Exodus 30-31

Exodus 30-31

The next piece of the tabernacle was the altar of incense. After establishing Aaron and his family as those who will be responsible for the priestly duties, God explains what one of those duties will be. Aaron was responsible for making sure that the altar of incense was used properly with the different sacrifices that they would give. Also, Aaron was to make atonement once a year from this altar. This was another of way of showing future generations that entire God had done for the Israelites that had lived in Egypt.

Next God wanted Moses to take a census of the people of Israel. The purpose of this census was not to necessarily see how many Israelites there were (for God knew that number) but to see how many of them were willing to say that they were going to follow the Lord. To take part in the census, and be included in that final number, each person had to pay a half shekel. What is interesting is that no one was to try and pay and more or less than the required amount. God wanted them to give so much in order to identify themselves with Him, but He did not want them to give more than was required as not to brag. This tax would show who was willing to follow God.

The next piece of the tabernacle was the bronze basin, and it served as another one of Aaron’s priestly duties. It was to be used before every sacrifice, so that they would not die. In making these sacrifices, they were coming into the Lord’s presence. Using the basin would show that they were coming to God with a pure and clean heart. It was a symbol of them washing away their own sins before God. Many of the practices we have seen in these chapters have no relevance for us today. However, there are practical applications from these practices (and we have seen some already). Here, I think it is important that we see how Aaron was supposed to come to the Lord, clean. We should always be in an attitude of humility before the Lord, never thinking too highly of ourselves. Even though we are Christians, we still sin, and we do need to come to God with forgiveness, but that is how we should always come to Him. Before we begin requesting of God we need to make sure that we have repented of any sins in our life. The idea of repentance is similar to Aaron’s use of this bronze basin.

Finally, God instructs Moses to make some oil for anointing and some incense. He wanted all the different pieces of the tabernacle to be anointed with this oil, making it holy before the Lord. He also wanted Aaron and his sons to be anointed so that they would be seen as holy as well. This made a distinction between any ordinary man made construction and the tabernacle in which the Lord would dwell. He deserves nothing less. Also, no one other than the priests was to be anointed with this oil, for they were the ones who would make the sacrifices. So it is clear that there was some sort of distinction in the people of Israel, even if it was by position and responsibilities. Again there is a difference in this Old Covenant practice and the New Covenant. Jesus is our priest, and He is definitely most holy. There is a clear distinction between His position and ours, and He made Himself a sacrifice for our sins. But as for us, God’s children, we are all seen equally before Him. Jesus perfected this Old Covenant practice, and gave us access to the Father.

After giving Moses all of these instructions, Moses was probably wondering how he would accomplish this great task. So God not only gave Moses the task, but also the means to complete the task. He had already given two men, Oholiab and Bezalel the abilities to make everything required for the tabernacle. So God told Moses to make sure that he told these two men exactly how it was to all be made, and they could make it. It may appear that God’s plans for your life is more than you can handle. But remember that He never gives us more than we can handle, for He will always provide the means by which we can accomplish it. We just have to be ready to work.

Exodus 31 closes with a reminder of the importance of keeping the Sabbath. Notice that God has continuously told the people to keep His Sabbath: when they left Egypt, during their journey, through the 10 Commandments, and now with the instructions in building the tabernacle. God was serious about keeping His end of the promise, giving them the Promised Land, and He wanted them to be serious about their obedience to His commands. Keeping the Sabbath was one of those ways in which God expected them to show their dependence on and obedience to Him. So as Moses got ready to head down the mountain, 40 days later, he left with two tablets, written by God, which contained His commands. These tablets were a sign of the covenant that God had made with Israel.

Matt