The Bronze Altar

 

Exodus 27:1-8

 

October 8, 2024

 

The Bronze Altar

“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.  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.  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.  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.  And you shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net extends halfway down the altar.  And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze.  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.  You shall make it hollow, with boards. As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made.

 

It may not be hard for a person who is an architect to grasp what God has shown Moses on the Mountain, but for him to have all of this fixed in his mind, one more shows me the greatness of our God.

 

In our day to effectively show a customer what a house will look like, an architect typically uses computer-aided design (CAD) software to create detailed 2D and 3D drawings, including floor plans, elevations, and sections, which can then be rendered into realistic visualizations using specialized rendering software; additionally, tools like virtual reality (VR) can provide an immersive experience for clients to "walk through" the design virtually.

 

We have no understanding of what God did to show Moses these designs, but whatever it was, He did something for Moses that all the tools above could not do for the architect customer.  He gave Moses the ability to recall every detail.

 

Do you understand God has given you and me a new covenant, we also have an altar, the Cross, where Jesus pays for sin, all sins.  Hebrews 13:10-14,  ^“We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.  For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp.  So, Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.   Therefore, let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.  For  here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.“

 

We are told in Hebrews Galatians 2:20,  ^“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  Crucified, they die, so what death took place in you, was it not the old man, the one who wanted to do it his way?  By dying unto self and living for Jesus.  Our flesh has been trained by the world to get its needs met outside of Christ, and that is why one must study God’s word to seek Him and to listen to the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 6:14 tells us to put no faith in self, “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”  God has given us Sacrifices Pleasing to God.  In Hebrews 13:1-8, let brotherly love continue.  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.  Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.  Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.  Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  So, we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

-- 

__________________________
Bob Rice

Canyon Lake, Texas

Please click here to view my blog

The Tabernacle Part 3

                                                           Exodus 26:15-25

 

October 5, 2024

 

The Tabernacle Part 3

 

“You shall make upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood.  Ten cubits shall be the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each frame.  There shall be two tenons in each frame, for fitting together. So shall you do for all the frames of the tabernacle.  You shall make the frames for the tabernacle: twenty frames for the south side;  and forty bases of silver you shall make under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons;  and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side twenty frames,  and their forty bases of silver, two bases under one frame, and two bases under the next frame.  And for the rear of the tabernacle westward, you shall make six frames.  And you shall make two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear;  they shall be separate beneath, but joined at the top, at the first ring. Thus shall it be with both of them; they shall form the two corners.  And there shall be eight frames, with their bases of silver, sixteen bases; two bases under one frame, and two bases under another frame.

 

a. For the tabernacle, you shall make the boards of acacia wood: Each board was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. Each board was 15 feet (5 meters) high and 2 feet 3 inches (about .75 meters) wide.

b. Twenty boards for the south side: The north and south sides of the tabernacle had 20 boards each. The back (westward) side was six boards wide with two corner boards, for a total of eight boards across the back.

i. Scholars debate whether the surrounding boards made a solid wall around the tabernacle or were more of a frame with the fabric coverings providing the wall. The idea of a solid wall seems more likely.

c. Coupled together at the top by one ring: Each board was joined together by a system of tenons (tabs) with rings, through which ran bars. Each board had four rings through which the bars ran, and the corner boards had eight rings, four on two sides to accommodate the corners.

d. So there shall be eight boards with their sockets of silver; sixteen sockets: Each board rested on two sockets of silver, each socket made with one talent of silver. Therefore, each board rested on a base of 264 pounds (120 kilos) of silver.

i. Silver is the metal associated with redemption and payment for sin (Exodus 21:32, Leviticus 5:15, 27:3, 27:6, Numbers 18:16, and Deuteronomy 22:19). Jesus was betrayed for silver (Matthew 26:15). The tabernacle’s foundation was silver – pointing to the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.

ii. Perhaps the dual nature of the foundation had to do with the two sources of revelation – the Old and New Testaments.

iii. The silver of redemption also separated the tabernacle from the dirt of the desert floor. This is an illustration of the truth that Jesus’ redeeming work separates us from the world.

 

From the Back Porch, 

Bob Rice

 

 

--

The Tabernacle Covering

 

 

Exodus 26:14

 

October 4, 2024

 

The Tabernacle Covering

 

And you shall make for the tent a covering of tanned rams' skins and a covering of goatskins on top.

 

a. You shall also make a covering of ram skins: The covering of ram skins was like fine leather dyed red. No specific size or arrangement is mentioned for the assembling of this covering.

i. Kaiser described the ram skins as “Skins that had all the wool removed and then were dyed red; it was like our Morocco leather.”

b. A covering of badger skins above that: The outer covering of badger skins (or, perhaps porpoise or sea-cow skins) was a durable and water 

 

 outer covering. It wasn’t particularly beautiful to look at, but it was extremely comfortable.

i. When these four layers of curtains were laid on one another, the result was a very dry and very dark tent. The only light came from the lampstand described in the previous chapter.

Jesus refers to His church as the light of the world.  Our world is a dark place, full of self-seeking people, who god is themselves.  Many are looking for anything but Jesus, and yet some will come to Jesus when they see His light in you.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

The Tabernacle Part 2

 

Exodus 26:7-13

 

October 3, 2024

 

The Tabernacle Part 2

“You shall also make curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle; eleven curtains shall you make.  The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. The eleven curtains shall be the same size.  You shall couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and the sixth curtain you shall double over at the front of the tent.  You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set.

“You shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together that it may be a single whole.  And the part that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle.  And the extra that remains in the length of the curtains, the cubit on the one side, and the cubit on the other side, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, on this side and that side, to cover it.  

a. Make curtains of goats’ hair: The second covering was made of goats’ hair, producing a fabric dark, thick, and coarse – somewhat like felt. This covering was made by joining together five or six strips of fabric, with each strip being 45 feet (15 meters) long and 6 feet (2 meters) wide.

and. According to Kaiser, this goat hair “Came from long-haired goats and most likely was black in color. It was a coarse material that was often used to weave tents. Felt would be a modern equivalent.”

b. Couple the tent together, that it may be one: The set of five strips and the set of six strips were joined together with a series of loops and bronze clasps. The inner covering or curtain used gold clasps, but the second covering used bronze.

c. The remnant that remains… shall hang over the back of the tabernacle: Since the goats’ hair layer was six feet (2 meters) longer than the fine linen layer, the extra length covered over the back portion of the tent.

d. A cubit on one side, and a cubit on the other side: Since the goats’ hair covering was wider by 3 feet (2 meters), this layer completely covered over the fine linen layer.

i. Therefore, the fine linen layer – the “heavenly” set of coverings – was completely obscured and overlapped by the dark covering of goats’ hair. It was not open to observation, even in part. Heaven remained hidden to all except those who entered in through the door of the Tabernacle.  From Enduring Word

The door was the only way to enter the Tabernacle, and in the book of John's gospel chapter 14 the sixth verse, Jesus tells us about another door.  “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Many a person will stand before Jesus after physical death wanting to enter that door.  The key will not be your acts of righteousness to be seen by man, but your dependence on what Jesus did on the cross.  I do not believe anyone who understands what hell is going to be like would wish it for anyone but the devil and his demons.  These are the words of Jesus: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

 

Today is the day of Salvation, so by grace and faith, God will give you, the Lord, to forgive your sins and come into your life as Lord and Master.  That is the key to the door.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

What happens when you’re saved by Grace

 

What happens when you’re saved by Grace

 

A Paper by Jan Rice

 

Peace

 

Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 2:14, “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.”

If you are not experiencing Peace

What is the Problem?

Romans 14:23, “But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”

  Hebrews 3:18-19, “And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient?  So, we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.”

You need to check these two areas: Unbelief and Disobedience.

 

King David Sin & Confession

A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

Psalm 51: 1-4, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.  Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!  For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.  Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.   (Confession) 

Psalm 51:10-15, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing about your righteousness.  O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.”  Jan shares these insights of what King David experienced.

 

God forgiveness; David’s sin against God, Godly Sorrow; repentance; agreement with God, God’s forgiveness, and Pease Restored.

 

What Action should a Follower of Christ, take when the Enemy remind you of Past Sins?

 

Hebrew 10: 15-18, “And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, This, is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”  Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.”

Hebrew 19:19-22, “ Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,  by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,  and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”  The last word of Jesus was it is finished.  Got Question had this to say on those last words of Jesus.  “It is finished.” Found only in the Gospel of John, the Greek word translated “it is finished” is tetelestai, an accounting term that means “paid in full.” When Jesus uttered those words, He was declaring the debt owed to His Father was wiped away completely and forever. Not that Jesus wiped away any debt that He owed to the Father; rather, Jesus eliminated the debt owed by mankind—the debt of sin.

For one who has put their Faith in the Finished Work of Christ, what does the Scripture say God has done with Sin?

Micah 7:19, “He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot.  You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

Isaiah 38:17, “Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness;
but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction,
for you have cast all my sins behind your back.”

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Jan Rice

--

The Tabernacle

 

Exodus 26:1-6

 

October 2, 2024

 

The Tabernacle

“Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them.  The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall be the same size.  Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another.  And you shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set. Likewise, you shall make loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set.  Fifty loops you shall make on the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain that is in the second set; the loops shall be opposite one another.  And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains one to the other with the clasps, so that the tabernacle may be a single whole.

 

From the Enduring Word, a. “Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen: The tabernacle was a tent with a frame and a series of elaborate coverings. This section describes the first covering, the one seen from the interior of the tabernacle.

i. The plans for the tabernacle were revealed to Moses from the inside out, starting with the interior furniture and then working out. We approach the sanctuary from the outside in, but God builds the sanctuary from the inside out. He works in His people according to the same pattern.

b. Fine woven linen… with artistic designs of cherubim: The designs on this covering were visible only from the inside of the tabernacle. Therefore, on the inside of the tabernacle, one saw cherubim all around – as one would see in heaven (Psalm 80:1, Isaiah 37:16, and Ezekiel 10:3).

i. In association with the cherubim on the ark of the covenant, Trapp noted: “Golden-winged images, made by God’s special appointment, and set out of sight. Hence, then is no warrant for the use of images in churches.”

c. Five curtains shall be coupled: The fine linen curtain was made by sewing together five curtains, each one 42 feet (14 meters) long and 6 feet (2 meters) wide. They were first joined in sets of five, and then joined together to cover 42 feet (14 meters) by 60 feet (20 meters).

d. Make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains together with the clasps: The sets of five curtains were not to be sewn to each other, but joined by a system of loops on the fabric and gold clasps to link the loops from one set of five curtains to the other set of five curtains.

e. So that it may be one tabernacle: The spiritual principle illustrated with this method of joining the curtains is unity in diversity. It is the same idea of Romans 12:5: we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”

 

I do not often go to commentaries, but today it seems the right thing to do, and this writer was blessed by how God began showing Moses how to build the tabernacle from the inside out.  For that is what has happened to me: first he had to do His work on my heart, and then he began to work on my fleshly life.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

--