35:30 – 36:1 The LORD chose Bezalel and Oholiab to lead the construction efforts because they

                   were skilled craftsmen and knowledgeable of all kinds of crafts.  But what sets

                   them apart in their work for the LORD is that they are filled with the Spirit of God.

                   In addition to leading the construction efforts Bezalel and Oholiab are responsible

                   training and equipping (teach) others to assist them in building the tabernacle.

36:1—7 As Bezalel and Oholiab began the construction of the Tabernacle Moses brought the

            Israelite offering to the workers.  During the course of construction the offerings

            began to exceed necessity, so the workers summoned Moses and informed them that

            “the people are brining more than enough,” for the building of the Sanctuary. Moses

            informs the people that they are to not bring any more than what they already have. 

            This shows that God is not about excess or asking more of the people than necessary.

The Building of the Tabernacle (chapter 26 and 36:8—38)

• The Ten Curtains – fine linen, 42 feet long and 6 feet wide
• The Curtains over the Tabernacle – eleven curtains of goat hair
• Upright Frames – made of Achaia wood; 15 feet long and 2.25 feet wide
• Bases for the Frames – were made of silver (forty were custom made)
• Crossbars – joined together the 40 Achaia frames

Day 3 – The Building of the Pieces of the Tabernacle 

           (Exodus 37:1—38:31; Psalm 35:1—14; Proverbs 10:10—12)

The Building of the Ark (chapter 25:10—22 and 37:1--9)

   Bezalel the chief craftsman was given the honor of making the most sacred object among the

   furnishings for the tabernacle. Bezalel made the ark based on the exact instructions given by

   God to Moses.

The Table (see chapter 25:23—29 and 37:10—16)

The Lampstand (see chapter 25:31—39)

The Altar of Incense (see Exodus 30:1—5 and 37:25—29)

The Altar of Burnt Offering (see Exodus 27:1—8 and 38:1—7)

38:8 Basin for Washing – Mirrored glass was unknown in ancient time, but high polished

       bronze could be used as glass and therefore served in the basin for washing.

The Courtyard (see Exodus 27:9—19 and 38:9—20)

The Materials Used in the Construction of the Temple  (see 38:21—31)

  As the materials for the construction of the Tabernacle were brought for use

Ithamar, a Levite and son of Aaron recorded the collection.

• Gold – 29 talents and 730 shekels (about 1 metric ton)
• Silver – 100 talents and 1,775 shekels (about 3.4 metric tons)

  Since there are 3,000 shekels in a talent, 100 talents equals 300,000 shekels, which, when added to
the 1,775 shekels, gives a grand total of 301,775—half a shekel for each of the 603,550 men of
military age.

• Bronze – 70 talents and 2,400 shekels (about 2.4 metric tons)

Day 4 – The Priestly Garments and Setting up the Tabernacle

(Exodus 39:1 – 40:38; Psalm 35:15 – 28; Proverbs 10:13—14)

The Priestly Garments

  After the building of the tabernacle and all its pieces, Moses gave instruction for the designing of the priestly garments to be worn by Aaron and his sons as they ministered in the temple. 

• The ephod of was a sleeveless vestment worn over the robe and under the breastpiece. On shoulders of the ephod were 12 onyx stones mounted to serve as memorial stones for the twelve sons of Israel.  (39:2—7)
• The breastpiece was carefully crafted garment to be worn by Aaron over the ephod.  It was       square and about nine inched wide and long.  The ephod contained four rows of precious stones:
  • Row #1 – a ruby, topaz, and beryl
  • Row #2 – a turquoise, sapphire, and emerald
  • Row #3 – a jacinth, an agate, and amethyst
  • Row #4 – a chrysolite, a onyx, and a jasper

            The breastpiece was designed to be connected to the ephod and worn to visually

            Illustrate the work of the priests on behalf of the twelve tribes of Israel. (39:8—21)  

• The robe was made of blue cloth and had a band around the center opening so that it would not    tear while being used. The robe also contained bells around the bottom to signal that the priests  
   were still alive and ministering in the temple. (39:22—26)
• The tunics, turban, sash and undergarments were all made of fine linens (39:27—29)
• The plate or sacred diadem was made out of pure gold and had an inscription on it that read     “Holy to the LORD”.

Moses Inspects the Tabernacle

Upon completion of all the items in the Tabernacle, they are brought before Moses for inspection.
Moses is looking to see that every item was built to the exact measurements and requirements set
forth by God:

• The tent and all its furnishings
• Its clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases
• The covering of ram skins dyed red
• The covering of hides of sea cows
• The shielding curtain
• The ark of Testimony with its poles and atonement cover
• That table with all its articles and the bread of the Presence
• The pure gold lampstand and all its accessories
• The oil for the light
• The gold altar
• The anointing oil
• The fragrant incense
• The curtain for the entrance to the tent
• The bronze altar and its grating and utensils
• The wash basin with its stand
• The curtains of the courtyard with its post and bases
• The curtain for the entrance to the courtyard
• The ropes and tent pegs for the courtyard
• All the furnishings for the Tabernacle
• The woven garments worn by the priests
• The sacred garments worn by Aaron

 After inspecting all these items Moses saw that they followed the LORD’s instructions completely and blessed them.

Setting up the Tabernacle (40:1 –33)

40:1 “set up the tabernacle, the tent of Meeting” – Moses gives instructions to the Israelites

       that the Tabernacle would be erected on the “first day of the first month.”  Thus the

       tabernacle  was set up almost a year after the institution of the Passover. The diagram

       below illustrates the location of each of piece based on Moses instructions.

40:9 “anointing oil” – Moses gives the instructions that entire Tabernacle should be anointed

       oil. The purpose of anointing the Tabernacle was to consecrate this place for the sacrifices

       that will take place to the LORD.   Consecration is a process by which earthly elements are

       made “holy” that is, they are set apart for the work of the LORD. Moses calls for the

       anointing of:

·         The tabernacle and its furnishings

·         The altar of burnt offering and its utensils

·         The basin and its stand

40:12 “Bring Aaron and his sons” – just as God commanded Aaron and his sons will be

          ordained and consecrated into the royal priesthood. They will receive sacred

          garments to wear and will be anointed with oil to symbolize that they are physically

          and spiritually set-apart for the work of the LORD.

40:20 “He took the Testimony” – The testimony was the recording of all that God had spoken to

          Moses during his forty days on Mount Sinai.  Moses was to place the Testimony in the Ark

          of the Covenant which was then placed in the Holy of Holies.

40:34 “the cloud covered the Tent…and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” – With the

         glory of the LORD entering the tabernacle, the great series of events that began with the

         birth of Moses and his rescue from the Nile, foreshadowing the deliverance of Israel from

         Egypt, comes to a grand climax. From now on, the Israelites march through the desert

         with the LORD dwelling among them and leading them to the land of fulfilled promises.

Day 5 – The Burnt Offering

            (Leviticus 1:1--17; Psalm 36; Proverbs 10:15—16)

The book of Exodus closes with the building of the Tabernacle and the glory of the LORD resting upon     the tribe of Israel.  The book Leviticus picks up with the story of the Levites and God’s instructions for them on how to perform their duties at the altar. Leviticus gives the laws and regulations for worship      at the Tabernacle including instructions on ceremonial cleanness, moral laws, holy days, the sabbath   year, and the Year of Jubilee. These laws for the most part were given during the year that Israel    camped at Mount Sinai.

1:1 “The LORD spoke to Moses” – The contents of Leviticus were given to Moses by God at

     Mount Sinai. The LORD spoke to Moses at the “Tent of Meeting/Tabernacle”. 

1:2 “brings an offering” – The Hebrew word for offering is rooted in the word “to bring”. An

      Offering is something that someone “brings” to God as a gift.  The “burnt offering” would

      a gift from the herd, flock, or even a bird that is offered to God to make atonement. 

1:3  “burnt offering” – a burnt offering was offered every morning and evening for all Israel as

       outlined in Exodus 29:29—42.   Double burnt offering were brought on the Sabbath (see

       Numbers 28:9—10) and extra ones on feast days (see Number 28—29).  The whole sacrifice

       was to be burned up, including the head, legs, fat, and inner organs. It is therefore

       sometimes called a holocaust offering (holo means “whole,” and caust means “burnt”).

       When a bull was offered, however, the officiating priest could keep its hide. The burnt

       offering may have been the usual sacrifice offered by the patriarchs. The completeness of

       the offering speaks of dedication on the part of the worshiper

An offering from the herd (verse 3—9)

• A male – males were used because of their greater value and because the represented vigor and fertility. It was usually a young sheep or goat, but bulls, pigeons, or doves could be used based     on income. 
   
• Without defect – the animal was to be without any defects so that the offering would be pleasing   to the LORD. 
   
• Lay hands an the animal – as in all offerings, the offerer was to lay his hands on the animal to express identification between himself and the animal, whose death would then be accepted in “atonement”
   
• The animal is to be slaughtered by the person bringing the offerings 

When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the      blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has    commanded you to keep.” In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle     and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be   cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.                (Hebrews 9:19—22)

• Sprinkle the blood – the sprinkling of the blood was to make atonement for the individual brining the offering. 
   
• Skin the animal – the whole animal was burned expect the hide, which was given to the priest.   Then the animal would be cut-up into pieces. 
   
• Light the fire on the altar designed for burnt offerings 
   
• The priests would then arrange the pieces of the animal on the altar, wash in the insides, and     burn up all the animal.  

1:9 “an aroma please to the LORD” – The OT burnt offering foreshadows Christ, who was

      described as “fragrant offering” – see Ephesians 5:2

An offering from the flock (verse 10—13)

• A male sheep or goat without defect
• To be slaughtered on the north side of the altar
• Blood to be sprinkled and the animal cut into pieces
• The inner parts are to be washed and the entire animal burnt up

An offering of birds (verse 14—17)

• Either a dove or a young pigeon
• The priest brings it the altar and wrings off its head
• The bird is burnt and the blood drained
• The offering of birds is provided for those who are poor and possess little or no livestock.  

Day 6 – The Grain and Fellowship Offerings

(Leviticus 2:1—3:17; Psalm 37:1—9; Proverbs 10:17—18)

2:1 “grain offering” – It was made of grain or fine flour. If baked or cooked, it consisted of

      cakes or wafers made in a pan or oven or on a griddle. It was the only bloodless offering,

      but it was to accompany the burnt offering and fellowship offering. The Hebrew word for

      grain offering can mean “present” or “gift” and is often used in that way. The sacred gifts

      express devotion to God.

      A portion of flour was to be burned on the altar with the accompanying offerings, and the

      balance was to be baked without yeast and eaten by the priests in their holy meals. The

      flour that was burned on the altar was mixed with olive oil for shortening, slated for taste

      and accompanied by incense, but it was to have no yeast or honey.  The cooked product

      was similar to a pie crust. The worshiper was not to eat any of the grain offering, and the

      priests were not to eat any of their own grain offerings, which were to be totally burned.

2:1 “fine flour” – grain that was milled and sifted.

     “oil” – Olive oil is often mentioned in connection with grain and new wine as fresh products

     of the harvest. Used extensively in cooking, it was suitable part of the worshiper’s gift.

The Bringing of the Offering

  Fine Flour

• the priest shall take a handful of fine flour with oil, together with all the incense, and burn this
  as a memorial portion on the altar, an offering made of fire,
• This offering will be an aroma pleasing to the LORD, just as the burnt offering was
• The remaining portion of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons
• Since this bread was “holy bread” it was to be eaten only in the sanctuary and not by the
   priest’s families.

 Baked Bread

• Should consist of fine flour: cakes made without yeast and mixed with oil
• Or wafers made without yeast and spread with oil.

 Prepared on a Griddle (a clay pan that rested on a stone heated by fire)

• Made of fine flour with oil, and without yeast.
• Crumble it and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering. 

 Cooked in a pan

• Made of fine flour and oil without yeast
• Bring it to the priest who shall take it to the altar
• He shall take out a portion from the grain offering to be burnt up and the rest goes to Aaron
  and his sons

2:11 “honey” – It was forbidden on the altar perhaps because of its use in Canaanite cultic

                       practice.

2:12 “You may bring them…” – Offerings made with yeast could be offered as firstfruits but not

                                               as burnt offerings on the altar.

2:13 “salt of the covenant” – In ancient times salt was often costly and a valuable part of the

                                            diet. Perhaps this is why it was used as a covenant sign and was

                                            required for sacrifices.

   Firstfruits Offering

• Offer crushed heads of new grain roasted in the fire
• Put oil and incense on it; it was a grain offering
• The priest shall burn the memorial portion of the crushed grain and the oil, together with all the incense, as an offering made to the LORD by fire

Purpose of the Grain Offering

Voluntary act of worship; recognition of God’s goodness and provision; devotion to God

3:1 The “fellowship offering” encompasses two basic offerings for peace and fellowship. The

      traditional translation is “peace offering,” a name that comes from the Hebrew word for

      the offering, which in turn is related to the Hebrew word “shalom”, meaning “peace” or

      “wholeness.” Thus the offering perhaps symbolized peace between God and man as well as

      the inward peace that resulted. The fellowship offering was the only sacrifice of which the

      giver might eat a part.  Fellowship was involved because giver, on the basis of the

      sacrifice, had fellowship with God and with the priest, who also ate part of the offering.

      This sacrifice was offered by thousands during the three annual festivals in Israel:

           ·         Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 23:15)

·         Feast of Harvest (Exodus 23:16a)

·         Feast of Ingathering (Exodus 23:16b)

   The Bringing of the Fellowship/Peace Offering

   An animal from the heard

• An animal from the heard, male or female, without defect
• The giver is to lay their hands on the offering and slaughter it at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting
• The priests will sprinkle the blood against the altar on all sides
• A sacrifice is to by made by fire of:
  • All the fat the covers the inner parts or is connected to them
  • Both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins
  • The covering of the liver
• The priests are to burn the offering on the altar on top of the burnt offering
• The offering will be pleasing to the LORD.

  An animal from the flock (lamb or goat) 

• An animal from the flock, male or female, without defect
• The giver is to lay their hands on the offering and slaughter it at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting
• The priests will sprinkle the blood against the altar on all sides
• A sacrifice is to by made by fire of:
  • The entire fat tail cut off close to the backbone,
  • All the fat that covers the inner parts or is connected to them
  • Both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins
  • The covering of the liver
• The priests are to burn the offering on the altar on top of the burnt offering
• The offering will be pleasing to the LORD.

3:11, 16 “on the altar as food” – Israelite sacrifices were not food for the gods as in other

             ancient cultures. The offering is described metaphorically as “food” in the sense that

             they were gifts to God and he received them with delight.

Purpose of the Fellowship Offering

Voluntary act of worship; thanksgiving and fellowship (a communal meal)
  

Day 1 – The Sin and Guilt Offerings

(Leviticus 4:1—6:30; Psalm 37:10 – 20; Proverbs 10:19 – 21)

There were two types of sin offerings established by the LORD.  The first (3—21) and the more           important one involved sprinkling the blood in the tabernacle in front of the inner curtain or as on the     Day of Atonement on the “atonement cover”. This type of sin offering was not eaten and was offered      by and for a priest or by the elders for the whole community.  The second type of offering (4:22—5:13) was for a leader of the nation or a private individual. The bringing of the sin offering showed how      faithful Israelites under the conviction of sin sought restoration of their relationship with God.

4:2 “sins unintentionally” – Four classes of people are involved in committing unintentional sins:

1. The anointed priest (vv. 3—12)
2. The whole Israelite community (v 13—21)
3. A leader (v 22—26)
4. A member of the community (vv 27—35)  

   To “sin unintentionally” is the most common form of sin that we experience on a daily basis. These “unintentional” can range from miscommunication, to forgetfulness, or even offending someone        without knowing it.  This is why in our common confession we often will ask the Lord to forgive us of        the things we know and don’t know because of the “unintentional” sins we commit on a regular           ongoing basis.

The Sin Offering for an Anointed Priest

• The anointed priest is the High Priest who serves on behalf of the whole Israelite community
• When the High Priest sins it brings guilt on the “whole community”.  Why because the priest represents the whole community and shows the intimate relationship between God and his        people. 
• This unique connection between the High Priest and the “community of believers” is why Jesus     serves as our great High Priest who never sinned. 
• A young bull without defect is brought to the Tent of Meeting
• The giver lays hands upon the animals head and then slaughters the animal
• The “anointed priest” takes some blood into the Tent of Meeting
• He takes the blood, dips his finger into, and sprinkles it seven times before the LORD in front of    the curtain of the sanctuary
• The “anointed priest” then put some blood on the horns found on the Incense altar. The four      horns  of the altar (see Exodus 30:1—3) were symbols of the atoning power of the sin offering
• The rest of the blood shall be poured out at the base the Burnt Offering altar
• All the fat shall be removed including the fat covering the inner parts along with the kidneys and    liver
• These parts and fat are burned on the altar for burnt offerings.
• All the rest of the bull is to be taken outside of the camp to a ceremonially clean place and it is    burned completely

   In Hebrews 13:11—13 we see the parallel of our sin offering, Jesus, who suffered and was taken            outside of the city to be offered as our sacrifice.

The Sin Offering for the Whole Community

  The sin offering for the whole community was designed to restore the community for their      “unintentional” and often “unknowing” sinful actions.  Even in ignorance God holds us accountable for actions and provides a process for restoration and renewal.

• The assembly brings a young bull and presents it before the Tent of Meeting
• The elders of the community are to lay their hands on the bull’s head before the Lord and the          bull shall be slaughtered before the LORD.
• The “anointed priest” takes some blood into the Tent of Meeting
• He takes the blood, dips his finger into, and sprinkles it seven times before the LORD in front of         the curtain of the sanctuary
• The “anointed priest” then put some blood on the horns found on the Incense altar. The rest of       the blood shall be poured out at the base the Burnt Offering altar
• All the fat shall be removed including the fat covering the inner parts along with the kidneys and       liver
• These parts and fat are burned on the altar for burnt offerings.
• All the rest of the bull is to be taken outside of the camp to a ceremonially clean place and it is     burned completely
• This offering will make atonement and the community will be forgiven