Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Exodus 25-27; Psalm 21:8-12; Acts 6

Exodus
25:2 - Offerings for the tabernacle were not required, but would be from all "whose hearts prompt them to give.
Where did all this finery come from? Must have been from Egypt.

25:22ff - Mercy seat: In the future, God would speak to Moses from above the mercy seat. Dimensions in feet: 3-3/4L x 2-1/4W x 2-1/4H.
Not that big!

25:27ff - Table of the Bread of Presence would also be carried by poles inserted into rings at its legs. It was smaller than the mercy seat, but the same height. In feet: 3 x 1-1/2 x 2-1/4.

25:40 - Lampstand. Reminder: All these instructions regarding the tabernacle were given to Moses while he was up on the mountain.

26:1-14 - Tabernacle.
Where did the craftsmen that would construct the tabernacle learn their skills? Had to be in Egypt.

v. 1 - Added quality of workmanship: Cherubim would be worked into the linen curtains.
Details of curtains and framework:
  • Total width of curtains: 40 cubits (60 feet)
  • Height - 28 cubits (42 feet)
  • Inside curtains: Fine linen with blue, purple, and crimson yard, with clasps of gold
  • Outside curtains: Goats' hair with clasps of bronze
  • Framework: Acacia wood, overlaid in gold, 15 feet high, with gold rings and silver bases
26:33,36 - Inside curtains:
  • For enclosing the mercy seat (holy of holies) and screening the entrance into the tent
  • Pillars made of acacia overlaid with gold, with gold hooks and bronze bases.
27:1ff Altar
  • Dimensions in feet: 7-1/2L x 7-1/2W x 4-1/2 H
  • Acacia wood overlaid with bronze
  • Bronze utensils
  • Would also be carried on poles through rings at its four corners
27:9 - Court:
  • Enclosed by linen hangings
  • Pillars and bases of bronze with hooks and bands of silver
  • Dimensions in feet: 150 feet on north and south; 75 feet on east and west
  • Gate was a linen screen with pillar bands of silver, silver hooks, bronze bases. Height: 7-1/2 feet
  • The tabernacle is much smaller than I usually picture it--somewhere between a basketball court and a football field. Compare its outer dimensions of 150 x 75 to a high school basketball court, which is 94 x 50. The inner tent (holy place and holy of holies) was a mere 45 x 15.
27:20 - Lamp oil: to be olive oil, tended by Aaron and his sons from evening to morning - a perpetual ordinance.

Psalm 21:8-13

Verse of note: God is always victorious. v. 11 - "If [your enemies] plan evil against you, if they devise mischief, they will not succeed."

Acts 6
v. 1 - Church growth does not preclude complaints within.

v. 3 - Even physical duties within the church require men "of good standing, full of wisdom and prayer."

v. 7 - Some priests obeyed, so not all of them were closed-minded.

v. 10 - If you're dishonest, how do you deal with someone whose "wisdom and spirit" you cannot answer? Accuse him of blasphemy!

v. 15 - What the council saw: "Stephen's face was like the face of an angel."

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