Lev. 24: Oh, Bread; Stone Him!

Well, I did not know that the oil from pressed olives was flammable. Apparently it is. The Israelites were commanded to bring this oil to Moses so that Aaron could keep the lamps burning continually through the night. Why? Who came to the Tent of Meeting at night? What was the significance of keeping these lamps lit? So if anyone came, they could see, or be seen? Aaron was working the third shift every night to keep these lamps lit. Had to be a lonely job. Were sacrifices being brought in the middle of the night?

Also, every sabbath, there were to be twelve loaves of bread set out on the table before the LORD. This must be the bread of the Presence spoken of in Exodus 35 in the context of the materials for the temple. They were to be made from the two-tenths of an ephah brought as offerings all the time. This is food for the priests.

Then, we have an abrupt change of pace.

Some dude with an Israelite mom (Shelomith the Danite) and an Egyptian dad got in a fight and blasphemed the Name with a curse (Ex. 22:28). The Name, referring to God. Presumably. Not only was blaspheming God an issue here, but what about when God told people not to marry outside of their nation? Anyway, everyone who heard this curse was to put their hands on the head of the blasphemer. Probably to purify themselves of the curse, in the way they put their hands on the head of the scapegoat. The assembly was to stone hime, as the blasphemer was held responsible.

Restitution is a part of justice in this passage. Here we find the famous "Eye for an eye, Tooth for a tooth" passage (Lev. 24:20). It is Biblical! This in essence means that if anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him.

I wonder if there was any joy in this stoning. Whenever I envision stoning, I picture a bunch of zealots reveling in the chance to do another person in. He probably had close friends and family in the assembly. What a horrible undertaking to have to do this to someone. What does it take to prepare oneself emotionally and spiritually to take a life? And was this assembly a group of leaders, or was it just some Israelite citizens? I'll have to ponder that passage a little more.

Ex. 37: Built: The Ark, Lampstand, Altar of Incense

So, basically, chapter 37 is a rehash of what God told Moses should be done in regards to building the tabernacle while hanging out on Mount Sinai.

For example, Ex. 37:1-9 is the carrying out of what was commanded in Exodus 25:10-22. And so on. Everything here is completed exactly as commanded earlier on in Genesis. Almost down to the verse. The ark is completed word-for-word as commanded.

The Ark: Commanded Ex. 25:10-22, Completed Ex. 37:1-9

The Table: Commanded Ex. 25:23-30, Completed Ex. 37:10-16

The Lampstand: Commanded Ex. 25:31-40, Completed Ex. 37:17-24

After the lampstand, this is where there is some deviation as far as order. Earlier in Genesis, the instructions for the tabernacle are given after the lampstand. Later in Genesis, it goes from the lampstand to the altar of incense. No big deal.

The Altar of Incense: Commanded Ex. 30:1-10, Completed Ex. 37:25-29

The Anointing Oil and Incense: Commanded Ex. 30:22-33 (Anointing Oil) and Ex. 30:34-38 (Incense), Completed Ex. 37:29 (Both).

In the completion passage for the oil and incense, it is written that it was made by a perfumer. It took one verse to say in completion what took 17 verses in command. In completion, there was no recipe given, no function explained, and no consecration message. Why is that? Also, probably no big deal.

I can only postulate as to why there is this almost word-for-word repeat. God says something, God wants it done exactly as He says. He wants his commands followed to the "T." There is no wiggle room. Also, this exacting list of instructions is kind of like reading the assembly instructions for whatever you may have to assemble. And in reading the assembly instructions, you may think, "Eh, I can skip that," or "this is unnecessary, I could do this instead," and then you get to the end, and you realize the whole thing fits together, because it is designed to do so.

Ex. 25: Bring Me Neat Stuff!

God tells Moses to receive (not collect...hmm) the following offerings from the people of Israel.

• Gold, silver and bronze
• Blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen
• Goat hair
• Ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows
• Acacia wood
• Olive oil for the light
• Spices for anointing oil and fragrant incense
• Gemstones (Onyx specifically) to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

God then tells Moses to have Israel build a sanctuary for him, and he will dwell among them.

Furnishings
The ark was the first furnishing described by the LORD for His tabernacle. What I find very interesting here is that God knows exactly what he wants here. He gives such specific instructions that they are essentially idiot-proof. Between the cherubim on the cover of the ark will be the place where God sits to meet with Moses and give his commands to the Israelites.

• Made of acacia wood
• 2.5 cubits (3.75 feet) long, 1.5 cubits (2.25 feet) wide, and 1.5 cubits (2.25 feet) tall
• Overlaid with gold inside and out, with a gold molding around it (God is not without a sense of style)
• Cast four gold rings and fasten them to its four feet, 2 rings on one side, 2 on the other.
• Cut two acacia poles, overlay with gold, and pass them through the rings to carry the ark. The poles are not to be removed ever.
• An atonement cover of pure gold: 2.5 cubits (3.75 feet) long, 1.5 cubits (2.25 feet) wide
• Make two cherubim (angels) out of hammered gold, attached on either end, facing each other, with their wings spread up and out, shadowing the cover.
  

The contents of the ark:

• the Testimony...God's covenant
  

The table was the second furnishing described by the LORD for His tabernacle. Again, God gives very clear instructions for how this is all going to go down. The bread of the Presence ("showbread" in the NKJV) was supposed to be on the table before God at all times. Not sure what that is, but I am assuming it is bread of a ceremonial nature. I'm sure I'll find out in forthcoming readings...Leviticus probably.

• Made of acacia wood
• 2 cubits (3 feet) long, 1 cubit (18 inches) wide, 1.5 cubits (2.25 feet) tall. Not huge. About sofa table size.
• Overlaid with pure gold, with a gold molding around it.
• Around it, a rim a handbreadth (3 in.) wide, with a gold molding on that as well.
• Again, four gold rings, and gold overlaid acacia poles just like the ark...for carrying
• Dishes (plates, bowls, pitchers, etc) out of pure gold as well.

The lampstand was the third furnishing described by the LORD for His tabernacle. This was to be created out of one talent (75 pounds) of pure gold. God says to make them "according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." This was not to be screwed up.

• One piece: Base, stand, branches and cups.
• Six branches off the center stand: 3 on the left, 3 on the right.
• A cup on each branch: Shaped like almond flowers, with buds and blossoms
• Seven lamps on it, with wick trimmers and trays of pure gold.