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Class-Book of Old Testament History

<hr class="sect_35" /> <h3> CHAPTER <abbr title="1">I.</abbr> THE TABERNACLE. <abbr title="Exodus">Exod.</abbr> <abbr title="chapters 36 through 40">xxxvi.–xl.</abbr>   B.C. 1490.</h3> THE encampment of the Israelites before Sinai continued for more than a year (<abbr title="Numbers">Num.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 1">i.</abbr> 1). At this point, then, it will be convenient to group together and consider the most important of those ordinances which they now received, and the chief features of the constitution under which they were called to live. The purpose for which the Jewish nation was raised up was of the most momentous character. In the midst of surrounding idolatry and moral degeneracy, they were called to preserve intact the doctrine of the Unity of God, to be the guardians of His gracious promises of Redemption, and to exhibit to the world holiness (See <abbr title="Romans">Rom.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 9">ix.</abbr> 4, 5). The doctrine of the Divine Unity was the kernel of the Mosaic law, and as such was defended by the sternest and most rigorous enactments. The Israelites were forbidden even to mention the names of the gods of the Canaanite nations (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 23">xxiii.</abbr> 13); they were commanded to burn or destroy their images, their altars, their sacred groves (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 23">xxiii.</abbr> 24; <abbr title="chapter 24">xxxiv.</abbr> 13); they were to deem accursed the precious metals of which their idols were composed (<abbr title="Deuteronomy">Deut.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 7">vii.</abbr> 25), and on no pretence whatever were they to conclude any treaty or make any marriage with them (<abbr title="Deuteronomy">Deut.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 7">vii.</abbr> 2, 3). Relapse into idolatry was to be regarded as the greatest crime, and whether committed by a city or an individual was to be punished with unrelenting severity. In the latter case, death by stoning was the inevitable penalty; in the former, all the inhabitants were to be put to the sword, the whole spoil was to be collected into a heap and burnt, and a solemn curse was to be pronounced against any one who attempted to rebuild it (<abbr title="Deuteronomy">Deut.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 13">xiii.</abbr> 6<abbr title="through">–</abbr>18). No less vigorous were the enactments against the construction of any representation of the true God under any form or similitude, whether of man or animal, of bird or fish or star. But while all idolatrous forms of worship were thus rigorously forbidden, the Almighty condescended to make known to His people the way in which He was willing to receive their adoration. Stooping to the infirmities of a nation just delivered from degrading bondage, He took them by the hand, and provided for the wants of their religious nature in a way marvellously adapted to their native genius and character, as also to their previous habits and modes of thought. And first, that the Israelites might have a visible assurance of the Divine presence in their midst, a sanctuary was to be erected, not according to any model suggested by the people themselves, but according to a Divine pattern shown to Moses in the Mount (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 25">xxv.</abbr> 9; <abbr title="Hebrews">Heb.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 8">viii.</abbr> 5). The Patriarchs had their pillars of stone (<abbr title="Genesis">Gen.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 28">xxviii.</abbr> 18, 19), or the shade of the consecrated grove (<abbr title="Genesis">Gen.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 21">xxi.</abbr> 33). The Egyptian had his huge colossal temples, built of vast granite blocks, or hewn out of the solid rock. Not such was to be the sanctuary of Jehovah amongst a people journeying through a wilderness to a Promised Land. As the nomad chief had his tent in the midst of his tribe, so Jehovah, as the Head of the Hebrew pilgrim-nation, ordained that a Tent or Tabernacle should be erected for Him, where He might meet and speak unto His people, and they might draw nigh to Him. I will sanctify, said God, the Tabernacle of meeting, ... there will I meet with ... and will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God, and they shall know that I am the Lord their God (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 29">xxix.</abbr> 42<abbr title="through">–</abbr>46; <abbr title="chapter 30">xxx.</abbr> 6, 36). In the erection of this Pavilion-Temple every member of the nation was invited to take a part, and to contribute either the gold and jewels of which the Egyptians had been spoiled, or the arts which, as we have seen, many of the Israelites had learnt from them. While, therefore, the superintendence of the work was entrusted to two skilful artificers, Bezaleel of the tribe of Judah, and Aholiab of the tribe of Dan (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 31">xxxi.</abbr> 2, 6; <abbr title="chapter 35">xxxv.</abbr> 34), many of the congregation contributed offerings of gold and silver and brass, of blue and red and crimson, of fine linen, and goat-skins, and ram-skins dyed red. Others were despatched in different directions throughout the fertile valley where they were encamped, to fell the Shittah or Acacia tree, which grew abundantly in the neighbourhood of Sinai, and was exactly adapted by its durability and lightness for the construction of a moveable tent, and while the workmen prepared it for its different purposes, the women employed themselves diligently in weaving and spinning blue and crimson hangings, thus consecrating the arts which they had learnt, while serving as bondslaves in the houses of the princes of Egypt (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 35">xxxv.</abbr> 20<abbr title="through">–</abbr>35). (A) The Area, or Court, within which the Tabernacle stood, was an oblong square, 100 cubits74 in length by 50 in breadth, formed by curtains of fine linen 5 cubits in height, hanging from pillars of wood with capitals overlaid with silver and furnished with sockets of brass. These pillars, 20 on each longer side and 10 on each shorter, were held together by means of silver rods attached by silver hooks, and were fastened into the ground by means of pegs of brass. The entrance75 was from the east, so as to catch the rays of the rising sun. Here the curtains extended only 15 cubits from each corner, and the intervening space with its 4 pillars formed the entrance, and was overhung with curtains of fine twined linen, of the richest and most brilliant colours, blue and purple and scarlet. In a line with the Entrance and the Tabernacle itself stood (a) The Altar of Burnt-sacrifice, and (b) The great Laver for purification. (a) The Altar of Burnt-offering76 (called in Malachi <abbr title="chapter 1">i.</abbr> 7, 12, the table of the Lord) was in form a square, 5 cubits long, 5 broad, and 3 high, and was constructed of hollow boards of acacia-wood overlaid with brass (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 27">xxvii.</abbr> 4, 5). So long as the Tabernacle was stationed in any one place, these were probably filled with earth, which thus formed the upper side or surface, on which the sacrifices were offered. Each corner of the altar was furnished with horns of acacia-wood overlaid with brass; to these the victims were fastened, and on them their blood was sprinkled at the consecration of the priests, and the sacrifice of the sin-offering (<abbr title="Psalm 118">Ps. cxviii.</abbr> 27; <abbr id="p121" title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 29">xxix.</abbr> 12; <abbr title="Leviticus">Levit.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 4">iv.</abbr> 7, 18, 25). From each side projected a horizontal ledge, to the outer edge of which was attached a perpendicular grating of brass, resting like the Altar upon the ground, for the purpose of catching any portions of the sacrifice or the fuel that might fall. The ledge, on which the priests officiated, was approached by a slope of earth, for the Law forbade the construction of steps leading up to the altar (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 20">xx.</abbr> 26). The implements used in the sacrifices, such as pans and shovels for collecting and removing the ashes, basins for receiving the blood, fleshhooks for turning the pieces of flesh, were all of brass (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 27">xxvii.</abbr> 3; see <abbr title="First Samuel">1 Sam.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 2">ii.</abbr> 13, 14). (b) The great Laver for purification stood between the Altar of Burnt-offering and the Tabernacle. It was made of the brass from the metal mirrors belonging to the women who served at the door of the Tabernacle (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 38">xxxviii.</abbr> 8), and was probably of a circular form standing on a basis or foot. In it the flesh of the victims was washed, as also the hands and feet of the priests, before they performed any holy function (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 30">xxx.</abbr> 18<abbr title="through">–</abbr>21). (B) The Tabernacle itself was entered, at its eastern side, through a magnificent curtain, 10 cubits in width, supported on five pillars (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 26">xxvi.</abbr>). Its dimensions inside were 30 cubits in length, 10 in breadth, and 10 in height. It was formed of planks of acacia-wood overlaid with gold, fixed into the ground by means of two tenons, each fitting into a socket of silver, resembling the sharp end of a spear. At the top they were united by bars of acacia-wood, 5 bars to each piece, passing through golden rings. The roof was formed of several sets of curtains; the innermost, 10 in number, formed of fine twined linen of various colours, and adorned with cherubic figures of curious workmanship; next to these were 11 curtains of goats’ hair; then one of rams’ skins with the wool on dyed red; and lastly, another of badgers’, or, more probably, seals’ skins77. The Tabernacle consisted of two portions, (a) The Holy Place, and (b) The Holy of Holies (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 26">xxvi.</abbr> 33, 34: and <abbr title="Compare">comp.</abbr> <abbr title="Hebrews">Heb.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 9">ix.</abbr> 2, 3). (a) The Holy Place, 20 cubits in length and 10 in height and width, was divided from the Holy of Holies by a veil of the most costly materials and the most splendid colours. Without any opening to admit the light from above, it was illumined only by a Golden Lamp or Candlestick, with seven lights, fed with pure olive oil, kept burning day and night, and trimmed each morning by a priest with golden snuffers, who carried away the snuff in golden dishes. From the base, on which the lamp rested, rose a shaft dividing itself on either side into three branches, so that it had seven arms, each adorned with calyxes of almond flowers, apples, and buds of pomegranates or lilies (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 25">xxv.</abbr> 31; <abbr title="chapter 37">xxxvii.</abbr> 17<abbr title="through">–</abbr>25; <abbr title="Hebrews">Heb.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 9">ix.</abbr> 2). Opposite the Golden Lamp was the Table of Shewbread (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 25">xxv.</abbr> 23<abbr title="through">–</abbr>29), made of acacia-wood, overlaid with gold, 2 cubits in length, 1 in breadth, and 1½ in height, and standing on 4 feet. It had a border to prevent the loaves from falling off, and was furnished with rings and staves for removal. Belonging to it were cups or spoons for incense, bowls for wine, dishes for bringing and removing the loaves, all of gold. These loaves, called also bread of the face, being set before the face of the Lord (<abbr title="Leviticus">Levit.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 24">xxiv.</abbr> 5<abbr title="through">–</abbr>9), were twelve in number, according to the number of the tribes. Baked of the finest meal, flat and thin, they were placed every Sabbath on the Table in 2 rows, 6 in each, and sprinkled with incense, and accompanied with libations of wine in the golden bowls. Here they remained till the next Sabbath, when they were taken away and replaced by twelve fresh loaves, and eaten by the priests78 in the Holy Place, out of which they might not be carried, the frankincense having been burnt as an oblation on the Altar of Sacrifice. Between the Table of Shewbread and the Golden Lamp and immediately before79 the veil separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was the Golden Altar of Incense (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 30">xxx.</abbr> 1<abbr title="through">–</abbr>11). Made of acacia-wood, in shape a square, 1 cubit in length and breadth and 2 in height, and ornamented round the middle with a golden wreath, it was furnished, like the Altar of Burnt-offering, with horns, rings, and staves; but unlike it was wholly overlaid with gold. On it incense, carefully prepared of four different ingredients (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 30">xxx.</abbr> 34<abbr title="through">–</abbr>38), was placed by the officiating priest morning and evening, with live coals taken from the Altar of Burnt-offering, that the smoke of the incense might perpetually ascend before the Lord. Once a year its horns were sprinkled with the blood of the sin-offering of the Atonement, and on no other occasion, except when a sin-offering was presented for the High-priest or the congregation. (b) The Holy of Holies, separated, as we have just said, from the Holy Place by a costly veil supported on a screen of 4 pillars, formed a perfect cube of 10 cubits in length, breadth, and height. While the Holy Place, though never penetrated by the daylight, was illumined by the splendid Golden Lamp, the Holy of Holies was left in utter darkness, symbolical of Him whom no man hath seen, nor can see (<abbr title="First Timothy">1 Tim.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 6">vi.</abbr> 16). Within this most sacred enclosure neither priests nor people as a body, but the High-Priest only, and that but once a year, ever entered. Here stood nothing but the Ark of the Covenant (<abbr title="Exodus">Ex.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 25">xxv.</abbr> 10<abbr title="through">–</abbr>16). This was an oblong chest of acacia-wood overlaid with the purest gold within and without, 2½ cubits in length, 1½ in breadth, 1½ in height. It stood on 4 small feet, which were provided with 4 golden rings, through which staves of acacia-wood overlaid with gold were passed, and which when once inserted were never to be removed. Within it were placed80 the two stone tables, on both sides of which the Decalogue had been inscribed. Round the top ran a crown or wreath of pure gold, and upon it was the Mercy-Seat, of the same dimensions as the Ark, made not of wood overlaid with gold, but entirely of pure gold. At either end of the Mercy-Seat rose two golden Cherubim, with outspread wings and faces turned towards each other, and eyes bent downwards, as though desirous to look into its mysteries (<abbr title="First Peter">1 Pet.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 1">i.</abbr> 12). Neither their size nor their form are distinctly described. By some they are thought to have been handed down by patriarchal tradition from those which were placed in Paradise (<abbr title="Genesis">Gen.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 3">iii.</abbr> 24); by others to have resembled Egyptian models; while Josephus (<cite><abbr title="Antiquities">Ant.</abbr></cite> <abbr title="Book 3">III.</abbr> <abbr title="chapter 6">vi.</abbr> 5) declares that they resembled no figures known to men, and that in his day their form was utterly lost. In Ezekiel (<abbr title="chapter 1">i.</abbr> 5<abbr title="through">–</abbr>13) we find them likened to compound figures with the head of a man, an ox, a lion, and an eagle, with four wings, two serving for flight, two to cover the body, and straight feet inflexible at the knee. It is not improbable that they represented the manifold powers of nature—created life in its highest form—their overshadowing wings meeting as in perfect harmony, their eyes cast downwards towards the Divine Law, over which seemingly so rigid and unbending was the compassion of One forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin81. <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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