Exodus 40 The Voice (VOICE) The last half of the Book of Exodus offers a picture of the relationship between God and humanity through powerful symbols. The amazing truth of all Scripture is reflected here: God resides in the midst of His people. In every detail of God’s directives—the ethical rules, the people’s offerings, the design of the congregation tent and its furnishings, God’s redemptive acts—God is announcing the central truth: He is present with His covenant people. So the physical elements of this covenant bear witness to deep, spiritual realities. God is in the process of repairing the world from the damage caused by sin and death; but to do so, He needs a people. This is why He chooses Israel and makes them different from everyone else. He needs agents on the ground devoted to liberating a world held hostage to lesser powers and feebler gods. But where will those people be formed and trained to be God’s effective agents? They will be shaped in the crucible of worship and obedience. 40 Then the Eternal One instructed Moses. ==================== Eternal One: 2 When the first day of the first month arrives, erect the sanctuary of the congregation tent. 3 Place the covenant chest in there—as a witness to our agreement—and screen it from sight with the veil. 4 Move the table into place and arrange the utensils on it. Then move the lampstand into place and set up all its lamps. 5 Place the golden altar for incense in front of the covenant chest outside the veil, and install the curtain at the entrance to the congregation tent. 6 Set up the altar for burnt offerings in front of the entrance to the congregation tent. 7 Place the basin between the sanctuary of the congregation tent and the altar, and fill it with water. 8 Erect the posts and fabric panels around the courtyard, and hang the panel at the court’s entrance. 9 Anoint the tent and everything in it with the anointing oil. Consecrate it and all its furnishings, so that it will all be holy. 10 Anoint the altar for burnt offerings and all its tools, and consecrate the altar so that it will be most holy. 11 Anoint the basin and its stand, and consecrate it as well. 12 Escort Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the sanctuary of the congregation tent and cleanse them with water. 13 Dress Aaron in the sacred garments, then anoint and sanctify him so that he may serve Me as high priest. 14 Next bring his sons forward and dress them in tunics. 15 Anoint them in the same way that you anointed their father, Aaron, so that they may serve Me as priests. With their anointing, they will enter the priesthood and remain priests forever for all their generations. 16 Moses did exactly as the Eternal One instructed him.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 13:28:19 +0000
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