and actions and fail to understand the importance of the smaller ones.

The metal used totaled more than six and a half tons in weight.  Think what the entire Tabernacle must have weighed, since much of the metal was applied as a thin covering over the structural wood.  In Numbers, God detailed special provisions to enable them to transport it.

Construction of the Courtyard

Exodus 38:1-21

“And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.  And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass. 


And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basins, and the fleshhooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass.  And he made for the altar a brazen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it.  And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves.  And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with brass.  And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards. 


And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” (Exodus 38:1-8) 

The brazen altar was made just as specified by God, with all the tools and appliances of brass representing judgment.  The brazen laver or lavatory was also made of brass, as was the washstand.  The base was made from the mirrors of the women who ministered.  The lavatory provided the opportunity to clean oneself, but the mirrors showed what needed to be cleaned.  While Christ provides the means of cleaning our lives, it is critical that we see what is needed.  James 1:23-25 addresses the need.  “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

The women who ministered at the door of the Tabernacle had no official role, simply coming like so many women serve today, because of their love for the Lord.  It was this group that Eli’s sons were taking advantage of in I Samuel 2:22.  “Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.”  Ungodly leaders still take advantage of women’s love for the Lord to involve them in sin.

While little is known about these women, Luke 2:36-38 describes one of them.  “And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.  And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”  While they may hold no official position in the church,  it is often the women who are most devoted and faithful to the Lord.  They play a vital part in the church and should not be discouraged.

“And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, an hundred cubits: Their pillars were twenty, and their brazen sockets twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver.  And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.  And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.  And for the east side eastward fifty cubits. 


The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.  And for the other side of the court gate, on this hand and that hand, were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. 


All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen.  And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver. 


And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court.  And their pillars were four, and their sockets of brass four; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver.  And all the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about, were of brass.” (Exodus 38:9-20)

Like the pillars supporting the veil and door, the posts for the courtyard were capped with a silver overlay.

“This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest.” (Exodus 38:21) 

Ithamar was responsible for recording all the things that were made so they would not forget anything when they moved the Tabernacle.

Construction of the Tent

Exodus 36:8-37:29

“And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work made he them.  The length of one curtain was twenty and eight cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: the curtains were all of one size.  And he coupled the five curtains one unto another: and the other five curtains he coupled one unto another.  And he made loops of blue on the edge of one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling: likewise he made in the uttermost side of another curtain, in the coupling of the second. Fifty loops made he in one curtain, and fifty loops made he in the edge of the curtain which was in the coupling of the second: the loops held one curtain to another.  And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle.” .” (Exodus 36:8-13)

Directed by Bezalel, the weavers made ten pieces of white linen wit a pattern of cherubim woven in in blue, purple and scarlet.  They were then sewn together into two tapestries or tarps which would be joined by gold clasps through blue loops along the selvedge edge, as God had initially described for the inner curtain or covering.

“And he made curtains of goats' hair for the tent over the tabernacle: eleven curtains he made them.  The length of one curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits was the breadth of one curtain: the eleven curtains were of one size.  And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.  And he made fifty loops upon the uttermost edge of the curtain in the coupling, and fifty loops made he upon the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second.  And he made fifty taches of brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one.  And he made a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering of badgers' skins above that.” (Exodus 36:14-19) 

The protective padding layer of Goat hair was slightly larger but used a similar construction, with brass rather than gold fasteners between the two pieces.  No detail is given regarding the design of the two leather outer coverings except the materials.

“And he made boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood, standing up.  The length of a board was ten cubits, and the breadth of a board one cubit and a half.  One board had two tenons, equally distant one from another: thus did he make for all the boards of the tabernacle. 


And he made boards for the tabernacle; twenty boards for the south side southward: And forty sockets of silver he made under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons.  And for the other side of the tabernacle, which is toward the north corner, he made twenty boards, And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.  And for the sides of the tabernacle westward he made six boards. 


And two boards made he for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides.  And they were coupled beneath, and coupled together at the head thereof, to one ring: thus he did to both of them in both the corners.  And there were eight boards; and their sockets were sixteen sockets of silver, under every board two sockets. 


And he made bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,  And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the sides westward.  And he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other. 


And he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold to be places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.  And he made a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubims made he it of cunning work.  And he made thereunto four pillars of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver.” (Exodus 36:20-36)

Bezalel had not been allowed to go up the mountain and meet with God, nor had any of the others, yet God had revealed the plans to them, not just the general appearance, but the exact means to accomplish them.  Moses had the general plan in mind but didn’t need to know the exact details of what was built.  God is capable of directing others as well as ourselves, and a sense of having to control every aspect implies we don’t trust him.

“And he made an hanging for the tabernacle door of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, of needlework; And the five pillars of it with their hooks: and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with gold: but their five sockets were of brass.” (Exodus 36:37-38)

As God had commanded, the front door covering hanged from five pillars supported by brass sockets rather than the silver ones of the veil.  The only new detail is that the tops of each post or pillar was capped with gold.

“And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it: And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about.  And he cast for it four rings of gold, to be set by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it.  And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.  And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. 


And he made the mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof.  And he made two cherubims of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat; One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof.  And the cherubims spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubims.” (Exodus 37:1-9) 

The Mercy seat and the Cherubim at each end were all made of a single casting of gold, hammered out to its final shape.  Because gold is far more malleable than other metals, it can be hammered out to far greater detail without constant annealing to soften it back up.  Extreme skill would still be required to form such a design and hammer the wings out in such a manner they would support themselves as described, but the position described clearly portrays the cherubim viewing laws contained on the tables of stone in judgment.

“And he made the table of shittim wood: two cubits was the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof: And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made thereunto a crown of gold round about.  Also he made thereunto a border of an handbreadth round about; and made a crown of gold for the border thereof round about.  And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings upon the four corners that were in the four feet thereof.  Over against the border were the rings, the places for the staves to bear the table.  And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table. 


And he made the vessels which were upon the table, his dishes, and his spoons, and his bowls, and his covers to cover withal, of pure gold.” (Exodus 37:10-16)

The table representing Christ as our daily bread was built exactly as specified.  The old concept about bread as the staff of life is particularly apropos in this instance.

“And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same: And six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof: Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick. 


And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers: And a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches going out of it.  Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold. 


And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold.  Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof.” (Exodus 37:17-24)

Like the Mercy seat, the Candlestick was made of a single gold casting hammered into the desired shape.  While the candle stick represents Christ, the Lamps represent Christians abiding in him and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

“And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold.  Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof.  And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same.  And he overlaid it with pure gold, both the top of it, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns of it: also he made unto it a crown of gold round about. 


And he made two rings of gold for it under the crown thereof, by the two corners of it, upon the two sides thereof, to be places for the staves to bear it withal.  And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold. 


And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary.” (Exodus 37:25-29)

The altar of incense and the incense were made according to God’s directions, as was the oil for dedicating both the priests and the Tabernacle.  Even our prayers and dedication to God depend on his actions.  Romans 8:26-27 describes the Holy Spirit’s action in our prayers.  “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

Construction Begins

Exodus 35:30-36:7

“And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, Jehovah hath called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.  And he hath filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; and to devise skilful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of skilful workmanship. 


And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.  Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of workmanship, of the engraver, and of the skilful workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any workmanship, and of those that devise skilful works.   And Bezalel and Oholiab shall work, and every wise-hearted man, in whom Jehovah hath put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all the work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that Jehovah hath commanded.” (Exodus 35:30- 36:1) 

Moses shared what God had told him about who was to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle.  God had called him by name, and had filled him with the Holy Spirit.  The particular manifestation of the Holy spirit in his life was to learn and do various types of work, and to design various projects with extreme skill.  Many times we assume that the Holy Spirit is only manifested in a few areas.

I Corinthians 12:7-11 informs us, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 1co 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

One common fallacy of our day is that the Holy Spirit always gives the ability to speak in tongues.  This is clearly contradicted by the preceding passage, but so is the widely held belief that while God only calls people to be missionaries, pastors and evangelists.  This elitist belief is the basis for the Nicolaitane doctrine and practice God condemned in Revelation 2.

Along with Oholiab, who was also called by name and filled with spiritual power, he was to oversee and teach what God wanted built.  The details were to be left to these men rather than to Moses.  They would oversee metal workers, weavers, tailors, carpenters, wood carvers, jewelers, and every needed occupation.  They did not have to know all the details of each craft, but they had to have understanding of the requirements of each to coordinate their different jobs, while God would use the skills imparted to each person by the Holy Spirit  to construct each part.

“And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart Jehovah had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it: and they received of Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, wherewith to make it. And they brought yet unto him freewill-offerings every morning.” (Exodus 36:2-3)

The materials that were donated were placed in the hands of the workers who had been called of God to construct the Tabernacle.  As they saw construction begin people gave even more.  Many people don’t really understand the vision or doubt the commitment to build it.  When they see the leaders step out by faith, they willingly step up to do their part, but they need to see a material project.

“And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they wrought.  And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which Jehovah commanded to make.” (Exodus 36:4-5) 

Philippians 4:19 promises, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  In over fifty years as a Christian, most of it as a missionary and pastor, I have been involved in building at least thirteen church buildings.  In many of them, we did not receive any outside help, depending on the local people’s giving.  Always we had enough to build a church that was pleasing to the people and, I believe, to God.  I believe he will do the same for anyone who is willing to trust him and build what he wants.

“And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.  For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.” (Exodus 36:6-7)

Moses had to literally tell the people to stop giving because they had more than they could use.  A major complaint about modern churches is that they spend so much time asking for money.  Since many churches spend at least five minutes of each service collecting the regular offering, besides special mission or building offerings, it easy to understand why people feel that way.

 In Psalms 37:25, David states, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread.”   Could it be that the reason some churches struggle financially is because they are either not using the money the way God wanted, or because there is sin in the camp?

The People Donated Freely

Exodus 35:21-29

“And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, [and] brought Jehovah`s offering, for the work of the tent of meeting, and for all the service thereof, and for the holy garments.” (Exodus 35:21)

When Moses told the people what God had requested, those who were in favor of doing it volunteered their labors and the necessary materials for the work.  People want to give and participate in things that are important to them.  That desire to give is destroyed when they feel forced to contribute, however.

“And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, [and] brought brooches, and ear-rings, and signet-rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man that offered an offering of gold unto Jehovah.  And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats` [hair], and rams` skins dyed red, and sealskins, brought them.  Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought Jehovah`s offering; and every man, with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it.” (Exodus 35:22-24)

The people gladly gave what they had to build the temple, sacrificing even their most treasured possessions.  Men went and cut timber into lumber for the construction and donated it.  Those who had dyes or could beat out flax stalks for the linen brought it the fibers, goats were sheared, and sheepskins were cleaned and dyed, and the skins of antelopes that had been killed for food were donated, and jewelry was contributed by different individuals.

“And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, the blue, and the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen.  And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats` hair.” (Exodus 35:25-26) 

The labor and donations were not limited to the men.  The women contributed their materials and skills as well, spinning the linen and goat hair into yarns to be woven into cloth and for the ropes to hold everything up.  Some were responsible for dying part of the linen, each volunteer utilizing the skills they had learned.  The women are as much a part of the church as the men, and their gifts and talents are part of his plan.

“And the rulers brought the onyx stones, and the stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate; and the spice, and the oil; for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.” (Exodus 35:27-28)

The leaders personally donated as well, offering things others may not have had readily available.  Gemstones and onyx were comparatively scarce, and were heavy and hard to fashion into useable implements so only those who could afford the extra expense of fashioning and transporting them had very much.  The rulers who had it voluntarily gave up theirs for the construction of the tabernacle.

“The children of Israel brought a freewill-offering unto Jehovah; every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Jehovah had commanded to be made by Moses.” (Exodus 35:29)

The willingness of the people to donate labor and materials by such a large spectrum of the group indicates a widespread commitment to the project.  God had prepared the people’s hearts to do the work.  If the people are not involved and committed, there is a question whether a project was really inspired by God, if he has not prepared their hearts to want it enough to give.

People who invest financial resources or labor to a project have an interest in the outcome that people who have not invested lack.  The modern way of financing a new church by donations from other churches or religious organizations hinders people’s commitment to the church.  While a larger and fancier building may result, the church is weakened because the people have no investment in it.  The people’s faith is further weakened by not being allowed to see how God blesses their efforts in producing more than they thought possible and in providing for their needs to replace what they have given.

The author of Heartbeat of The Himalayas, a very wealthy man described the responsibility to control his giving in order to help the people he ministered to develop their faith in God.  To pay for the things himself would often result in their trusting him rather than the Lord.  How many missionaries and mission churches depend on their supporting churches or mission organization rather than trusting God to supply?   Seeking the Lord’s leadership in how to help is crucial if we are to please him, and especially if we have extra money.

I Timothy 5 deals with the church’s responsibility in helping others.  A key element is that our giving does not encourage sin on the recipient’s part.  We are not to enable others to avoid taking their own responsibility.  We need to review our own efforts to help others periodically to see that they are pleasing to God.

Some have said that the people even gave their old shoes to help build the tabernacle, insisting it is such a glorious picture of people giving.  Years ago, many churches sent used clothing to “help the Navajos.”  While some were useable clothing, others were so ragged it would have been more beneficial for the church to have hauled them to the dump and kept the shipping charges, as we would not have had to deal with them.  Leviticus 22:20 commanded, “But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.”  Unuseable donations are not pleasing to God.  He's not in the waste disposal business.

Sharing The Vision

Exodus 35:1-20

“And Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel, and said unto them, These are the words which Jehovah hath commanded, that ye should do them.” (Exodus 35:1) 

When Moses came down off the mountain the first time and found the people worshipping the golden calf, he hadn’t taken the time to tell them what God had shown him on the mountain.  This time, he doesn’t have to deal with their sin and can focus on what God had shown him.

“Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day there shall be to you a holy day, a sabbath of solemn rest to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work therein shall be put to death.  Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.” (Exodus 35:2-3) 

The things God had clarified are only briefly summarized here, as they have been detailed before.  The key point that is noted is that since meals could be prepared in advance, they were not even to build a fire to cook with on the Sabbath, under penalty of death.

“And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which Jehovah commanded, saying, Take ye from among you an offering unto Jehovah; whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, Jehovah`s offering: gold, and silver, and brass, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats` [hair], and rams` skins dyed red, and sealskins, and acacia wood, and oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense, and onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate.” (Exodus 35:4-9) 

Moses then asked the people to give freely of the specific items God had said they would need for the Tabernacle.  They were only to give what was needed as they were willing to give.  When one preacher was confronted about stating that the people even gave the shoes off their feet, he said it was such a wonderful picture, apparently not understanding that doing so would be somewhat like Cain’s offering fruits when God asked for an animal sacrifice.

"And let every wise-hearted man among you come, and make all that Jehovah hath commanded: the tabernacle, its tent, and its covering, its clasps, and its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets; the ark, and the staves thereof, the mercy-seat, and the veil of the screen; the table, and its staves, and all its vessels, and the showbread; the candlestick also for the light, and its vessels, and its lamps, and the oil for the light; and the altar of incense, and its staves, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle; the altar of burnt-offering, with its grating of brass, it staves, and all its vessels, the laver and its base; the hangings of the court, the pillars thereof, and their sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court; the pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords; the finely wrought garments, for ministering in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest`s office.” (Exodus 35:10-19)

He also asked for skilled workers in different crafts to volunteer to build each of the different parts of the Tabernacle.  They would need lumbermen, carpenters and foundry and gold silver smiths to build the furniture and frame work and skilled spinners and weavers, cloth designers, tent makers, tailors and leather workers to make the various coverings and hangings and the priest’s garments.

“And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.” (Exodus 35:20)

Unconscious Glory

Exodus 34:29-35

“And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.” (Exodus 34:29) 

Some have speculated that Moses’ face looked sunburned.   The description of Jesus appearance when he was transfigured in Matthew 17:2 makes it sound more like what artists have tried to depict.  “and he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.”  Moses had absorbed so much of God’s glory in just the little glimpse he got of God that his face shone.  II Corinthians 3:18 tells us that the same thing will happen to Christians who take the time to get to know Christ.  “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Moses was not even aware of the difference in himself.  He didn’t feel any different, but everyone who saw him was aware of a difference.  In Judges 16:20, Samson didn’t notice any difference either.  “And she said, The Philistines are upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times, and shake myself free. But he knew not that Jehovah was departed from him.”  Clearly the feeling has nothing to do with real spiritual power.   While feelings often accompany spiritual events, they are only side effects, and not spiritual themselves.  Satan often convinces people that the feelings are spiritual reality, and like the drug addict, they spend their time seeking another emotional high.  They experience the same extreme emotional swings as the drug addict because the only real difference is what they use to produce the high.

“And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.” (Exodus 34:30)

Unspiritual people are very aware of the difference between themselves and the spiritual person, and tend to avoid close association.  Luke 6:22-23 tells us, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”   Luke 21:17 warns, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name`s sake.”  People instinctively fear and hate things they don‘t understand.

“And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them.  And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai.  And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face.  But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the veil off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.  And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the veil upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.” (Exodus 34:31-35)

When my son was born, most of the people he came in contact with wore glasses, and he would not allow anyone who didn’t have glasses to hold him for several months.  Even his grandparents would have to put on reading glasses before he would go to them.  Of course, they had to take them off to do other things.  Moses had to cover his face to hide the difference in order for the people to focus on what he was saying.

II Corinthians 3:5-18 describes our efforts to reach the world around us as somewhat like Moses’ attempt to share God’s commands with Israel. “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.


 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?  For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.  For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.  For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. 


Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ.  But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.  Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. 


Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Despite our best efforts, our message is not understood until people choose to believe it.  I Corinthians 2:13-14 tells us human words and wisdom are incapable of communicating the message.  “Which things also we speak, not in words which man`s wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual [words].  Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”  Our efforts to dumb it down only add to the confusion.  When they are ready and willing to believe, the Holy Spirit will make them able to understand because “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance,” according to II Peter 3:9.

Clarifying The Commandments

Exodus 34:10-28

“And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.  Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.” (Exodus 34:10-11) 

Almost  every vision of God precedes a revelation of things God is going to do, and the person seeing the vision’s part in it.  While God had already revealed his intention to give Israel a land and drive out the people before them, He emphasizes the miraculous way he will do it at this time, and the importance of Israel’s obedience.

“Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.” (Exodus 34:12-16)

Israel was to avoid any kind of coalition, treaty, or agreement with any of the other peoples around them because they present the opportunity for them to be lead into breaking God’s laws.  Making a treaty implied approval of what the people stood for, and might well encourage Jews to accept their religious practices and begin to go along with and even participate in them.  Treaties especially increased the likelihood of marrying into families that worshipped other Gods, and once married, it would be difficult not to go along with the inlaw’s religion.

The command closely parallels the command for Christians in II Corinthians 6:14-17, and for the same reasons.  “Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever?  And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you,  And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

Partnerships and agreements always require giving up some of one’s freedom to gain the benefit of the relationship.  The greater the differences between the party’s basic values, the more they will have to sacrifice to maintain the relationship.  It is wise to avoid such obvious sources of ethical conflict.

“Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.” (Exodus 34:17) 

God reiterated and clarified his commands relating to worshipping God. This one was especially important because Israel had just made the golden calf to worship.  In Exodus 20:4, God had commanded, “Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any likeness [of any thing] that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”  While the golden calf was not a carved image, it was still an image. The intent of the law was plain, and the letter of the Law, the exact wording could not be used to excuse disobedience.

“The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt. 


All that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male.  But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.” (Exodus 34:18-20)

The Law is unchanged, but two points were especially stressed, firstly that any animal they chose not to redeem was to be killed, and secondly that they were never to come before God empty handed.

“Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.” (Exodus 34:21)

Only genuine emergency situations justified breaking the Sabbath.  The urgency of getting crops in to avoid damage or loss was not enough.  Those were predictable normal situations and should not be treated as an emergency.   The time to rest was still to be taken because people are more important than profit.  It is a blessing to see a national corporation such as Hobby Lobby take that position.

“And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end.  Thrice in the year shall all your menchildren appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.  For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.” (Exodus 34:22-24) 

They were not to let fear of attack by their enemies distract them from attending the worship services.  God would prevent anyone from wanting their possessions at those times.  They were to obey God, demonstrating their faith.

“Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven; neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of the passover be left unto the morning.” (Exodus 34:25)

No  blood sacrifice was ever to be accompanied with any form of yeast or other leavening agent.  Under this standard, the wine used at the Passover should not have been fermented, implying that the drink at the communion was not either.  The entire Passover sacrifice was to be consumed. Partial acceptance was not enough.

“The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.” (Exodus 34:26) 

They were to bring the first fruit they picked to God without waiting to see how much there was or making sure it was good enough.  Again, it was a demonstration of faith.  A mother’s milk was not be used to cook her own offspring.  It too closely resembles a parent killing their own children.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.” (Exodus 34:27) 

Moses was to write these clarifications down so they could know the tenor, the spirit or intent of the law, rather than focusing on the exact wording.  Romans 7:6 expresses the same thing for the Christian.  “…so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.”

“And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.” (Exodus 34:28) 

Moses spent another forty days and nights on the mountain without eating.   Moses had not gone to the mountain to fast, but to meet with God.  Too often our focus is on our fasting, our effort to get ready, rather than on meeting God.  Isaiah 58:1-8 describes the typical fast and contrasts it with what God wants.  In John 4:34, “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.”  Moses was probably unaware of the time that had passed or any sensation of hunger until he came down, because he was focused on God, rather than his own needs or desires.

Moses Glimpses God

Exodus 34:1-9

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.  And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount.  And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount.” (Exodus 34:1-3) 

God had originally prepared the two tables or tablets of stone the law was written on.   In anger and frustration Moses broke them when he finally realized how badly the people were behaving.  Though his anger was justifiable, it had resulted in destroying what God had done.  James 1:20 warns, “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”  Though God would rewrite the Law, Moses would have to prepare the tablets himself.

Over the years I have seen a lot of drunkards and people involved in other sins come to Christ.  Many of them were miraculously freed from their dependence, never taking another drink.  A few went several years, with no real temptation, but becoming upset about something, went back to their old sin.  God didn’t instantly deliver them a second time, and some have never gotten the victory again.  If we don’t appreciate what God has done for us and waste or destroy it, he may make us work harder for it the second time so we will appreciate it more.

This time Moses was not to bring even Joshua with him and the entire congregation was to stay even farther away than they had been before.  Offenses cause separation and distrust in relationships even when they have been forgiven, including our relationship with God.  Repentance has to be demonstrated by action, not just saying “I’m sorry“, and until it has, the former closeness will not be restored.

“And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone. 


And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.  And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:4-7) 

After carving out the two tables of stone, Moses returned to the top of the mountain to meet the Lord, and God fulfilled his promise to reveal himself more fully to Moses, starting with his name as a personal thing.  Mercy is not treating people exactly as they deserve when they have done badly.  God is merciful, forgiving even deliberate sin and known disobedience as well as unintentional ones.  He is long suffering, warning the people about their sin and being sure they understand what they are doing.  At the same time, he is not like some negligent parent who just yells at their kids to stop, but insists that the consequences of sin be faced even though it affects several generations if they persist in it.

“And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.  And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.” (Exodus 34:8-9)

When he saw just a small vision of what God is really like Moses realized just how sinful he and the nation of Israel were.  When Isaiah describes his feelings after a vision of God in Isaiah 6:5.  “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts.”  Daniel describes his reaction in Daniel 10:8.  “So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.”  Similar experiences were recorded by numerous other prophets and saints in both the Old and New Testaments, including both John and Paul.

Like each of the others who saw God, Moses found himself asking forgiveness for himself and for his people. Really meeting God is a humiliating experience, making us aware of just how sinful we are.  As a Pastor friend once said, “It isn’t necessary to cry to be saved, but I kind of wonder if anyone who doesn’t seem to want to cry really got saved.”  

Wanting To See God

Exodus 33:18-23

“And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory.” (Exodus 33:18)

Experts tell us that sixty to eighty percent of communication is from non verbal communication, including voice tones, body language and odors.  Because communication involves so much more than just words, talking on the telephone to my daughter is less satisfying than seeing her face to face.  Texting or writing eliminates every part of communication but the words themselves.   We are unable to get a real picture of what people are thinking.

Moses talked to God face to face , but the experience was still like calling a close friend on the phone.  He craved that personal face to face contact, and asked to see God physically.

“And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.  And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.” (Exodus 33:19-20) 

God responded that while he would reveal himself to Moses or anyone else in his mercy and grace, even being so personal as to allow them to know and use his name, but to actually see him would be fatal.  To avoid damaging one’s eyes while viewing a solar eclipse it is necessary to project the image onto a screen rather than viewing it directly.  The intensity of God’s glory would destroy a man, if viewed directly.  As a result, John 1:18 tells us, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”  Paul tells us, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption,” in I Corinthians 15:50.  Our natural body cannot handle exposure to God’s holiness.

In Numbers 12:6, God said, “…Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.”  Many today claim to have seen God, but in reality what they saw was just a vision.  In Ezekiel 1:1, Ezekiel tells us “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.”

Even that vision had a very unsettling impact on Ezekiel according to Ezekiel 1:28.  “…This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face…”  Isaiah Jeremiah and Daniel all described similar levels of awareness of sin from the visions they saw, as did John in Revelation.  Any vision of God that doesn’t result in a similar sense of humility and awe is highly suspect.

“And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.” (Exodus 33:21-23)

In order to limit Moses’ exposure to the glory of God to safe level, God would place him in a cleft or crack in the rocks and cover him with his hand, only allowing him to see a partially obscured view.  Even that slight exposure would have a tremendous effect on Moses’ both physically and spiritually, and could not be experienced without preparation.

When we are having trouble seeing God in our lives, it is because he is protecting us from our sinful state.  To fully recognize his holiness in comparison to our sinfulness would destroy us.  He will only allow us to see as much as we can handle, and sometimes our sin makes that a very small amount.

Moses’ Relationship With God

Exodus 33:7-17

Exodus 33:7-11 are parenthetical verses, to help us understand the relationship Moses had with God.  The actual events described would not occur until after completion of the Tabernacle in Exodus 40.  Understanding this relationship gives insight into why he was chosen to lead Israel.

“And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.”(Exodus 33:7)

Religion is a person’s basic core value system, whether it is called Islam, or Buddhist, Catholic, Baptist, or Atheist.  Throughout history, people have tried to impose their religion on others.  Many have become Catholic or Moslem in name, while not really changing their basic beliefs.  People who say they don’t allow their religion to affect their decisions are mistakenly referring to the accepted values of their nominal religion rather than their real beliefs.

The Jews had a history of believing in God dating back over six hundred years to Abraham. In addition they had seen God’s working in their own lives to deliver them from slavery in Egypt and meet their needs for the previous six months or so.  When the Tabernacle was completed, it provided a point of reference for their beliefs, quickly becoming the center of Jewish life, even when located outside the camp.

“And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle.  And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.  And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.” (Exodus 33:8-10) 

After confronting Pharaoh, then leading Israel out of Egypt, Moses was definitely a celebrity, and everything he did was as closely observed as the actions of celebrities and political leaders are today.   The people were especially aware when he went to the Tabernacle.

From the time they left Egypt, the pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night had shown them where God wanted them to go.  When the people saw the pillar come down on the tabernacle when Moses entered it they were reassured of Moses’ relationship with God, and that they were where they were supposed to be.  Many leaders resent such close scrutiny, not understanding people’s need for assurance that one is still focused on the job at hand and thus will not lead them into trouble.   When they were sure of God’s leadership in Moses’ life the people worshipped God, and people today are no different.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.” (Exodus 33:11) 

Moses’ relationship with God was far more than mere religious activity.  Many people have work friends, but they have a smaller group of close friends who they spend their free time with.  Of that smaller group there may be one or two best friends they can share everything with.  Many people don’t have even one person they feel that close to.   Moses’ relationship with God was like that of a best friend.  Joshua, who would eventually replace Moses as leader was developing a similar relationship.

The requirements for church leaders described in I Timothy 3:1-12 and Titus 1:7-9 describe the attitudes characteristic of men with a similar relationship with God.  Without developing a similar closeness to God themselves, they will be unable to consistently lead the people properly.

“And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.  Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.” (Exodus 33:12-13) 

Even though he had such a close personal relationship with God, Moses had times of doubt and felt the need for human support.  In addition he was troubled about the lack of a clear understanding of his goals.  Most of us hesitate to step out without a clear destination like Abraham did according to Hebrews 11:8.  “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”  It seems easier to trust when we know the details.

“And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” (Exodus 33:14)

God’s answer was that he would go with him and Moses was to just trust God.  Too often we spend our time making sure everything is in place because we don’t trust God.  Hundreds of people who said God called them to the mission field have not gone because they were unable to raise as much support as they thought they needed, and hundreds of churches have not been built because they couldn’t raise the funds.  While counting the cost is definitely a scriptural principle, we definitely have to live by faith, because “whatsoever is not of faith is sin,” according to Romans 14:23.

“And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.  For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.” (Exodus 33:15-16) 

We are often told there is a fine line between faith and foolishness.  Actually it is a pretty clear delineation.  Are we actually being directed by God or by our own or others opinions and desires.  Some of the missionaries who didn’t go were not impelled of God and the church buildings that ran into financial problems were the result of man’s not following God’s plan either in building the church at all, or in how they attempted to do it.  Many times our efforts to finance the church are based on worldly principles rather than faith.  Sometimes we start in faith then change to human wisdom and lose God’s blessing.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.” (Exodus 33:17)

Before sending Moses to lead Israel out, God had revealed himself as Moses friend by sharing his name Jehovah with him.  Now God reveals his friendship, saying I know the by name.  It is that closeness that is the basis for God’s being willing to commit to going with him.  Giving others the right to use our personal names and using theirs is a mark of personal respect and trust, whereas titles indicate mere obligatory respect.  

God’s Forgiveness

Exodus 32:30-33:6

“And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.” (Exodus 32:30) 

Having spent forty days learning what God required, and months seeing his power revealed, Moses had every reason for concern.  Israel had knowingly and deliberately violated their contract with God.  He had no assurance that God would forgive such gross iniquity, even after those most deeply involved were killed, but he was going to try to straighten things out.  Perhaps some concessions or gifts could be used to mollify God.

“And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.  Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” (Exodus 32:31-32) 

Moses went apologetically to the Lord, acknowledging that their sin had been very offensive, even to the point of telling God all he had done for them was worthless, crediting it to some gold idol they had made.  Moses recognized God had every right to be angry, but if God was unable to forgive their sin, then there was no reason for Moses to go on either.   It demonstrates a concern for his people that many leaders today lack.

Many today who want forgiveness today downplay their sin as only a small thing that shouldn’t be taken seriously, rather than considering the impact on the person who was offended.   Even when the recognize it as a serious offense they try to avoid responsibility by making various excuses.  Moses simply stated that it was a serious violation of God’s agreement and made no excuses for them.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.  Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.  And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.” (Exodus 32:33-35)

This is the first place where the book of life has been mentioned.   Revelation 20:15 states, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”  Here sin is clearly given as the reason for having ones name removed from the book of life.  The consequence is to be cast into the lake of fire forever.  God was very specific that he was going to hold the individual accountable for his own sin.  The guilt would not be laid on the leader.  According to John 3:18-19, the sin that causes our name to be erased or blotted out is refusing to place our faith in Jesus Christ.  “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

God forgave their sin, and sent his angel to accompany them into the land as he had promised.  Nevertheless, their sin changed the relationship with God.  He plagued them because of the golden calf.   Forgiveness means one is given a second chance.  It does not erase the consequences of sin.  Just as being forgiven for murder does not restore the victim to life, being forgiven for adultery does not take away the hurt and damage done to the marriage.  The very concept of a second chance implies one is on probation.  The probation will only be ended when one has demonstrated their commitment not to re-offend.  This is the type of forgiveness we are able to give.

The forgiveness offered in Christ goes beyond mere human forgiveness.  He not only gives us another chance, he also paid for our sin in full, eliminating the records of that sin or any future consequences for it.   He is not going to provide that type of forgiveness to one who does not take their sin seriously, or refuses to take responsibility.  Many people are like the little boy who pinched his baby brother, then said “I’m sorry.”  He got quite upset when his uncle spanked him because “I said I’m sorry and your not supposed to spank me when I say I’m sorry.”  As the uncle said, he was lying when he said it.  He was only sorry he got spanked.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it: And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.” (Exodus 33:1-3) 

God would still keep his promises to Israel, sending his angel before them and giving them the land he had promised.  Because of their sin he would remain separate from them.  Just as a grandparent overlooks things from his grandchildren he would never have overlooked with his children because he doesn’t have to put up with it all the time, God would be able to overlook sin because he was not constantly confronted with it.  God didn’t want to become the grouch who was always just looking for an excuse to punish them.

“And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.  For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.  And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.” (Exodus 33:4-6)

To put on their jewelry would be like a teenager dressing for a party in defiance of his folks.