EXODUS – Chapter 39 – Chapter 466

GARMENTS FOR AARON

The holy garments for Aaron were made carefully in accordance with the instructions given to Moses. The constant repetition of the statement, "As Yahweh commanded Moses..." (vv. 1, 5, 7, etc.), not only shows that close attention was given to the commands received, but also that God heeds and records when this is done. Finally, all the garments were inspected and approved by Moses.

The Priestly Garments Completed — vv. 1-31.

All the parts of the tabernacle having been made, Bezaleel and Aholiab take in hand the priestly garments which already have been described.

VERSE 1

"And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet" — The reference is to the threads spun by the women (Exo. 35:25), and which had been given to Moses. No mention is made of the fine linen, though this also was manufactured by the women. Perhaps, as linen formed the basic material, reference is only made to the dyed threads which formed the pattern of the various entrances, and the ceiling of the tabernacle.

"They made cloths of service to do service in the holy place"— The Berkeley Bible renders this as "garments for ministering in the sanctuary," or as translated literally in the English-Hebrew Interlinear Bible, "the vestments for office." See note, Exo. 31:10.

"And made the holy garments for Aaron; as Yahweh commanded Moses" — See note, Exo. 28:2.

VERSE 2

"And he made the ephod ofgold, blue and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen" — See note, Exo. 28:6.

VERSE 3

"And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut itinto wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work" — This method of producing the fine gold thread to work into the ephod, not previously mentioned, required remarkable skill, which was divinely bestowed on craftsmen to produce this special item.

VERSES 4-7

See notes, Exo. 28:7-12.

VERSES 8-21

See notes, Exo. 28:15-28.

VERSES 22-26

See notes, Exo. 28:31-34.

VERSES 27-29

See notes, Exo. 28:39-40.

VERSES 30-31

See notes, Exo. 28:36-37.

VERSES 32-41

These verses contain a recapitulation of the work completed, and therefore have already been discussed. However, v. 37 states that the lamps are to be "set in order." The Hebrew ma arakah provides a literal rendition "lamps of arrangement" or of military array. Each of the seven lamps contributes its portion of the general illumination, thus assisting each other. It should be the objective of each ecclesia to co-operate with its sister-ecclesias inmutual co-operation that the Truth might shine forth more brightly in giving forth one light (see Num. 8:2). The supervision of the high priest assisted to that end (Lev. 24:1-3), as that of our High Priest does today (cp. Rev. 1:20; 2:1). Each lamp was so replenished with oil that it shone forth consistently with its fellows — a symbol of inter-ecclesial fellowship and co-operation.

VERSE 42

"According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses" — This statement is constantly repeated, indicating that the work was meticulously completed according to the instructions given.

"So the children of Israel made all the work" — Obviously, if any of the work submitted to Moses' scrutiny had not conformed "to the pattern shown him in the mount" (Exo. 25:40; 26:30), it would have been rejected and replaced. This may have been the case, for the order of enumeration of the work completed is not quite the same as the original listing of the order required.

VERSE 43

"And Moses did look upon all the work" — Moses acted carefully, and closely examined the work to see that itconformed to the letter of the instructions given. He thus acted in the capacity of judge, foreshadowing the future status of Christ who will closely scrutinise the various parts of the tabernacle "not made with hands," as they are brought before him at his second coming.

Hence, in examining each part, and passing it as fit, Moses acted as judge, knowing the "pattern" already clearly revealed to him in the mount (Exo. 25:40). Similarly, those to be redeemed by the Master, will be fashioned by the Word according to the "pattern" demonstrated in him (cp.1 Tim. 1:16; Heb. 8:5).

"And, behold, they had done it as Yahweh commanded, even so they had done it" — Whether or not some parts were rejected and replaced, the tabernacle was finally completed and approved by the judge. No parts were missing. There was a completeness about the work, even as there will be when the spiritual tabernacle of God is completed in the Age to come (Rev. 21:3).

"And Moses blessed them" — The benediction he pronounced upon the workers not only expressed his own approval but that of Yahweh whom he represented (Exo. 7:1). Christ, also, will proclaim a blessing upon the completed work of the spiritual tabernacle at his second coming (Mat. 25:34-40).

See this typed in Lev. 9:22-23. The people were blessed "and the glory of Yahweh appeared unto all the people." It was an outstandingmoment of joy. So it shall be in the age to come when the blessed will be given divine nature, and the glory of Yahweh shall appear unto all.

LESSONS FOR US:

  • God records those times when we obey His commandments.
  • It should be the objective of each ecclesia to act inmutual co-operation that the Truth might shine forth more brightly in giving forth one light.

REFERENCE LIBRARY

  • HP Mansfield – Exodus
  • Berkeley Bible
  • English-Hebrew Interlinear Bible

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

  • How is the Ecclesia a lampstand

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

  • The Ecclesia is likened to the temple of God; Moses is likened to the Lord Jesus Christ. Outline the type seen where Moses inspected the articles of the tabernacle.
  • What is the spiritual significance of the tabernacle being completed?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  • In Revelation chapter one we are informed that the “Son of man” walked amidst the lampstands. What is this a symbol of?