Moses Deals With The Sin

Exodus 32:15-29

“And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.  And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.” (Exodus 32:15-16)

For forty days, Moses had been on the mountain top with Joshua, communicating with God and learning how to please him.  After months of dealing with the constant complaining about the food, the water, the way the Egyptians treated them, the fear of Pharaoh, etc., besides the interpersonal conflicts in such a large group, it must have been a relief to just get away.  When God sent them down the mountain because o what the Israelites were doing. They were carrying the tables of stone God had prepared for them.

“And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. 


And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.” (Exodus 32:17-18) 

As they came down from the mountain, they could hear a lot of loud noise.  A new parent may hear a baby cry and rush to it’s rescue in panic while a more experienced parent recognizes the cry as being of anger or desiring attention and is far less upset.  Joshua had little experience leading, and upon hearing the commotion, remembered what it had been like when the Amalekites attacked and assumed Israel was under attack again.  Forty years of herding sheep had taught Moses to listen more closely to what was going on, and he recognized the noises of a loud party.

“And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.  And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strowed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.” (Exodus 32:19-20)

Up on the mountain it had been easy to assume God was over reacting to what was happening.  When he saw the drunken orgy the people were having Moses lost his own temper, throwing the tables of stone violently to the ground  and breaking them.  He melted down the golden calf, ground up the resulting blobs of gold, and scattered it across the water, then made the people drink the water, to make it clear that since the calf couldn’t even protect itself from him, it wasn’t much of a god and couldn’t have been the one that delivered them from Egypt.

“And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?” (Exodus 32:21) 

Aaron had been with Moses when he met with God before, and Moses had left him in charge.  He couldn’t believe his own brother would willingly go along with such things.  Surely they had forced him against his will.

“And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.  For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.  And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.” (Exodus 32:22-24) 

Like Adam and Eve, long before, Aaron blamed it on someone else.  The people were determined to do wrong so he had just done what they wanted to keep from causing trouble.  He’d told them to bring their gold, and when he threw it into the fire the calf came out.  Some how, he neglected to mention making a crucible, and molds and the engraving of the finished casting.   It just miraculously became a calf, all by itself.  It wasn’t his fault things got out of hand.  

“And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)  Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.  And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.” (Exodus 32:25-27)

Before Moses went up the mountain God had told them, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” in Exodus 20:14.  While on the mountain, God had made it clear that sexual sin was to be punished by execution of both parties in cases of consensual involving a married or engaged person, and the execution of the man in cases of rape.  Moses’ order to execute the guilty was just fulfilling God’s command.

The orgy had been Aaron’s idea.  The people had just done what he told them in this case.  However, God had warned them they were not to just go along with things that were wrong in Exodus 23:2.  “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment.”  God holds the individual accountable for his own actions.  That the one in charge told them to, or that everyone else was doing it did not absolve them of responsibility.

They could not claim ignorance because in Exodus 24:7 they had agreed to these things.  “And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.”  They deserved the punishment they received.

“And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.  For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.” (Exodus 32:28-29) 

Three thousand men were executed for their participation in the orgy.  Consecration or sanctification means setting apart for a special use.  Just as one separates his eating utensils and would insist they be cleansed after being used to change a baby’s diaper before eating off them, sin has to be removed before people can be acceptable to serve God.   Stolen items can be returned or replaced, but sexual sin or murder cannot be undone or fixed.

God’s Anger Toward Israel

Exodus 32:7-14

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 32:7-8)

God was fully aware of what was happening in Israel’s camp.  He knew that they had broken the covenant they had just made, and that they were crediting their deliverance from Israel to another god, the golden calf, rather than to the one who actually delivered them.  It is pretty offensive to see one’s efforts disparaged and the credit deliberately assigned to someone who wasn’t even present by those who know the truth, and God was offended.

The original meaning of the word plagiary or plagiarism was to kidnap, to steal something from another.  In modern English the meaning is to steal the credit for another’s work.  It is considered a crime in modern law.   The Greek word translated blasphemy incorporated the modern meanings of defamation, libel and plagariasm.   By knowingly crediting someone else with what God had done, the Jews were blaspheming him.  It is the same sin as that of the person who says, “God has never done anything for me.”

“And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.” (Exodus 32:9-10)

God was so angered by the rejection of everything he had done, crediting it all to some  inanimate golden calf, that he told Moses to get out of the way so he could destroy them without hurting Moses.  He promised to start over with Moses’ family.

Blasphemy is a serious sin, and Matthew 12:31-32 warns, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”  Rejecting the Holy Spirit’s work, specifically in drawing us to Christ, will never be forgiven.

“And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?  Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.  Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.” (Exodus 32:11-13)

God had ample provocation and every right to destroy Israel for their sin and rejection.  As Moses pointed out, however, destroying Israel would cause the Egyptians to believe God could not be trusted and would break his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by destroying their descendants.

God is the all knowing one, and is perfect and holy.  While he knew what they were going to do, it is hard for God to understand human thinking.   Moses was  like other men and as a result he could understand how people could fall into sin due to their lack of understanding and sinful nature in a way God could not.  He could understand how humans would perceive God’s actions in a way God would not.  As a result, he interceded for the nation of Israel.

Because he is a just God, recognizes the difference in perception, and does not wish to judge unfairly,  God has selected men to intercede for those who sin according to Hebrews 5:1-2.  “For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.”  It is what makes Christ’s being both human and God so critical as he can represent both perspectives fairly.  Until Christ came, there was no one who could adequately understand both sides.

“And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.” (Exodus 32:14) 

A common misconception today is that to repent means to be sorry.  In fact, the Greek word means to change directions, to act differently.  One can express sorrow repeatedly, but until he begins to change his actions, he has not repented.  God changed what he was going to do, because Moses intervened.   While we do not change God’s nature or standards, we may change his actions by our intervention on another’s behalf.

The Golden Calf

Exodus 32:1-6

“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.” (Exodus 32:1)

The people had been terrified when God spoke to them in Exodus 20:18-19.  "And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.  And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”  They had chosen not to have direct communication because of their fear.

They readily agreed to follow the commands God gave in Exodus 19:7-8.  “And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.  And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.”  

God then gave them the commandment in Exodus 20:2-6.  “I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  Thou shalt have no other gods before me.  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or 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: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”

Watching nature movies it is astounding how panic stricken a herd of animals will be when attacked by a pride of lions, yet within minutes of a kill being made, they are relaxed and grazing as if nothing happened.  Israel’s behavior was very similar.  Less than forty days after being so frightened and agreeing to God‘s command, they were asking Aaron to make them another God because Moses hadn’t come back down to them.   People today are no different.

“And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.  And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.  And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 32:2-4)

Aaron had been one of the priests who went up to meet with God face to face, and had been left in charge until Moses returned.  He knew exactly what they were to do, yet when the asked to make gods for them, he complied with their wishes.  Asking them to donate gold for their idols, he built the necessary molds and crucibles and a forge or furnace for melting the metal and cast a gold calf.  He finished it by engraving the fine details.  Having done a little metal casting, I know it was a major project.

Despite having seen all God’s workings for over four months, destroying the Egyptian army and crossing the Red Sea and hearing his voice on the mountain, the people then announced that the golden calf and Aaron were the ones who brought them out of Egypt.  What an insult to God!

“And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.” (Exodus 32:5) 

Flattered, Aaron declared the following day as holiday to worship their new God.  This was the man God had chosen to be his high priest encouraging their disobedience!  It is a warning not to depend on even the best men to always lead us properly.

“And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.” (Exodus 32:6) 

Even while God was meeting with Moses to explain the details of their covenant with God, Israel was breaking the covenant, worshipping another god, dancing around naked in lewd sexual fashion, as we see in verse 25, at Aaron’s suggestion.  They went far beyond the moral restraints they would normally have observed to worship this false God.  Caught up emotionally in a false religion, people often do things they would not even consider in normal life.

Keeping the Sabbath

Exodus 31-12-18

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.” (Exodus 31:12-13)

Keeping the Sabbath was a sign of Israel’s commitment to God.  It would serve as reminder to them that they were God’s people and that it was God that made them holy and fitted to be in his presence from generation to generation.   Hebrews 10:24-25 Church attendance has a similar effect on the Christian, reminding him of his relationship with God.  Hebrews 10:24-25 instructs, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”  While church attendance, like keeping the Sabbath, can become mere ritual, it will still remind us of our relationship to God if there is any teaching of God’s word involved.

“Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.  Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.” (Exodus 31:14-15)

The Sabbath was to be a day wholly devoted to the Lord.  It was not to be devoted to daily chores like other days.  Even gathering the manna for food was forbidden.  Any one who broke the Sabbath was to be executed.  Nevertheless, Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man’s benefit, not man for keeping the Sabbath.  Later we find that the need to water the livestock or rescue an animal were excluded from that death penalty.  They were to avoid nonessential work on the Sabbath so they could be free to focus on God.

“Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.  It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” (Exodus 31:16-17)

Observance of the Sabbath was to be a permanent contract or covenant between God and Israel.  It was not part of  the covenant with Abraham, nor is it part of the contract with the Christian.  When the Apostles stated what was required for Christians in Acts 15:19-29, keeping the Sabbath was not included as a requirement.  Though Paul frequently preached in the synagogues on the Sabbath, or Saturday, the Christians met on Sunday, the first day of the week.  Taking time to go to church reminds us of God’s claim on our life and demonstrates our recognition of that claim, just as observing the Sabbath did for Israel.

“And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” (Exodus 31:18)

Both papyrus, or paper and parchment or animal skin decay, and most inks fade.  God wrote the terms of his contract with Israel in stone so they would not fade and be forgotten, and he wrote it out himself so there would be no question as to their source.  Later, Moses destroyed even those stone tablets.  The covenant with the church was not written on stone tablets but in the Christian’s heart, according to II Corinthians 3:3.  “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.”

The Builders

Exodus 31:1-11

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.” (Exodus 31:1-5) 

God specifically called Bezaleel to the work of constructing the Tabernacle.  He filled him with the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, to guide him in understanding how to do each of the different things.  Most of the time we think only of Moses or the priests as having been called by God, but God has a particular calling for each person, and the Holy Spirit equips them for that calling.  One of the most serious failings of the modern church is the failure to recognize that our occupation should be itself a ministry using the gifts God has given us for his glory.  People who are not going into church work are left with the impression it really doesn’t matter what they do, with the result the focus is on the level of remuneration, rather than on what God has called them to do.  How many have been pressured to go into the ministry when God called them to some other work?

“And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee; The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle, And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense,  And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot, And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office, And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.” (Exodus 31:6-11) 

Not only had God called Bezaleel as the manager, but he had chosen Aholiab as construction supervisor and various others as foremen and given them special areas of expertise.  Bezaleel could not do the entire project himself, but was dependent on others to do their part.  In the church, the individual members are just as important as the pastor, even though they may not get as much recognition.  I Corinthians 12 describes much the same situation in the church.

"But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 


For the body is not one member, but many.  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 


But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.  And if they were all one member, where were the body?  But now are they many members, yet but one body.  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 


For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” (I Corinthians 12:11-25)

We have failed our young people in not encouraging them to find the career God has called them to because we considered only a few occupations relevant.  There ought be no schism or differentiation between occupations in the church, any more than there should be between races.  Galatians 3:28 says that in in Christ, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”  Each is of equal importance.

The Anointing Oil

Exodus 30:22-33

“Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.” (Exodus 30:22-25) 

The anointing oil was a thick ointment made up of four ground spices mixed with olive oil in a very precise formula, similar to what a chemist or druggist would produce.  When ground together and mixed with a gallon and half of olive oil, it would make a large quantity of fairly stiff sweet smelling lotion.  

“And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot.  And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.  And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.” (Exodus 30:26-30) 

The anointing oil was to be rubbed or poured on every thing used in the worship of God, from the Tabernacle itself, to the ash pans for the brazen altar.  It was also to be placed  on the priests.  Without the anointing oil they were not acceptable, but the oil sanctified them as well as whatever they touched.

The oil portrays the Holy Spirit.  I John 2:27 refers to the Christian's being anointed.  “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”  John 14:27 makes it clear this anointing is with the Holy Spirit.  “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

It was the anointing oil that sanctified the priests.  Romans 8:8-9 makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is essential in our day.  “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”  It is the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us, according to I Corinthians 6:11.  “… but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

Not only does He sanctify the believer, but he also sanctifies whatever the believer touches.  It is why the Christian is not forced to leave an unsaved mate as some have taught, according to I Corinthians 7:12-14.  “…If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.  And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.”  They are not sanctified themselves, but only by their connection to the believer.  Each person gives account for himself before the Lord, so they will not be saved by the association as some would like to believe.  Romans 14:12 states, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

“And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.  Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.  Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.” (Exodus 30:31-33) 

Just as the oil could not be placed on anyone except the priests, the Holy Spirit cannot be received by unbelievers, according to John 14:16-17.  “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

Attempts to copy the anointing oil or to misuse it was to result in being dis-fellowshipped. Mark 13:22-23 warns, “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.  But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.”  We are not to fall for the fakery.  I Corinthians 12-14 is devoted to this subject.

I Corinthians 14:20 instructs, “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”  It is pretty arrogant to think we have the right to make up our own rules.  I Corinthians 14:36-38 addresses the attitude.  “What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.  But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.”  Genuinely spiritual people will recognize the importance of the real thing and avoid psychological manipulation and tricks.  Anyone who doesn’t is to be ignored as not knowing what he is talking about.

The Incense
Exodus 30:34-38

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.” (Exodus 30:34-36)

The incense, or perfume as it is called here was composed of equal parts of four spices.  They were to be ground together as a druggist or chemist would mix them.  Some of it was to be ground extra fine for placing on or around the ark of the testimony.

“And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD.  Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.” (Exodus 30:37-38)

Like the anointing oil, the incense was holy and no other could be burned on the altar of incense.  It was not to be used for any other purpose, nor was anything similar to be produced for any purpose.  Doing so was grounds for exclusion from the Congregation of Israel.  Our worship ought be decidedly different than what the world does.  Often, one could not distinguish between the response to “Christian” music at a religious meeting and the response to a song about illicit sex at a rock or country music concert, and sometimes can hardly tell the difference between the music itself.  I wonder how God feels about our efforts to reach the world?

The Atonement Money

Exodus 30:11-16

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them.  This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD. 


Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD.  The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.” (Exodus 30:11-15)

When a census was taken, every man above twenty years old was to give a half shekel of silver.  A shekel is about a half ounce so they were to give about a quarter of an ounce or at current prices, about eight dollars each.  It was an amount anyone could get, and everyone paid at the same rate.  It was given as a token to rmind them that Their souls and lives had been ransomed and atonement made for their sins.   Failure to give it exposed them to the risk of plagues among them.

Whether we were the worst person alive, or the best, our salvation still required the life of the Son of God.  It is provided on such terms that anyone who will can receive it, but refusal to do so exposes us to eternal judgment.

“And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.” (Exodus 30:16)

Any building or structure requires maintenance, and I am amazed how often government entities commit to a construction with no plan as to how it is to be supported or maintained.  The atonement money was to be used to maintain the Tabernacle, so that it would serve as a memorial to Israel.

The Brazen Laver
Exodus 30:17-21

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. There was to be a brass wash basin


For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.” (Exodus 30:17-21) 

Even though he had been sanctified, and was serving in the tabernacle, the priest would get dirty handling the ashes and bodies of the sacrifices.  That dirt would make him unfit for service.  A brass lavatory or wash basin was provided so they could wash before going into the Tabernacle or offering other sacrifices.  Failure to do so might well result in their death.

Though he has been saved, the Christian is affected by sin today.  It is crucial that he regularly wash it away in the blood of Christ to maintain his relationship with Christ.  The sin doesn’t cause him to be unsanctified, just contaminated, but it may make him fruitless and effectively dead to Christ.  It is simply a matter of confessing it to God as described in I John 1:9.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”