October 27, 2020

The book of Exodus tells the story of the birth of the nation of Israel fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham.  From the seventy descendants of Jacob, Israel was fruitful and multiplied greatly until they filled the whole land of Egypt.  After four centuries of slavery, God answers the cries of His people for deliverance.  God raises up Moses for this calling, to lead his people out of bondage to a land of promise and deliverance. 

Some of the greatest stories of the Bible are featured in Exodus—from the Ten Plagues, and the Passover, to the crossing of the Red Sea, and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai. The Passover lamb, the exodus from the land of Egypt, the seven feasts, the tabernacle, and even the high priest, are all foreshadows of the ministry of Christ.

Chapters 1-18 contains the events leading up to God’s delivering the Hebrews from their captivity in Egypt, and chapters 19-40 shares the events in the wilderness and the account of God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai to direct the life and worship of the nation.

Exodus 27

The Bronze Altar

1 “You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits. 2 And you shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze. 3 You shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and fire pans. You shall make all its utensils of bronze. 4 You shall also make for it a grating, a network of bronze, and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners. 5 And you shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net extends halfway down the altar. 6 And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. 7 And the poles shall be put through the rings, so that the poles are on the two sides of the altar when it is carried. 8 You shall make it hollow, with boards. As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made.

The Court of the Tabernacle

9 “You shall make the court of the tabernacle. On the south side the court shall have hangings of fine twined linen a hundred cubits long for one side. 10 Its twenty pillars and their twenty bases shall be of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. 11 And likewise for its length on the north side there shall be hangings a hundred cubits long, its pillars twenty and their bases twenty, of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. 12 And for the breadth of the court on the west side there shall be hangings for fifty cubits, with ten pillars and ten bases. 13 The breadth of the court on the front to the east shall be fifty cubits. 14 The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. 15 On the other side the hangings shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. 16 For the gate of the court there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. It shall have four pillars and with them four bases. 17 All the pillars around the court shall be filleted with silver. Their hooks shall be of silver, and their bases of bronze. 18 The length of the court shall be a hundred cubits, the breadth fifty, and the height five cubits, with hangings of fine twined linen and bases of bronze. 19 All the utensils of the tabernacle for every use, and all its pegs and all the pegs of the court, shall be of bronze.

Oil for the Lamp

20 “You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn. 21 In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Reflection:

  • The outer court of the tabernacle was approximately 150 feet long and 75 feet wide. Judging by the details in the text, upon entering the outer court, one would immediately notice the brilliant blue, scarlet, and purple yarns that were woven into finely twisted linen of the gate and the veil over the entrance of the Holy Place. The bronze and silver of the altar and pillars would reflect the sun in all its brilliance. 
  • What do you think the significance was of the hangings of fine linen forming the outer court? Why do you believe God had any separation at all between the Most Holy Place, the Holy Place, and the outer court, and the outside world?
  • Reflect on Pauls’ words in Ephesians 2:12 which says, “Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”
  • In John 14:6 we read, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” How was the single gate by which to enter the outer court of the tabernacle symbolic of what Jesus said of himself?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for breaking down the barrier between You and me because of the work of Jesus and his death on the cross.  My sin had separated me from you, but you granted me forgiveness for my sin through Jesus alone. Thank you for saving me and giving me the hope of eternity with you in heaven. In Jesus’ name, amen.

7 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-October 27th”

  1. Dear Heavenly Father,
    Thank you for loving me so much that you have forgiven my sins through the shed blood of Christ Jesus on the cross. We were once separated from you but now we can have a close relationship with you. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and no one can come to You the Father except through Him. Thank you Jesus. In his precious and holy name I pray . Amen.

  2. Praise you Lord for your provision and salvation through Jesus your Son. Thank you for the sacrificial lamb of your son for our sins. Praise you for creating a way, truth, and light for us to follow and celebrate in all eternity.

    I ask dear Lord to continue your provision for your people here in our community. Bless our election process with truth and love. Remove this terrible virus from our land. Lord show your mercy and strength by triumphing over this plague. I lift up those who are fighting this virus as well as our elderly and widows. I pray that you surround them with encouraging words. Touch their bodies and strengthen them in this physical battle. I pray for those who are mourning and sad. Dry their tears dear Lord. Comfort them in only the way you can during this time of isolation.

    Above all be glorified as our King of King and Lord of Lord. Amen.

  4. Father,

    Thank you, Father, for your grace and mercy. Thank you, LORD, for the gift of eternal life. May I not waste a minute today serving you with my whole heart.

    Send each a fresh touch of your Holy Spirit. May we affix our eyes on your throne, may we purpose our walk on the narrow path, may we invite others to join us in our journey.

    Turn the hearts of your children back to you. Only you, LORD, can heal our land. Father, may I be found on your side today, and forever.

    Strengthen me to battle the evil one, protect me from his fiery darts.

    Now, let’s be going to find one more lost soul for your son, Jesus Christ.

    Amen

  5. Because of our sin and disobedience, our mother and father (Adam and Eve), were exiled from Eden to avoid total destruction, creating separation between God and humanity. But God created a place, the tabernacle, where Israel could meet with the royal and divine God. Then God sent Jesus, the living tabernacle, God with us. Today we have the Holy Spirit, that is not just with us, but in us. Thank you Lord that because of your perfection, you have broken the curse of sin, death and separation. The barriers have been brought down, there is no separation between you and your chosen people, and we do not have to fear destruction, but delight in your holy presence.

  6. It is amazing that everything had a purpose and a place in the tabernacle. It reminds me to think about what I clutter up in my sanctuary (in me)?

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