mh_parser/vol_split/2 - Exodus/Chapter 37.xml

<div2 id="Ex.xxxviii" n="xxxviii" next="Ex.xxxix" prev="Ex.xxxvii" progress="49.78%" title="Chapter XXXVII">
<h2 id="Ex.xxxviii-p0.1">E X O D U S</h2>
<h3 id="Ex.xxxviii-p0.2">CHAP. XXXVII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ex.xxxviii-p1">Bezaleel and his workmen are still busy, making I.
The ark with the mercy-seat and the cherubim, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxviii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.37.1-Exod.37.9" parsed="|Exod|37|1|37|9" passage="Ex 37:1-9">ver. 1-9</scripRef>. II. The table with its vessels,
<scripRef id="Ex.xxxviii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.37.10-Exod.37.16" parsed="|Exod|37|10|37|16" passage="Ex 37:10-16">ver. 10-16</scripRef>. III. The
candlestick with its appurtenances, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxviii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.37.17-Exod.37.24" parsed="|Exod|37|17|37|24" passage="Ex 37:17-24">ver. 17-24</scripRef>. IV. The golden altar for
incense, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxviii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.37.25-Exod.37.28" parsed="|Exod|37|25|37|28" passage="Ex 37:25-28">ver. 25-28</scripRef>. V.
The holy oil and incense, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxviii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.37.29" parsed="|Exod|37|29|0|0" passage="Ex 37:29">ver.
29</scripRef>. The particular appointment concerning each of which
we had before the <scripRef id="Ex.xxxviii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.25.1-Exod.25.40 Bible:Exod.30.1-Exod.30.38" parsed="|Exod|25|1|25|40;|Exod|30|1|30|38" passage="Ex 25:1-40,30:1-38">25th and
30th chapters</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Ex.xxxviii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.37" parsed="|Exod|37|0|0|0" passage="Ex 37" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.xxxviii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Exod.37.1-Exod.37.9" parsed="|Exod|37|1|37|9" passage="Ex 37:1-9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.37.1-Exod.37.9">
<h4 id="Ex.xxxviii-p1.9">The Tabernacle and Its
Furniture. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxxviii-p1.10">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xxxviii-p2">1 And Bezaleel made the ark <i>of</i> shittim
wood: two cubits and a half <i>was</i> the length of it, and a
cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the
height of it:   2 And he overlaid it with pure gold within and
without, and made a crown of gold to it round about.   3 And
he cast for it four rings of gold, <i>to be set</i> by the four
corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two
rings upon the other side of it.   4 And he made staves
<i>of</i> shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.   5 And
he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear
the ark.   6 And he made the mercy seat <i>of</i> pure gold:
two cubits and a half <i>was</i> the length thereof, and one cubit
and a half the breadth thereof.   7 And he made two cherubims
<i>of</i> gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two
ends of the mercy seat;   8 One cherub on the end on this
side, and another cherub on the <i>other</i> end on that side: out
of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
  9 And the cherubims spread out <i>their</i> wings on high,
<i>and</i> covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their
faces one to another; <i>even</i> to the mercy seatward were the
faces of the cherubims.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxxviii-p3">I. It may be thought strange that Moses,
when he had recorded so fully the instructions given him upon the
mount for the making of all these things, should here record as
particularly the making of them, when it might have sufficed only
to have said, in a few words, that each of these things was made
exactly according to the directions before recited. We are sure
that Moses, when he wrote by divine inspiration, used no vain
repetitions; there are no idle words in scripture. Why then are so
many chapters taken up with this narrative, which we are tempted to
think needless and tedious? But we must consider, 1. That Moses
wrote primarily for the people of Israel, to whom it would be of
great use to read and hear often of these divine and sacred
treasures with which they were entrusted. These several ornaments
wherewith the tabernacle was furnished they were not admitted to
see, but the priests only, and therefore it was requisite that they
should be thus largely described particularly to them. That which
they ought to read again (lest they should fail of doing it) is
written again and again: thus many of the same passages of the
history of Christ are in the New Testament related by two or three,
and some by four of the evangelists, for the same reason. The great
things of God's law and gospel we need to have inculcated upon us
again and again. To write the same (says St. Paul) to me <i>is not
grievous, but for you it is safe,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxxviii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.3.1" parsed="|Phil|3|1|0|0" passage="Php 3:1">Phil. iii. 1</scripRef>. 2. Moses would thus show the
great care which he and his workmen took to make every thing
exactly according to the pattern shown him in the mount. Having
before given us the original, he here gives us the copy, that we
may compare them, and observe how exactly they agree. Thus he
appeals to every reader concerning his fidelity to him that
appointed him, in all his house, and in all the particulars of it,
<scripRef id="Ex.xxxviii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.3.5" parsed="|Heb|3|5|0|0" passage="Heb 3:5">Heb. iii. 5</scripRef>. And thus he
teaches us to have respect to all God's commandments, even to every
iota and tittle of them. 3. It is intimated hereby that God takes
delight in the sincere obedience of his people, and keeps an exact
account of it, which shall be produced to their honour in the
resurrection of the just. None can be so punctual in their duty,
but God will be as punctual in his notices of it. He is <i>not
unrighteous to forget the work and labour of love,</i> in any
instance of it, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxviii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.10" parsed="|Heb|6|10|0|0" passage="Heb 6:10">Heb. vi.
10</scripRef>. 4. The spiritual riches and beauties of the gospel
tabernacle are hereby recommended to our frequent and serious
consideration. Go walk about this Zion, view it and review it: the
more you contemplate the glories of the church, the more you will
admire them and be in love with them. The charter of its
privileges, and the account of its constitution, will very well
bear a second reading.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxxviii-p4">II. In these verses we have an account of
the making of the ark, with its glorious and most significant
appurtenances, the mercy-seat and the cherubim. Consider these
three together, and they represent the glory of a holy god, the
sincerity of a holy heart, and the communion that is between them,
in and by a Mediator. 1. It is the glory of a holy god that he
dwells between the cherubim; that is, is continually attended and
adored by the blessed angels, whose swiftness was signified by
their faces being one towards another. 2. It is the character of an
upright heart that, like the ark of the testimony, it has the law
of God hid and kept in it. 3. By Jesus Christ, the great
propitiation, there is reconciliation made, and a communion
settled, between us and God: he interposes between us and God's
displeasure; and not only so, but through him we become entitled to
God's favour. If he write his law in our heart, he will be to us a
God and we shall be to him a people. From the mercy-seat he will
teach us, there he will accept us, and show himself merciful to our
unrighteousness; and under the shadow of his wings we shall be safe
and easy.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xxxviii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.37" parsed="|Exod|37|0|0|0" passage="Ex 37" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.xxxviii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.37.10-Exod.37.24" parsed="|Exod|37|10|37|24" passage="Ex 37:10-24" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.37.10-Exod.37.24">
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xxxviii-p5">10 And he made the table <i>of</i> shittim wood:
two cubits <i>was</i> the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth
thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof:   11 And
he overlaid it with pure gold, and made thereunto a crown of gold
round about.   12 Also he made thereunto a border of an
handbreadth round about; and made a crown of gold for the border
thereof round about.   13 And he cast for it four rings of
gold, and put the rings upon the four corners that <i>were</i> in
the four feet thereof.   14 Over against the border were the
rings, the places for the staves to bear the table.   15 And
he made the staves <i>of</i> shittim wood, and overlaid them with
gold, to bear the table.   16 And he made the vessels which
<i>were</i> upon the table, his dishes, and his spoons, and his
bowls, and his covers to cover withal, <i>of</i> pure gold.  
17 And he made the candlestick <i>of</i> pure gold: <i>of</i>
beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his
bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same:   18 And
six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the
candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the
candlestick out of the other side thereof:   19 Three bowls
made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a
flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop
and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the
candlestick.   20 And in the candlestick <i>were</i> four
bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers:   21 And
a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two
branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same,
according to the six branches going out of it.   22 Their
knops and their branches were of the same: all of it <i>was</i> one
beaten work <i>of</i> pure gold.   23 And he made his seven
lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, <i>of</i> pure gold.
  24 <i>Of</i> a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the
vessels thereof.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxxviii-p6">Here is, 1. The making of the table on
which the show-bread was to be continually placed. God is a good
householder, that always keeps a plentiful table. Is the world his
tabernacle? His providence in it spreads a table for all the
creatures: he <i>provides food for all flesh.</i> Is the church his
tabernacle? His grace in it spreads a table for all believers,
furnished with the bread of life. But observe how much the
dispensation of the gospel exceeds that of the law. Though here was
a table furnished, it was only with <i>show-bread,</i> bread to be
looked upon, not to be fed upon, while it was on this table, and
afterwards only by the priests; but to the table which Christ has
spread in the new covenant all real Christians are invited guests;
and to them it is said, <i>Eat, O friends, come eat of my
bread.</i> What the law gave but a sight of at a distance, the
gospel gives the enjoyment of, and a hearty welcome to. 2. The
making of the candlestick, which was not of wood overlaid with
gold, but all beaten work of pure gold only, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxviii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.37.17 Bible:Exod.37.22" parsed="|Exod|37|17|0|0;|Exod|37|22|0|0" passage="Ex 37:17,22"><i>v.</i> 17, 22</scripRef>. This signified that
light of divine revelation with which God's church upon earth
(which is his tabernacle among men) has always been enlightened,
being always supplied with fresh oil from Christ the good Olive,
<scripRef id="Ex.xxxviii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Zech.4.2-Zech.4.3" parsed="|Zech|4|2|4|3" passage="Zec 4:2,3">Zech. iv. 2, 3</scripRef>. God's
manifestations of himself in this world are but candle-light
compared with the daylight of the future state. The Bible is a
golden candlestick; it is of pure gold, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxviii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.19.10" parsed="|Ps|19|10|0|0" passage="Ps 19:10">Ps. xix. 10</scripRef>. From it light is diffused to
every part of God's tabernacle, that by it his spiritual priests
may see to minister unto the Lord, and to do the service of his
sanctuary. This candlestick has not only its bowls for necessary
use, but its knops and flowers for ornament; there are many things
which God saw fit to beautify his word with which we can no more
give a reason for than for these knops and flowers, and yet we are
sure that they were added for a good purpose. Let us bless God for
this candlestick, have an eye to it continually, and dread the
removal of it out of its place.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xxxviii-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.37.25-Exod.37.29" parsed="|Exod|37|25|37|29" passage="Ex 37:25-29" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.37.25-Exod.37.29">
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xxxviii-p7">25 And he made the incense altar <i>of</i>
shittim wood: the length of it <i>was</i> a cubit, and the breadth
of it a cubit; <i>it was</i> foursquare; and two cubits <i>was</i>
the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same.   26 And
he overlaid it with pure gold, <i>both</i> the top of it, and the
sides thereof round about, and the horns of it: also he made unto
it a crown of gold round about.   27 And he made two rings of
gold for it under the crown thereof, by the two corners of it, upon
the two sides thereof, to be places for the staves to bear it
withal.   28 And he made the staves <i>of</i> shittim wood,
and overlaid them with gold.   29 And he made the holy
anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to
the work of the apothecary.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxxviii-p8">Here is, 1. The making of the golden altar,
on which incense was to be burnt daily, which signified both the
prayers of saints and the intercession of Christ, to which are
owing the acceptableness and success of those prayers. The rings
and staves, and all the appurtenances of this altar, were overlaid
with gold, as all the vessels of the table and candlestick were of
gold, for these were used in the holy place. God is the best, and
we must serve him with the best we have; but the best we can serve
him with in his courts on earth is but as brass, compared with the
gold, the sinless and spotless perfection, with which his saints
shall serve him in his holy place above. 2. The preparing of the
incense which was to be burnt upon this altar, and with it the holy
anointing oil (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxviii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.37.29" parsed="|Exod|37|29|0|0" passage="Ex 37:29"><i>v.</i>
29</scripRef>), according to the dispensatory, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxviii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.30.22-Exod.30.38" parsed="|Exod|30|22|30|38" passage="Ex 30:22-38"><i>ch.</i> xxx. 22</scripRef>, &amp;c. God taught
Bezaleel this art also; so that though he was not before acquainted
with it yet he made up these things according to the work of the
apothecary, as dexterously and exactly as if he had been bred up to
the trade. Where God gives wisdom and grace, it will make the man
of God <i>perfect, thoroughly furnished to every good work.</i></p>
</div></div2>