A Deep Dive into Scripture
The power of this drama, the words and imagery used to describe it, is unsurpassed in all human documentation, timeless, and as close to the Eternal as language can take us. I will never forget, when a sophomore in college, I read it as if it was the first time I ever noticed it, and … Read more
And the Word became flesh and [tabernacle] among us, full of grace (Greek charitas equivalent here to Hebrew ḥesed) and truth (Greek alētheias = Hebrew ′ emet) … John 1:14a A peace had settled down upon the scene at the mountain; Moses had successfully interceded for the people, and judgement was carried out, the consequences … Read more
We are struck with the beauty of the Tabernacle; outside it did not look like much, but inside it was glorious. Its beauty and design were inspired by the vision of its heavenly counterpart revealed to Moses. This makes this sanctuary more than a historic artifact of an antiquated culture, but foundational for worship of … Read more
This is the rite you shall perform in consecrating [Aaron and his sons] as my priests. Exodus 29:1 Up to this point in ancient Israel, we surmise that the firstborn, the primogenitor, functioned as the priest of the family unit in its original semi-nomadic setting (so Hahn). We have no reason to doubt this would … Read more
For the glorious adornment of your brother Aaron you shall have sacred vestments made. Therefore, tell the various artisans whom I have endowed with skill to make vestments for Aaron to consecrate him as my priest. These are the vestments they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a brocade tunic, a turban, … Read more
When Aaron, then, and the other Israelites saw Moses and noticed how radiant the skin of his face had become, they were afraid to come near him. Exodus 34:30 Of all the features of the human body, the face most fully expresses the imago dei in us. Not only are all the senses concentrated here, … Read more
You shall make an altar of acacia wood, on a square, five cubits long and five cubits wide; it shall be three cubits high. Exodus 27:1 For ablutions you shall make a bronze basin with a bronze stand. Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. Exodus 30:17 In … Read more
The tabernacle itself you shall make out of ten sheets woven of fine linen twined and of violet, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim embroidered on them. Exodus 26:1 The foundational “furniture,” or articles, of the tabernacle described, Moses’ vision takes us to the walls, interior tapestries, and exterior coverings of this tent sanctuary. The description … Read more
And you shall make a lampstand of pure gold. Exodus 25:31 As one enters the Holy Place from the outside and looks to the left along the south wall, one sees the Lampstand (Hebrew menȏrâ), directly opposite of the Table of the Bread of Presence. It was made of one solid piece of gold, weighing … Read more
And you shall make a table of acacia wood … you shall overlay it with pure gold and make a molding of gold around it … and you shall make its plates and dishes for incense, and its flagons and bowls with which to pour libations; of pure gold you shall make them. And you … Read more